Patents Examined by Eduardo C. Robert
  • Patent number: 11871968
    Abstract: A spinal fixation access and delivery system is disclosed. In some aspects, the system is used to access the cervical facet joint via a posterior access approach. The system may include an access device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a chamfered or beveled end feature positioned at the distal portion of the body and configured for insertion at the cervical facet joint. The system may further include a guide device having access device engagement features and a spinal fixation member. The access device includes at least one guide device receiving feature complementary to or keyed to the engagement feature of the guide device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan, Christopher Lambert, Nicholas Domek, Bon Champ, Edward Liou
  • 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: 11864800
    Abstract: An assembly for rectifying vertebrae, comprises: two bone anchoring means intended to be implanted on a same vertebra, a triangulation bar and a connection means for connecting the triangulation bar to each bone anchoring means and for holding the bone anchoring means in a given position in order to form, with the triangulation bar connected to the bone anchoring means by means of the connection means, a rigid triangular assembly, the triangulation bar comprising an attachment area for attaching a correction instrument arranged to ensure a rigid attachment in rotation and in translation of the correction instrument on the triangulation bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Assaker, Daniel Chopin, Dominique Petit
  • 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: 11864746
    Abstract: A surgical stabilizer arm includes a reusable base portion and a disposable arm portion. The articulating links that enable the arm to be positioned into arbitrary trajectories are included the disposable portion, thus eliminating the need to clean between the links after a surgical procedure. The disposable portion also includes a tool attachment mechanism and a cable. The reusable portion includes a retractor clamping mechanism, a top plate, a T-shaped base post, a main body, a nosepiece, a threaded drawbar, a thrust bearing assembly, and a threaded handle that can extend or retract the drawbar when rotated. The threaded drawbar may include a slot into which an end of the cable can be inserted, which allows tension to be applied to the cable when the handle is rotated to pull the drawbar into the body of the reusable portion and lock the articulating links in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan Melilli, Gregory P. Muennich
  • Patent number: 11857222
    Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices, assemblies, and methods for securing a spinal rod. The orthopedic fixation device may include a tulip head with one or more internal components configured to secure a bone fastener. The tulip head may house a breakable shear clip that has an initial solid form. When the bone fastener is loaded into the tulip head, the shear clip breaks forming a split ring that expands radially outward to accept the screw head. Then, the shear clip collapses around the screw head, thereby securing the bone fastener to the tulip head. A spinal rod may be secured in the tulip head, for example, with a locking cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: David Leff, Matthew Bechtel, Caelan Allen, George Yacoub
  • Patent number: 11857223
    Abstract: A modular apparatus for extending a rod in an existing spinal construct comprises a modular rod connector for attachment to the existing rod and a modular rod extender that may be selectively attached to the rod connector. Each rod connector includes a spherical head that is formed to have the same size and configuration such that any selected modular rod extender may be attached to a selected rod connector. Each rod connector comprises an attachment portion having an opening for receipt of a portion of the rod of an existing spinal construct. Each modular rod extender comprises an extender body including a common modular attachment feature at one end for receipt of the spherical head of the selected rod connector, and an extension rod extending from an opposite end to extend the existing spinal rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SPINE WAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary Gregory, Eugene Avidano, Dylan Freund
  • Patent number: 11857174
    Abstract: A tissue manipulation device including a securing member pivotably coupled to a handle portion and is pivotably displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A distal end of a wire is coupled to an end effector of the tissue manipulation device, and the proximal end of the wire is removably coupled to an engagement portion of the securing member when the securing member is in the engaged position and is disengaged from the engagement portion of the securing member when the securing member is in the disengaged position. When the securing member is in the engaged position, the wire couples the securing member and the end effector such that when the securing member is displaced from a first securing member position to a second securing member position, the end effector is displaced from a undeployed position to a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jude S. Sauer
  • Patent number: 11857432
