Patents Examined by Jessica Weiss
  • Patent number: 9345524
    Abstract: An ultrasonic applicator includes an ultrasonic converter accommodated within a converter housing, a first housing, and a second housing. A rear end portion of the first housing is located in the second housing and an inner end portion of the converter housing is located in the rear end portion of the first housing. A length of the rear end portion of the first housing is adjustable. An outer end portion of the converter housing is connected with the second housing via an elastic element, so that a restoring force may be applied on the converter housing by virtue of a movement of the converter housing relative to the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Helge Giersch, Klaus Dorawa
  • Patent number: 9307972
    Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods for performing surgical procedures on the spine, including one or more of creating an operative corridor to the spine, delivering implants to the spine, fusing one or more segments of the spine, and fixing one or more segments of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Lovell, Michael Serra, Troy B. Woolley, Mark D. Peterson, Antoine G. Tohmeh
  • Patent number: 9282878
    Abstract: An illuminated medical system comprises a medical instrument and a light transmitting waveguide. The waveguide projects lights from a distal portion of the waveguide toward a target area. The waveguide is formed primarily of a cyclic olefin copolymer or a cyclic olefin polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: INVUITY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Fernando Erismann, Alex Vayser
  • Patent number: 9277946
    Abstract: A spinal fusion system for positioning between two vertebral bodies is presented. The system can have a substantially rigid body and a substantially rigid plate connected to a portion of the posterior face of the substantially rigid body that extends away from and substantially transverse to the posterior face of the substantially rigid body. The system also has a first implant body and a second implant body configured to matingly connect to one another with at least a portion of the substantially rigid plate positioned therebetween. The combination of the first and second implant bodies and the substantially rigid plate is configured for insertion between the two vertebral bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Amendia, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Hooper, Jeff Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 9271849
    Abstract: An apparatus for locating a central axis of a spinal column and method of using the same is disclosed. The apparatus and method includes one or more members capable of spanning a center line which may then be identified by at least one additional member positioned therebetween. Furthermore, the device may contain or be capable of accommodating various additional tools for marking the location of the central axis of a spinal column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Kleiner
  • Patent number: 9271776
    Abstract: A fracture fixation system serves in repairing comminuted bone portions of a bone. The fracture fixation system includes a plate having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, one of a screw and a post, and at least one aperture for receiving the one of the screw and the post therethrough. The plate is secured to a main portion of the bone, and the one of the screw and the post is inserted through the at least one aperture through the plate. The portion of the comminuted bone portions is attached to the one of the screw and the post using at least one suture. The one of the screw and the post is rotated to wind the at least one suture therearound to reposition the portion of the comminuted bone portions relative to the main portion of the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOBY ORTHOPAEDICS, INC.
    Inventor: Eduardo Gonzalez-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9265622
    Abstract: A method and system for percutaneous fusion to correct disc compression is presented. The method has several steps, for instance, inserting a percutaneous lumbar interbody implant; positioning guide wires for each facet screw to be implanted; performing facet arthrodesis in preparation for the facet screws; fixating the plurality of facet screws; and optionally performing foramen nerve root or central decompression. The system includes an implant, an elongate cannulated insertion tool, and an elongate lockshaft positioned within the insertion tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Amendia, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Schell, Tracy Scott Anderson, Alan Scott Davenport, Kenneth Richard Barra
  • Patent number: 9265547
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tool for injecting a bonding agent into the prepared end of a bone for bonding a joint replacement device to the bone. The tool incorporates vented cells for containing the bonding agent. Force is applied to the back of the tool, while placing the front of the tool filled with bonding agent against the prepared bone area. The force causes the cells to cut into the end of the prepared bone. The force also causes the bonding agent to be forced deep into the cuts and pores of the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: TIPIRNENI SOFTWARE LLC
    Inventor: Kishore Tipimeni
  • Patent number: 9247963
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a bone compression device for fixing first and second bone fragments together. The device includes an elongated fastener threadedly receivable within an anchor and a lock movably positioned within the anchor bore to lock the fastener and anchor against relative rotation. The lock may include an externally threaded locking screw threadedly receivable within the anchor coaxial with the fastener shank. The locking screw can be advanced within the anchor bore to lock the position of the fastener shank portion within the anchor bore. Embodiments of the device may be inserted within first and second bores formed in two bone fragments and tightened to compress the two bone fragments together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Charles Kollmer
