Patents by Inventor Bret M. Berry
Bret M. Berry 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).
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Patent number: 11497409Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Peter P. Sterrantino, David C. Hacker, Bret M. Berry
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Publication number: 20190350485Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Peter P. Sterrantino, David C. Hacker, Bret M. Berry
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Patent number: 10349862Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: MEDTRONIC XIOMED, INC.Inventors: Peter P. Sterrantino, David C. Hacker, Bret M. Berry
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Patent number: 10342452Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Peter P. Sterrantino, David C. Hacker, Bret M. Berry
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Patent number: 10045860Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis includes: a body including first and second spaced apart major surfaces defining a longitudinal axis extending substantially normal to said surfaces and at least anterior and posterior sidewalls extending therebetween, the first and second major surfaces for engaging endplates of first and second vertebral bones of a spine; an aperture extending from within the body, transversely to the longitudinal axis, and opening at a major surface; an anchoring element disposed within the aperture and including a threaded shaft; and a gear disposed adjacent to and in meshed, threaded communication with the threaded shaft of the anchoring element such that rotation of the gear causes rotation of the anchoring element, and a driving rotational force on the gear causes the anchoring element to rotate, deploy from the body, and thread into a vertebral bone transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Amicus Design Group, LLCInventors: Bret M. Berry, Richard D. Guyer, Jack E. Zigler, Adam A. Pike, Randall F. Lee
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Publication number: 20170273592Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Peter P. Sterrantino, David C. Hacker, Bret M. Berry
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Patent number: 8998920Abstract: An apparatus for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal includes: a handle including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input about a central axis; a first drive shaft including a proximal end in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the first drive shaft about a first axis, which is laterally offset from the central axis; and a distal end of the first drive shaft including a first drive head; and a chuck disposed at a distal end of the tool for engaging the intervertebral prosthesis during implantation, wherein the first drive shaft extends through the chuck and the first drive head engages a first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation and deployment of a first anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Amicus Design Group, LLCInventors: Bret M. Berry, Richard D. Guyer, Jack Zigler, Adam A. Pike, Randall F. Lee
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Patent number: 8801721Abstract: A system and method for inserting an implant into a cavity is disclosed, which may include advancing an implant insertion instrument toward a pair of adjacent bodies, the implant insertion instrument having two opposed ramps, wherein each ramp has a distal tip and wherein the longitudinal axes of the opposed ramps are separated by an initial angle; inserting the distal tips of the opposed ramps between the adjacent bodies, thereby creating an initial interbody cavity between the adjacent bodies; expanding the interbody cavity while maintaining the initial angle between the longitudinal axes of the opposed ramps; placing the implant in a final location between the adjacent bodies; transferring a compressive force urging the adjacent bodies together from the opposed ramps to the implant; and extracting the implant insertion instrument from the interbody cavity.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: K2M, Inc.Inventors: Bret M. Berry, Richard D. Guyer, Jack Zigler, Adam A. Pike, Randall F. Lee
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Publication number: 20130245768Abstract: A system and method for inserting an implant into a cavity is disclosed, which may include advancing an implant insertion instrument toward a pair of adjacent bodies, the implant insertion instrument having two opposed ramps, wherein each ramp has a distal tip and wherein the longitudinal axes of the opposed ramps are separated by an initial angle; inserting the distal tips of the opposed ramps between the adjacent bodies, thereby creating an initial interbody cavity between the adjacent bodies; expanding the interbody cavity while maintaining the initial angle between the longitudinal axes of the opposed ramps; placing the implant in a final location between the adjacent bodies; transferring a compressive force urging the adjacent bodies together from the opposed ramps to the implant; and extracting the implant insertion instrument from the interbody cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: K2M, INC.Inventors: Bret M. Berry, Richard D. Guyer, Jack Zigler, Adam A. Pike, Randall F. Lee
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Patent number: 8512406Abstract: A vertebral replacement device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a vertebral body member having at least one of an upper or lower disc replacement member engaged thereto at one end thereof. The disc replacement device can be positioned in a spinal disc space when disengaged from the vertebral body member.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: John L. White, Steven D. DeRidder, Bret M. Berry, George Frey, Jeffrey D. Moore, Jeffrey L. Scifert, Troy D. Drewry, Jeffrey S. Smithey, Eric C. Lange
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Patent number: 8486083Abstract: Instruments for inserting an implant in a space between adjacent bony portions include upper and lower guide members separated by a spreader with the implant positioned forwardly of the spreader. The spreader is movable forwardly between the guide members with a drive member to position the implant in a space between the bony portions. The spreader contacts the adjacent bony portions to facilitate withdrawal of the inserter instrument when the implant is positioned in the space.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Rolando M. Puno, Bret M. Berry, W. Scott Gareiss
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Patent number: 8425528Abstract: An apparatus for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal includes: a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tool and including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input about a central axis; a first drive shaft including proximal and distal ends; the proximal end in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the first drive shaft about a first axis, which is laterally offset from the central axis; and the distal end of the first drive shaft including a first drive head; and a chuck disposed at a distal end of the tool and being sized and shaped to engage the intervertebral prosthesis during implantation, wherein the first drive shaft extends through the chuck and the first drive head engages a first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation and deployment of a first anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Amicus Design Group, LLCInventors: Bret M. Berry, Richard D. Guyer, Jack E. Zigler, Adam A. Pike, Randall F. Lee
