Patents by Inventor Alison M. SOUZA

Alison M. SOUZA 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: 20150230848
    Abstract: Described herein are bone implant having bifurcated struts for distracting and supporting bone, as well as systems and methods for treating bone using them. These self-expanding implants for repairing bone may include two or more bifurcated struts that extend from a central body or shaft in the deployed configuration. The stabilization device may be attached to an inserter. An inserter may be used to hold the stabilization device in a collapsed delivery configuration so that it can be inserted into bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Paul E. CHIRICO, Benny M. CHAN, Alison M. SOUZA, Peter G. KNOPP
  • Publication number: 20130289608
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing matter from within a conduit. The apparatus generally comprises a separation edge attached to a wire at its proximal end, a frame attached to the distal end of the separation edge, and a membrane attached to the wire and disposed over the frame enclosing its interior. The membrane generally comprises a net constructed from a vaporized metal deposited on a mandrel. Alternatively, the membrane may comprise a braided tube constructed from wire. The apparatus may be employed as a filter or as a means for actively dislodging matter from the wall of a conduit. When employed as a filter, the apparatus is positioned downstream of the matter where it ensures that matter does not escape downstream as it is being removed. When employed to actively remover matter from a conduit, the apparatus is positioned downstream of the matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Don A. Tanaka, Alison M. Souza
  • Publication number: 20100217335
    Abstract: Described herein are bone implant having bifurcated struts for distracting and supporting bone, as well as systems and methods for treating bone using them. These self-expanding implants for repairing bone may include two or more bifurcated struts that extend from a central body or shaft in the deployed configuration. The stabilization device may be attached to an inserter. An inserter may be used to hold the stabilization device in a collapsed delivery configuration so that it can be inserted into bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Paul E. Chirico, Benny M. Chan, Alison M. Souza, Peter G. Knopp
  • Publication number: 20100168748
    Abstract: Described herein are bone morcelizers for forming cavities in bone, particularly cancellous bone. In general, these devices include an outer cannulated member coupled to a proximal handle. An inner member may be extended and rotated relative to the outer member in a controlled manner, by operating one or more controls on the handle. The inner member may assume a curved shape relative to the outer member when it is extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Peter G. Knopp, Paul E. Chirico, Benny M. Chan, Alison M. Souza
  • Publication number: 20090216260
    Abstract: Described herein are interlocking surgical tools (e.g., trocars, cannula, etc.) that form a composite surgical device having a handle and a finger grip region that are separate, when the component portions are interlocked. In particular, these tools are configured so that the separate handle and finger grip regions are perpendicular to each other. This arrangement may provide benefits in manipulating these devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Alison M. SOUZA, Brian E. Martini, Gary B. Hulme, Jason A. Jegge
  • Publication number: 20090012564
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and systems for transdiscal fusion of vertebrae and methods for fusing adjacent vertebra. A system may include a device with two anchorable members connectable by an intervening connector forming a continuous passageway therethrough. An anchorable member may have a constrained non-anchoring configuration and a released anchoring configuration. The anchoring configuration typically includes a radially-expanded structure such as a plurality of struts. After positioning the anchorable members into two adjacent vertebral bodies, the anchorable members may be released from their constrained configuration so that they radially self-expand, anchoring the device across the fracture. A flowable bone-filling material may be conveyed into the passageway of the device after implantation, stabilizing it further in the vertebral implantation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: SPINEWORKS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Paul E. Chirico, Benny M. Chan, R. Sean Pakbaz, Joseph A. Horton, Alison M. Souza, Brian E. Martini
  • Publication number: 20070288054
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing matter from within a conduit. The apparatus generally comprises a separation edge attached to a wire at its proximal end, a frame attached to the distal end of the separation edge, and a membrane attached to the wire and disposed over the frame enclosing its interior. The membrane generally comprises a net constructed from a vaporized metal deposited on a mandrel. Alternatively, the membrane may comprise a braided tube constructed from wire. The apparatus may be employed as a filter or as a means for actively dislodging matter from the wall of a conduit. When employed as a filter, the apparatus is positioned downstream of the matter where it ensures that matter does not escape downstream as it is being removed. When employed to actively remover matter from a conduit, the apparatus is positioned downstream of the matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Don A. Tanaka, Alison M. Souza