Patents Examined by Nicholas Plionis
  • Patent number: 9763804
    Abstract: A bone fusion device includes a main body and a movable frame. The main body has an accommodation hole. A top surface and a bottom surface of the main body are provided with a plurality of first teeth. The movable frame is located in the accommodation hole. The movable frame has a through hole longitudinally penetrating a first surface and a second surface thereof. A first end of the movable frame is fixed to the front end of the main body, and a second end is suspended relative to the rear end of the main body. The first surface and the second surface are provided with a plurality of second teeth. The movable frame is transversely formed with a groove to define an upper portion and a lower portion, enabling the upper portion and the lower portion to be elastically expanded with the first end as a fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: OSSAWARE BIOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Max Huang
  • Patent number: 9763700
    Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw for attaching a rod to a vertebra comprises a fastener having a threaded shank and a head. A yoke has a rod receiving channel for receiving the rod. A screw support rotatably attached to the yoke has a cavity articulatingly and rotatably supporting the fastener head, a hole receiving the threaded fastener shank therethrough, and a plurality of slots for maximum screw angulation. A crown has an upper rod receiving surface, a lower surface in contact with the fastener head and a projecting surface in contact with the yoke. A biasing element between the screw support and the yoke applies biasing forces among the fastener, the crown, and the yoke to provide sufficient friction to retain the yoke in a manipulable position relative to the fastener. A set screw is supported by the yoke overcome the bias and to rigidly secure the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SPINE WAVE, INC.
    Inventor: Zachary Jordan Gregory
  • Patent number: 9763702
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for use in spinal fixation to interconnect a longitudinal spinal rod with a patient's vertebra. The anchor assembly preferably includes a bone anchor, a body with a rod-receiving channel, an insert member (preferably a bushing), and a locking cap. The anchor assembly enables in-situ assembly where the bone anchor may be secured to the patient's vertebra prior to being received within the body of the bone anchor assembly. Accordingly, the anchor assembly enables a surgeon to implant the bone anchor without the body to maximize visibility and access around the anchoring site. Once the bone anchor has been secured to the patient's vertebra, the body may be snapped onto the bone anchor and a spinal rod may be inserted into the rod-receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Fridolin Schlaepfer, Martin Schnider, Helmut Rutschmann
  • Patent number: 9743956
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a uterine manipulator includes inserting a shaft of the uterine manipulator into a cervix, moving a colpotomizer sleeve of the uterine manipulator to a predetermined position along the shaft such that the cervix is received within a colpotomizer cup attached to the colpotomizer sleeve, depressing a rotatable locking member of the colpotomizer sleeve towards the shaft, confirming that the colpotomizer sleeve is accurately located at the predetermined position by visualizing a ruler marking of a plurality of ruler markings printed along the shaft using a magnification lens of the rotatable locking member, and compressing the shaft with the rotatable locking member of the colpotomizer sleeve to lock the colpotomizer sleeve at the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CooperSurgical, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Parys, Daniel Giardina
  • Patent number: 9737338
    Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchoring system comprises a bone anchoring member provided with a hemispherical head and a tubular barrel comprising a base traversed by an axial channel of which the cross-section is greater than the cross-section of the hemispherical head, the channel having, in the lower part, a frustoconical housing that widens in the direction opposite the hemispherical head and, upstream from the frustoconical housing, a transverse shoulder of which the inner cross-section is substantially equal to the cross-section of the hemispherical head, the system further comprising a conical split ring of which the outer surface matches the inner surface of the frustoconical housing and of which the minimum cross-section when idle is smaller than the nominal cross-section of the hemispherical head, said ring being made from a deformable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SPINEVISION
    Inventor: Julien Bazille
  • Patent number: 9730804
    Abstract: A spinal fusion device for implantation between spinal vertebrae includes an implant member having an opposed upper and lower surface, an outer sidewall having an aperture having internal threads, and an inner sidewall defining a central opening. A plate member is attached to the implant member such that the plate member is perpendicular relative to the implant member and includes a plurality of angled apertures for receiving anchoring fasteners and a central aperture for receiving a locking fastener. A locking member is attached to the cage member. The locking member includes a tubular shaft having internal threads that is inserted through the aperture of the outer sidewall of the implant member. A locking fastener is inserted through the central aperture of the plate member and into the locking member to thereby lock the spinal fusion device in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cowan, Jr., D. Hal Silcox
  • Patent number: 9717543
