Patents Examined by Michael T Schaper
  • Patent number: 8926625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical device, the device comprising a probe part and means to generate a Shockwave in the probes sufficient to separate, adjust of attach two or more, parts when the probe is applied to one of the part in vivo, the arrangement being such as to allow the application of a Shockwave that is regulated in amplitude and repeatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Alain Lebet
  • Patent number: 8915947
    Abstract: A portal for accessing a desired lamina portion of a desired cervical vertebra to perform a laminoplasty. In one aspect, a laminoplasty portal is presented that defines an interior conduit and has a first sidewall section and a second sidewall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Spectrum Spine IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: James C. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8906077
    Abstract: A bone plate having at least one screw hole adapted to receive a bone screw, a blocker having a blocking end for blocking a bone screw from further backout of bone the blocker being predisposed in a blocking position wherein the blocking end at least partially overlaps a portion of the screw hole, the blocker being moveable from the blocking position by contact with the bone screw during insertion of the bone screw into the screw hole, and a blocker fixation element having an open orientation at which the blocker can move from the blocking position and a closed orientation preventing substantial movement of the blocker from the blocking position. The blocker fixation element cannot be moved to the closed orientation unless the screw head passes the blocker, thereby revealing that the blocker fixation element is in position to prevent substantial movement of the blocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Charles L. Bush, Jr., Hanspeter Robert Bayer
  • Patent number: 8900304
    Abstract: The kyphoplasty cement encapsulation balloon is a flexible, resilient silicone balloon having a catheter or filling tube disposed inside the balloon. The filling tube has a closed end and a plurality of orifices defined in the tube radially. The tube has an open mouth extending through a hole in the balloon, defining an inflation port. The inflation port is internally threaded, and preferably has a radiopaque marker band extending around the port. The inflation port has a one-way duck or duckbill valve that closes the inflation port when the inflation cannula is detached from the port, thereby encapsulating the bone cement in the balloon and preventing leakage of the cement. The inflation cannula and the kyphoplasty cement encapsulation balloon may be furnished as a kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Abdulrazzaq Alobaid
  • Patent number: 8900245
    Abstract: An impactor for connection to a concave surface of an implant has a shaft extending along a first axis from a first end to a second end. The shaft first end includes a pivot surface surrounding an internal shaft bore. The internal bore extends along the first axis and is open at the first end and extends towards the second end about the first axis. The internal bore has a pin extending through the shaft and intersecting the bore. A resilient element is mounted in the shaft bore spaced towards the shaft second end. A post is mounted in the shaft bore along the first axis. The post has a first end engaging a threaded bore in the concave surface of the implant. The post has a second end engaging the resilient element and a slot therein slidably engaging the pin and a collar pivotally mounted on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Roy Splieth, Michael A. McGovern, Gennaro A. Barile
  • Patent number: 8900247
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a measuring and guiding device for reconstruction surgery. The measuring and guiding device includes: a pair of rotary aims, a connector, and a pair of fixators. Each rotary arm includes: a first shaft, a first joint body and a second joint body. The pair of rotary arms is joined together by extending through each of the first joint bodies using the connector. Besides, each fixator includes: a second shaft, a third joint body and a guiding portion, and each third joint body is connected with one of the second joint bodies. With the implementation of the present invention, the measuring and guiding device is capable of measuring an operating site and guiding the operation precisely during reconstruction surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Ching-Shiow Tseng, Tien-Hsiang Wang, Chi-Pin Huang
  • Patent number: 8900137
