Patents Examined by Jacqueline Johanas
  • Patent number: 9084591
    Abstract: The retractor system for use in spinal surgery and other types of surgical procedures that is a simple and efficient solution for minimally invasive access to thoracolumbar spine is disclosed. The fully customizable design allows the surgeon to independently angle the retractor blades and expand the retractor in both cephalad-caudal and medial-lateral directions. With an offering of a range of blade lengths, access can be tailored to the patient's anatomy. The retractor system provides versatility and control ensuring minimal tissue trauma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: NeuroStructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Joey Reglos, Moti Altarac, John Fredrick Stephani
  • Patent number: 9084594
    Abstract: Several methods to reduce surgical site infections include inserting a surgical access device into an incision, retracting tissue, and introducing fluid into the surgical access device such that the fluid exits the surgical access device and irrigates a surgical site. Other methods do not include introducing fluid into a surgical access device but include suctioning a fluid into the surgical access device and removing the fluid from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Lealand Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Insoo Suh, Jonathan Coe, Swaminadhan Gnanashanmugam, Jeremy Koehler, Mark Welton
  • Patent number: 9078635
    Abstract: A retractor assembly has a first clamp adapted to be mounted to a table, a first vertically oriented post supported by the clamp, a first main arm mounted for at least one of angular and lateral movement relative to the first post, and lockable in a selected position, and a tree assembly configured at one end of the second post. The tree assembly has at least two accessory arms, with each accessory arm having a first ball joint on a first end, and a pivot lock knob at an immediate portion, and each accessory arm having a second end configured to accept the mounting of a retractor to the accessory arm. The retractor assembly may also include a J-shaped hook mounted to a ratcheting linearly movable distractor assembly and trochanteric retractors mounted to the accessory arms for femoral elevation and exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tedan Surgical Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Richard Menendez, Daniel C. Allison, Daniel Bass, Bob Mastny, Terry Johnston
  • Patent number: 9078771
    Abstract: A trial implant assembly is provided that includes a threaded shaft having exterior threading adjacent a distal end and a trial implant that includes a trial base having an interiorly threaded through hole couplable to the distal end of the shaft and a trial head having a superior endplate and an inferior endplate and a support connecting the superior endplate to the inferior endplate. A variety of visualization windows are provided through the trial implant as well as a variety of mechanically adjustable stops to prevent over insertion of the trial head within the intervertebral disc space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Reichen, David Chow, K. Daniel Riew, Kurt Schmura, Christopher Bonner, David Gerber
  • Patent number: 9078703
    Abstract: A spinal implant (200) including first spinal attachment member (201) for attaching to a first spinal portion, second spinal attachment member (202) for attaching to a second spinal portion, and a post-implantation variable dimension rod disposed between the first and second spinal attachment members, which is operable after completing surgery in which said spinal implant was installed into a patient, to cause relative movement between the first and second spinal attachment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SPINE21 LTD.
    Inventor: Uri Arnin
  • Patent number: 9072552
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail has a posterior side, an anterior side, a proximal portion and a distal portion is described. A transverse bore is arranged in the proximal portion and is configured to receive a bone engagement member. The transverse bore includes at least two recesses formed at an inner wall of the transverse bore, wherein one recess is arranged on the posterior side and the other recess is arranged on the anterior side of the transverse bore of the intramedullary nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Simon, Hendrik Klüver, Martje Paulsen
  • Patent number: 9066760
    Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implants and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention, the implant includes at least one extension with a first part and a second part where at least one arm is coupled to each of the first part and the second part. The first part and the second pan are movable from a compact to a distracted state. In another aspect, the present invention provides a second extension that is slidingly coupled to the first and second arms. The second extension further comprises a third part and a fourth part that move with the first and second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Lanx, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Taber, Patrick Hunt, Andrew Lamborne, Randy Mast, William Sandul, Dean Karahalios
  • Patent number: 9066815
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spinal implant assembly having features to prevent or minimize fixation elements, such as screws, from being dislodged, or from backing out over time and with use. The spinal implant assembly may comprise an implantable body having first apertures for receiving fixation elements. A plate configured to nest against the posterior portion of the implantable body and comprising one or more second apertures can be provided. These second apertures permit access to the head portions of the fixation elements. One or more locking elements are then passed through the second apertures and engage the head portions of the fixation elements. In addition, the plate may comprise an adjustable arm to allow the plate to be used with implantable bodies of different size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: CENTINEL SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Jason E. Garber, Christophe M. H. Geisert, Barbara D. Schweizer, John Parry, John J. Viscogliosi
  • Patent number: 9050194
    Abstract: A spinal implant apparatus that is an expandable spacer including features to minimize or eliminate spacer cant or offset during and after completing the expansion process. The spacer includes a top component, a base component in engagement with the top component, and an expansion mechanism arranged to change the top component's position with respect to the base component. The mechanism for causing expansion may be a screw, a cam, a wedge or other form of distracting device. In one embodiment, the expandable spacer includes a base component with a set of towers and a top component with a set of corresponding silos, where the towers and silos are configured to minimize or eliminate tilt of the top component as it extends upwardly from the base component. In another embodiment, the spacer may include a stepped arrangement around the perimeter of the top component and the base component for engagement during height expansion with minimal canting or slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventor: Lee L. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 9044280
    Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. The tissue retraction assembly has a plurality of blades which may be introduced while in a closed configuration, after which point they may be opened to create an operation corridor to the surgical target site, including pivoting at least one blade to expand the operative corridor adjacent to the operative site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Arambula, Michael Di Lauro, Benjamin VerHage