    Abstract: Surgical methods and fixation devices for bone fixation and stabilization on a patient include exposing at least a portion of a first phalanx and a second phalanx at a joint of a patient; creating a passage in an intramedullary canal of the first phalanx; inserting a first head portion of a fixation device along the passage in the intramedullary canal in a translating manner past the cancellous bone in the phalanx until the head portion engages the subchondral bone at a base of the first phalanx, the fixation device having an opposing second head portion extending out of the passage from the first phalanx; and introducing the second phalanx onto the second head portion so that the second head portion anchors in the second phalanx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Arrowhead Medical Device Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: B. Cory Brown, Thomas J. Twardzik
  • Patent number: 9700356
    Abstract: A sacroiliac joint fusion system including a joint implant, anchor element and delivery tool. The joint implant includes a bore extending non-parallel to the implant longitudinal axis. The anchor element is for receiving in the bore. The delivery tool includes an implant arm and anchor arm. The implant arm distal end is releasably coupled to the joint implant proximal end so the implant arm longitudinal axis is coaxial or parallel with the implant body longitudinal axis. An anchor arm distal end is engaged to the anchor element proximal end. The anchor arm is coupled to the implant arm such that the anchor element longitudinal axis is coaxially aligned with the bore longitudinal axis when the implant arm distal end is releasably coupled with the implant proximal end and the anchor arm distal end is engaged with the anchor element proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: JCBD, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Jeffrey Donner, Christopher Thomas Donner, Cathlene Donaldson, Ryan Lewis, Stuart Lindquist
  • Patent number: 9700355
    Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly having an axial load element engaging the structure joining the screw and the rod retainer. The axial load element generally holds the rod retainer in place with respect to the screw, while allowing manual movement when desired. In one embodiment, the pedicle screw assembly includes a ball-and-socket joint joining the screw head to the rod retainer. The assembly may include a saddle configured to secure a ball at the head of the screw within a socket in the rod retainer. The saddle may provide resilient compression in the axial direction. For example, the saddle may include a pair of axially-offset slots that extend partially across the saddle from opposite sides to define a bridge section. The resiliency of the saddle may be controlled by varying the characteristics of the slots and consequently the bridge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron M. Longtain, Jeremy L. Longtain
  • Patent number: 9700363
    Abstract: A surgical instrument may be used to apply tension to a flexible suture to close and secure a broken or cut bone (e.g. a sternum following a sternotomy). The device preferably applies an adjustable tension to the flexible suture in order to secure the bone together. Multiple instruments may be used together to ensure the desired tension is applied to the entire bone structure being secured with the flexible sutures. Once the desired tension is achieved, the device preferably provides a mechanism to apply a uniform twist to the flexible suture to lock the flexible suture in place. The instrument preferably decreases the upward tension applied to the flexible sutures over the duration of the application of twisting. The device may automatically cut the flexible suture, or the flexible suture may be cut by the surgeon once the twisting action has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KARDIUM INC.
    Inventors: Jorge Jaramillo, Doug Goertzen, Kevin Chaplin, Daniel Gelbart, Ian Garben, Monica Spisar
  • Patent number: 9693877
    Abstract: A horizontal and vertical expandable tissue spacer implants, insertion tools, assembly methods and surgical methods are disclosed. The horizontal expandable tissue spacer implant includes a first lateral member with a first side, a second lateral member with a first side, and an intermediate spacer member. The intermediate spacer member is adapted to cooperatively engage and hold the first side of the first lateral member and the first side of the second lateral member. A vertical expandable tissue spacer implant includes a top member with a bottom surface, a bottom member with a top surface, and an intermediate spacer member with a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism cooperatively engages the bottom surface of the top member to the intermediate spacer member and the top surface of the bottom member to the intermediate spacer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Brian G. Emerick, Jeffrey A. Farris, Brent Walter, Heidi Stamets
  • Patent number: 9681959
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to orthopedic systems, and in particular, to systems including independent plates and spacers. A plating system can include a spacer and a plate that is independent from the spacer. A number of locking mechanisms can be provided to secure the plate to the spacer. In some cases, the spacer includes a pair of notches that extend on an outer surface of the spacer. The plate can include a pair of lateral extensions that can engage the notches to secure the plate to the spacer. In other cases, the spacer includes an opening including a pair of inlets. The plate can include an enclosed posterior extension that can be received in the pair of inlets to secure the plate to the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Petersheim, Jason Cianfrani, Aditya Ingalhalikar, Jennifer Klimek
  • Patent number: 9681903
    Abstract: A clip includes a body and a pin. The body includes a first end, a second end, and a backspan extending between the first and second ends. The backspan defines a through hole. Each of the first and second ends of the body are configured to releasably couple to a rail of a dynamic spinal clip between two adjacent segments of a dynamic spinal clip to maintain a span between two adjacent segments. The pin defines a longitudinal axis and includes a head and a shaft. The shaft extends from the head to a tip. The tip is configured to penetrate bone. The shaft is configured and dimensioned to be slidably received through the through hole of the body The head is sized to prevent the head from passing through the through hole of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Donald, Jean Jacques Abitbol
