Patents by Inventor Bret M. Wilfong
Bret M. Wilfong 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: 11730529Abstract: Systems, instruments, and methods for operating a surgical instrument. The methods comprising: receiving at least a portion of an external object in a recess of a hollow shank; rotating a first shaft disposed within the hollow shank; using rotation of the first shaft to cause translational movement of a second shaft of the surgical instrument in a first direction away from the first shaft and along a central axis of the surgical instrument; applying a pushing force on the external object using the second shaft that is experiencing the translational movement; and causing translational movement of the second shaft in a second direction opposed from the first direction after the pushing force has been applied to the external object.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Brian A. Butler, Aubrey R. Mills, Christel Italiaie, Bret M. Wilfong, Madeline G. Wilson
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Publication number: 20210401471Abstract: A spinal construct includes a body defining a transverse axis. The body includes a wall disposed between a first implant cavity and a second implant cavity. The body further defines a first opening communicating with the first implant cavity and a second opening communicating with the second implant cavity. The first opening defines a first axis and the second opening defines a second axis. At least one of the first axis and the second axis are disposed in a substantially non-perpendicular orientation relative to the transverse axis. Systems, surgical instruments, implants and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.Inventors: Larry T. McBride, JR., Bret M. Wilfong, Christel Italiaie
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Publication number: 20210298794Abstract: Systems, instruments, and methods for operating a surgical instrument are disclosed. The instrument may include a drive shaft axially aligned with a central axis of the surgical instrument. The drive shaft may include a first mating end and be rotatably supported within a drive housing having a contoured interior supporting the first mating end. The instrument may include an outer shaft having an outer receiver interface configured to selectively couple and uncouple to a connecting portion of a receiver. The instrument may also include a plunger that is axially aligned with the central axis and having a second mating end disposed within the contoured interior of the drive housing. In various embodiments, the second mating end may be axially aligned with and in contact with the first mating end. In various embodiments, the plunger may be configured to linearly translate along the central axis upon rotation of the drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Brian A. Butler, Aubrey R. Mills, Christel Italiaie, Bret M. Wilfong, Madeline G. Wilson
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Publication number: 20210298810Abstract: Systems, instruments, and methods for operating a surgical instrument. The methods comprising: receiving at least a portion of an external object in a recess of a hollow shank; rotating a first shaft disposed within the hollow shank; using rotation of the first shaft to cause translational movement of a second shaft of the surgical instrument in a first direction away from the first shaft and along a central axis of the surgical instrument; applying a pushing force on the external object using the second shaft that is experiencing the translational movement; and causing translational movement of the second shaft in a second direction opposed from the first direction after the pushing force has been applied to the external object.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Brian A. Butler, Aubrey R. Mills, Christel Italiaie, Bret M. Wilfong, Madeline G. Wilson
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Patent number: 11116550Abstract: A spinal construct includes a body defining a transverse axis. The body includes a wall disposed between a first implant cavity and a second implant cavity. The body further defines a first opening communicating with the first implant cavity and a second opening communicating with the second implant cavity. The first opening defines a first axis and the second opening defines a second axis. At least one of the first axis and the second axis are disposed in a substantially non-perpendicular orientation relative to the transverse axis. Systems, surgical instruments, implants and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Larry T. McBride, Jr., Bret M. Wilfong, Christel Italiaie
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Publication number: 20200337739Abstract: A spinal construct includes a body defining a transverse axis. The body includes a wall disposed between a first implant cavity and a second implant cavity. The body further defines a first opening communicating with the first implant cavity and a second opening communicating with the second implant cavity. The first opening defines a first axis and the second opening defines a second axis. At least one of the first axis and the second axis are disposed in a substantially non-perpendicular orientation relative to the transverse axis. Systems, surgical instruments, implants and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Larry T. McBride, JR., Bret M. Wilfong, Christel Italiaie
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Patent number: 10092412Abstract: An interbody endeap comprises at least one member configured for connection with an interbody implant. The at least one member has a thickness that permits bone growth therethrough and a uniform surface configuration that resists and/or prevents egress of bone graft from a cavity of the interbody implant. Systems and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Anthony J. Melkent, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
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Patent number: 9427328Abstract: An interbody endcap comprises at least one member configured for connection with an interbody implant. The at least one member has a thickness that permits bone growth therethrough and a uniform surface configuration that resists and/or prevents egress of bone graft from a cavity of the interbody implant. Systems and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Anthony J. Melkent, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