  • Patent number: 9039774
    Abstract: Various embodiments of intervertebral implants, anchoring devices for intervertebral implants, and implantation instrumentation are provided, along with various embodiments of methods for using one or more of the devices. Some embodiments of an anchoring device have a body comprising at least one curve and a rigid plate elongated along a longitudinal axis so that its front end enters at least one vertebra while its rear end remains in the passage of an implant. In some embodiments, the plate comprises at least one longitudinal slot separating at least one posterior portion of the plate into two branches, with at least one branch comprising at least one withdrawal stop configured to retain the device in the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: LDR Medical
    Inventors: Hervé Chataigner, Craig Chebuhar, Hervé Dinville, Emmanuel Bougere
  • Patent number: 9028403
    Abstract: A surgical access device for insertion into an opening in tissue includes an adjustable member at a proximal end which is transitionable between an un-deployed configuration where the adjustable member is rolled up proximally and a deployed configuration where the adjustable member is unrolled distally to allow for the use of the surgical access device in an opening having a larger size than the surgical access device. The surgical access device includes an elongate member which is adapted for insertion into an opening in tissue and including a lumen extending therethrough for the reception of a surgical instrument. An adjustable member extends from a proximal portion of the elongate member and is variable between the un-deployed configuration and the deployed configuration where the adjustable member extends distally from the proximal portion of the elongate member when in the deployed configuration to at least partially surround the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9017389
    Abstract: A method of treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint includes a superior facet having superior articular face and an inferior facet having an inferior articular face. A distal end of an implant delivery cannula is extended between the superior and inferior articular faces. The implant delivery cannula has a channel extending therethrough. An implant is moved through the channel until the implant is between the superior and inferior articular faces while at least a portion of the implant is within the channel. The implant includes a first surface and a second surface. The implant delivery cannula is moved away from the superior and inferior articular faces so that the first surface is adjacent the superior articular face and the second surface is adjacent the inferior articular face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Zyga Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Assell, Brian P. Beaubien, Eugene A. Dickhudt
  • Patent number: 9016916
    Abstract: A surgical lamp includes a lamp body with illuminants emitting bundled light beams with axes intersect a central axis of the lamp body, and illuminants emitting bundled light beams with axes that do not intersect the central axis. The shape of the light field and the distribution of the light intensity can be modified by driving different illuminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Trumpf Medizin Systeme GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Marka, Rouven Rosenheimer
  • Patent number: 9011326
    Abstract: A surgical shield protects collateral soft tissue from damage during a trans-orbital surgical procedure in the head of a patient. The shield may be provided as an elongated flexible sheath having one or more thin flexible sidewalls that can conform to the tissue around or bearing on the shield. Other areas or sidewalls of the shield may be thicker to better resist perforation by surgical instruments, and/or to better maintain the access lumen of pathway to the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: SPIWay LLC
    Inventors: Blake Hannaford, Randall A. Bly
  • Patent number: 9011540
    Abstract: A spinal implant and an overlay for interlocking with the face of the implant. Grooves and/or channels of the overlay interlock with the face of the implant. The overlay assists in securing the implant within the surgically created cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: IGIP, LLC
    Inventor: Frank Castro
  • Patent number: 9005248
    Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implants and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention, the implant includes at least one extension with a first part and a second part where at least one arm is coupled to each of the first part and the second part. The first part and the second part are movable from a compact to a distracted state. In another aspect, the present invention provides a second extension that is slidingly coupled to the first and second arms. The second extension further comprises a third part and a fourth part that move with the first and second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Lanx, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Taber, Patrick Hunt, Andrew Lamborne, Randall G. Mast, William Sandul, Dean Karahalios
  • Patent number: 8998965
    Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a receiving part for receiving a rod, the receiving part having a first bore coaxial with a longitudinal axis and a second bore. The bone anchoring device also includes an anchoring element having a first end for insertion into the bone and a second end positionable within a second bore, the second end having a spherically shaped surface portion. The bone anchoring device further has a locking device provided to the second bore of the receiving part. The locking device protrudes from an inner wall of the second bore and engages with a recessed surface portion of the second end of the anchoring element, such that the anchoring element is pivotable relative to the receiving part around a single axis of rotation. The locking device may comprise pins inserted into through holes formed in the receiving part, which engage with the recessed surface portion of the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Biedermann Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lutz Biedermann, Wilfried Matthis
  • Patent number: 8986388
    Abstract: Deflectable implants, systems and methods for implanting deflectable implants are disclosed. The deflectable implant (100) includes at least one sequence of segments (102), the sequence includes at least two segments (102), the segments (102) being interconnected at effective hinges (107), the sequence assuming a straightened or low curvature insertion state for insertion into the body, the sequence being deflectable to a fully deflected state defined by abutment of abutment features of adjacent of the segments (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: N.L.T. Spine Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzony Siegal, Oded Loebl, Didier Toubia
  • Patent number: 8986349
    Abstract: The present application describes a pedicle fixation system and methods for correcting deformities of the spine and fixing the corrected portion of the spine in a corrected position. The disclosed system and associated methods include at least one pedicle screw in which a receiver portion of the pedicle screw is coupled to a screw portion of the pedicle screw in a manner such that the receiver portion is initially movable relative to the screw portion in a polyaxial fashion and subsequently lockable relative to the screw portion prior to locking a rod in the housing. Instruments for locking the receiver portion relative to the screw portion are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert German, Andrew Schafer, Scott Lish, Scott Shoemaker