Patents Assigned to Stryker Spine
  • Patent number: 9241750
    Abstract: A dynamic subsidence plate is described having a first plate member and a second plate member in sliding engagement that may infinitely subside between a first and second assembled position. The plate includes a lock assembly associated with the first and second plate members. The lock assembly includes a ramp portion, an interference portion, and a bearing member situated between the ramp portion and the interference portion. The lock assembly of the plate is configured to allow movement of the first member with respect to the second member in a first direction in an infinite number of positions between a first assembled position and a second assembled position. Further, the lock assembly alternatively prevents movement of the first member with respect to the second member in an opposite second direction between the first and second assembled positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Charles L. Bush, Jr., Carla Bandeira
  • Patent number: 9220605
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device that includes a first engagement member. The first engagement member includes a first body and at least one extension. The first body includes a first aperture for receipt of a fastener. The at least one extension extends outwardly from the first body. Also included in the device, a second engagement member including a second body and a threaded extension that extends from the second body. The second body includes a second aperture for receipt of a fastener. Further, an expansion ring including a first end and a second end is included. The first end includes a threaded surface in threaded communication with the threaded extension. The second end is in rotatable communication with the at least one extension of the first engagement member. Where a torque is applied to the expansion ring, the second engagement member moves with respect to the first engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Thomas A. Alheidt, Christine Herrmann, Bryan D. Milz
  • Patent number: 9186189
    Abstract: An implant has a bone plate with a bone contacting surface and an opposite outwardly facing surface. The plate includes a split-ring receiving recess open to the outwardly facing surface located intermediate first and second bone screw receiving openings in the plate. The first and second bone screw receiving openings each having a slot spaced from the outwardly facing surface towards the bone contacting surface. The slot is formed in a wall of the first and second bone screw receiving openings. The slot is open to the split ring receiving recess. A resilient split-ring has a thickness less than a height of the slots in the first and second bone screw openings when measured along the bone screw receiving opening axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Christopher M. Campbell, Todd Harrington
  • Patent number: 9119684
    Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, Joshua A. Butters
  • Patent number: 9101494
    Abstract: An insertion tool for positioning intervertebral spacers into disc spaces. The insertion tool has a proximal end and a distal end, a T-handle secured to the proximal end and a pair of alignment rails extending to the distal end. The insertion tool includes a handle secured to the proximal end of the guide rails, and a shaft that extends through the handle, whereby the shaft has a threaded portion that extends to the T-handle. The insertion tool also includes a blocker that is secured to the distal end of the shaft. The blocker includes stop arms that guide the blocker through the guide rails and toward the distal end of the shaft. The blocker may be provided in a plurality of different sizes corresponding to the sizes of the implants to be inserted into a disc space. A lock is provided for locking the implant to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Bryan D. Milz, Robert Cipoletti, Thomas A. Alheidt
  • Patent number: 9060874
    Abstract: A method of inserting and positioning an intervertebral spacer is provided. The spacer includes a longitudinal axis, an on-axis interface coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal axis, and an off-axis interface angled to the longitudinal axis. The spacer's front end may be curved. The method may include inserting the spacer into the disc space utilizing a tool to engage an on-axis interface and then to engage one or more of the off-axis interfaces, which may be used for further modification of the spacer. The tool is moved substantially along a single insertion direction, which may be substantially parallel to a posterior-anterior axis of the disc space. The method may result in the longitudinal axis of the spacer being perpendicular to the insertion direction, or substantially parallel to a medial-lateral axis of the disc space. The spacer may also be positioned in an anterior aspect of the disc space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventor: Lee L. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 9050194
