Patents Examined by Kevin T. Truong
  • Patent number: 11020241
    Abstract: A spinal interbody implant includes a two-component cage and expander. The two-component cage, when assembled, accepts the expander through a reverse dovetail configuration between the assembled cage and the expander. The expander has a pair of legs that move within and along lateral channels formed by and between the two cage components for increasing the height of the two cage components relative to one another. The amount of expansion of the cage is determined by the height of the pair of expander legs. The cage accepts different expanders each having pairs of legs of different heights in order to provide different amounts of cage expansion and thus the interbody implant. The front of each expander leg is arch shaped for reception in the lateral channels of the assembled cage and to progressively expand the two cage components relative to one another as the expander is received by the assembled cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: LIFE SPINE, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Predick
  • Patent number: 11020239
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant is provided having first and second endplates hinged along one end and an expansion mechanism disposed therebetween configured to expand the first and second endplates from each other to provide a lordotic angle of up to 60 degrees. Various implants, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Cristian A. Capote, Zain Noordin
  • Patent number: 10993750
    Abstract: Variable angle holes in bone plates that are structured to facilitate the formation of axial compression or tension of a bone, or which can assist in bone distraction. The variable angle hole can extend about a central axis and includes an inwardly extending wedge wall. The variable angle hole can be sized to receive insertion of a fixation element at a location at which a central longitudinal axis of the fixation element is axially offset from the central axis of the variable angle hole by an offset distance at least when the fixation element is initially driven into bone at least in a transverse direction. The wedge wall can be configured to be engaged by a portion of the fixation element in a manner that axially displaces at least one of the bone plate, the fixation element, and/or bone(s) in a direction that can generally reduce or increase the offset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10993755
    Abstract: An inflatable bone tamp is provided that includes a shaft with proximal and distal portions and a central longitudinal axis. A balloon is attached to the shaft such that a material can flow through the shaft and into the balloon to inflate the balloon. A flow controller controls the flow of the material through the shaft and into the balloon. Kits, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC HOLDING COMPANY SÀRL
    Inventors: Calin Druma, Shankar Kar
  • Patent number: 10987114
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a first assembly with a first radio-opaque portion providing a profile of a first portion of an intramedullary implant or canal in a bone, and a second assembly having a second radio-opaque portion providing a profile of a second portion of the intramedullary implant or canal. The surgical instrument may also include a third radio-opaque portion providing an alignment feature to provide a fluoroscopic planar check for the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: David Reynolds, Paul Stemniski, Richard Obert
  • Patent number: 10940024
    Abstract: Implant assemblies, systems, kits, and methods for replacing a knee joint may include a universal femoral trial component for preparing and trialing a femoral bone of a patient to receive a plurality of different femoral implant types. The universal femoral trial component may be configured to receive any of a plurality of femoral bone preparation attachments and any of a plurality of femoral trial attachments in order to facilitate the preparation and trialing of the femoral bone to receive the plurality of different femoral implant types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Optimotion Implants LLC
    Inventors: Vuong Binh Nguyen, Andrew Rynearson, Daniel F. Justin, Dinesh V. Koka
  • Patent number: 10932831
    Abstract: A bone plate includes: a band-shaped body section that is fixed along a longitudinal direction of the tibia; a transverse section that is fixed along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tibia; a joining section for joining the body section and the transverse section; and screw holes. The body section, the joining section, and the transverse section have a curved surface shape, a first plane on which the axial line of a screw hole in the joining section is disposed and a second plane on which the axial line of a screw hole in the body section is disposed are substantially parallel to each other, the angles between a straight line connecting a longitudinal direction upper-end portion and lower-end portion of the bone plate and the first plane and the second plane are predetermined angles, and an axial line and an axial line are at twisted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Kuroda, Mitsuya Urata
  • Patent number: 10932822
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an occipital plate for fixating the occipital/cervical junction between cranium and the spine configured to provide multi-axial adjustment for the rod connectors including Anterior/Posterior movement, Medial/Lateral movement and Converging/Diverging movement. Some embodiments of the present invention use a variety of components to achieve a range of motion in several different axes. This extended range of motion allows the plate to adapt to the surrounding anatomy as well as making it more facile to adapt to a posterior rod fixation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Astura Medical Inc
    Inventor: Thomas Purcell
  • Patent number: 10925652
    Abstract: The present inventions relates to an osteotomy implant for bridging an osteotomy opening or resection in a target bone in a substantially countersunk manner. The osteotomy implant comprises a proximal portion with at least one aperture for receiving at least one bone fixation element and a distal portion with at least one aperture for receiving at least one bone fixation element. At least one middle strut portion connects said proximal portion with said distal portion. Said at least one middle strut portion has a width which is equal to or smaller than a thickness of said at least one middle strut portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: RIOS MEDICAL AG
    Inventors: Paul Pavlov, Tom Overes
  • Patent number: 10925590
    Abstract: The uvula retractor is an elongate, arcuate body having a hooked handle at one end and a raised platform or flat spoon at the opposite end for lifting the uvula for access to the region behind the uvula. The uvula retractor arm has a plurality of clefts or holes defined therein for hooking the retractor onto a mouth gag once the uvula is properly retracted. A channel housing a fiber optic cable extends along the posterior side of the retractor. A fiber optic connector adapted for attachment to a light source extends from the retractor adjacent the handle. The inferior end of the retractor has at least one rib or support web beneath the raised platform, which supports the lower end of the channel and aims the light emitting end to illuminate the area behind the retracted uvula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Ibrahim Ali Sumaily
