Patents Examined by Todd Manahan
  • Patent number: 8707968
    Abstract: A hair weave removal tool comprising a shaft having first and second ends; and at least one peripheral, each peripheral having a base, including the capability of attaching the peripheral to the shaft, wherein at least one peripheral comprises a fork and razor peripheral, comprising: a prong extending from the base generally opposite the point of attachment to the base, at least two arms extending from the prong, and a blade extending between the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Carla Gardner
  • Patent number: 8702717
    Abstract: An orthopaedic alignment guide component is provided for preparing a patient's bone socket, such as the glenoid of the patient's scapula, to receive a prosthetic glenoid component. The orthopaedic alignment guide component includes a guide body for inserting a guide pin into the patient's scapula and an inferior referencing arm for referencing an inferior surface of the patient's scapula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Rauscher, Michele Amiri
  • Patent number: 8701683
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an application tool (1) and methods to use the same. The application tool (1) comprises two plates (22), connected together. At least one of said two plates (22) comprises a fluid control zone (50), which run along the perimeter edge (30) of said at least one plate (22), a displacement zone (60), which at least partially separate said fluid control zone (50) from a containment zone (70). A hair treatment composition may be loaded onto the containment zone (70). Application of hair treatment compositions through the application tool (1) according to the invention allows for a precise, non-messy and clean targeting of the hair treatment composition on a hair strand and it is especially useful for highlighting and dyeing compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Glenn, Jr., Paul Edmund Baker
  • Patent number: 8701686
    Abstract: A device for flossing teeth comprises an elongate handle having a central axis. In addition, the device comprises a head including a pair of spaced apart posts and a base portion extending therebetween. Each post has a central axis. The central axis of each post is disposed in a plane that is oriented at an acute angle ? in side view relative to a projection of the central axis of the handle. Further, the device comprises a neck extending between the handle and the base portion of the head. The device also comprises a strand of floss extending between the posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: John Larry Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8690876
    Abstract: A cutting burr that includes a pair of axially spaced diamond-shaped portions designed to be keyed into a spindle of a locking mechanism of a high speed surgical drilling instrument and adapted to fit into a single pawl thereof to lock said cutting burr in place so as to prevent axial movement thereof and provide concentric rotation of said cutting burr without any wobbling. The orientation of both portions may be identical with respect to a center plan and diamond shape in the portion at the proximal end of the shank of the cutting tool may be larger than the intermediately located diamond shape of the other portion. The apexes of the facets of the six-sided diamond shape may be disposed below the surface of the shank of the cutting burr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Eddy H. del Rio, Duane Jeffrey Enck
  • Patent number: 8690885
    Abstract: A hinged pivoting guide for positioning a femoral tunnel in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction locates a drilling hole for placement that optimally penetrates a minimal depth of soft tissue (skin, muscle, etc.) yet directs drilling into a sufficiently rigid and structurally sound area of the femur. The hinged guide allows placement of an aimer point at a desired drilling exit location on the femur. The hinge is adapted to secure the aimer at a degree of rotation about an axis defined by the hinge rotation, such that the axis passes through the aimer point throughout rotation of the hinge while maintaining the aimer point in line with an insertion guide slideably movable through the aperture in the handle, the aperture defined by an insertion axis extending toward the aimer point such that the aimer point remains disposed at the intersection of the hinge axis and the insertion axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham Smith
  • Patent number: 8690887
    Abstract: An apparatus for locating a central axis of a spinal column and method of using the same is disclosed. The apparatus and method includes one or more members capable of spanning a center line which may then be identified by at least one additional member positioned therebetween. Furthermore, the device may contain or be capable of accommodating various additional tools for marking the location of the central axis of a spinal column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Kleiner
  • Patent number: 8685032
    Abstract: Disclosed in certain embodiments is a pressure sensing tube for transporting a material under pressure through a lumen and a pressure sensitive material associated with the tube and operable to change in appearance in response to a physical change in the tube caused by pressure within the lumen. A method of manufacturing a pressure sensing tube is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Jeffry S. Melsheimer
  • Patent number: 8685098
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Glerum, Sean Suh, Jody L. Seifert
  • Patent number: 8678819
    Abstract: A surgical guide used in implant treatment. A wire is mounted to a mockup at the orientation at which an implant fixture should be embedded. A guide member of a surgical guide is fitted to a tooth portion of the mockup. The optical axis of an irradiated light beam guided by a light irradiation portion from a light emitting portion through an optical fiber is aligned with the central axis of the wire by moving and adjusting the portion supported by a wire member. Drilling is performed after the adjusted guide member is removed from the mockup and fitted to a patient's tooth portion and the central axis of a drill is aligned with the optical axis of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Akira Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 8679183
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Globus Medical
    Inventors: Chad Glerum, Mark Weiman
  • Patent number: 8672946
    Abstract: A set of instruments for preparing a femur and tibia for receipt of a partial knee prosthesis can include a femoral drill guide that is selectively connected to an intramedullary (IM) rod. At least one sizing spoon can communicate with the femoral drill guide. The femoral drill guide can have terminal cutting surfaces. A tibial cut guide can be selectively connected to the femoral drill guide. A dial member can be disposed on one of the femoral or tibial cut guides that when rotated moves at least one of the spoons in a superior/inferior direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manfacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Duke A. Fox
  • Patent number: 8672948