  • Patent number: 9232954
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, the present invention includes an instrumentation system for preparing a bone for soft tissue repair, the instrumentation system including a flexible drill pin capable of bending along a curved path; an aimer capable of engaging the flexible pin to bend the flexible pin; and a flexible reamer having a flexible portion along at least a portion of its length, the flexible portion comprising a plurality of laser cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Mark Steiner, Kyle Craig Pilgeram, Raymond West, Jeffrey Wyman, Matthew Hemstreet, Ran Oren, Eran Zakai, Elad Rash
  • Patent number: 9226836
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Chad Glerum
  • Patent number: 9226835
    Abstract: A method and system for percutaneous fusion to correct disc compression is presented. The method has several steps, for instance, inserting a percutaneous lumbar interbody implant; positioning guide wires for each facet screw to be implanted; performing facet arthrodesis in preparation for the facet screws; fixating the plurality of facet screws; and optionally performing foramen nerve root or central decompression. The system includes an implant, an elongate cannulated insertion tool, and an elongate lockshaft positioned within the insertion tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Amendia, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Schell, Tracy Scott Anderson, Alan Scott Davenport, Kenneth Richard Barra
  • Patent number: 9216095
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Glerum, John Matthews, Dan Davenport
  • Patent number: 9204974
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Glerum, Sean Suh, Mark Weiman
  • Patent number: 9198676
    Abstract: Disclosed are femoral and tibial drill guides for use in posterior cruciate ligament replacement surgery. Each of the drill guides includes an arc shaped member and an elongate guide member, a stopper member, and an alignment arm member coupled thereto. Prior to preparing a tibial tunnel with a tibial drill guide and a femoral tunnel with a femoral drill guide, a rasp and/or cutter can be used to remove any remnants of the posterior cruciate ligament left prior to replacement thereof. The tibial drill guide includes a concave blocking surface and a viewing aperture on the alignment arm member to block the advancement and view the location of a guide pin exiting from a posterior portion of a tibia, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Kyle Craig Pilgeram, Ran Oren, Eran Zakai, Elad Rash
  • Patent number: 9192393
    Abstract: A surgical, manually operated, hand-held MRI-compatible drill for drilling though target bone of a patient includes: a housing; a ring gear held in the housing; a hand crank attached to ring gear and the housing; a pinion gear held in the housing in cooperating alignment with the ring gear; an elongate shaft attached to the pinion on one end portion and to a chuck support on an opposing end portion; a chuck attached to the chuck support held; and jaws attached to the chuck support and residing in the chuck adapted to hold a drill bit. The drill is light-weight. The components can all be polymeric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MRI Interventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Piferi, Daniele Ghidoli
  • Patent number: 9173714
    Abstract: An anchoring device for use within a body cavity during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The anchoring device includes an external assembly, an internal assembly, a controller, and a module. The external assembly has a first magnetic component. The internal assembly has a second magnetic component. The internal assembly is sized to be placed inside of the body cavity. The electrical current is connected with one of the first and the second magnetic component to produce a magnetic field about the connected magnetic component to approximate the internal and external assemblies. The module determines a parameter and is in communication with a controller. The controller controls the electrical current in response to the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Patent number: 9173677
    Abstract: An access port for performing surgery transvaginally is provided. The access port includes an elongated flexible member having proximal and distal ends and a central portion therebetween, and a retention mechanism formed on the distal end of the elongated member. The retention mechanism includes a first configuration for inserting the distal end of the elongated member within an opening and a second configuration for selectively securing the elongated member within an opening. Also provided is a method of performing a transvaginal surgery. The method includes providing an access port including a retention mechanism configured to selectively retain the access port within the vagina of a patient, forming an incision in the wall of the vagina into the abdomen of the patient, inserting a distal end of the access port into the vagina and through the incision, and activating the retention mechanism to secure the distal end of the access port within the abdominal cavity of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Stanislaw Marczyk, Russell Pribanic, Kevin Sniffin
  • Patent number: 9155628
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Glerum, Mark Weiman, Andrew Iott, Mark Adams
  • Patent number: 9149364
    Abstract: An expandable interbody spacer (10) is provided that includes a pair of oppositely facing endplate components (20, 40) and an interior component that includes one or more vertically extending stacks of arranged C-clip members (70) radially surrounding one or more bosses (30) protruding interiorly from one of the endplates, wherein the size and configuration of the bosses and the C-clip members are designed to allow the incremental expansion of expandable interbody spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua McManus, William Woodburn, Walter Widmer