Patents by Inventor Alec A. Birkbeck

Alec A. Birkbeck has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240016625
    Abstract: A surgical instrument (100) and system incorporating such instruments, the instrument comprising: a stem (112), the stem having a proximal end (116) and having a distal end (110); a handle portion (114), the handle portion being provided towards the proximal end of the stem; and a guide element (108), the guide element being provided towards the distal end of the stem, wherein the guide element provides: a body element (131) defining a guide channel (128), the guide channel having a longitudinal axis (X-X) and being open at both ends along the longitudinal axis; and one or more positioning elements (130a, 130b). The instrument and system are suited to the removal of a polyethylene acetabular liner (25) from an implanted shell (27), for instance to remove that liner and replace it with another, whilst minimising the risk of damage to the shell holding it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: ALEC BIRKBECK, JEREMY FONSECA, JOHN SHAPLAND, NIKI GOSLING
  • Publication number: 20230248538
    Abstract: Technologies for aligning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically prepared acetabulum include a reference sensor module securable to the patient's bony anatomy, an inserter sensor module securable to an acetabular prosthetic component inserter, and a display module. Each sensor module generates sensor data indicative of the orientation of the sensor module and/or structures to which the sensor module is coupled. The display module receives the sensor data from the sensor modules, determines the orientation of the acetabular prosthetic component relative to the patient's bony anatomy, and displays indicia of the determined orientation on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Jason T. Sherman, Alec A. Birkbeck, Robert R. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11660209
    Abstract: Technologies for aligning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically prepared acetabulum include a reference sensor module securable to the patient's bony anatomy, an inserter sensor module securable to an acetabular prosthetic component inserter, and a display module. Each sensor module generates sensor data indicative of the orientation of the sensor module and/or structures to which the sensor module is coupled. The display module receives the sensor data from the sensor modules, determines the orientation of the acetabular prosthetic component relative to the patient's bony anatomy, and displays indicia of the determined orientation on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason T. Sherman, Alec A. Birkbeck, Robert R. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20220125543
    Abstract: Surgical instrument trays and related methods are described. The surgical instrument tray is for a surgical instrument having a plurality of parts from which the surgical instrument is assembled. The surgical tray comprises a tray having a plurality of side walls and a base which define an interior space; a lid for closing the interior space and which is removable from the tray; and a plurality of outlines located within the interior space. Each outline has the shape of a corresponding different part of the surgical instrument and each outline has at least one support arranged to receive and releasably hold the respective different parts of the surgical instrument above and in registration with the outline. The plurality of outlines are configured to indicate that the different parts of the surgical instrument are assembled to form the surgical instrument and/or that the surgical instrument is disassembled into the different parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: ALEC BIRKBECK, SARAH BUSHELL, DUNCAN YOUNG
  • Patent number: 11213301
    Abstract: The invention provides a reamer handle comprising: a shank having a distal tool coupling end adapted to releasably couple to a part of a surgical tool and a proximal end; a retractable catch which is linearly displaceable along the shank between a non-retracted position in which the catch captures the surgical tool within the distal tool coupling end of the tool holder and a retracted position in which the catch enables the tool to be released from the distal tool coupling end; a biasing member configured to bias the catch in the non-retracted position; and a sleeve extending along the shank. The sleeve comprises: a distally located catch contacting portion and a proximally located handle portion for manually displacing the sleeve relative to the shank such that displacement of the catch contacting portion moves the retractable catch between the non-retracted position and the retracted position to enable capture and release of the tool from the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company
    Inventors: James Anderson, Alec Birkbeck, Ian Flatters, David Horne
  • Publication number: 20210386499
    Abstract: Surgical instrument trays and related methods are described. The surgical instrument tray includes a tray having a plurality of side walls and a base which define an interior space. An insert is located within the interior space of the tray and is removable from the interior space. A lid is provided for closing the interior space and which is removable from the tray. The insert has an upper surface including a plurality of outlines, each outline having the shape of the outline of a corresponding surgical instrument or part of a surgical instrument, each outline being in the form of a continuous strip, and wherein each outline has at least one support arranged to receive and releasably hold the corresponding surgical instrument or part of the surgical instrument above and in registration with the outline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: ANDREW BAILEY, ALEC BIRKBECK, SARAH BUSHELL, MICHAEL CASE, IAN FLATTERS, KARBANEE NAZIR-AHMED, BEN WORTLEY
  • Patent number: 11160566
