Patents Assigned to Element, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8100955
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An integrated fixation plate and spacer having a retaining structure within the screw holes of the fixation plate to resist backout of screws attaching the fixation plate to the bone is provided. A movable joint may be provided between the fixation plate and spacer. In some embodiments, a screw hole insert is also provided to resist shear forces acting between the screw and fixation plate. In some embodiments, an integrated fixation plate and spacer system is provided, comprising two or more integrated fixation plate and spacer implants, wherein the fixation plates of each implant has a complementary configuration to allow attachment of the implants at adjacent intervertebral spaces. Alternative fixation systems are also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Blain, Greg Martin
  • Patent number: 8091502
    Abstract: A stiffening spine for use in a selectively inflatable kayak. Inflatable kayaks are characterized as having an elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tubes which, when inflated, define a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stem sections. A flexible cover extends between and at least partially encases the elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tubes to provide a floor for the kayak. A spine for stiffening the inflatable kayak is provided in the form of a relatively rigid longitudinal member and end caps fitted to both ends thereof. The longitudinal member is sized to be removably inserted within the flexible cover so that when installed, the end caps are positioned proximate the bow and stem sections of the inflatable kayak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Clay Haller
  • Patent number: 8062304
    Abstract: A vertebral distractor-inserter comprising a housing, a pair of opposing arms in mechanical communication with the housing, a driving rod extending through at least a portion of the housing and between the arms, wherein the driving rod comprises an axis and a surface with a plurality of angled ratchet teeth on at least a portion of the surface, and a ratchet drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the driving rod. A vertebral distractor-inserter comprising a pair of opposing arms, a housing in mechanical communication with the arms and rotatable about an axis extending between the arms, and a driving rod extending through at least a portion of the housing and between the arms. A vertebral distractor-inserter adapted for single-handed use. A vertebral distractor-inserter having an implant depth adjustor. Methods for distracting adjacent vertebrae and inserting an implant using the devices described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Blain, Dean Johnson
  • Patent number: 8033549
    Abstract: A rotating assembly of a mechanical seal includes a retainer, a pair of compression rings, a shaft sleeve, a first rotating seal ring and a second rotating seal ring. The retainer includes a plurality of spring members and a plurality of slide legs longitudinally extended in opposite directions to define limiting spaces where the compression rings are correspondingly restricted. The compression rings are located at opposite sides of the retainer between which the spring members are arranged. In assembling, the retainer, the compression rings, the first rotating seal ring and the second rotating seal ring are assembled on the shaft sleeve. Spring forces of the spring members can actuate the compression rings to push the first rotating seal ring and the second rotating seal ring in the opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Scenic Precise Element Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Shiou Huang
  • Patent number: 7998172
    Abstract: Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Blain
  • Publication number: 20110170452
    Abstract: An auto-configuring multi-layer network including different communication protocols, namely both wired and wireless protocols, interchangeably and indifferently to interconnect various devices such as, for example, controllers, actuators, alarms, sensors, interfaces, etc. The auto-configuring multi-layer network uses a virtualization functionality that mirrors devices from one layer having a given communication protocol unto another layer having a different communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: SCL Elements Inc.