    Abstract: An anterior cervical retractor comprises a retractor body having a base arm and a moving arm and a pair of retractor blades having a side loading blade and a top loading blade. The base arm includes a first track and a side loading connector. The first track extends perpendicularly from a proximal end of the base arm and the first track includes an articulating arm post and a gear teeth. The moving arm is located opposite to the base arm and includes a first track receptacle and a top loading connector. The moving arm is advanced along the first track by means of a knob extending from the base arm. The side loading blade includes a first blade portion and a first connection post and the top loading blade includes a second blade portion and a second connection post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Lovell, Michael Serra, Michael Brotman, Andrew Wolf, Kenneth Rich
  • Patent number: 8894651
    Abstract: A method of performing vertebral facet fusion by lateral approach and related devices. The lateral approach to facet fusion involves identifying the lateral mass and then introducing any of the fixation methods known or described herein laterally at one or more facets through the use of a hollow cannula. A surgical bone staple have a perforated bridge is used across the lateral facet joint where fixation is required. Where fusion is desired, a bone screw have lateral perforations of the shank is inserted through the bridge perforation at the joint to promote fusion. The staple and screw may be used in conjunction with one another or individually. The facet joint may be distracted prior to fixation to increase the foraminal space and decompress the neural structures to relieve pain. The method involves less surgical time, reduced blood loss and discomfort for the patient as compared to the posterior approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Kamran Aflatoon
  • Patent number: 8894693
    Abstract: An orthopaedic fixation component attachable to a femur, said femur defining a femur shaft, a femur head and a femur neck extending therebetween, said femur further defining a greater trochanter limiting laterally said femur neck, said orthopaedic fixation component comprising: a shaft section fixation portion and an end section fixation portion extending substantially longitudinally therefrom, said shaft section and end section fixation portions being respectively securable to said femur shaft and said greater trochanter; said end section fixation portion including a pair of end arms, said end arms being configured, sized and positioned to delimit a trochanter receiving recess for substantially fittingly receiving a prominent portion of said greater trochanter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Valorisation Recherche HSCM, Limited Partnership, Ecole de Technologie Superieure
    Inventors: Yvan Petit, Georges Yves Laflamme, Yan Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 8882774
    Abstract: Procedures and instruments for preparing and transplanting osteochondral allograft plugs to a host bone to repair an articular cartilage defect. An allograft bone plug having a cartilage plate and cancellous bone tissue attached thereto is removed from a donor bone. The allograft plug is further shaped by removing or cutting away cancellous bone tissue to form a cancellous stalk extending from the cartilage plate. At the recipient site of the host bone, a cutout is formed corresponding in shape to the allograft plug. The allograft plug is inserted into the cutout such that the cancellous stalk is retained in the host bone and the cartilage plate aligns with the condyle surface of the host bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Theodore I. Malinin
  • Patent number: 8882816
    Abstract: Surgical anchoring systems and methods are employed for the correction of bone deformities. The anchoring system and its associated instrument may be suitable for surgical repair of hallux valgus, tarsometatarsal sprains, ankle ligament reconstruction, spring ligament repair, knee ligament reinforcement, acromioclavicular sprains, coracoclavicular sprains, elbow ligament repair, wrist and hand ligamentous stabilization or similar conditions. The anchoring system may include a fixation system for anchoring two or more sections of bone or other body parts and a system for aligning of one section relative to another section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Proactive Orthopedics, LLC
    Inventors: George Kartalian, Ali Siam, Jordan Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8870886
    Abstract: An orthopedic impactor device for positioning an orthopedic prosthetic cup implant during a hip replacement surgery is described. The impactor is designed with a “one piece” elongated body portion, having a distal prosthetic cup engagement portion which is separated from a proximal strike plate by an elongated body and handle portions. A connection rod, connectable to an orthopedic prosthetic cup, is positioned longitudinally within the through-bores of the body and handle portions. A lever arm, having a linkage member, is pivotally connected to the rod such that when the lever arm is pivoted towards the exterior surface of the annular sidewall of the handle portion, the distal end of the rod moves within the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Greatbatch Medical S.A.