  • Patent number: 10893855
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor blade and a handle assembly. The retractor blade includes a base portion, a blade extending from the base portion, and a handle mount affixed to the base portion. The handle assembly includes an attachment portion and a retaining rod. The attachment portion includes a slot configured to receive the handle mount, a first cavity adjoining the slot, a retaining member moveable along the first cavity, and a second cavity adjoining the first cavity. Advancement of the retaining rod through the second cavity and into the first cavity advances the retaining member into the slot and into engagement with the handle mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Adam Truckey
  • Patent number: 10881417
    Abstract: A patient-specific pin guide for performing a total ankle arthroplasty can comprise a tibia pin guide, a talus pin guide and an interlocking component. A patient-specific cutting guide system for performing a total ankle arthroplasty can comprise a talus cutting guide and a tibia cutting guide. A method of performing a total ankle arthroplasty can comprise: coupling a patient-specific talus pin guide to a talus; coupling a patient-specific tibia pin guide to a tibia; positioning an interlocking device between the patient-specific tibia pin guide and the patient-specific talus pin guide; inserting guide pins into the patient-specific tibia and talus pin guides; removing the patient-specific talus and tibia pin guides from the guide pins; and coupling patient-specific talus and tibia cutting guides to the talus and tibia using at least some of the guide pins to alternatively perform resections on the tibia and talus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed Mahfouz
  • Patent number: 10864086
    Abstract: An expandable intervertebral spacer has a plurality of arms. The arms can be retracted or extended. The spacer has a width that is narrower than the width between the nerve roots near the posterior approach to an intervertebral space. Once inserted into the intervertebral space, the arms can be deployed. The deployed arms expand the height and width of the spacer. Once deployed, the spacer stabilizes two adjacent vertebrae. The arms are interconnected mechanically to deploy simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Mark Weiman
  • Patent number: 10856891
    Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument is provided having a first customized patient-specific surgical instrument and a second customized patient-specific surgical instrument configured to be removably coupled to the first customized patient-specific surgical instrument. The second customized patient-specific surgical instrument includes a body positioned in a gap defined between posteriorly-extending arms of the first customized patient-specific surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rhodes, Shawnoah S. Pollock
  • Patent number: 10856914
    Abstract: An adjustable spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume and/or cross sectional area in the spinal canal and/or neural foramen. The adjustable implant provides a spinal extension inhibitor. The implant includes elliptical or oval shaped adjustable member or spacer for positioning between and adjustably spacing apart the spinous processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: LIFE SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters, Michael S. Butler
  • Patent number: 10856859
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a retractor device for allowing visible access to the surgical site. According to particular embodiments, the present retractor may include two portions: an integral arm portion at one end and a textured surface potion at the opposite end. In some embodiments, the integral arm portion may be positioned inside the body cavity of the patient to restrain and/or occlude targeted organs during surgery to allow for increased visibility of other organs and/or portions of a patient during surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventors: James L. Chappuis, John Daly, Eric Grantham
  • Patent number: 10849635
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for use in tissue repair. The system includes a cannulated guide, an obturator configured for insertion through the guide, a drill configured for insertion through the guide, and an anchor delivery tool configured for insertion through the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Klindt Sorensen, Matthew Edwin Koski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Daniel B. Ellis, Roy Alan Majors, James Joseph Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10842633
    Abstract: A spinal interbody cage implant includes a cage, an endplate, and flexible barbs. The endplate is separately attached to the cage and is configured to receive, hold and direct a flexible barb into an upper vertebral surface and a flexible barb into a lower adjacent vertebral surface. Each proximal leg of the cage is configured to receive the endplate, and has a lateral bore that receives a pin which retains the endplate. The endplate directs a first flexible barb upwardly toward an upper vertebral surface, and directs a second flexible barb downwardly toward a lower vertebral surface. Each flexible barb has a proximal head, a shaft extending from the head with a bore extending from the head to its distal end. Teeth are provided along the exterior surface of the shaft with two flats disposed on opposite sides thereof with a slit extending from the distal end towards the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Predick, Michael S. Butler
  • Patent number: 10786330
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at minimally invasive systems in which the proximal end portion of the working channel has either zero or a limited range of movement in the lateral direction. A first embodiment has a slidable collar attached to a pair of flanges, wherein movement of the collar is bounded by an annular frame. A second embodiment has a substantially spherical element attached to the tube. A third embodiment has a plurality of caps. A fourth embodiment is adapted for a larger working channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: Salman Chegini, Joern Richter, Daniel Thommen, Peter Senn
  • Patent number: 10786369
    Abstract: An insertion instrument for expandable spinal implants includes an elongate member, a shuttle, and a worm gear. The elongate member includes a handle portion of a proximal end and an end effector on a distal end, wherein the end effector is configured to be releasably engaged to an expandable spinal implant. The shuttle is slidably disposed within a cavity defined within the end effector and includes a wedged shaped distal end configured to engage an expandable spinal implant. The worm gear is rotatably disposed within the cavity defined in the end effector and is in mechanical communication with the shuttle, such that rotation of the worm gear effectuates movement of the shuttle. Distal movement of the shuttle effectuates articulation of an expandable spinal implant. A method of performing surgery is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Carnes, John Donohoe, Scott Jones