    Abstract: A spinal implant apparatus that is an expandable spacer including features to minimize or eliminate spacer cant or offset during and after completing the expansion process. The spacer includes a top component, a base component in engagement with the top component, and an expansion mechanism arranged to change the top component's position with respect to the base component. The mechanism for causing expansion may be a screw, a cam, a wedge or other form of distracting device. In one embodiment, the expandable spacer includes a base component with a set of towers and a top component with a set of corresponding silos, where the towers and silos are configured to minimize or eliminate tilt of the top component as it extends upwardly from the base component. In another embodiment, the spacer may include a stepped arrangement around the perimeter of the top component and the base component for engagement during height expansion with minimal canting or slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventor: Lee L. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 9017384
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spinal rod that includes an elongated flexible component and a reinforcing component. The reinforcing component is resistant to damage from compressive forces. The reinforcing component may be disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the flexible component so as to define at least one compression slot. The reinforcing element may include an upper bracket, an opposing lower bracket, and a connecting pin extending therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Hyun Bae, Charanpreet S. Bagga
  • Patent number: 9011447
    Abstract: Pedicle screws are designed to provide polyaxial coupling to pedicles of a vertebra. Intermediate pieces are attached to the pedicles screws and receive extender shafts. Extenders are inserted in the intermediate piece. The extenders project the anatomic points located in the cage outside the patient's body to facilitate proper contouring of a rod. An alignment linkage is used to ensure that the extenders are parallel to each other. The alignment linkage includes a linkage frame, an articulating linkage and a locking member. The articulating linkage has all rotational degrees of freedom and thereby adapts to any varying trajectories of the extenders and distance between the extenders. The alignment linkage includes a locking member with a pop-up indicator. The pop-up indicator notifies the users when the locking member is tightened with two of the extenders in non-parallel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Jeffery Arnett, Joshua A. Butters
  • Patent number: 8998921
    Abstract: A polyaxial screwdriver for inserting a bone screw in a vertebra. A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a coupling element. When a screw engaging end of the polyaxial screwdriver is lowered on the head of the bone screw, the complimentary surfaces of the screw engaging end of the screwdriver and the head of the screw self-align. A ratchet mechanism formed in the screwdriver provides progressive and automatic locking of the polyaxial screwdriver to the coupling element and prevents the accidental unthreading from the coupling element. In another embodiment of the polyaxial screwdriver, a collet slides over the outside surface of the upper end of the coupling element and locks on to the coupling element. In yet another embodiment of a polyaxial screwdriver, the outer sleeve of the polyaxial screwdriver has a split end that securely engages the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Ernie Corrao, Andy Wonyong Choi
  • Publication number: 20150088210
    Abstract: A method of percutaneous implantation of a pedicle screw system comprising the steps of implanting a first pedicle screw assembly in a first vertebra, the first pedicle screw assembly including a first coupling element connected with a first extension defining a first space and implanting a second pedicle screw assembly in a second vertebra, the second pedicle screw assembly including a second coupling element connected with a second extension and intersecting at least one a portion of the second extension with the first space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: STRYKER SPINE
    Inventors: Abram Reitblat, Steven Krause
  • Patent number: 8979851
    Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, Joshua A. Butters
  • Patent number: 8979848
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for advancement of a spinal rod in a spinal implant, wherein the apparatus includes a body and a handle attached to the body. A shaft is slidably attached to the body, the shaft is coupled to the handle and has a first end adapted to engage the spinal rod. At least one retractor blade is attached to the body and the spinal implant. The operation of the handle results in the shaft persuading the spinal rod in the spinal implant. The force exerted by the shaft on the spinal rod is limited to a pre-selected force. The apparatus can also be operated in a non-limiting mode when a reduction retractor blade is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Joshua A. Butters, T. Wade Fallin, Carson Esplin, Nathan Pierce, Greta Jo Hays
  • Patent number: 8974499
    Abstract: A posterior vertebral stabilizer has a resilient member such as a linear spring, which operates in tension and compression. The resilient member may be kept straight by a stabilization rod extending through the spring, or by a telescoping assembly that encases the resilient member. The ends of the stabilizer are attachable to pedicles of adjacent vertebrae so that the stabilizer adds stiffness to control flexion and extension of the vertebrae. Two such stabilizers may be used, and may be connected together by a crosslink designed to limit relative rotation of the stabilizers. Thus, the stabilizers may restrict axial rotation and lateral bending between the vertebrae, while permitting stiffened flexion and extension. Such stabilizers help provide the stiffness of a healthy intervertebral disc. In the event that fusion of the joint becomes necessary, a set screw or other component may be used to further restrict flexion and extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, Daniel E. Gerbec, Joel Dever
