Patents Examined by Alvin Stewart
  • Patent number: 8715359
    Abstract: A joint prosthesis system is suitable for cemented fixation. The system has two metal implant components and a bearing. One of the metal implant components has an articulation surface for articulation with the bearing. The other metal implant component has a mounting surface for supporting the bearing. One of the metal implant components includes an extension, such as a stem or pegs, with an exposed outer surface. The metal implant component from which the extension extends comprises titanium and the exposed outer surface of the extension comprises a different form of titanium. A method of making the joint prosthesis is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Depuy (Ireland)
    Inventors: Daren L Deffenbaugh, Anthony D Zannis
  • Patent number: 8715356
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a prosthetic is disclosed. Soft tissue attachment pads having porous metal attachment regions and suture accepting holes are selectively positioned onto an implantable prosthetic to provide coupling locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Porter, Nathan A. Winslow, Jeffrey Kneisl, John W. Sperling
  • Patent number: 8702719
    Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an elongate body that has first and second ends with the first end being located adjacent to the handle assembly and the second end being moveably connected to an implant engagement assembly. The surgical instrument also has a length control mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a drive shaft and a gear assembly. The surgical instrument further has a locking mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a connecting rod and a coupling end. The length control mechanism functions to adjust the overall length of an implant that is held by the implant engagement assembly before being implanted in vivo. The locking mechanism operates to secure the overall length of the implant following final length adjustment and implantation. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument, a method of fabrication and a spinal implant insertion kit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Aesculap Implant Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Refai, Jeffrey T. Ebersole, Jeffrey A. Farris
  • Patent number: 8696751
    Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a refracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Ashley, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Damien J. Shulock, Murali Kadaba, David G. Matsuura, George A. Mansfield, III, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
  • Patent number: 8696711
    Abstract: A medical implant assembly includes a polyaxial bone anchor having a shank, a receiver, a lower compression insert with planar surfaces for closely receiving an elongate connecting member with planar surfaces and a one-piece closure structure. The connecting member is made from a polymer. The closure structure engages both the connecting member and the insert with the engagement between the closure structure and the insert securely locking the polyaxial mechanism even if the connecting member exhibits creep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Roger P. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8685102
    Abstract: An osteogenic fusion device is provided that includes opposite end pieces with an integral central element. The end pieces are sized to maintain the height of an intervertebral disc space. The central element has a smaller diameter so that the fusion device forms an annular pocket around the central element. An osteogenic material is disposed within the annular pocket between the opposite end pieces. The osteogenic material is in direct contact with the adjacent vertebral bone. The inventive osteogenic fusion device reduces stress-shielding and minimizes the radiopacity of the implant so that growth of the fusion mass can be continuously assessed. The osteogenic fusion devices of the present invention may be combined with other fusion devices to form an implant system. Methods of promoting fusion bone growth in the space between adjacent vertebrae utilizing devices and systems of the invention are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. McKay
  • Patent number: 8663325
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Rod Berube, Gary R. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8641775
    Abstract: Biocompatible tissue implants are provided for repairing a tissue injury or defect. The tissue implants comprise a biological tissue slice that serves as a source of viable cells capable of tissue regeneration and/or repair. The biological tissue slice can be harvested from healthy tissue to have a geometry that is suitable for implantation at the site of the injury or defect. The harvested tissue slice is dimensioned to allow the viable cells contained within the tissue slice to migrate out and proliferate and integrate with tissue surrounding the injury or defect site. Methods for repairing a tissue injury or defect using the tissue implants are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander M. Harmon, Stephanie M. Kladakis, Julia Hwang
  • Patent number: 8632604
    Abstract: A medical implant device comprises a substrate (10) having an undulating surface provided by peaks (12) which are separated by recesses (14). The device includes a porous coating layer provided on the undulating surface of the substrate which comprises a plurality of particles (16). The spacing between adjacent peaks on the surface of the substrate is less than the particle size of the particles. The particles are bonded to the peaks on the surface of the substrate and adjacent particles are bonded to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Depuy International Limited
    Inventor: James Brooks
  • Patent number: 8623092
    Abstract: A joint prosthesis for mounting in a first bone and presenting a prosthetic joint surface for engaging an opposing joint surface of a second bone, the joint prosthesis comprising: a sleeve which is adapted for partial disposition in an opening formed in the first bone; a center adapter which is adapted for disposition within the sleeve; and a prosthetic joint surface mounted to the center adapter; wherein the disposition of the center adapter is adjustable, both longitudinally and rotationally, relative to the sleeve, so that the disposition of the prosthetic joint surface is adjustable, both longitudinally and rotationally, relative to the opposing joint surface of the second bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Simplicity Orthopedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry T. Bickley, Richard E. Zovich, Aldo M. Zovich
  • Patent number: 8617246
    Abstract: Bone implantable devices and methodologies permit careful application of biologically active substances and management of bone growth processes. The device includes a body defining a carrier receiving area for locating adjacent bone. Carrier material is located in the carrier receiving area. Substance is delivered onto carrier material through a port. A pathway delivers substance from the carrier receiving area to the bone surface. The body may be in the form of a spinal fusion cage, facet fusion screw, artificial joint, bone fixation plate, interbody graft, IM nail, hip stem, or other bone-to-bone appliances or bone-to-device appliances. In use, carrier is installed in the carrier receiving area of the device. The device is then implanted adjacent a bone. The substance is applied to the carrier for subsequent delivery to the bone. By doping carrier material after device implantation, inadvertent contact of the substance with non-target bone is more easily eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Malone