    Abstract: An expandable implant includes an upper plate configured to receive a first anchoring member, an upper support mechanically coupled to the upper plate, a lower plate configured to receive a second anchoring member, and a lower support mechanically coupled to the lower plate. The implant further includes a control member including a shaft and configured to control movement between the upper support and the lower support, a front portion configured engage the upper support and the lower support and further configured to receive the head of the control member, and a rear portion configured engage the upper support and the lower support and further configured to engage a portion of the shaft, wherein turning the control member causes the front portion to move in a direction towards the rear portion, such that the upper support moves relative to the lower support in a direction away from the lower support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Katrina Robin Keller, Madeline Wolters
  • Patent number: 11857228
    Abstract: An intramedullary intertrochanteric fracture fixation device includes an intramedullary nail having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a neck screw and a set screw assembly (264, 262, 266). The intramedullary nail defines an angulated opening in the proximal portion and includes an axial bore extending through a proximal end of the nail and into the angulated opening. The proximal portion further includes a compartment defined by an upper stop, a lower stop and a sidewall. The sidewall of the compartment defines a slot. The neck screw is insertable the angulated opening and includes a length and an exterior surface defining a groove. The set screw assembly (264, 262, 266) is pre-operatively assembled within the proximal portion of the intramedullary nail and selectively moveable into the compartment for preventing rotational movement of the neck screw within the angulated opening of the intramedullary nail. The set screw is cannulated to receive a guidewire when pre-operatively assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Ingo Stoltenberg
  • 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: 11857221
    Abstract: Methods for clamping a tether about a spinal or other anatomical feature. In some implementations, a tether may be extended in a loop around an anatomical feature of a spine. A spinal fixation rod may be coupled with an inner coupling piece of a clamping assembly, such as by way of a slot formed in the inner coupling piece. The inner coupling piece may be nestably coupled within an outer coupling piece of the clamping assembly. A first end of the tether may be passed through a passage of the clamping assembly, the passage being is at least partially defined by an outer surface of the inner coupling piece and an inner surface of the outer coupling piece. The loop may be tightened about the anatomical feature with the tether clamped between the inner coupling piece and the outer coupling piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ortho Development Corporation
    Inventors: Bao-Khang Ngoc Nguyen, Michael D. Ensign
  • 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: 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: 11849974
    Abstract: A tensegrity external fixation system utilizes a tensegrity external fixator having a compression portion and a tension portion that create a force to distract bone. A tensegrity external fixator has a compressor assembly with an extension that is compresses by a tension element, such as a tension band. In an embodiment, the tension band is coupled with a bone via a stud that is attached to the bone. The tension band may extend through a stud retainer, such as a loop coupled with the stud. A single extension may be used and compressed to cause the extension to bow between a tension band or wires. In an exemplary embodiment, a compressor assembly has a compression element that is compressed by the one or more extensions. Two extensions may extend from a compressor coupling having a compression element and manipulation of the extensions may place the compression element in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Brent Schultz
  • 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: 11849934
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, David T. Martin, Matthew C. Miller, Mark J. Reese, Wells D. Haberstich, Carl Shurtleff, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Daniel H. Duke, Daniel J. Mumaw, Gregory W. Johnson, Kevin L. Houser
  • 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: 11849932
    Abstract: Sensor-enabled surgical retractor devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein that can be coupled to a surgical robot during a robotic or robot-assisted surgical procedure to maintain health of retracted anatomy and prolong the amount of time until a surgical procedure must be interrupted to adjust a retractor. In some embodiments, interruption of a surgical procedure can be avoided by providing for minor and, in some cases, automatically administered, adjustment of retractor devices to alleviate pressure on retracted tissue without requiring surgeon attention or intervention. Fine (e.g., minor) adjustments to the retractor can be made automatically over the course of a surgical procedure to prevent damage to retracted anatomy and increase the time until a major adjustment of the retractor is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Tarik Yardibi, Robert Brik, Brice Dudley, Jr.
  • 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