Patents Examined by Lynnsy Summitt
  • Patent number: 9463047
    Abstract: A bone fixation system with variable z-axis translation is provided. The bone fixation system includes an outer tulip coupled to a bone fastener. An inner tulip, which provides a seat for an elongate fixation rod, is located inside the outer tulip. The inner tulip together with a seated rod is permitted to translate along the z-axis in an unlocked position. Also in the unlocked position, the bone fastener is free to angulate relative to the outer tulip. The bone fixation system includes a locked position in which the z-axis position of the inner tulip and rod relative to the outer tulip is fixed. Also in the locked position, the bone fastener is locked with respect to the outer tulip. The system may be adjusted between the locked and unlocked positions by way of a set screw or independently by rotation of the inner tulip relative to the outer tulip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: VertiScrew, LLC
    Inventors: Muralidhara Rudhra Raju, Amir Ali Akhavi
  • Patent number: 9456856
    Abstract: An intrabody implant disclosed and methods of use are disclosed. The implant has an inclined surface, forming a wedge shape having an acute angle adapted to be placed between at least 2 separated portions of a single bony structure (such as a vertebral body). In some embodiments, the implant may be used to support portions of a vertebral body that have been separated surgically as part of a pedicle subtraction osteotomy and to orient the portions at a more predictable lordotic angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney Ballard
  • Patent number: 9456907
    Abstract: The present invention is an extendable surgical implant that can be inserted into a surgically created cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: IGIP, LLC
    Inventor: Frank Castro
  • Patent number: 9451971
    Abstract: An intramedullary fixation assembly usable with different long bone types and a guide assembly for guiding deployment of the intramedullary fixation assembly. The intramedullary fixation assembly includes a fixation member that has ends and a curved body extending between the ends. The curved body of the fixation member has a radius of curvature configured to extend through the medullary canal regardless of the long bone anatomy. Fasteners fix the fixation member to the bone fragments and are guided by a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a guide body defining openings configured to guide the fasteners through openings defined in the fixation member and into the bone fragments. A fixation end of the guide body includes a pair of opposing, converging surfaces that are configured to engage in a positive fit with an exposed end of the fixation member accessible through the side aperture in the first fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Warburton, Robert M. Fencl, John T. Capo, Virak Tan, Aaron C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9452065
    Abstract: A surgical method for exposure of the sacroiliac joint using a posterior approach begins with a longitudinal incision over the posterior iliac crest, centered on the posterior iliac spine. Holes which will be used to repair the iliac osteotomy are made obliquely from the medial to lateral to cross the plane of exposure. A cut through the bone is made lateral to the drill holes and centered over the sacroiliac complex with the aid of fluoroscope or radiograph imaging. The medial part of the iliac crest is freed from the back of the sacrum and displaced medially for the sacroiliac joint complex to be inspected, debrided, or curettaged for fusion. The closure and subsequent healing are facilitated by the predrilled oblique holes. These are used to re-attach the medial iliac bone to the remaining lateral ilium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Charles Hill
  • Patent number: 9451997
    Abstract: A spine implant includes an insert positioned between facets of a zygapophyseal joint. In various embodiments, the insert is configured to exert a distraction force on one or more facets of the zygapophyseal joint. The insert may comprise one or more members having one or more opposing facet interfacing portions. A securing member is configured to interface with the insert to secure the facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen L. Carl, Dan Sachs, Meir Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 9452001
    Abstract: A disposable device for treatment of infections of human limbs, particularly limbs having long bones susceptible to stabilization by intramedullary nailing. The device includes a tubular member made of a relatively rigid and biologically compatible material, having pores for impregnation with drugs or medicaments for infection treatment prior to or during insertion thereof in the stabilization site. An assembly for treatment of human limb infections including such device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: TECRES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Faccioli, Soffiatti Renzo
  • Patent number: 9451991
    Abstract: A bone fixation system with variable z-axis translation is provided. The bone fixation system includes an outer tulip coupled to a bone fastener. An inner tulip, which provides a seat for an elongate fixation rod, is located inside the outer tulip. The inner tulip together with a seated rod is permitted to translate along the z-axis in an unlocked position. Also in the unlocked position, the bone fastener is free to angulate relative to the outer tulip. The bone fixation system includes a locked position in which the z-axis position of the inner tulip and rod relative to the outer tulip is fixed. Also in the locked position, the bone fastener is locked with respect to the outer tulip. The system may be adjusted between the locked and unlocked positions by way of a set screw or independently by rotation of the inner tulip relative to the outer tulip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: VertiScrew, LLC
    Inventors: Muralidhara Rudhra Raju, Amir Ali Akhavi
  • Patent number: 9451990
    Abstract: A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, a superior implant with a superior articular surface, and an optional crossbar. The inferior implant and the superior implant are each polyaxially adjustably connected to fixation elements which anchor the implants to adjacent vertebrae. The optional crossbar may be polyaxially adjustably connected to bilateral implants. The system components may be provided in kits which provide components of various sizes and shapes. A set of surgical instruments may facilitate implantation of the facet joint replacement system by providing tools for bone preparation, trialing, implant insertion, implant alignment, and lock-out of modular interconnections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fauth, Daniel J. Triplett, Joel R. Helgerson, Daniel E. Gerbec
  • Patent number: 9451992
    Abstract: A fixation apparatus comprises a holder and a tension sleeve receiving a bone screw, wherein the bone screw has a shaft with a front thread and a head at the rear end, and the holder has a through borehole with a receiving seat, in which the tension sleeve is mounted and able to swivel, while the shaft has a thickening in a rear region, to the front of the head, whose width increases toward the head, and the width of the tension sleeve is larger than the width of the shaft immediately before the thickening and smaller than the greatest width of the thickening. When screwed in, the thickening widens the tension sleeve so that it is pressed by its envelope against the wall of the receiving seat. In this way, an angle-stable pressing is achieved for any given orientation of the bone screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Facet-Link Inc.