    Inventor: Jonas Burgi
  • Patent number: 8864660
    Abstract: The present self-retaining vaginal retractor with a weighted speculum comprises the weighted speculum including the speculum blade, speculum projection comprising the teeth for controllable dilation, dilating mechanism, including cables and cable connecting device, left and right pivotable dilating portions, including blades, blade holders and blade holders length adjustment devices, and the handle coupled with the speculum body and including the dilated vaginal opening fixing device comprising the cam and fixation release trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Ann Rachel Yufa
  • Patent number: 8840669
    Abstract: Variable height intervertebral devices and method of employing the devices are disclosed. The devices and methods can maintain or re-establishing anatomic spacing along a spine and can ensure avoidance of long-term structural, neurological, vascular, and/or other systemic impairments. The intervertebral device includes a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first disk threaded to the first end of the cylindrical body and a second disk mounted to the second end of the cylindrical body; means for rotating the cylindrical body whereby the first disk translates along the cylindrical body to vary the height of the device; and a plurality of pins mounted to one disk, the plurality of pins slidably engageable with a plurality of sleeves mounted to the other disk, the pins and sleeves inhibiting the first disk from rotating when the cylindrical body is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Spine, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Farris, Daniel Refai
  • Patent number: 8834482
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprises surgical instruments for use with an implantable interspinous device having at least one pair of wings for securing the implantable device to a spinous process. The instrument system may include a surgical instrument for expanding or spreading the pair of wings to accommodate the spinous process. Further, a surgical instrument may be provided for crimping or compressing the pair of wings against the spinous process for secure attachment of the device to a vertebra. The surgical instruments may be configured similar to pliers and apply force to the pair of wings within a predetermined range so as to avoid damage, weakening or breakage of the pair of wings. The surgical instrument system may also include interspinous devices of differing sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Paradigm Spine, LLC
    Inventors: Frank T. Trautwein, Ralf Riesinger
  • Patent number: 8834483
    Abstract: An implant storage and insertion system for a shape memory orthopedic implant allows the implant to be constrained in a deformed state, protected, insulated, held for insertion, and properly positioned in bone. The implant storage and insertion system includes a restraining block having an impact surface. The restraining block engages an implant at a first end, and further a medical instrument engages the restraining block and positions the restraining block at a bone such that the impact surface may be impacted to insert a second end of the implant into the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BioMedical Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cheney, Eric Alberto Marcano, David Joseph Pancratz
  • Patent number: 8828001
    Abstract: A minimally invasive and particularly small apparatus for drilling into bone and for providing for delivery of medical treatment is provided. The directional drilling apparatus includes a miniature shaft, a bit, first shaft-mounted thrust ring, second shaft-mounted thrust ring, a tubing jacket surrounding the shaft and intermediate the first and second shaft-mounted thrust rings, and a guide tube encapsulating the tubing jacket. As a result, a hole, targeted towards a cancerous lesion within the bone, is possible. After removal of the shaft and the tubing jacket, treatment may be introduced through the particularly small passage created by the directional drilling apparatus or through the passage via a capillary inserted through at least a portion of the guide tube and the passage, which guide tube may include a hypodermic needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Gabriel Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, H. Max Loy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8828015
    Abstract: A chamfer resection guide assembly for effecting chamfer cuts into a resected distal surface of a femur in connection with a distal total knee implant has an anchor member configured for anterior referencing of the chamfer cuts, a block member including one or more cutting guide slots for guiding a cutting tool for making chamfer resections and a camming member. The camming member operably connects the block member and the anchor member and the position of the block member with respect to the anchor member is adjusted by operation of the camming member thus allowing adjustment of the position of the cutting guide slots with respect to the anchoring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Microport Orthopedics Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: John Michael Green, II, David Bradford Harness
  • Patent number: 8821393
    Abstract: A vaginal manipulator includes a shaft attached to a head and a door connected to the head. The head has an anterior side opposite a posterior side and includes a core fixed to the shaft and a sleeve coupled in a sliding relationship to the core. The door is coupled to the core and is movable relative to the posterior side of the head through an opening provided in the sleeve. A proximal end of the core defines a proximal end of the head and a distal end of the sleeve defines a distal end of the head. The proximal end of the core is fixed to the shaft. The sleeve moves relative to the core to provide the head with an adjustable length between the proximal end of the head and the distal end of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Taylor, Allen Gaynor
  • Patent number: 8821506
    Abstract: A bone screw comprises an interior channel and at least one opening extending from the interior channel to an exterior of the screw shaft. A head is connected to the screw shaft. A fluid delivery probe comprises an interior channel. The fluid delivery probe is locked to the head so that the fluid delivery probe does not separate from the head under extremely high pressures when a fluid is pumped through the fluid delivery probe and into the screw shaft. Also, a leak-free seal is formed between the fluid delivery probe and the screw shaft so that the leak-free seal does not leak under extremely high pressures when a fluid is pumped through the fluid delivery probe and into the screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Michael David Mitchell