Patents Assigned to NuVasive
  • Systems and methods for performing spine surgery
    Patent number: 9579131
    Abstract: This disclosure describes example an surgical fixation system and example methods for implanting the surgical fixation system on the spine. The surgical fixation system can be applied minimally invasively to the anterior column for both single level and multi-level constructs. The surgical system can be applied to the anterior column via lateral access approaches. The lateral access approach may traverse the psoas muscle. The fixation system includes a plurality of anchor assemblies connected by a spinal rod. The anchor assemblies each include a fixation body, bone anchor, rod-receiving member, anchor lock and rod lock. The rod-receiving member may be moveably coupled to the fixation body to facilitate rod insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth Gustine, William D. Smith
  • Surgical access system and related methods
    Patent number: 9572562
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Systems and methods for correcting spinal deformities
    Patent number: 9572599
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods generally aimed at spinal surgery. In particular, the disclosed system and associated methods relate to performing spinal fixation with the use of a deformity system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Niall Casey, Robert German, Scott Lish
  • Systems and methods for treating spinal deformities
    Patent number: 9566090
    Abstract: Systems and methods of treating spinal deformity, including one or more intervertebral implants to be introduced laterally into respective intervertebral spaces, a plurality of bone screws introduced generally laterally into vertebral bodies adjacent to the intervertebral implants and/or the intervertebral implants themselves, and a cable dimensioned to be coupled to the bone screws and manipulated to adjust and/or correct the spinal deformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Bryan Cornwall, Jonathan Spangler
  • Method and apparatus for performing spinal surgery
    Patent number: 9554833
    Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods for performing surgical procedures on the spine, including one or more of creating an operative corridor to the spine, delivering implants to the spine, fusing one or more segments of the spine, and fixing one or more segments of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy B. Woolley, Nathan Lovell, Michael Serra, Mark Peterson
  • Bone anchor with offset rod connector
    Patent number: 9517089
    Abstract: This disclosure describes example an surgical fixation anchor and methods for implanting the surgical fixation anchor on the spine as part of a spinal fixation construct. The surgical fixation anchor can be coupled to a spinal rod. The coupling between the spinal rod and the anchor can be offset from an axis of the anchor. The position and orientation of the coupling to the spinal rod can also be transnationally and rotationally adjusted relative to the anchor to facilitate the coupling and/or to optimize space usage adjacent to the fixation construct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Niall Casey, Daniel Zatta, Seth Gustine
  • Systems and methods for performing spine surgery
    Patent number: 9510771
    Abstract: The present application includes a position tracking system for tracking the location of surgical objects within the surgical field, a neuromonitoring system for detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures during a surgical procedure, and a processing system communicatively linked to both the position tracking system and the neuromonitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Finley, Albert Kim, Thomas Scholl, Jeffrey Barnes, Bryce Nesbitt
  • Spinal fusion implant and related methods
    Patent number: 9504584
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for use in spinal surgery. In particular, the disclosed devices relate to a spinal fixation system and an intervertebral spinal implant assembly sized and dimensioned for the lumbar spine implantable via an anterior or anterolateral approach. The devices include an implant, bone screws, and an improved locking mechanism to prevent the back out of screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Stein, Chad Grant, Nathan Lovell, Ryan Donahoe
  • Systems and methods for holding and implanting bone anchors
    Patent number: 9492208
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a guide assembly for introducing a bone anchor to an operative target site. The guide includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a distal anchor engaging end, a proximal end, and a central passage extending from the distal end to the proximal end. The inner sleeve may be situated in the central passage of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is movable being between a first position and a second position. The first position permits insertion of the bone anchor in the central passage. The second position releasably fixes the bone anchor to the guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Arnold, Eric Dasso, Justin Doose, Richard Mueller, Robert German
  • Surgical access system and related methods
    Patent number: 9486199
    Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. The tissue retraction assembly has a plurality of blades which may be introduced while in a closed configuration, after which point they may be opened to create an operation corridor to the surgical target site, including pivoting at least one blade to expand the operative corridor adjacent to the operative site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Luiz Pimenta, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, Jared Arambula
  • System and methods for spinal fusion
    Patent number: 9486329
    Abstract: A spinal fusion system and related methods involve the use of a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction. The spinal fusion implant is particularly suited for introduction into the disc space via a lateral approach to the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Luiz Pimenta, Jared Arambula, Benjamin VerHage, Troy Woolley, Patrick Miles
  • Rod reduction assemblies and related methods
    Patent number: 9486256
    Abstract: This disclosure describes example embodiments of rod reduction instrumentation. The rod reducers can be used during the installation of a rod based surgical fixation system to help urge the rod into the fixation anchors. The reducers described provide various configurations delivering large reduction distance capabilities, strong controlled reduction coupled with an ability to quickly advance the reducer if desired, and reduction of bulk through the surgical corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lish, Justin Doose
  • Spinal alignment frame
    Patent number: 9480504
    Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical alignment and distraction frame and associated methods of use that facilitates correction of a sagittal imbalance. The alignment and distraction frame works in conjunction with pedicle screw installation guide assemblies to impart the desired correction. The alignment frame can be utilized to ensure the pedicle screw housings are aligned (to facilitate rod coupling) in concert with the completion of a correction maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Schafer, Robert German, Jim A. Youssef, Scott Lish, Justin Doose
  • Systems and methods for spinal fusion
    Patent number: 9474627
    Abstract: A system and method for spinal fusion comprising a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction releasably coupled to an insertion instrument dimensioned to introduce the spinal fusion implant into any of a variety of spinal target sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curran, Mark Peterson, Luiz Pimenta
  • Surgical access system and related methods
    Patent number: 9468405
    Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James E. Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Spinal fusion implants and related methods
    Patent number: 9468536
    Abstract: A system and methods for promoting fusion across an intervertebral disc space, the system including a system of spinal fusion implants including a distal implant, a proximal implant and a medial implant positioned therebetween, wherein the medial implant has a flexible anterior wall capable of being deformed when a force is exerted upon it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Luiz Pimenta
  • System and methods for determining nerve proximity, direction and pathology during surgery
    Patent number: 9456783
    Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett, James E. Gharib, Allen Farquhar
  • Intervertebral implant
    Patent number: D770045
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curran, William D Smith
  • Magnetic targeting system and method of using the same
    Patent number: RE46282
    Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Wyatt Drake Geist, Christopher Walsh
  • Anterior cervical bone plate
    Patent number: D779065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brotman, Andrew Wolf, Paul D. Sawin