    Abstract: A disposable measuring device for use in measuring the width, height and depth of an intradiscal space is provided, the device including an elongated body having an upper surface, a lower surface, a proximal end and a distal end. The elongated body also has a first pair of members configured for receiving a first cursor slidably arranged for measuring a width dimension, a second pair of members configured for receiving a second cursor slidably arranged for measuring a height dimension; and a detachable stop operatively connected to the first pair of members and the second pair of members, the detachable stop insertable into at least one opening located at the proximal end of the elongated body, the detachable stop configured for measuring a depth dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Philippe Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 8668494
    Abstract: An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle comprises a nose, a rotating member, a body, a shaft, a pivot, and a multi-axis rotation joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The rotating member is positioned within the nose. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The shaft is positioned within the body. The pivot connects the body to the nose and includes a groove configured for a ball bearing that is passed through a channel formed within the pivot and the body. Also, the channel is parallel to the rotational axis of the shaft. The multi-axis rotation joint connects the shaft to the rotating member. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into a first configuration and a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Angstrom Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris J. Carron, David G. Grither
  • Patent number: 8668723
    Abstract: An anterior cervical plate system is provided. The cervical plate includes a retention ring with a deflectable flange that is upwardly spaced from the top surface of the ring and configured to prevent an inserted bone fastener from backing out of the plate. The plate includes a locking pin having a camming surface and a blocking surface. When the camming surface is moved into position adjacent to the flange, the flange is free to flex out of the way of a bone screw being inserted into or removed from the plate. When the blocking surface is positioned adjacent to the flange, outward deflection of the flange is prevented to retain the bone screw inside the plate. The locking pin is rotated through a camming surface to bring a blocking surface against the flange deflecting the flange onto the head of the bone screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Neurostructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Moti Altarac, Joey Reglos, John Fredrick Stephani
  • Patent number: 8668696
    Abstract: A tensioning device comprises an elongate member, preferably a band, and a frame having first and second sides. The band has a first end that is attachable to the first side of the frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of the frame. A movable clamping member on the frame secures the second end of the band to the second side of the frame by cinching the second end of the band between an engagement surface on the band and a mating engagement surface on the second side of the frame. A restraining member is provided for restraining the clamping member to a first position spaced from the mating locking surface on the second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation. The restraining member is movable out of the restraining orientation after the band is tensioned to a predetermined level using the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dallen Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth Arnold Foerster, David Trottingwolf Aldridge
  • Patent number: 8668642
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a housing member having leading and trailing ends that define a longitudinal axis. One or more ports longitudinally extend between the leading and trailing ends, and are configured and adapted to receive a surgical instrument therein in a substantially sealed relation. At least one cleaning port longitudinally extends between the leading and trailing ends, and is configured and adapted to receive a cleaning device therein. The cleaning device is configured and adapted to clean surgical instruments positioned within the one or more ports without necessitating removal of the surgical instruments from the one or more ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Gennady Kleyman
  • Patent number: 8663231
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing portals into bone is described herein. An example apparatus for introducing portals into bone includes a handle, a base, and a driving member. The driving member can be made to project past the base by operating the handle. The base is detachable from the handle. The apparatus also includes a guide coupled at a first end to the handle and at a second end to the base. The base is detachably coupled to the guide. A base coupling detachably coupling the base to the guide includes an actuating member movable between a coupled configuration wherein the base is coupled to the guide and an uncoupled configuration wherein the base is released from the guide. The actuating member is arranged so that motion of the handle toward the base moves the actuating member from the coupled configuration to the uncoupled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pyng Medical Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory Vincent Browne, Werner Reinhard Simbeck, Christopher Grant Denny, David Brian Bonar, Terence Gilhuly
  • Patent number: 8652148
    Abstract: A system and method for repairing an area of defective tissue reduces the removal of healthy tissue at the margins of the defect. During excision of diseased or damaged tissue, the system tracks the movement and function of a tissue resection tool within a monitored surgical space. This movement is continuously recorded to create a three-dimensional set of data points representative of the excised volume of tissue. This data set is then communicated to a custom implant forming device which creates a custom implant sized to fit the void created by the excision. The system and method of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to exercise intraoperative control over the specific shape, volume and geometry of the excised area. Moreover, the surgeon may utilize a “freehand” resection method to excise only that tissue deemed to be diseased and/or damaged, because the custom-formed implant will accommodate an irregularly-shaped resection volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Zuhars
  • Patent number: 8652183
    Abstract: The disclosed fasteners have a substantially cylindrical expansion head to secure the fastener in a support structure. The expansion fastener has a removable locking ring, a head, and a shaft extending from the distal end of the head. The exterior of the head has at least one slot extending from the edge toward the distal end. The slots can extend partially or fully to the base of the head. In one embodiment the locking ring has at least one tab that extends beyond the periphery and a tool receiving area. In one embodiment a channel having wall periphery reduction area receives a locking ring with tabs which, when rotated to contact the reduction areas expand the head. In another embodiment the locking ring has a threaded periphery that interacts with a reduced diameter threaded periphery within the head to expand the exterior of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Mari S Truman