Patents Examined by David C. Comstock
  • Patent number: 11871908
    Abstract: A disposable speculum for an otoscope provides a sheath adapted to cover an elongate otoscope probe and providing inwardly extending tabs that are adapted to flex outward when the speculum is inserted over the otoscope to engage corresponding grooves of the otoscope. The inwardly extending tabs provide precise alignment of the speculum with the elongate otoscope probe along an insertion axis to protect a length of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: James Berbee, Greg Rebella, Azita Hamedani, Patrick Ayerle, Thomas Hutcheson, IV, Ralph Paul
  • Patent number: 11872140
    Abstract: Pedicle-based intradiscal fixation devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. A pedicle-based intradiscal implant for stabilizing an inferior vertebra and a superior vertebra may include a bendable rod configured to engage bone, a bone fastener defining a channel for receiving the bendable rod, and a locking cap for securing the bone fastener and the bendable rod. The implant may be positioned through a pedicle of an inferior vertebra and the bendable rod may be deployable into the vertebral body of the inferior vertebra, through the disc space, and into the vertebral body of the superior vertebra to stabilize the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Weiman, Myles Sullivan, Carly Taubenkraut, Chad Glerum, Corbett McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 11871964
    Abstract: Pedicle-based intradiscal fixation devices, systems, instruments, and methods thereof. A pedicle-based intradiscal implant for stabilizing an inferior vertebra and a superior vertebra may include a bendable rod configured to engage bone, a bone fastener defining a channel for receiving the bendable rod, and a locking cap for securing the bone fastener and the bendable rod. The implant may be positioned through a pedicle of an inferior vertebra and the bendable rod may be deployable into the vertebral body of the inferior vertebra, through the disc space, and into the vertebral body of the superior vertebra to stabilize the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Weiman, Myles Sullivan, Carly Taubenkraut, Chad Glerum, Corbett McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 11864798
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a fixator for fixating bone fractures includes a Y-frame having superior, anterior and posterior arms. The arms may be slotted and may accept mounting hardware for supporting fixation pins or transfixion pins. Various components of mounting hardware may be able to be adjusted either in discrete steps or in continuous manner, for various degrees of either translation or rotation. The Y-frame may be rigid, or may have joints that allow either angulation or arm-twisting adjustment. Arms may be provided joinable interchangeably to a hub. A kit of such parts may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Gitlin LLC
    Inventors: David Gitlin, Lev Gitlin
  • Patent number: 11857236
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and kits include an orthopedic screw that is configured to be at least partially withdrawn from bone segment(s) and has, in part, a shaft extending from a distal end to a proximal end, screw threads with a first threaded alignment formed on the distal end, an unthreaded shank, a head positioned on the proximal end, and an enlarged terminal end segment of the head that includes (1) a socket for receiving a tool adapted for rotating the screw into the bone segment(s), and (2) a threaded cannula portion centrally located at a focus point of the enlarged terminal end and extending along a cannula for at least a portion of a length of the head comprising a second threaded alignment opposite the first threaded alignment and configured to receive an instrument head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: RETROFIX SCREWS, LLC
    Inventor: Hugh Boyd Watts
  • Patent number: 11857173
    Abstract: Retractors for surgical procedures such as spinal surgical procedures includes a pair of pivotable armatures and a translatable armature. A body for supporting the armatures is provided, with a handle connected thereto. The handle includes a first rotary actuator, wherein a rotation of the first rotary actuator moves the pair of pivotable armatures in opposite arcuate directions, and a second rotary actuator, wherein a rotation of the second rotary actuator translates the translatable armature in a linear direction. Methods of use for the retractors during surgical procedures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall G. Mast, Alan R. Burkholder, Andrew Schifle, Adam Kanter, David O. Okonkwo
  • Patent number: 11857272
    Abstract: An implanted article physical referencing apparatus comprises a guide body, a first guide shaft and a second guide shaft. The guide body includes a plurality of guide shaft receptacles therein. A longitudinal axis of each of the guide shaft receptacles extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal reference axis of the guide body. The first and second guide shafts each have a proximate end portion and a distal end portion. The proximate end portion of the first guide shaft includes an exterior surface adapted for being engaged with a corresponding interior surface of a selected one of the guide shaft receptacles to constrain unrestricted relative movement between the first guide shaft and the guide body. The proximate end portion of the second guide shaft is attached to the guide body. A longitudinal axis of the second guide shaft extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal reference axis of the guide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SI-RESTORE LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hoomani Moghimi, Daniel Brian Lanois
  • Patent number: 11849931
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods suitable for use with procedures performed at least partially percutaneously are provided. In some procedures, two or more access devices for providing access to adjacent surgical locations within a patient are used. Certain embodiments of the access device comprise an elongate body having a distal end with one or more cutouts. The cutouts on adjacent access devices are generally aligned with each other to permit passage of a portion of a fixation element from one access device to the other access device. A fastener with an elongated removable head may be delivered to the surgical site through the access device. After a distal end of the fastener is secured to the surgical site, a portion of the elongated housing is detached from the remainder of the fastener and removed from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene P Dipoto, Stephen J Anderson, Alan E. Shluzas
  • Patent number: 11849979
    Abstract: A spinal construct includes a bone fastener including a post and a shaft portion engageable with vertebral tissue. The post being movable in one or more axes relative to the shaft portion. A receiver defines a first cavity configured for disposal of the bone fastener and a second open cavity configured for disposal of a spinal rod. A band is disposable in the first cavity. The band being contractible and defining an inner surface that is directly engageable with the post. A nut includes an inner surface being slidably engageable over the post and an end surface engageable with the band such that the band contracts to engage the post. Systems, surgical instruments, implants and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 11849959
