Patents by Inventor Alexander Sattler, Jr.

Alexander Sattler, Jr. 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).

  • Patent number: 10575773
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: RoboDiagnostics LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, Jr., Eric Branch
  • Publication number: 20170181690
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, JR., Eric Branch
  • Publication number: 20140358042
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably positioning a 3-segment limb, such as a leg or arm for imaging and medical analysis, which can accommodate for the patient's “natural alignment”. The apparatus positions the limb in such a way that the position of the proximal segment is controlled while an known external torque is applied at a known rate to the distal segment. The location of each of the limb's three segments is recorded using either external or internal measurement techniques, and the relative motions between the proximal and intermediate segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the proximal joint. Furthermore, the relative motions between the intermediate and distal segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the distal joint. By applying a known torque at a known rate, clinicians will be provided with valuable information related to joint range of motion, stability, laxity, and compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: ERMI, INC.
    Inventors: THOMAS P BRANCH, ALEXANDER SATTLER, JR., ERIC KENNETH BRANCH, CALE ANDREW JACOBS
  • Patent number: 8840570
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably positioning a 3-segment limb, such as a leg or arm for imaging and medical analysis, which can accommodate for the patient's “natural alignment”. The apparatus positions the limb in such a way that the position of the proximal segment is controlled while an known external torque is applied at a known rate to the distal segment. The location of each of the limb's three segments is recorded using either external or internal measurement techniques, and the relative motions between the proximal and intermediate segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the proximal joint. Furthermore, the relative motions between the intermediate and distal segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the distal joint. By applying a known torque at a known rate, clinicians will be provided with valuable information related to joint range of motion, stability, laxity, and compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ermi, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, Jr., Eric Kenneth Branch, Cale Andrew Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8753294
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, Jr., Eric Branch
  • Patent number: 7985227
    Abstract: Generally described the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for aligning the lower extremities of a patient with a mechanical axis. More specifically, the present invention provides an exoskeleton or external framework that positions a patient's leg into a desired mechanical axis in preparation for surgery or other medical treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, Jr., Fredrik Westin
  • Publication number: 20100249666
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, JR., Eric Branch
  • Publication number: 20100179605
    Abstract: Generally described the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for aligning the lower extremities of a patient with a mechanical axis. More specifically, the present invention provides an exoskeleton or external framework that positions a patient's leg into a desired mechanical axis in preparation for surgery or other medical treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, JR., Fredrik Westin
  • Patent number: 7753862
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, Jr., Eric Branch
  • Patent number: 7665167
    Abstract: Generally described the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for aligning the lower extremities of a patient with a mechanical axis. More specifically, the present invention provides an exoskeleton or external framework that positions a patient's leg into a desired mechanical axis in preparation for surgery or other medical treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, Jr., Fredrik Westin
  • Publication number: 20090124936
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably positioning a 3-segment limb, such as a leg or arm for imaging and medical analysis, which can accommodate for the patient's “natural alignment”. The apparatus positions the limb in such a way that the position of the proximal segment is controlled while an known external torque is applied at a known rate to the distal segment. The location of each of the limb's three segments is recorded using either external or internal measurement techniques, and the relative motions between the proximal and intermediate segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the proximal joint. Furthermore, the relative motions between the intermediate and distal segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the distal joint. By applying a known torque at a known rate, clinicians will be provided with valuable information related to joint range of motion, stability, laxity, and compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas P. Branch, Alexander Sattler, JR., Eric Kenneth Branch, Cale Andrew Jacobs