  • Patent number: 8915925
    Abstract: A compression and distraction shaft assembly applies compression and distraction to bones including vertebrae. Shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly are attached together via a polyaxial fulcrum. The polyaxial fulcrum allows all rotational degrees of freedom between shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly. Such fulcrum, during compression and distraction, does not impart ancillary stresses or motion to vertebrae. An hourglass-shaped bore for engaging pliers is formed in approximately middle of both the shaft A assembly and the shaft B assembly. Distraction pliers having cylindrical tips are used to apply distraction to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart an appropriate amount of distraction to the vertebrae, they are locked in this position. Compression pliers having cylindrical tips are used to apply compression to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart an appropriate amount of compression to the vertebrae, they are locked in this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Joshua A. Butters, Jeffery Arnett
  • Patent number: 8906077
    Abstract: A bone plate having at least one screw hole adapted to receive a bone screw, a blocker having a blocking end for blocking a bone screw from further backout of bone the blocker being predisposed in a blocking position wherein the blocking end at least partially overlaps a portion of the screw hole, the blocker being moveable from the blocking position by contact with the bone screw during insertion of the bone screw into the screw hole, and a blocker fixation element having an open orientation at which the blocker can move from the blocking position and a closed orientation preventing substantial movement of the blocker from the blocking position. The blocker fixation element cannot be moved to the closed orientation unless the screw head passes the blocker, thereby revealing that the blocker fixation element is in position to prevent substantial movement of the blocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Charles L. Bush, Jr., Hanspeter Robert Bayer
  • Patent number: 8894655
    Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, Joshua A. Butters
  • Patent number: 8870930
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of stabilizing a spine including providing a coupling element having an uppermost end defining a first plane, a lowermost end defining a second plane, and at least one bore extending from said uppermost end toward said lowermost end, wherein said first and second planes intersect one another, assembling said coupling element with an anchoring element, and after the assembling step, securing said anchoring element in bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: John Carbone, Aaron Markworth, Michael Horan, Yves Stephane Crozet
  • Patent number: RE45338
    Abstract: A posterior spinal fusion system may include a plurality of cannulas that mate with cages polyaxially coupled to pedicle screws. The cannulas maintain access to the pedicle screws to facilitate percutaneous insertion of a fusion rod into engagement with the cages. Each cannula has a pair of blades that may be held together by an abutment member that at least partially encircles the blades. Each abutment member abuts the skin to define a variable subcutaneous length of the corresponding cannula. Each abutment members is also lockably removable from the corresponding blades to enable the blades to pivot with respect to the connecting element to a position in which they can be withdrawn from the connecting element. The blades of each cannula are spaced apart to provide first and second slots of each cannula, through which the fusion rod can be percutaneously inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Kingsley Richard Chin, T. Wade Fallin, Joshua A. Butters, Daniel F. Justin
  • Patent number: RE45676
    Abstract: A posterior spinal fusion system may include a plurality of cannulas that mate with cages polyaxially coupled to pedicle screws. The cannulas maintain access to the pedicle screws to facilitate percutaneous insertion of a fusion rod into engagement with the cages. Each cannula has a pair of blades that may be held together by an abutment member that at least partially encircles the blades. Each abutment member abuts the skin to define a variable subcutaneous length of the corresponding cannula. Each abutment members is also lockably removable from the corresponding blades to enable the blades to pivot with respect to the connecting element to a position in which they can be withdrawn from the connecting element. The blades of each cannula are spaced apart to provide first and second slots of each cannula, through which the fusion rod can be percutaneously inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Kingsley Richard Chin, T. Wade Fallin, Joshua A. Butters, Daniel F. Justin