Patents by Inventor Bruce Robie

Bruce Robie 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: 20070168042
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns implants to at least partially replace the nucleus of a spinal disc. In one embodiment, a prosthetic structure is provided which includes a bag having a fixation component, the bag operable to contain at least one internal implant within the bag. In another embodiment, a bag structure is provided with a flange adaptable to anchor the structure to a vertebral body and a sinusoidal-shaped structure made of a flexible material is provided with various unique configurations. In one embodiment, for delivery, a bag structure with a flange may be attached to a vertebral body. In another embodiment, a sinusoidal-shaped implant structure is alternately woven from one end to the other with a second sinusoidal-shaped structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Hudgins, Bruce Robie
  • Publication number: 20070168031
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns implants to at least partially replace the nucleus of a spinal disc. In one embodiment, a prosthetic structure is provided which includes a bag having a fixation component, the bag operable to contain at least one internal implant within the bag. In another embodiment, a bag structure is provided with a flange adaptable to anchor the structure to a vertebral body and a sinusoidal-shaped structure made of a flexible material is provided with various unique configurations. In one embodiment, for delivery, a bag structure with a flange may be attached to a vertebral body. In another embodiment, a sinusoidal-shaped implant structure is alternately woven from one end to the other with a second sinusoidal-shaped structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hudgins, Bruce Robie
  • Publication number: 20070162041
    Abstract: An instrument for distracting the disc space between adjacent vertebrae and simultaneously preparing endplates of the vertebrae includes a body having opposing upper and lower surfaces separated by curved side surfaces that extend between a posterior end of the body and an anterior end of the body. A first plurality of teeth extends across the upper surface of the body, and a second plurality of teeth extends across the lower surface of the body. The first and second plurality of teeth may constructed as ratcheting teeth that angle back toward the anterior end of the body. Also a system for distracting the disc space between adjacent vertebrae and simultaneously preparing endplates of the vertebrae, includes at least two differently dimensioned instruments as set forth above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: ZIMMER TRABECULAR METAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Robie, Felix Blouin, Rafael Zubok
  • Publication number: 20070118221
    Abstract: A spinal motion device for implanting in the spine as a replacement for the natural disc, to permit motion between adjacent vertebral bodies or as a vertebral body replacement that permits motion at its ends. The spinal motion device comprises a composite structure formed by a body having at least one bearing member, made from a biocompatible material such as pyrolytic carbon, attached to a support surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: ZIMMER TRABECULAR METAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Robie, Eric Woodard
  • Publication number: 20070016213
    Abstract: An instrument system for preparing a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive a repair device includes a series of distractors for distracting the vertebral bodies in a manner that restores natural lordosis of the lumbar and cervical spine, a vertebrae immobilizing template to fix the positions of the bodies, a handle for employing the distractor and the template, and a reamer for cutting tissue from endplates of the vertebral bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: Zimmer Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Robie, Felix Blouin, Rafael Zubok, John Wilhelmy
  • Patent number: 7153304
    Abstract: An instrument system for preparing a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive a repair device includes a series of distractors for distracting the vertebral bodies in a manner that restores natural lordosis of the lumbar and cervical spine, a vertebrae immobilizing template to fix the positions of the bodies, a handle for employing the distractor and the template, and a reamer for cutting tissue from endplates of the vertebral bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Zimmer Trabecular Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Robie, Felix Blouin, Rafael Zubok, John Wilhelmy
  • Patent number: 6575980
    Abstract: An instrument is provided for use in shaping a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis. A gap checking device is fixed to the distal end of the patient's femur and referenced to the epicondyles of the femur. The gap checking device includes slots through which a cutting instrument can be passed to shape the femur so that it can receive the femoral component of the prosthesis. One of the slots enables the distal femoral cut to be made. The thickness of the gap checking device is selected so that the distance between the distal femoral cut and the distal surface of the gap checking device plus the thickness of a shim resting on the cut proximal tibia surface is equal to the combined thickness of the tibial and femoral components of the prosthesis. This enables balancing of the ligaments to be checked before the femoral cuts are made, but while the gap checking device is secured to the femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: New York Society for the Ruptured and Crippled Maintaining the Hospital for Special Surgery
    Inventors: Bruce Robie, Jordan Ryalls, Joseph Lipman, Albert H. Burstein, Thomas P. Sculco
  • Publication number: 20030045884
    Abstract: An instrument for distracting the disc space between adjacent vertebrae and simultaneously preparing endplates of the vertebrae includes a body having opposing upper and lower surfaces separated by curved side surfaces that extend between a posterior end of the body and an anterior end of the body. A first plurality of teeth extends across the upper surface of the body, and a second plurality of teeth extends across the lower surface of the body. The first and second plurality of teeth may constructed as ratcheting teeth that angle back toward the anterior end of the body. Also a system for distracting the disc space between adjacent vertebrae and simultaneously preparing endplates of the vertebrae, includes at least two differently dimensioned instruments as set forth above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Robie, Felix Blouin, Rafael Zubok
  • Publication number: 20020161366
    Abstract: An instrument system for preparing a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive a repair device includes a series of distractors for distracting the vertebral bodies in a manner that restores natural lordosis of the lumbar and cervical spine, a vertebrae immobilizing template to fix the positions of the bodies, a handle for employing the distractor and the template, and a reamer for cutting tissue from endplates of the vertebral bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce Robie, Felix Blouin, Rafael Zubok, John Wilhelmy
  • Patent number: 6311349
    Abstract: A pelvic positioning device for stabilizing a patient while lying on their side in a lateral decubitus position. The device includes an anterior pelvic support mechanism including anterior support pads for contacting both pubic tubercles and the ASIS on one or both sides of the patient's body. In a preferred embodiment, the anterior pelvic support mechanism includes two ASIS pads. To provide additional stabilization an upper torso pad may be included proximate the sternum of the patient's rib cage. In addition, the device includes a posterior pelvic support mechanism including a telescopic vertical member and a crescent shaped posterior support pad. The posterior support pad is mounted by a collar to a free end of the telescopic vertical member so as to be freely rotatable in a horizontal plane parallel with the operating table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: New York Society for the Relief of the Ruptured and Crippled Maintaining the Hospital for Special Surgery
    Inventors: Galateia Kazakia, Steven Haas, Joseph Lipman, Bruce Robie