    Abstract: A medical screw surgical device includes: a surgical device main body shaped like a bar and internally formed with an insertion passage; an extension member provided in a lower portion of the surgical device main body and internally formed with a guide hole; a guide member movably provided in the guide hole of the extension member; and a firing member provided in the insertion passage of the surgical device main body and controlling the guide member to move up and down. A surgical robot having a robot arm with the medical screw surgical device includes: a support arm provided in the robot arm; a surgical device holding member provided in the support arm; and the medical screw surgical device provided in the surgical device holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: CUREXO, INC., INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yong Yeob Cha, Hong Ho Kim, Seong Yi
  • Patent number: 11844553
    Abstract: An intramedullary bone fixation device that includes a shaft with a flexible region. The flexible region may be configured to flex from a first shape to a second shape as the shaft moves along a curved medullary canal. For example, the bone fixation device may include a distal bone screw that is configured to move along the curved medullary canal of first and second segments of a fractured bone (e.g., two segments of a broken rib) and fasten to the segment bone segment. The bone fixation device may include a locking member (e.g., a proximal bone screw) that is configured to lock the shaft to the first bone segment. For example, the shaft may be fixed to the distal bone screw and ratchetably coupled to the shaft such that the first and second bone segments can be compressed together by urging together the distal bone screw and the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Noon, Christopher Keegan, Christian Peta, Albert Montello
  • Patent number: 11839412
    Abstract: A multi-plane cortical bone screw includes a screw tail and a ball screw. A ball head portion is arranged at one end of the ball screw, and a thread portion is arranged at the other end thereof. The ball head portion and the screw tail are in universal connection, so that the ball screw can rotate along a conical surface relative to the screw tail. A lower end face of the screw tail close to the ball head portion is relatively rotatably connected with a side face of the screw tail. The present disclosure further discloses a bone positioning device, which includes a plurality of connection rods and a plurality of the multi-plane cortical bone screws. The screw tails are arranged in a spatial three-dimensional radial manner along side edges of a multi-edge platform, and the connection rods used for positioning a bone are connected between the screw tails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: THE THIRD HOSPITAL OF CHANGSHA
    Inventors: Qing Lei, Lei Fan, Minghui Jiang, Lihong Cai
  • Patent number: 11826083
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical devices and methods of manufacturing medical devices. An intramedullary rod includes a head member, a shaft member partially disposed within a distal recess of the head member, and an outer body member disposed circumferentially around the shaft member and a portion of the head member. Medical device systems and methods of manufacturing medical devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: GLW, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Saam Sands, Christian Lutz, Axel Cremer, Stefan Völzow, Klaus Dorawa
  • Patent number: 11826033
    Abstract: A scleral depressor assembly includes a scleral depressor, an optical fiber, and a reflector. The scleral depressor includes an elongate body and a head disposed at a distal end of the elongate body. The scleral depressor defines an internal lumen extending through the elongate body and terminating within the head. The optical fiber is disposed within the lumen and includes a distal end positioned within the head. The optical fiber distal end includes a beveled end face that is obliquely oriented with respect to a central axis of the internal lumen. The reflector is disposed at the distal end of the optical fiber and is configured to reflect light emitted from the optical fiber distal end along a light path out of the scleral depressor head in a direction that is approximately orthogonal to the central axis of the internal lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: XRV-IP, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Easley, Matthew LaConte
  • Patent number: 11826261
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant may include an anterior plate forming a first monolithic structure defining a first end of the implant, and including at least two screw holes each configured to receive a bone screw; and a plurality of coils extending from the anterior plate about a periphery of the implant. The screw holes may be angled such that, when the implant is inserted between two adjacent vertebrae, bone screws are guided into the adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Morris, William Duffield, Edward McShane, Megan Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11812995
    Abstract: A connecting rod for an external fixation device includes a first joint having a first rotatable member housing, a first rotatable member disposed within the first rotatable member housing, and a first connecting member. The first rotatable member has a first bore. The first connecting member includes a first connecting member insert having a stem partially disposed within the first bore of the first rotatable member. The first connecting member insert includes a second bore. The second bore is operable to receive a connecting element from a first external fixation ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN
    Inventors: Mikhail L. Samchukov, John D. Ross, Alexander M. Cherkashin
  • Patent number: 11806053
    Abstract: Vertebral retaining devices and instruments are provided. A retaining device may include a first monolithic body having a first handle and first jaw pivotably coupled to a second monolithic body having a second handle and a second jaw. The first body and the second body may be pivotably coupled to one another at an intermediate region between the respective handles and jaws. In some aspects, the first and second bodies may be polymeric. The first jaw and second jaw may be shaped to provide an access region between the first jaw and the second jaw when the retaining device is coupled to bone fasteners attached to the vertebrae. The retaining device may include a locking assembly coupled to the first handle and the second handle, and configured to retain the first jaw and the second jaw in a spaced relationship relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Orthofix US LLC
    Inventors: Alain Paris, Lukas Glutz, David Chenaux, Nick Koske
  • Patent number: 11801071
    Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
  • Patent number: 11801074
    Abstract: A bone fastener includes a head including a first receiver defining an implant cavity and a distal portion defining a plurality of adjacent grooves. The head further includes a second receiver defining an implant cavity. A first resilient member is configured for disposal within the plurality of adjacent grooves and a second resilient member is configured for disposal within the plurality of adjacent grooves. A shaft is aligned with the first receiver and is configured to engage tissue. Systems, surgical instruments, spinal constructs, implants and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Alan Rezach, Ahmad Alsaffar
  • Patent number: 11801073
    Abstract: A spinal adjustment system including at least one thermally actuated pump element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TETRAVISION, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Mullaney, Daniel Moran