    Abstract: A surgical rotational cutting tool, a surgical kit and a method of preparing a femur to receive a stem of a femoral prosthetic. The tool includes a longitudinal axis and a shaft extending along the longitudinal axis, which has a proximal end and a distal end. The tool also includes a head located at the distal end of the shaft. The head includes a pointed distal tip, a bone contacting outer surface having a portion which curves inwards toward the longitudinal axis as it approaches the tip, and a plurality of flutes. The edges of distal parts of neighboring pairs of the flutes meet to define a plurality of cutting edges which extend proximally from the pointed distal tip. A proximal part of each flute extends proximally across the curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventors: Alec Birkbeck, Graeme Dutton, David Horne, Thomas Maack, Richard Patnelli
  • Publication number: 20210275313
    Abstract: An orthopaedic joint prosthesis assembly includes a head part of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis component and an alignment guide. The head part has a spherical bearing. surface for articulation with a corresponding joint surface, and an assembly surface having a first bore formed in it for receiving a spigot on another part of the orthopaedic joint prosthesis, The bore has a first axis that extends perpendicular to the assembly surface. There is a discontinuity at an interface between the bearing surface and the assembly surface, and the assembly surface is arranged on a plane which is parallel to, or contains, a plane which is defined by the opening to the bore in the head part when the head part is viewed from one side in cross-section. The alignment guide has an axial portion and an arm extending from the axial portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Gary MOORE, Alec BIRKBECK, Christopher HUNT, Richard PATNELLI, David HORNE, Henry PROUT
  • Publication number: 20210244549
    Abstract: Technologies for aligning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically prepared acetabulum include a reference sensor module securable to the patient's bony anatomy, an inserter sensor module securable to an acetabular prosthetic component inserter, and a display module. Each sensor module generates sensor data indicative of the orientation of the sensor module and/or structures to which the sensor module is coupled. The display module receives the sensor data from the sensor modules, determines the orientation of the acetabular prosthetic component relative to the patient's bony anatomy, and displays indicia of the determined orientation on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jason T. Sherman, Alec A. Birkbeck, Robert R. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11045323
    Abstract: An orthopaedic joint prosthesis assembly includes a head part of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis component and an alignment guide. The head part has a spherical hearing surface for articulation with a corresponding joint surface, and an assembly surface having a first bore formed in it for receiving a spigot on another part of the orthopaedic joint prosthesis. The bore has a first axis that extends perpendicular to the assembly surface. The alignment guide has an axial portion defining a second axis and an arm extending from the axial portion. The arm includes a distal portion which is configured to engage the assembly surface, with the axial portion being arranged to engage the bearing surface of the head part when the head part is mounted within the guide such that an impaction force applied along the second axis is directed along the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Gary Moore, Alec Birkbeck, Christopher Hunt, Richard Patnelli, David Horne, Henry Prout
  • Patent number: 11026811
    Abstract: Technologies for aligning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically prepared acetabulum include a reference sensor module securable to the patient's bony anatomy, an inserter sensor module securable to an acetabular prosthetic component inserter, and a display module. Each sensor module generates sensor data indicative of the orientation of the sensor module and/or structures to which the sensor module is coupled. The display module receives the sensor data from the sensor modules, determines the orientation of the acetabular prosthetic component relative to the patient's bony anatomy, and displays indicia of the determined orientation on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason T. Sherman, Alec A. Birkbeck, Robert R. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10849765
    Abstract: The invention provides an impactor for transmitting an assembly force to a component of an orthopaedic implant. The impactor has first and second telescoping parts which are biased apart by means of a main spring. The main spring is compressed when an assembly force is applied to the parts. An indicator is latched against movement until it is released when the extent of the compression of the main spring by the application of an assembly force exceeds a threshold. The indicator then moves to provide the user with an indication that a minimum assembly force has been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventors: Alec Birkbeck, Graeme Dutton, David Horne, Thomas Maack, Gary Moore
  • Patent number: 10695076
    Abstract: The invention provides an osteotome which includes a curved guide member extending distally from its medial side. This curved guide member interfaces with the medial curvature of the femoral canal. The guide member guides the osteotome using the internal bone geometry of the femoral canal instead of relying on external anatomical landmarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DEPUY IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Marcus Agunloye, Alec Birkbeck, Graeme Dutton, David Horne, Thomas Maack, John Bohannon Mason, Richard Patnelli
  • Publication number: 20200163683