  • Patent number: 9681892
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an external fixation strut for an external fixation device having a ball joints that can be attached to the outer or inner surface of the ring and locked to increase overall stability of the external fixation device. Some embodiments of the fixation strut include a first ball joint coupled to a first end portion of a strut housing, the strut housing having an axial bore defined therethrough. A second ball joint is coupled to a second end portion of an elongated member. The elongated member is coupled to an adjustment mechanism, which is coupled to an upper end portion of an adjustment sleeve. The adjustment sleeve is slidably disposed in the axial bore of the strut housing, and is used to effect coarse strut length adjustments. Gradual strut adjustments are effected by translating the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
    Inventors: John D. Ross, Mikhail L. Samchukov, Alexander M. Cherkashin, John G. Birch
  • Patent number: 9675391
    Abstract: An intramedullary fixation device used in bone fixation and stabilization on a patient includes a longitudinally extending rigid body, a distal head disposed at a distal end of the body and sized for insertion into an intramedullary canal of a phalanx of the patient, the distal head having a central core portion and a plurality of extending distal wings radially projecting from the central core portion. A proximal head at a proximal end of the body is sized for insertion into an intramedullary canal of a phalanx of the patient. It has a central core portion and a plurality of proximal wings extending radially outwardly from the central core portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventors: Scott R. Roman, Thomas J. Twardzik
  • Patent number: 9675337
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for minimally open orthopedic spine surgery are disclosed. A first flexible screw-based retractor is designed to be coupled to each pedicle screw inserted into adjacent vertebral bodies. A retractor system is provided in which a first retractor blade is mounted to one of the screws and a second movable retractor blade is moved away from the first blade, in a medial direction, to create a working channel through which the disc space may be accessed for passing instruments and implants. Light may be incorporated into the device to illuminate the surgical field. One or all of the retractor blades may be made of a sterilizable plastic or metal and be disposable or reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Josef Gorek, Linda Krisciunas, Catherine Ross, Jennifer Haggenmaker, Kevin Strauss
  • Patent number: 9668879
    Abstract: An expandable intervertebral cage device includes a first base plate and a second base plate, a proximal block with internal threading that mechanically couples the first base plate and the second base plate, and a distal block comprising an internal passage. The device has exactly two arm assemblies, one on each side. Each arm assembly includes a first arm mechanically coupled to the first base plate and the distal block, and a second arm is mechanically coupled to the second base plate and the distal block. A screw is arranged partially within the internal threading of the proximal block and passes through the internal passage of the distal block, such that rotation of the screw relative to the proximal block causes a change in distance between the proximal block and the distal block, and a corresponding change in the spacing and lordosis of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ex Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Omar F. Jimenez, Yefim Safris
  • Patent number: 9662224
    Abstract: An expandable fusion device may include a first endplate and a second endplate. The expandable fusion device may also include first and second ramps configured to mate with both the first and second endplates. An inserter instrument includes an outer shaft having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and an inner shaft extending through the bore in the outer shaft. The outer shaft is configured to engage the first or second opening in the second ramp, and the inner shaft is configured to engage the corresponding first or second opening in the first ramp to control implant height and/or lordotic angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Weiman, Chad Glerum, Alex Burkhardt, Kevin Gahman
  • Patent number: 9655653
    Abstract: A surgical fastening element for a spinal column stabilization system includes at least two fastening elements and at least one connecting element, the surgical fastening element including a fastening section, a holding section with a connecting element receptacle, and a fixing element fixable on the holding section for fixing the connecting element in the connecting element receptacle. The fixing element carries a holding down element for holding the connecting element down in the connecting element receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Stephan Lindner, Sven Krüger
  • Patent number: 9649130
    Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes an arcuate shaft configured to be inserted into a cervix and a colpotomizer assembly configured to move along the arcuate shaft. The colpotomizer assembly includes a cup configured to receive the cervix. The cup defines a cup face disposed substantially perpendicular to an axial centerline of the cup and having a centerpoint disposed along the axial centerline of the cup, and an opening spaced apart from the cup face and sized to allow passage of the arcuate shaft. The opening is configured such that, when the arcuate shaft is positioned within the opening, an arcuate centerline of the arcuate shaft is aligned with the centerpoint of the cup face, and the arcuate centerline of the arcuate shaft is offset from the axial centerline of the cup at the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: CooperSurgical, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Parys