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Patent number: 8403990Abstract: An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Randall F. Dryer, Bret M. Berry, Eric C. Lange
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Patent number: 8382768Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inserting an implant into a cavity provide for: disposing an implant between opposing first and second ramps of an implant insertion instrument; orienting first and second vertebral contact surfaces of the ramps such that they define an initial, non-zero angle therebetween; inserting the first and second ramps into an intervertebral space of a spine; advancing the implant distally along and between the ramps such that the first and second vertebral contact surfaces of the first and second ramps separate while holding the initial angle substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: K2M, Inc.Inventors: Bret M. Berry, Richard D. Guyer, Jack E. Zigler, Adam A. Pike, Randall F. Lee
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Publication number: 20130030531Abstract: An improved bone graft is provided for human implantation, particularly such as a spinal fusion cage for implantation into the inter-vertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The improved spinal fusion cage includes a substrate block of high strength biocompatible material having a selected size and shape to fit the anatomical space, and a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. The substrate block may be coated with a bio-active surface coating material such as hydroxyapatite or a calcium phosphate to promote bone ingrowth and enhanced bone fusion. Upon implantation, the fusion cage provides a spacer element having a desired combination of mechanical strength together with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity to promote bone ingrowth and fusion, as well as radiolucency for facilitated post-operative monitoring. The fusion cage may additionally carry one or more natural or synthetic therapeutic agents for further promoting bone ingrowth and fusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: Amedica CorporationInventors: Darrel S. Brodke, Bret M. Berry, Ashok C. Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Mahendra S. Rao
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Publication number: 20120330420Abstract: An improved implant is provided for human implantation, such as a spinal implant for implantation into the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. Some embodiments include a substrate of high strength biocompatible material, such as doped silicon nitride ceramic for example. In some embodiments, the substrate may also include one or more regions of a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. In other embodiments, the substrate may comprise the entire implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: Amedica CorporationInventors: Darrel S. Brodke, Bret M. Berry, Ashok C. Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Mahendra S. Rao
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Publication number: 20120029642Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inserting an implant into a cavity provide for: disposing an implant between opposing first and second ramps of an implant insertion instrument; orienting first and second vertebral contact surfaces of the ramps such that they define an initial, non-zero angle therebetween; inserting the first and second ramps into an intervertebral space of a spine; advancing the implant distally along and between the ramps such that the first and second vertebral contact surfaces of the first and second ramps separate while holding the initial angle substantially constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: K2M, INC.Inventors: Bret M. Berry, Richard D. Guyer, Jack E. Zigler, Adam A. Pike, Randall F. Lee
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Patent number: 8062303Abstract: A system and method for inserting an implant into a cavity is disclosed, which may include advancing an implant insertion instrument toward a pair of adjacent bodies, the implant insertion instrument having two opposed ramps, wherein each ramp has a distal tip and wherein the longitudinal axes of the opposed ramps are separated by an initial angle; inserting the distal tips of the opposed ramps between the adjacent bodies, thereby creating an initial interbody cavity between the adjacent bodies; expanding the interbody cavity while maintaining the initial angle between the longitudinal axes of the opposed ramps; placing the implant in a final location between the adjacent bodies; transferring a compressive force urging the adjacent bodies together from the opposed ramps to the implant; and extracting the implant insertion instrument from the interbody cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: K2M, Inc.Inventors: Bret M. Berry, Richard D. Guyer, Jack E. Zigler, Adam A. Pike, Randall F. Lee
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Patent number: 7993340Abstract: A milling instrument assembly is provided for vertebral endplate preparation along a cutting path obliquely oriented to the axis of approach to the vertebra. The milling instrument assembly provides control of the anterior-posterior depth of endplate removal by guiding cutting assembly in the disc space as it moves transversely across a housing assembly. Methods and techniques are included for using the milling instrument assembly in spinal surgery.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventor: Bret M. Berry
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Publication number: 20110098818Abstract: An improved bone graft is provided for human implantation, particularly such as a spinal fusion cage for implantation into the inter-vertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The improved spinal fusion cage includes a substrate block of high strength biocompatible material having a selected size and shape to fit the anatomical space, and a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. The substrate block may be coated with a bio-active surface coating material such as hydroxyapatite or a calcium phosphate to promote bone ingrowth and enhanced bone fusion. Upon implantation, the fusion cage provides a spacer element having a desired combination of mechanical strength together with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity to promote bone ingrowth and fusion, as well as radiolucency for facilitated post-operative monitoring. The fusion cage may additionally carry one or more natural or synthetic therapeutic agents for further promoting bone ingrowth and fusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Darrel S. Brodke, Bret M. Berry, Ashok C. Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Mahendra S. Rao