    Abstract: The invention provides a reamer handle comprising: a shank having a distal tool coupling end adapted to releasably couple to a part of a surgical tool and a proximal end; a retractable catch which is linearly displaceable along the shank between a non-retracted position in which the catch captures the surgical tool within the distal tool coupling end of the tool holder and a retracted position in which the catch enables the tool to be released from the distal tool coupling end; a biasing member configured to bias the catch in the non-retracted position; and a sleeve extending along the shank. The sleeve comprises: a distally located catch contacting portion and a proximally located handle portion for manually displacing the sleeve relative to the shank such that displacement of the catch contacting portion moves the retractable catch between the non-retracted position and the retracted position to enable capture and release of the tool from the tool holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: James ANDERSON, Alec BIRKBECK, Ian FLATTERS, David HORNE
  • Publication number: 20200046378
    Abstract: A surgical rotational cutting tool, a surgical kit and a method of preparing a femur to receive a stem of a femoral prosthetic. The tool includes a longitudinal axis and a shaft extending along the longitudinal axis, which has a proximal end and a distal end. The tool also includes a head located at the distal end of the shaft. The head includes a pointed distal tip, a bone contacting outer surface having a portion which curves inwards toward the longitudinal axis as it approaches the tip, and a plurality of flutes. The edges of distal parts of neighbouring pairs of the flutes meet to define a plurality of cutting edges which extend proximally from the pointed distal tip. A proximal part of each flute extends proximally across the curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: ALEC BIRKBECK, GRAEME DUTTON, DAVID HORNE, THOMAS MAACK, RICHARD PATNELLI
  • Publication number: 20190209342
    Abstract: Technologies for aligning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically prepared acetabulum include a reference sensor module securable to the patient's bony anatomy, an inserter sensor module securable to an acetabular prosthetic component inserter, and a display module. Each sensor module generates sensor data indicative of the orientation of the sensor module and/or structures to which the sensor module is coupled. The display module receives the sensor data from the sensor modules, determines the orientation of the acetabular prosthetic component relative to the patient's bony anatomy, and displays indicia of the determined orientation on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Jason T. Sherman, Alec A. Birkbeck, Robert R. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20190125547
    Abstract: The invention provides an impactor for transmitting an assembly force to a component of an orthopaedic implant. The impactor has first and second telescoping parts which are biased apart by means of a main spring. The main spring is compressed when an assembly force is applied to the parts. An indicator is latched against movement until it is released when the extent of the compression of the main spring by the application of an assembly force exceeds a threshold. The indicator then moves to provide the user with an indication that a minimum assembly force has been applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: DEPUY IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: ALEC BIRKBECK, GRAEME DUTTON, DAVID HORNE, THOMAS MAACK, MOORE GARY
  • Patent number: 10265193
    Abstract: Technologies for aligning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically prepared acetabulum include a reference sensor module securable to the patient's bony anatomy, an inserter sensor module securable to an acetabular prosthetic component inserter, and a display module. Each sensor module generates sensor data indicative of the orientation of the sensor module and/or structures to which the sensor module is coupled. The display module receives the sensor data from the sensor modules, determines the orientation of the acetabular prosthetic component relative to the patient's bony anatomy, and displays indicia of the determined orientation on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason T. Sherman, Alec A. Birkbeck, Robert R. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20180280036
    Abstract: The invention provides an osteotome which includes a curved guide member extending distally from its medial side. This curved guide member interfaces with the medial curvature of the femoral canal. The guide member guides the osteotome using the internal bone geometry of the femoral canal instead of relying on external anatomical landmarks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: MARCUS AGUNLOYE, ALEC BIRKBECK, GRAEME DUTTON, DAVID HORNE, THOMAS MAACK, JOHN BOHANNON MASON, RICHARD PATNELLI
  • Publication number: 20180235764
    Abstract: An orthopaedic joint prosthesis assembly includes a head part of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis component and an alignment guide. The head part has a spherical bearing surface for articulation with a corresponding joint surface, and an assembly surface having a first bore formed in it for receiving a spigot on another part of the orthopaedic joint prosthesis. The bore has a first axis that extends perpendicular to the assembly surface. There is a discontinuity at an interface between the bearing surface and the assembly surface, and the assembly surface is arranged on a plane which is parallel to, or contains, a plane which is defined by the opening to the bore in the head part when the head part is viewed from one side in cross-section. The alignment guide has an axial portion and an arm extending from the axial portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Gary Moore, Alec Birkbeck, Christopher Hunt, Richard Patnelli, David Home, Henry Prout