    Inventors: Hami Monsarrat-Chanon, Rejean Groleau, Simon Caron
  • Patent number: 7979468
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for manipulating data sets. In accordance with one implementation, a computerized system is provided for storing, managing, indexing, interrelating, and/or retrieving data sets in a manner independent of the data model. The system includes an element module configured to store and uniquely identify elements and an element relation module configured to store relationships between the elements in the element module. The computerized system may also comprise a class module configured to store attributes of elements in a class and a type definition module configured to define the class and the attributes related to the class. The computerized system may further comprise a state machine module, the state machine module including a state machine transition module and a status module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Enterprise Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Randall DeWoolfson
  • Publication number: 20110082503
    Abstract: Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Blain
  • Patent number: 7846183
    Abstract: Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Blain
  • Publication number: 20100284154
    Abstract: A modular sensor mote, comprising an electronic board having two connector portions with associated connectors, a wireless communication management portion, a power management portion and a sensor receiving portion adapted for receiving a sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SCL Elements Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Caron, Simon Leblond
  • Patent number: 7744612
    Abstract: Devices and methods for protecting the neurovascular structures about the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a neuroprotective stent or device adapted for placement in an intervertebral foramen of a vertebral column and configured to resist compression or impingement from surrounding structures or forces. The stent or device may further comprise a flange or hinge region to facilitate attachment of the device to the vertebrae or to facilitate insertion of the device in the foramen, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Blain
  • Publication number: 20100138897
    Abstract: A method, of automatically determining one or more remediations for a device that includes a processor, may include: receiving values of a plurality of parameters which collectively characterize an operational state of the device, there being at least one policy associated with at least a given one of the plurality of parameters, policy defining as a condition thereof one or more potential values of, or based upon, the given parameter, satisfaction of the condition potentially being indicative of unauthorized activity or manipulation of the device; automatically determining, from the received parameter values, whether the conditions for any policies are satisfied, respectively; and automatically selecting one or more remediations for the device according to the satisfied policies, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Secure Elements, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bailey Bezilla, John Leonard Immordino, James Le Ogura
  • Publication number: 20100121385
    Abstract: A rod reducer instrument is configured to be secured to a fixation element and to force a rod into engagement with the fixation element. The rod reducer instrument can have a pliers to secure the rod reducer to the fixation element and a threaded shaft with a handle and a pusher member. The pliers can form a threaded channel that engages the threaded shaft and directs a movement of the shaft. The threaded shaft can translate a rotational movement at the handle into a linear movement at the pusher member and in this way force a rod into engagement with a fixation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach, Matt Lake
  • Patent number: 7665119
    Abstract: A method, of automatically determining one or more remediations for a device that includes a processor, may include: receiving values of a plurality of parameters which collectively characterize an operational state of the device, there being at least one policy associated with at least a given one of the plurality of parameters, policy defining as a condition thereof one or more potential values of, or based upon, the given parameter, satisfaction of the condition potentially being indicative of unauthorized activity or manipulation of the device; automatically determining, from the received parameter values, whether the conditions for any policies are satisfied, respectively; and automatically selecting one or more remediations for the device according to the satisfied policies, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Secure Elements, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bailey Bezilla, John Leonard Immordino, James Le Ogura
  • Publication number: 20090264928
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for immobilizing facet joints of the vertebral column. Embodiments of the invention provide an implant that is inserted in a facet joint from which cartilage has been removed, and which retains the approximate original spacing of the facets in the joint. A retaining arrangement, such as an adhesive, a threaded fastener, or a screw is then used to secure the implant in the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Blain
  • Patent number: 7572429
    Abstract: A combined desulphurization and pre-reforming processing unit converts logistic fuels such as JP-5, JP-8, gasoline, and diesel with high sulfur content levels, into a mixture of hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water without any sulfur or higher hydrocarbons. The fuel is processed at lower temperatures with sulfur-resistant materials in order to break down all the heavy hydrocarbons into methane and carbon oxides while capturing the sulfur simultaneously. The resulting feed is passed to a methane reforming system to generate additional hydrogen with no effects of coking or sulfur poisoning on the reforming system. The unit itself operates in a cyclic manner in order to regenerate the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Nu Element, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Neylon, David C. LaMont, Karen M. Fleckner
  • Publication number: 20090024132
    Abstract: An instrument guide with device coupler, a handle and one or more instrument guide lumens is detachably coupled to an orthopedic implant to facilitate drilling of the fastener holes or to facilitate insertion of self-tapping or self-dripping fasteners. The handle is preferably detachable to facilitate access to the instrument guide lumens. The device coupler detachably engages the implantable device and aligns the instrument guide lumens with the fastener openings on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Blain, Greg Martin
  • Publication number: 20080134016
    Abstract: A computer system supports the access of documents formatted according to different schemas. A model includes a relationship for different schemas. The relationship specifies a particular data and, corresponding to the particular data and one of the different schemas, a reference to one or more ontological-elements(s). An ontological-element defines a semantic relationship between the particular data (as subject) and objects with regard to a semantic relationship in documents. An executable program can include instructions or queries to access the particular data in a one or more documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Secure Elements, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Niemoller, Andrew T. Bove
  • Patent number: D564095
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Blain
  • Patent number: D566276
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Blain