  • Patent number: 8617236
    Abstract: Medical devices and delivery systems for delivering medical devices to a target location within a subject. In some embodiments the medical devices can be locked in a fully deployed and locked configuration. In some embodiments the delivery systems are configured with a single actuator to control the movement of multiple components of the delivery system. In some embodiments the actuator controls the independent and dependent movement of multiple components of the delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sadra Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Paul, Benjamin Sutton, Brian McCollum, Brian D. Brandt, Emma Leung, Kenneth M. Martin, Amr Salahieh, Daniel Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 8617241
    Abstract: A system for single tunnel, double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction includes implant constructs and instruments. The implant constructs provide a combination of cortical fixation and bone tunnel aperture fixation. The implant constructs separate a graft into distinct bundles. The instruments are used to prepare shaped bone tunnels to receive the implant constructs and graft bundles. Methods for reconstructing the antero-medial and postero-lateral bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament may rely on single femoral and tibial tunnels and a single strand of graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: IMDS Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Myers
  • Patent number: 8591586
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis having two cover plates and a prosthesis core that extends to the circumferential edge of the cover plates. The prosthesis core is mounted to the lower cover plate and forms a spherical sliding surface with the upper cover plate. The connection surface of the cover plates may be set back from the circumferential perimeter of the cover plates to provide an optimum size of the spherical sliding surface despite the set-back nature of the connection surface. The set-back is configured as an inclined transition surface that adjoins the connection surface to the circumferential edge. The set-back allows the intervertebral disc prosthesis to be fully inserted into the prepared disc space into the spared dorsolateral corners without protruding ventrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut D. Link, Arnold Keller, Paul C. McAfee
  • Patent number: 8579975
    Abstract: A system for single tunnel, double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction includes implant constructs and instruments. The implant constructs provide a combination of cortical fixation and bone tunnel aperture fixation. The implant constructs separate a graft into distinct bundles. The instruments are used to prepare shaped bone tunnels to receive the implant constructs and graft bundles. Methods for reconstructing the antero-medial and postero-lateral bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament may rely on single femoral and tibial tunnels and a single strand of graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: IMDS Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Myers
  • Patent number: 8579985
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for orthopedic replacement of the hip through three incisions with a modular prosthetic system assembled in vivo while substantially preserving muscles and soft tissues around the hip joint resulting in reduced healing time and decreased risk of dislocation. A prosthetic femoral stem is inserted into the femur. A prosthetic femoral neck is inserted from a point along the side of the patient's body and into the side of the femur and through a lateral bore in the prosthetic femoral stem to join the prosthetic femoral head. The methods and apparatus include structures and techniques for fixing or enhancing interconnection of implant components, such as by increasing the interconnection in an interference fit with one or more tapers, threads, and/or cooling of components prior to assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: IHIP Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Anatol Podolsky, Yuri Garbuzov
  • Patent number: 8545547
    Abstract: An expandable slide and lock stent is provided that comprises a plurality of radial elements interconnected to form a tubular member. Each radial element can comprise a helical backbone and at least one elongate member extending from the helical backbone in a circumferential direction. Each backbone can have at least one slot that can be configured to receive an elongate member of an adjacent radial element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Reva Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Schmid, Andrew Morris, Keith Weier, Craig Bonsignore, Keith Esser, Steven C. Howard, Joseph A. DiPari
  • Patent number: 8535377
    Abstract: A system for single tunnel, double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction includes implant constructs and instruments. The implant constructs provide a combination of cortical fixation and bone tunnel aperture fixation. The implant constructs separate a graft into distinct bundles. The instruments are used to prepare shaped bone tunnels to receive the implant constructs and graft bundles. Methods for reconstructing the antero-medial and postero-lateral bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament may rely on single femoral and tibial tunnels and a single strand of graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: IMDS Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Myers, Douglas M. Lorang, Daniel J. Triplett, Chad Lewis, Bryan Howard, Nathan Hansen
  • Patent number: 8518122
    Abstract: The invention relates to modular joint prostheses, comprising a curved head part to the conical pins of which a slip-on joint ball is attached, and comprising a nail which can be inserted into the bone marrow canal of the long bone and has a nail neck, wherein a connecting means is provided between the head part and the nail neck which holds the head part in a non-rotatable manner. The connecting means comprises at least one collar-like module which is located in the axial direction of the nail and has at least two semi-shells, which are divided in the axial direction of the module, are detachably connected to each other, form an axially extending passage for inserting the nail head into the passage and have recesses for receiving a tensioning means, which in the tensioned state fixes the nail head in the passage exclusively by way of factional engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Merete Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Emmanuel Anapliotis, Curt Kranz, Martin Hilse, Gunter Lob
  • Patent number: 8470048
    Abstract: A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibial tray 1006.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet UK Limited
    Inventors: David Wolfson, Russell Lloyd, John O'Connor, Mohammed Imran Khan, David Wycliffe Murray, Christopher Dodd, John W. Goodfellow