Patents Examined by Amy Sipp
  • Patent number: 9603605
    Abstract: A cutting block for use in a bone osteotomy procedure is disclosed, and includes a first cutting guide surface, a second cutting guide surface, and a third cutting guide surface. The first, second, and third cutting guide surfaces are adapted to be temporarily affixed to a bone having a first side and a second side such that the first cutting guide surface is disposed on the first side of the bone, and such that the second cutting guide surface and third cutting guide surface are disposed on the second side of the bone forming an angle therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteomics Corp.
    Inventor: Carlos E. Collazo
  • Patent number: 9597136
    Abstract: An apparatus, for reinforcing bone and tools for mounting the same, has an implant including a barrel and a device. The implant can be expanded by an expanding apparatus including an outer tub, a base, a hollow body and a handle. The expanding apparatus can be bound to the implant to place the implant into a bone to be treated and adjust the expansion degree. The expanding apparatus can be replaced by an injector apparatus including a container for bone cement and an injecting handle. The injector apparatus can inject a mixture for reinforcing bone (e.g., bone cement) into the bone through an exit, the device, the aperture, the barrel and the window of the barrel, and into the to-be treated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CHANG GUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shiuann-Sheng Lee, Wen-Jer Chen, Ching-Lung Tai, De-Mei Lee, Jiunn-Jong Wu, Chih-Ta Yu, Tsung-Hsin Wu, Sheng-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 9592132
    Abstract: A spinal fusion system method and apparatus can include: providing segments including a first segment and a second segment; and coupling the first segment to the second segment with a flexible member, the flexible member configured to have a deformable state based upon a temperature of the flexible member being below a transition temperature range or based upon a stress being applied to the flexible member, and the flexible member configured to enter a shape-set state from the deformable state based on the temperature of the flexible member rising above the transition temperature range, or based upon the stress being removed from the flexible member and the temperature of the flexible member being above the transition temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Shape Memory Orthopedics
    Inventors: Brian Albert Hauck, Robert Trigg McClellan
  • Patent number: 9554918
    Abstract: A spacer for separating bones of a joint, the spacer includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, and ramped surfaces. An endplate configured to engage a bone of the joint has ramped surfaces mateable with the ramped surfaces of the frame. When the endplate is moved relative to the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the frame, the endplate is moved in a direction away from the frame to increase the height of the spacer. A second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint can be similarly configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Weiman
  • Patent number: 9549771
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fingerstall-cannulated guide device for accurate and efficient guide wire placement for antegrade femoral nailing systems. The said device comprises a fingerstall with a cannulated guide connected with or without a threaded guide wire. Using this device, surgeons can determine the entry point for the guide wire fast and accurately by tactile hand-eye coordination. After correct entry point is obtained, the guide wire is advanced and the fingerstall-cannulated guide can be easily detached. The device and method can accomplish the following: (1) reduction of the surgery time; (2) reduction of the radiation exposure times, and (3) reduction of the soft tissue damage during surgery. The device is also beneficial for use in fastening together any or all portions of bone surrounding a fracture site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventors: Xiao Wei Yu, Weiping Ren, Emily Juan-Jie Ren
  • Patent number: 9522023
    Abstract: An orthopedic plate comprising, a frame portion and a bearing rotatably coupled with the frame portion, wherein the bearing defines an opening configured to receive a fastener for fastening the orthopedic plate to a body, wherein the bearing includes an outer surface that is eccentric to the opening such that a position of the opening with respect to the frame portion is adjustable as the bearing rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer GMBH
    Inventors: Steven L. Haddad, Paul Bond
  • Patent number: 9504482
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical instrument for guiding a drill into bone, the surgical instrument comprising; an elongate body comprising a shaft having a handle towards its proximal end and a head towards its distal end, wherein the head comprises a mouth and jaw assembly, and the shaft comprises a lumen aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shaft and extending from the proximal end of the surgical instrument to the mouth of the shaft, wherein the lumen is suitable for receipt and passage of a drill, and the jaw assembly comprises a pair of opposed reciprocating arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham Smith
  • Patent number: 9498351
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating the position of a spinal implant in an intradiscal space patient during surgery, comprising a spinal implant formed of radiolucent material and a releasably attached inserter comprising a positioning element including thereon a marker of material more radiopaque than the material of the spinal implant. The positioning element extends into the implant such that the marker is positioned at a predetermined location within the implant, the positioning element with the radiopaque maker being removable from the spinal implant after insertion. In a particular method of locating the position of the spinal implant, the spinal implant is inserted from the lateral approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SPINE WAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Vigliotti, Andrew Penfold
  • Patent number: 9486260
    Abstract: An orthopedic plate comprising, a frame portion and a bearing rotatably coupled with the frame portion, wherein the bearing defines an opening configured to receive a fastener for fastening the orthopedic plate to a body, wherein the bearing includes an outer surface that is eccentric to the opening such that a position of the opening with respect to the frame portion is adjustable as the bearing rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer GMBH
    Inventors: Steven L. Haddad, Paul Bond
  • Patent number: 9463007
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity adapts to tissues having different thickness. The surgical instrument includes a proximal portion with at least one bendable structure attached thereto. The at least one bendable structure is configured to fold anywhere along its length. Folding the at least one bendable structure causes the proximal end of the proximal portion to propagate in a distal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Gennady Kleyman
  • Patent number: 9463009
