Patents Examined by Tara George
  • Patent number: 7503918
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for immobilizing two vertebrae, which system includes two screws, and an elongated connecting member and two fastening systems. Each fastening system includes a clamping member and a fastening member consisting of a single ring-shaped piece having a lateral wall around an axial passage. The wall includes a first aperture for the clamping member and a second aperture comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a rim forming a bearing surface for the screw head. The second portion provides a free passage for the screw head. The axial passage can receive one end of the connecting member and the screw head, whereby (a) the screw head can be freely inserted into the axial passage of the fastening member and (b) the end of the connecting member and the screw head are immobilized by actuating the clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Abbott Spine
    Inventors: Christian Baccelli, Paolo Mangione
  • Patent number: 7404818
    Abstract: A side-loading bone anchor is provided, which may be used in cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral areas of the spine or other orthopedic locations. In one embodiment, the anchor includes an anchoring portion, a receiving portion, and an internal piece that is rotatable with respect to the receiving portion at least to a degree. The anchoring portion is attached to a bone. A rod or other elongated support member is received in the receiving portion in contact with the internal piece. The rod and internal piece may be rotated for variability substantially in a plane, and a set screw is threaded into the receiving portion to lock the rod within the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Greg Denzer
  • Patent number: 7329282
    Abstract: Embodiments of devices and methods for correcting a vertebral member and/or repositioning a vertebral device relative to the vertebral member. A vertebral device has been previously positioned relative to a vertebral member. Due to subsidence or other factors, the vertebral device has moved and is no longer in alignment. A positioning device is used for re-positioning the vertebral device. A delivery device is used for inserting a material to the vertebral member and/or vertebral device. The material is initially in a first state that is flowable to allow for insertion to the required location. The material changes to a second state that permanently fixes the position of the vertebral device relative to the vertebral member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Sherman, Lukas Eisermann
  • Patent number: 7229442
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cervical vertebra plate (10) for osteosynthesis, having two receiving openings for the screw heads (18) of bone screws (16) in order to secure the cervical vertebra plate to two cervical vertebrae. The receiving openings have grooves (22) in the distal region on the periphery thereof and the depth of the grooves increases from a proximal to a distal end. The invention also relates to a bone screw (18) comprising a screw head (16) and a screw shank. The screw head comprises grooves (34) on the outer periphery thereof and the depth of the grooves varies along the length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: DePuy Spine Sàrl
    Inventor: Bernd Schafer