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: 20110319901
    Abstract: A surgical jig for determining an axis extending into the end of a bone (2). The jig comprises a platform (10) arranged to be supported upon a resected surface (4) at an end of a bone (2), first and second clamps (16) and an alignment guide (18). The first and second clamps (16) are coupled to the platform (10) and are arranged to engage first and second portions of a bone lip (6) extending around at least part of the resected surface (4) to secure the platform (10) to the resected surface (4). The alignment guide (18) defines an axis extending into the end of the bone (2), the alignment guide (18) being pivotally coupled to the platform (10). A method of determining an axis extending into the end of a bone (2) using the surgical jig is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: DEPUY INTERNATIONAL LTD
    Inventors: Alec Birkbeck, James Brooks, Andrew Burton
  • Publication number: 20110276100
    Abstract: An alignment guide is provided having a shaft with a longitudinal axis and a guide arm having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion is attached to the shaft and configured to be rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second portion extends from the first portion at a first predetermined angle along a second axis. The third portion extends from the second portion at a second predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: DEPUY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Alec Birkbeck, Robert Freeman, Gary Moore, Steven Gowers
  • Publication number: 20110276053
    Abstract: A method of aligning an alignment guide relative to a reamed acetabulum of a patient is provided. The method includes the step of manipulating an alignment guide comprising a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a guide arm having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion attached to the shaft and configured to be rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second portion extending from the first portion at a first predetermined angle along a second axis, and the third portion extending from the second portion at a second predetermined angle. The guide arm is rotated about the first axis relative to the shaft. A cup or trial is attached to the distal end of the shaft and positioned to contact the reamed acetabulum. The third portion of the guide arm is then oriented with respect to the long axis of the patient and the surface of the table on which the patient is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: DEPUY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Alec Birkbeck, Robert Freeman, Gary Moore, Steven Gowers
  • Publication number: 20110275958
    Abstract: A goniometer comprises a first arm (2), a second arm (4) and a connecting portion (6) pivotally connecting the first arm (2) to the second arm (4) about a pivot axis (7). An instrument connector (8) is coupled to the first arm (2) arranged to couple to a surgical instrument (10). A method of aligning a surgical instrument (10) using the goniometer is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: DePuy International Limited
    Inventors: Philip Barrett, Alec Birkbeck, James Brook, Andrew Burton, Marcellino Maheson
  • Publication number: 20100168865
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a procedure for implantation of an orthopaedic joint component, comprises a head part of the joint component which has a tapered bore within it, and a connector part which is tapered inwardly along its length so that it can be received snugly in the tapered bore in the head part, the connector part having a bore within it. A tool includes a spigot which fits snugly into the bore in the connector part. Each of the tool and the connector part has a face which contact one another when the spigot on the tool is fully received in the bore in the connector part, and in which each of the said faces extends generally transverse relative to the aligned axes of the spigot and the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Alec Birkbeck, Dean Cowan
  • Patent number: 7727237
    Abstract: A bone clamp for securing a surgical instrument to a bone including a body on which the instrument can be mounted, a first and second contacting arms, each of which has a first end that is pivotally connected to the body, and a second end for gripping the bone, whenever the first and second contacting arms are connected to the body at or towards opposite ends thereof so that, when the body is positioned adjacent to the bone, the arms can grip the bone on opposite surfaces thereof, and an actuator which can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. When the actuator is in its disengaged position, the contacting arms can pivot independently with respect to each other, and when the actuator is in its engaged position, the pivoting movement of one contact arm is accompanied by approximately equal pivoting movement of the other contact arm in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Depuy International Ltd.
    Inventors: Alec Birkbeck, Callum Colquhoun, Peter Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20060111727
    Abstract: A device (10) for delivering a surgical implant (14) comprises a guide track (11) for guiding the movement of a spinal implant (14) to an implantation site. An implant carrier (12) engages the implant in the guide track and can move along the guide track in order to deliver the implant to the implantation site, the carrier (12) including a connector (15) which can be displaced between a connected position in which the implant is connected to the carrier to move with it in the guide track, and a disconnected position in which the implant can be separated from the carrier. A driving device (13) can engage the implant carrier to move the carrier (12) along the track. A formation can cause the connector (15) on the implant carrier (12) to be displaced from the connected to the disconnected position when the carrier reaches a pre-determined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Pfleiderer, Alec Birkbeck
  • Publication number: 20060084890
    Abstract: A method of performing a computer-assisted orthopaedic procedure includes securing a sensor support instrument to the patient's bone. A number of sensors are secured to the support instrument. A computer-assisted orthopaedic surgical instrument is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: D. Block, Thorsten Burger, Francois Urvoy, Magnus Flett, Michal Slomczykowski, Marcellino Maheson, Roger Oakeshott, Alec Birkbeck
  • Publication number: 20060069324
    Abstract: A method of performing a computer-assisted orthopaedic procedure includes securing a sensor support instrument to the patient's bone. A number of sensors are secured to the support instrument. A computer-assisted orthopaedic surgical instrument is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: D. Block, Thorsten Burger, Francois Urvoy, Magnus Flett, Michal Slomczykowski, Marcellino Maheson, Roger Oakeshott, Alec Birkbeck
  • Publication number: 20050149028
    Abstract: A bone clamp for securing a surgical instrument to a bone including a body on which the instrument can be mounted, a first and second contacting arms, each of which has a first end that is pivotally connected to the body, and a second end for gripping the bone, whenever the first and second contacting arms are connected to the body at or towards opposite ends thereof so that, when the body is positioned adjacent to the bone, the arms can grip the bone on opposite surfaces thereof, and an actuator which can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. When the actuator is in its disengaged position, the contacting arms can pivot independently with respect to each other, and when the actuator is in its engaged position, the pivoting movement of one contact arm is accompanied by approximately equal pivoting movement of the other contact arm in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Alec Birkbeck, Callum Colquhoun, Peter Goodwin