Patents by Inventor Bret E. Hartzell

Bret E. Hartzell 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: 20220031472
    Abstract: A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: James Bruffey, Eric A. Lab, Bret E. Hartzell, Adam C. Sclafani
  • Patent number: 11090169
    Abstract: A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Theken Spine, LLC
    Inventors: James Bruffey, Bret E. Hartzell, Andrew Tojek
  • Publication number: 20190343655
    Abstract: A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: James Bruffey, Bret E. Hartzell, Andrew Tojek
  • Patent number: 10342674
    Abstract: A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: THEKEN SPINE, LLC
    Inventors: James Bruffey, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Patent number: 9707008
    Abstract: An infection treatment system includes a first intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal and including a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A second intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal includes a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A coupler is operatively attached to the rods. The coupler has a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face. At least one of the faces includes at least one opening in fluid communication with at least a portion of the channels of the first and second rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Viktor E. Krebs, Wael K. Barsoum, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Patent number: 9623178
    Abstract: A deployable infection treatment system includes a cannula device comprising a cannula body having a proximal end, a flared distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen has a longitudinal x-axis extending therethrough. A sponge or drain is provided, the sponge having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein in a non-deployed configuration, the sponge is compressed within the cannula body's lumen and in a deployed configuration the distal end of the sponge expands out of the cannula body's lumen. An integrated pump and vacuum device is provided, wherein when the sponge is in a deployed configuration, the device is in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The pump controls the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the proximal end of the sponge. The vacuum controls the extraction of the therapeutic fluid and infectious material from the proximal end of the sponge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Viktor E. Krebs, Wael K. Barsoum, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Publication number: 20170095352
    Abstract: A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: James Bruffey, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Patent number: 9522069
    Abstract: A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage. In some embodiments, there is a rib, and the rotatable member is engaged at one end with the wall and at the other end with the rib. In some embodiments, the spinal cage is provided with holes for screws that can be directed at adjacent vertebrae for fixation. Such a spinal cage can be used with the spin-plate or with the screws. The screws and the spinal cage may have features that cooperate to prevent back-out of the screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Theken Spine, LLC
    Inventors: James Bruffey, Bret E. Hartzell, Andrew Paul Tojek
  • Patent number: 9339370
    Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring elongate strands within a longitudinal tunnel is disclosed. At least two cams are arranged longitudinally adjacent each other along a longitudinal axis. A first anchor member includes a first cam-contacting surface and a first strand-contacting surface. The first cam-contacting surface is selectively operatively connected to a first cam. A second anchor member includes a second cam-contacting surface and a second strand-contacting surface. The second cam-contacting surface is selectively operatively connected to a second cam. An elongate strand is positioned between the tunnel wall and the first or second strand-contacting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Anthony Miniaci, Stephen D. Fening, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Publication number: 20150045886
    Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring elongate strands within a longitudinal tunnel is disclosed. At least two cams are arranged longitudinally adjacent each other along a longitudinal axis. A first anchor member includes a first cam-contacting surface and a first strand-contacting surface. The first cam-contacting surface is selectively operatively connected to a first cam. A second anchor member includes a second cam-contacting surface and a second strand-contacting surface. The second cam-contacting surface is selectively operatively connected to a second cam. An elongate strand is positioned between the tunnel wall and the first or second strand-contacting surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Anthony Miniaci, Stephen D. Fening, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Patent number: 8864829
    Abstract: A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage. In some embodiments, there is a rib, and the rotatable member is engaged at one end with the wall and at the other end with the rib. In some embodiments, the spinal cage is provided with holes for screws that can be directed at adjacent vertebrae for fixation. Such a spinal cage can be used with the spin-plate or with the screws. The screws and the spinal cage may have features that cooperate to prevent back-out of the screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Theken Spine, LLC
    Inventors: James Bruffey, Bret E. Hartzell, Erik E. Emstad
  • Publication number: 20140277191
    Abstract: A fastening device for compressing first and second bones together includes a first member configured to extend entirely through the first bone and having a shaft that includes a distal threaded portion and an unthreaded portion. The threaded portion has an outer diameter that is not larger than the diameter of the unthreaded portion. A second member has a first threaded portion for securing to the second bone and a second threaded portion for engaging the threaded portion of the first member while the first member extends entirely through the first bone to secure the first and second members together and compress the first and second bones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Peter J. Evans, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Publication number: 20140194811
    Abstract: An infection treatment system includes a first intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal and including a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A second intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal includes a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A coupler is operatively attached to the rods. The coupler has a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face. At least one of the faces includes at least one opening in fluid communication with at least a portion of the channels of the first and second rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Wael K. Barsoum, Viktor E. Krebs, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Publication number: 20140194810
    Abstract: A deployable infection treatment system includes a cannula device comprising a cannula body having a proximal end, a flared distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen has a longitudinal x-axis extending therethrough. A sponge or drain is provided, the sponge having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein in a non-deployed configuration, the sponge is compressed within the cannula body's lumen and in a deployed configuration the distal end of the sponge expands out of the cannula body's lumen. An integrated pump and vacuum device is provided, wherein when the sponge is in a deployed configuration, the device is in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The pump controls the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the proximal end of the sponge. The vacuum controls the extraction of the therapeutic fluid and infectious material from the proximal end of the sponge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Wael K. Barsoum, Viktor E. Krebs, Bret E. Hartzell
  • Publication number: 20140148863
    Abstract: An orthopaedic fixation apparatus includes a first retainer section and a second retainer section. The second retainer section is separable from the first retainer section. A first fastener is insertable into a first opening and a second fastener insertable into a second opening. A retention member is engageable with the first fastener and with the second fastener. The retention member is elongated and flexible. The retention member contacts and extends at least partially around a head portion of the first fastener and extends to a head portion of the second fastener, and also contacts and extends at least partially around a head portion of the second fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Wael K. Barsoum, Douglas R. Johnston, Bret E. Hartzell