    Abstract: A prosthesis for use with a tissue repair system is capable of expanding during implantation into the tissue. The prosthesis can include a driving portion and a base portion. The driving portion helps drive the prosthesis into a tissue during a first stage of implantation. The base portion is configured to expand or splay open during a second stage of implantation. The prosthesis may include a hole for receiving a portion of a suture thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: JMEA Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Sack, Jack Y. Yeh
  • Patent number: 9445823
    Abstract: A guiding tool (2) is disclosed comprising a tool body (4) that defines a reference plane of the tool (2); an alignment member (10) that carries a guide surface (74); and an adjustment means acting between the tool body (4) and the alignment member (10) to direct rotational adjustment of the alignment member (10) with respect to the tool body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet UK Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Nick Harris, Paul James Kistle, Paul Smirthwaite
  • Patent number: 9439687
    Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for mechanically fixating a region of a skull to a portion of a spine. A plate is provided to contact a region of a skull and be secured thereto. A spinal rod is configured to extend from a location adjacent the plate to a location adjacent at least one vertebra. An adjustable housing is provided to secure the rod to the plate, and has a first position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate can be adjusted and a second position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Lemoine
  • Patent number: 9439781
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for implanting and aligning orthopedic implants. A patient-matched alignment guide is used to orient tools and implants intraoperatively. In certain embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods include an orthopedic guide comprising a body having a bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface has predetermined surface characteristics that correspond to respective characteristics of a patient's bony anatomy, and a pliable flange that extends from the bottom surface and is shaped to be received within an undercut of an implant to releasably couple the orthopedic guide to the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Luke Andrew Gibson
  • Patent number: 9402640
    Abstract: A surgical device having an assembly used to position a patient-specific surgical instrument with a bone of a patient, the assembly having radio-opaque and radiolucent portions that provide an indication of the instrument, and corresponding implant's alignment with respect to the bone, as well as an indication that the angle of the projection (or orientation of the view) of the alignment guide to assess the placement of the alignment guide relative to the underlying bony anatomy. The radio-opaque portion may include a plurality of Kirschner wires, fiducial markers, and may include a void allowing for alignment down a first length of the radio-opaque portion. Embodiments may be used with intra-operative fluoroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Reynolds, Paul Stemniski, Sarah Lancianese, Richard Obert
  • Patent number: 9387020
    Abstract: A bone plate system for repair of a proximal humeral head fracture, which includes a fixation plate having a main body and a depending alignment flange, a plurality of elongated compression screws to extend through the intact humeral head into the cortical bone of the fractured portion and a cover plate. With the fixation plate in place, fastened to the humerus, the cover plate is in turn fastened to the fixation plate and provides a defined amount of clearance in a region adjacent the heads of the compression screws to allow measured back-out of the screws upon settling of the fractured bone portion at the fracture site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Geissler, Linda C. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9387027
    Abstract: A self-tapping fixture is implantable in a bone. The fixture extends generally longitudinally from an apical end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis L and has a periphery, the periphery comprises a first zone A extending away from the apical end to merge with a second zone B, the second zone B extending away from the first zone A to merge with a third zone C, the third zone C extending away from the second zone B to merge with a fourth zone D and the fourth zone D extending away from the third zone to terminate at the distal end of the fixture, and the third zone C is provided with a plurality of thread wraps each merging from the periphery and extending generally radially away therefrom to terminate at a generally rounded wrap ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Jonathon Yigal Yahav
  • Patent number: 9358130
    Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument for positioning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically-prepared acetabulum includes a surgical tool configured to be coupled to the acetabular prosthetic component, and a gravity-based position indicator removably coupled to the surgical tool. The position indicator includes a first marking indicating a first position of the acetabular prosthetic component, and a second marking indicating a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Carl F. Livorsi, Francisco A. Amaral, Rod G. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9351765
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a securing device that is used to secure a fixation device to two bone portions to promote healing between the two bone portions. The bone portions commonly include a skull bone portion and a skull bone flap or implant, and the fixation device is commonly a cranial clamp. The securing device provides for securing the fixation device in a uniform, single movement as opposed to currently available products. The securing device has two handles pivotably connected, and a gripping means moveably associated with one handle. As the handles are activated, the gripping means travels proximally along the one handle and grips an elongated section of the fixation device and exerts a tensioning force along the shaft of the elongated section prior to the cutting means cutting the elongated shaft to secure the fixation device in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Schoutens, Kan Naito, Ulrich Engenhardt, Bruno Wiesmann, Benjamin Straub, Ralf Oesterlein
  • Patent number: 9326779
    Abstract: A drill guide for guiding elements, especially drill bits and implants of an implantation kit during a surgical intervention, has a main body having a gripping portion. The drill guide has an upper and a lower central opening along its longitudinal axis with a through going cavity for receiving the element to be guided. A lower contact surface is positioned on an object, such as a bone, on or into which the element is to be guided. The diameter of the through going cavity can be varied by a.) radial positioning of three or four jaws inside the cavity through a groove-slide block system and/or b.) against the force of a spring at the lower free end of guiding extensions. The spring is provided on the back side of the extensions which bear against the inner wall of the drill guide sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Klaus Dorawa, Stefano Brianza