Patents by Inventor Brian Janowski
Brian Janowski 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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Publication number: 20060161157Abstract: Bone plate systems and retainers are provided for surgical implants and bone repair. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors or screws for securing multiple bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate includes bores for receiving the screws, and the bores may permit and define a translation path for the screws relative to the plate. The retainers are held in a recess in the bores to prevent screw back-out. Once the screw is seated with the plate, the retainer rests over a top surface of the screw to impede screw back-out from the plate. The retainer may expand to permit driving a screw therethrough and may contract once the screw is seated within the plate so the retainer is in a configuration for preventing back-out. Tools and methods are also provided for implantation and removal of the plates and the screws.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2005Publication date: July 20, 2006Inventors: Lawrence Mosca, Matthew Gephart, Brian Janowski, Brad Fredin, Francis Korhonen, Matthew Songer
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Publication number: 20060089651Abstract: An apparatus for advancing surgical devices such as spinal rods is disclosed. The spinal rod may be advanced, for instance, into a seated engagement with a surgical fixture, such as a fixture having a screw mounted in a bone portion, and the fixture may have an open end forming a yoke into which the spinal rod is seated. The apparatus may include portions which secure to the yoke in a pre-determined arrangement or orientation, and the portions may be locked into place by a series of linkages on the apparatus. The apparatus may include a movable member that is non-rotatably shifted longitudinally for advancing the spinal rod into the seated engagement, and the movable member may then be rotated without shifting longitudinally to rotate a securing member such as a cap into a position within the yoke to at least partially capture the cap therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2004Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventors: Jeffrey Trudeau, Brian Janowski, Maria Norman
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Publication number: 20060015183Abstract: A spinal column reconstruction device is disclosed including at least two bone surface engagement portions, each for fixation to distinct vertebral bone portions, a mobile portion of the device positioned between the two bone surface portions and providing for movement therebetween, and a motion limiter portion generally fixing the bone surface engagement portions in a predetermined positional orientation for reconstruction of the spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2005Publication date: January 19, 2006Inventors: Jonathan Gilbert, Qi-Bin Bao, Brian Janowski
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Patent number: 6971976Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus comprises a rectangular frame, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for supporting a user, and an elongated elastic member extending between the frame and the movable carriage for biasing the carriage toward the one end of the frame. The telescopic rectangular frame has a first frame section and a second frame section that each includes two spaced apart parallel tubular rail members. One set of rail members is telescopically received in the other set of rail members so that the frame is selectively movable between a first storage position and an extended operating position.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski
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Publication number: 20050256581Abstract: Artificial disc devices are disclosed that restore correct anatomical intervertebral spacing for damaged discs while maintaining a substantially normal range of biomechanical movement for the vertebrae between which they are implanted. The disc devices include center bearing and outer or annular bearing portions with the center bearing portion including generally axially extending locating surfaces which cooperate with the facing vertebral surfaces to resist migration. The outer bearing portion is for load bearing or load sharing with the center bearing portion and includes surfaces that extend radially toward the periphery of the vertebrae so that subsidence about the center bearing portion is minimized. Alternate forms of the disc devices include one with an axially enlarged center ball bearing having an annular ring bearing extending thereabout and another having upper and lower plate members with a central bumper member and a surrounding resilient annular member therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2005Publication date: November 17, 2005Inventors: Matthew Songer, Thomas Kilpela, Brian Janowski, Gregory Berrevoets, Matthew Gephart
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Publication number: 20050192577Abstract: Bone plate systems and anchor retainers are provided for use in surgical implants and bone repair. In a preferred form, the bone plate defines a multi-tier member for receiving bone anchors for securing multiple bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The bone plate may include bores for receiving the bone anchors, and the bores may permit and define a path of translation or shifting of the bone anchors relative to the bone plate. The anchor retainers may be held in the bores to prevent back-out of the bone anchors. The retainers may be held in a recess in an interior portion of the bore. Once the anchor member is seated within the bone plate, the retainer may rest over a top surface of the anchor member so the anchor member is impeded from backing out of the bone plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2004Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Lawrence Mosca, Matthew Peter Gephart, Brian Janowski, Brad Fredin, Francis Korhonen, Matthew Songer
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Publication number: 20050192671Abstract: An artificial disc device for replacing a damaged nucleus is disclosed. In one form, the device may be inserted in components such that the device may be assembled within and retained by the natural annulus therein. In another form, the device may be inserted into the natural annulus in a collapsed or compressed state or arrangement and then be expanded within and retained by the annulus therein. In a further form, the device may be provided with a releasable connection so that the device may be connected in an insertion configuration and may be released in an operable configuration. Insertion tools and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2004Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Qi-Bin Bao, Jeffrey Trudeau, Brian Janowski, Matthew Songer, Hansen Yuan, Thomas Kilpela, Gregory Berrevoets
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Patent number: 6926650Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprising a generally rectangular extruded aluminum alloy frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members wherein the head end, the foot end, and the track or rail members are each formed from the metal extrusion material. The apparatus includes a movable carriage made of a rigid frame that moves along the rail members between the head and foot ends against one or more resistance members connected to the carriage and the foot end of the frame. Each of the rail members includes a longitudinal slot therein for receiving a foot support bar assembly. The rail members and head and foot end members are generally each metal tubular box extrusions and the rail members telescopically retract. Roller wheels attached to the carriage move along the top of the rail members and guide wheels move along the inside of the rail members.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski
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Publication number: 20050113226Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus has a generally rectangular frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members between said head and foot ends against one or more springs connected between the carriage and the foot end of the frame and an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly to adjustably position the carriage and elastic members on the tracks to accommodate a wide range of user heights. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly includes an anchor bar having each end disposed in an elongated slot formed in each track member. The elongated slot has spaced gear teeth defining spaced anchor bar stop or lock portions. The anchor bar can be moved between lock portions only when rotated to an unlocked position wherein the bar can operably slide along the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2003Publication date: May 26, 2005Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski
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Publication number: 20050090821Abstract: A crosslink member for securing spinal rods is disclosed having connector ends that include a brace and a locking member, each having an arcuate face resting on and securing a spinal rod. The locking member is secured by a cam member that rotates relative to the locking member and that cams against the connector to displace the cam member. The crosslink includes a male connector with a cylindrical cross rod received by a cavity in a female connector. The cross rod is secured by a pivotable clamp device in the female connector, and the cross rod connector and female connector may pivot, rotate, and telescope relative to each other. To reduce size without sacrificing pivot sweep, the cross rod has beveled edges, and the cavity of the female connector has windows to provide pivot clearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2003Publication date: April 28, 2005Inventors: Gregory Berrevoets, Brian Janowski, Thomas Kilpela
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Publication number: 20050043730Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus and method are provided that allow a user to push bone pins into engagement with bones with more precision and accurate feel as to proper engagement and the clamping forces between the pins and bone over prior devices utilizing applicator guns and the like. Fine tuning of the clamping forces is also contemplated. Compact and highly ergonomic bone fixators are provided which allow the user to remain close to the pin application site during clamping of the pins onto the bone. Significant flexiblity is preferably incorporated by having two adjustably connected positioner bodies which can each mount a pin holder module releasably attached thereto. A fixation system with improved rigidity is also provided by way of independent clamping members for each of a pair of rod mounts on each pin positioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2004Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Brian Janowski, Jeffrey Trudeau
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Publication number: 20050033437Abstract: An artificial disc device for replacing a damaged nucleus is disclosed. In one form, the device may be inserted in components such that the device may be assembled within and retained by the natural annulus therein. In another form, the device may be inserted into the natural annulus in a collapsed or compressed state or arrangement and then be expanded within and retained by the annulus therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2003Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Qi-Bin Bao, Jeffrey Trudeau, Brian Janowski, Matthew Songer, Hansen Yuan, Thomas Kilpela, Gregory Berrevoets
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Publication number: 20030195095Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus comprises a rectangular frame, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for supporting a user, and an elongated elastic member extending between the frame and the movable carriage for biasing the carriage toward the one end of the frame. The telescopic rectangular frame has a first frame section and a second frame section that each includes two spaced apart parallel tubular rail members. One set of rail members is telescopically received in the other set of rail members so that the frame is selectively movable between a first storage position and an extended operating position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski
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Patent number: 6527685Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus comprises a telescopic rectangular frame, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for supporting a user, and an elongated elastic member extending between the frame and the movable carriage for biasing the carriage toward the one end of the frame. The telescopic rectangular frame has a first frame section and a second frame section that each includes two spaced apart parallel tubular rail members. One set of rail members is telescopically received in the other set of rail members so that the frame is selectively movable between a first storage position and an extended operating position.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski
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Publication number: 20020058573Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprising a generally rectangular extruded aluminum alloy frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members wherein the head end, the foot end, and the track or rail members are each formed from the metal extrusion material. The apparatus includes a movable carriage made of a rigid frame that moves along the rail members between the head and foot ends against one or more resistance members connected to the carriage and the foot end of the frame. Each of the rail members includes a longitudinal slot therein for receiving a foot support bar assembly. The rail members and head and foot end members are generally each metal tubular box extrusions and the rail members telescopically retract. Roller wheels attached to the carriage move along the top of the rail members and guide wheels move along the inside of the rail members.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Applicant: Balanced Body, Inc.Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski
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Patent number: 6371895Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises a generally rectangular extruded aluminum frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members wherein the head end, the foot end, and the track or rail members are each formed from the same metal extrusion material and have the same cross sectional shape. The extruded shape comprises a closed middle portion, an outer T shaped slot portion, and an inner C shaped support channel portion and may include one or more screw races in the closed middle portion for forming a solid mitered connection at the comers of the frame. The apparatus includes a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the rail members between the head and foot ends against one or more resistance members connected between the carriage and the foot end of the frame. The exercise apparatus may include a foot bar assembly that permits a foot bar to be rotated between various positions via a quick release arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski
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Publication number: 20010056011Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus comprises a telescopic rectangular frame, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for supporting a user, and an elongated elastic member extending between the frame and the movable carriage for biasing the carriage toward the one end of the frame. The telescopic rectangular frame has a first frame section and a second frame section that each includes two spaced apart parallel tubular rail members. One set of rail members is telescopically received in the other set of rail members so that the frame is selectively movable between a first storage position and an extended operating position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski
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Patent number: 6186929Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises a generally rectangular extruded aluminum frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members wherein the head end, the foot end, and the track or rail members are each formed from the same metal extrusion material and have the same cross sectional shape. The apparatus includes a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the rail members between the head and foot ends against one or more resistance members connected between the carriage and the foot end of the frame. Each of the rail members includes an outwardly open T shaped longitudinal slot therein for receiving a T shaped anchor bar for a foot support bar assembly. The foot bar assembly includes a replaceable U shaped foot bar having a pair of spaced parallel leg portions. The assembly accommodates various shapes of foot bars. The leg portions are telescopically joined to support members pivotally mounted to a support bracket assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.Inventors: Ken Endelman, Brian Janowski