    Inventors: Harm-Iven Jensen, Helmut D. Link
  • Patent number: 9452061
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a spinal fusion cage for implantation between two adjacent vertebrae, wherein the total cage has, under a load, a maximum compression that is higher than 0.05% of the original height of the spinal fusion cage and the maximum compression does not change the structural integrity of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventors: Darren Donald Obrigkeit, Jacob Koenen, Detlef Olaf Alexander Schumann, Leo Smit
  • Patent number: 9452006
    Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a bone anchoring element having a shank and a head, a receiving part including a rod receiving portion, and a head receiving portion having a first end and an open second end with a bounding edge, wherein the head receiving portion is configured to be rotatably connected to the rod receiving portion and is flexible for introduction and clamping of the head, and a locking ring configured to be mounted around the head receiving portion, wherein the head is insertable into the head receiving portion from the second end, is pivotable in the head receiving portion at a larger maximum pivot angle relative to the receiving part at a first location of the bounding edge, and can be locked at an angle relative to the receiving part by compressing the head receiving portion with the locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Biedermann Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lutz Biedermann, Timo Biedermann, Berthold Dannecker
  • Patent number: 9451998
    Abstract: An extender comprises an inner member including a wall defining a thread form and at least one extension defining a first axial cavity and a second axial cavity, each cavity including first, second and third portions. An outer member includes an actuator and at least one arm having projections disposable with the portions of the axial cavities. The actuator is rotatable to axially translate the inner member such that the projections are disposable between a first position, a second position and a third position. Methods of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry McBride, Nicholas Benson
  • Patent number: 9439685
    Abstract: A multi-layer osteogenic, osteoconductive and/or osteoinductive carrier device or system for applying an osteoinductive substance to a bone surface, and methods for making and using said carrier are disclosed. The multi-layer osteogenic carrier device can comprise a delivery layer comprising a porous material and an osteogenic material; and a support layer in communication with the delivery layer, the support layer capable of substantially conforming to an anatomical feature, wherein the support layer can hold the delivery layer in proximity to the anatomical feature. The multi-layer osteogenic carrier device can further comprise an adhesive layer capable of adhering the carrier to at least a portion of an anatomical feature, the adhesive layer in communication with at least a portion of the delivery layer. The carrier can be applied to and compressed to conform to the decorticated bone of a fusion site and kept in place by a rod clip attached to a spinal stabilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BULLARD SPINE, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis E. Bullard
  • Patent number: 9439691
    Abstract: A stabilization system includes one or more leverage members configured to be mounted to a vertebra. The one or more leverage members are further configured to allow a user to manipulate the vertebra to a desired position. The stabilization system also includes a mounting bracket configured to mount to the one or more leverage members such that the one or more leverage members are immobilized. The mounting bracket is mounted to a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Clifford Tribus
  • Patent number: 9427261
    Abstract: A spinal correction apparatus comprises a body. A ratchet is disposed with the body. A longitudinal element is connected to the ratchet. A force is applied to at least a portion of the apparatus that causes dynamic incremental movement of the longitudinal element relative to the body in at least one direction. Methods of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriaki Kawakami, Geoffrey Askin, Haemish Crawford, Roy Lim, Adam Glaser
  • Patent number: 9408641
    Abstract: The present invention includes a rod link reducer of a spinal fixation system that includes a first and a second spinal rod manipulator; a first spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the first spinal rod manipulator and a second spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the second spinal rod manipulator; a first and a second translatable transverse shaft connected to the first and second joints, respectively; and a universal reducer connected to both the first and second translatable transverse shafts, wherein the universal reducer, the shafts and the linkers provide movement and temporary fixation of a spine that has been manipulated into a final position during spinal surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Dan Sucato
  • Patent number: 9387016
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device that is configured to be implanted adjacent interspinous processes of a patient. In one aspect, a spinal implant device comprises: a spacer region adapted to be positioned between first and second spinous processes of first and second vertebral bodies to limit movement of the first spinous process and the second spinous process toward one another; and an attachment region attached to the spacer region, the attachment region adapted to attach to the first spinous process via a fastener, the attachment region comprising a pair of pads having attachment elements that are configured to attach onto the spinous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: PHYGEN, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Okamoto, Laszlo Garamszegi
  • Patent number: 9351717
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a housing coupled to a retractor. The housing can be have one or more movable sealing ports for receiving surgical instruments. Each movable sealing port can include one or more sealing elements therein for sealing the port and/or forming a seal around a surgical instrument disposed therethrough. Each movable sealing port can be rotatable relative to the housing and each sealing element can be rotatable relative to the housing along a predetermined orbital path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 9351768
    Abstract: A spinal implant has a mechanism for inhibiting a bone screw used in attaching the spinal implant to the spine from backing out from the spinal implant once the bone screw has been received in the spinal implant. The spinal implant has a bone screw bore defining a bore wall in which is disposed a resilient closed curve band or ring. The resilient closed curve band has a plurality of resilient segments that extend into the bore. Each one of the plurality of resilient segments form a spring that allows a head of a bone screw to ingress there through but prevents the head of the bone screw from egress there from. The resilient closed curve band forms a retention ring that is received in one or more slots, channels, grooves or the like in the bore hole wall. The plurality of resilient segments are formed as arcs, curves and/or configured arcs/curves that extend radially inward from outer arced or curved portions of the retention ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Rinner, Daniel Predick, Michael S. Butler