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Publication number: 20160213489Abstract: An interbody endeap comprises at least one member configured for connection with an interbody implant. The at least one member has a thickness that permits bone growth therethrough and a uniform surface configuration that resists and/or prevents egress of bone graft from a cavity of the interbody implant. Systems and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Anthony J. Melkent, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
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Publication number: 20150250607Abstract: An interbody endcap comprises at least one member configured for connection with an interbody implant. The at least one member has a thickness that permits bone growth therethrough and a uniform surface configuration that resists and/or prevents egress of bone graft from a cavity of the interbody implant. Systems and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Anthony J. Melkent, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
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Patent number: 8409283Abstract: An implant and method for insertion between adjacent vertebral members. The implant comprising an implant body with a base section having a plurality of base extensions, and an end cap adapted for selective axial positioning at a selected point on the base section and subsequent rotational adjustment about an implant axis. The end cap also comprising a fixed aperture and a variable aperture, both configured to receive and lockingly engage corresponding base extensions to securely maintain the end cap positioned on the base section. The fixed and variable passages are configured and located to permit rotational end cap adjustment. The implant imparts end cap height and angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected or desired point when the implant is positioned and lockingly engaged in the intervertebral space.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
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Publication number: 20120029640Abstract: An implant and method for insertion between adjacent vertebral members. The implant comprising an implant body with a base section having a plurality of base extensions and securing depressions, and an end cap adapted for selective axial positioning at a selected point on the base section and subsequent rotational adjustment about an implant axis. The end cap also comprising a fixed aperture and a variable aperture, both configured to receive and lockingly engage corresponding base extensions and securing depressions to securely maintain the end cap positioned on the base section. The fixed and variable passages are configured and located to permit rotational end cap adjustment. The implant imparts end cap height and angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected or desired point when the implant is positioned and lockingly engaged in the intervertebral space.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Cristian A. Capote, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
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Publication number: 20120029634Abstract: An implant and method for insertion between adjacent vertebral members. The implant comprising an implant body with a base section having a plurality of base extensions, and an end cap adapted for selective axial positioning at a selected point on the base section and subsequent rotational adjustment about an implant axis. The end cap also comprising a fixed aperture and a variable aperture, both configured to receive and lockingly engage corresponding base extensions to securely maintain the end cap positioned on the base section. The fixed and variable passages are configured and located to permit rotational end cap adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
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Publication number: 20120016476Abstract: Devices and methods for spacing apart vertebral members. The implant may include a body and an end cap. Connectors may extend outward from the body to attach with the end cap. The end cap may include a hinged design to securely attach to the body. The hinged design may include first and second sections that are connected at a hinge. The implant may also include a second end cap positioned at the opposite end of the body. The second end cap may be the same or different than the first end cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Bret M. Wilfong, Michael J. Merves
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Publication number: 20120016478Abstract: Implants sized to be inserted into an intervertebral space between first and second vertebral members, and related methods. The spinal implant may have a body extending along a longitudinal axis with opposing first and second longitudinal ends. An end cap is mounted to the body at one of the ends and disposed longitudinally outboard of the corresponding end. The end cap comprises a first portion, a second portion, and an annular elastic element, such as an O-ring. The first and second portions are disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis. The annular elastic member circumferentially surrounds the first portion, the second portion, and the longitudinal axis. The annular elastic member applies a compressive force that urges the first and second portions together in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The end cap may be flat or angled. Other implants and related methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Bret M. Wilfong, Michael J. Merves
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Publication number: 20110190890Abstract: An implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral members, comprising an implant body with a base section having positioning teeth, and an end cap for positioning at a selected point on the base section via adjustment of an approach direction. The end cap comprises a seating surface which contacts the base section when positioned on the implant body, an end cap angulation, and positioning passages for receiving positioning teeth. The implant may comprise a locking mechanism for lockingly engaging the end cap and base section and preventing end cap axial movement. The positioning passages and positioning teeth configured to facilitate end cap slideable positioning on the base section. And, a positioning passage comprising a locking tenon for lockingly engaging a positioning tooth in the positioning passage. The implant body and end cap combination imparting angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected point when positioned in the intervertebral space.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong