Patents Examined by Alvin Stewart
  • Patent number: 8840673
    Abstract: A multi-component elbow joint assembly incorporated into reconditioned end surfaces established between an upper humerus bone and opposing lower radius and ulna bones. The assembly includes a first component anchored into the upper humerus reconditioned end surface and exhibits a first exposed support surface. A second component is anchored into the lower reconditioned bone end surface of at least one of the radius and ulna bones and exhibits a second exposed support surface. An intermediate component is supported in at least one of eccentric or rotational fashion between the first and second anchored components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Miguel A. Linares, Miguel A. Linares, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8840676
    Abstract: A prosthesis trial system includes at least one head member having an outer surface and a cavity configured to mate with an exterior surface of a stem member. The prosthesis trial system further includes at least one shell member having an inner surface configured to mate with the outer surface of the at least one head member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Belew, James C. Gatewood, Luke A. Gibson
  • Patent number: 8840677
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, device, instruments and methods for inserting and/or improving the holding strength and purchase of a bone screw, bone pin, or bone dowel in bone. Embodiments include monolithic allograft tissue forms, multi-piece allograft tissue forms, distally expandable portions, partially and fully demineralized portions, and flexible connecting portions. Advantages of the allograft tissue forms of the present invention include improved pedicle screw blackout strength and improved filling of bone voids. Methods for making and instruments and techniques for inserting the augmentation device, system and screws or pins are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Shreedhar Kale, Dennis Chien, Robert Delurio, Curtis Compton
  • Patent number: 8834568
    Abstract: A spacer for implantation into a subject is provided that includes a sterilized piece of cartilaginous allograft tissue. The piece forms a Y-shape with a base adapted to insert within a first carpo-metacarpal joint or carpo-metatarsal joint of the subject, and has a first arm adapted to secure to a trapezium bone adjoining the joint, and a second arm adapted to secure to a proximal metacarpal or metatarsal bone adjoining the joint. A procedure for implanting the spacer includes exposing a target joint and abrading a bone surface interior to the joint to induce surface bleeding. The spacer base is then inserted into the joint. The spacer first arm is adhered to the first bone of the joint and the spacer second arm is adhered to the second bone of the joint. A kit is also provided for surgical implantation of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Paul S. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 8828087
    Abstract: A surgical method for tibia osteotomy includes attaching a patient-specific alignment guide to a corresponding surface of a tibia of a patient for whom the alignment guide is customized during a pre-operative planning stage and making a partial bone cut in the tibia through a planar slot of the alignment guide. The planar slot is oriented at a patient-specific angle relative to an anatomic axis of the patient and the angle is customized during the pre-operative planning stage. The method includes opening the bone cut to form an opening wedge, and inserting a patient-specific implantable wedge into the opening wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Robert Metzger, Louis J. Keppler
  • Patent number: 8828077
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a drug delivery stent. In one embodiment, the method involves forming a stent pattern in a flat sheet, where the stent pattern includes reservoirs, generating a flat map of the reservoirs, filling the reservoirs with a composition based on the flat map, and then forming the filled stent pattern into a tubular shape and joining the sides. In another embodiment, the method involves forming a stent pattern in a flat sheet, generating a flat map of discrete portions of the stent pattern that are desirable locations for coating, coating the discrete portions with a composition based on the flat map, and then forming the coated stent pattern into a tubular shape and joining the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Medinol Ltd.
    Inventor: Jacob Richter
  • Patent number: 8814930
    Abstract: The disclosure provides biodegradable implantable devices such as a stent comprising a biodegradable polymeric wherein the polymeric material is treated to control crystallinity and/or Tg. The stent is capable to expand at body temperature in a body lumen from a crimped configuration to a deployed diameter and have sufficient strength to support a body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Elixir Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaoxia Zheng, John Yan, Vinayak Bhat
  • Patent number: 8808391
    Abstract: A femoral implant for fitting to a resected femur comprises a section having a frustoconical external form, a stem part extending away from the section to a distal end of the implant, and a femoral head extending directly away from the section to the proximal end of the implant. The implant could have the femoral head integral with the section, or as a separate component secured thereto, with the stem being a separate one piece component incorporating the section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: T.J. Smith & Nephew, Limited
    Inventor: Derek James Wallace Mcminn
  • Patent number: 8808374
    Abstract: A device for implantation in a bone is disclosed, wherein this device is a component part of a system, for controlled loading of the reconstructure anterior crucual ligament (ACL) of a knee joint. The device may comprise an outer body, which is provided with a damping mechanism between a distal end and a proximal end. Arranged inside the damping mechanism there is at least one securing element for fixing at least one thread which, at the proximal end of the device, is guided out from the outer body through an aperture in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mathys AG Bettlach
    Inventor: Stefan Eggli
  • Patent number: 8808357
    Abstract: Radiopaque, iodinated, absorbable polyesters, polyester urethanes, and polyether-ester-urethanes with and without inorganic iodide micro-/nanoparticles dispersed or solubilized therein, and composite inorganic iodide micro-/nanoparticles in an absorbable polyester, polyester-urethane, polyester-ester, or polyether-ester urethane matrix are employed in medical devices and therapeutic compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Poly-Med, Inc.
    Inventors: Shalaby W. Shalaby, Kenneth David Gray
  • Patent number: 8795381
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of the present invention provide for orthopaedic replacement of the hip while substantially preserving muscles and soft tissues around the hip joint resulting in reduced healing time and decreased risk of dislocation following the procedure. In an exemplary embodiment, an intramedullary rod 1502 is inserted longitudinally into the femur. A prosthetic femoral neck 3102 is then inserted from a point along the side of the patient's body and into the side of the femur and through a pre-existing lateral bore in the intramedullary rod 1502 and through the remainder of the femur to join the prosthetic femoral head 1102. The methods and apparatus include structures and techniques for fixing the prosthetic femoral neck 3102 in relation to the intramedullary rod 1502.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: IHIP Surgical, LLC
    Inventor: Anatol Podolsky
  • Patent number: 8795379
    Abstract: The present teachings are directed to a shoulder prosthesis having an adjustable radial offset and/or angular inclination provided by relative rotation of an adapter interdisposed between a stem and a head. In one example, a prosthesis has a stem having a first longitudinal axis. The prosthesis can also include an adaptor including a first taper. The first taper can have a first taper axis. The prosthesis can include a head supported by the adaptor. The head can be selectively oriented and then coupled to the first taper and the combination can be selectively orientated and the coupled to the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Kevin T. Stone, Nicholas Cordaro
  • Patent number: 8784354
    Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel Balbierz, John Lunsford, William L. Athas
  • Patent number: 8784483
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treating regurgitation of blood flow through a diseased heart valve. The diseased heart valve includes an annulus, anterior and posterior valve leaflets, and a subvalvular apparatus. The apparatus includes a substantially annular support member and at least one infra-annular support member securely connected thereto. The substantially annular support member has at least a first intermediate portion, a second intermediate portion, and a posterior end portion extending between the first and second intermediate portions. The posterior end portion is dimensioned for attachment to a posterior portion of the annulus of the diseased heart valve. The at least one infra-annular support member is securely connected to the substantially annular support member at a first location. The at least one infra-annular support member is dimensioned to extend below at least one of the posterior and anterior valve leaflets and across or behind at least one subvalvular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventor: Jose L. Navia
  • Patent number: 8771281
    Abstract: A replacement device for resurfacing a joint surface of a femur and a method of making and installing such a device is provided. The custom replacement device is designed to substantially fit the trochlear groove surface, of an individual femur. Thereby creating a “customized” replacement device for that individual femur and maintaining the original kinematics of the joint. The replacement device may be defined by four boundary points, and a first and a second surface. The first of four points is 3 to 5 mm from the point of attachment of the anterior cruciate ligament to the femur. The second point is near the bottom edge of the end of the natural articulatar cartilage. The third point is at the top ridge of the right condyle and the fourth point at the top ridge of the left condyle of the femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kinamed, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Carignan, Clyde R. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8764830
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treatment of various joint conditions include a device inserted into a joint space. During delivery, the profile of the device is constrained in at least one dimension to minimize invasive impact on tissue and/or bone. The device may be restrained for implantation by a thread or a rigid elongate member. After insertion, the device may expand at the implantation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Articulinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Janine C. Robinson, Michael Hogendijk
  • Patent number: 8764845
    Abstract: A kit for use in a procedure for implantation of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis includes a head component of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis, which comprises a body part having a convex bearing surface, and a reverse face at which the head component can be connected to a mating component of the joint prosthesis, in which the head component has a chamfer surface extending around at least part of its periphery where the bearing and reverse faces come together, and a plurality of markings on the chamfer surface. The kit includes a trial head component which comprises a body part having a convex trial bearing surface and a reverse face, in which the trial head component has a plurality of markings on the trial bearing surface at or towards the interface between it and the reverse face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: DePuy International Limited
    Inventors: James Brooks, Steven Gowers, Jonathan Thompson
  • Patent number: 8764847
    Abstract: A stent is deployed within a body passageway. The stent is configured to curl a varying degree upon itself as the stent is inserted into the passageway depending on the size of the passageway. In this way a single size stent may be employed in different size passageways. The stent may have a generally rectangular shape or other shape. The stent may be made of one or more materials. For example, a spine of the stent may be made of a material different than a material used for the outer edges of the stent. The edges of the stent curl towards the spine during insertion into the passageway without any further manipulation of the stent or by application of any additional mechanical means. The stent may have a varying thickness and/or width along the longitudinal axis of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracey Knapp
  • Patent number: 8764829
    Abstract: A buffer (10) for placement in a human knee between the femur and tibia comprises an outer sack (14) formed of a pliable material and having a one-way valve (22), a generally circularly shaped inner ring (16) received within the outer sack (14), and a friction reducing fluid (18) received within the outer sack (14) via the one-way valve (22). The inner ring (16) includes top and bottom surfaces (38,40) angled inwardly with respect to each other, such that the ring (16) is generally concave. The buffer (10) is configured for insertion between the femur and tibia so as to at least partially prevent the bones from contacting each other, which reduces the pain and discomfort associated with a loss of articular cartilage (12). The buffer (10) is arthroscopically inserted in the knee using an especially designed sleeve (20) configured for support of the buffer (10) during insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: James Marvel
  • Patent number: 8758445
    Abstract: A wrist implant requires minimal resection of the distal radius and preserves the sigmoid notch and articulation with the head of the distal ulna. The wrist implant generally includes a radius portion, a carpal portion and a carpal ball. The wrist implant includes a primary articulation and a secondary rotational articulation. The primary articulation occurs between the radius portion and the carpal ball. The secondary articulation occurs between the carpal ball and the carpal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Avanta Orthopaedics, LLC
    Inventors: Amitava Gupta, David A. Leibel, William P. Cooney, III