Patents by Inventor Bruno Läng

Bruno Läng 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).

  • Patent number: 8231626
    Abstract: A system for securing a bone fixation device to a bone comprises a flexible longitudinal element configured to wrap about and stabilize one of a target portion of bone and a bone stabilizing element. The longitudinal element includes a plurality of projections extending distally from a first surface thereof. Each projection includes a proximal abutting surface in combination with a bone fixation element including a channel extending therethrough sized and shaped to slidably receive therein a portion of the longitudinal element distal of the head. The bone fixation element includes a recess shaped to receive the head and prevent the head from being drawn distally through the channel. The bone fixation element or the longitudinal element includes a tab configured to engage one of the proximal abutting surfaces to prevent the projections of the longitudinal element from moving proximally relative to the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Urs Hulliger, Bruno Laeng
  • Publication number: 20120158061
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for enlarging a spinal canal of a vertebra. Using the methods and systems disclosed the spinal canal of the vertebra is enlarged by cutting the posterior arch portion of the vertebra to create one or two implant receiving spaces in the posterior arch portion. The cutting of the posterior arch portion is completed through a minimally invasive approach. Once cut, the detached portion of the posterior arch portion is repositioned and an implant is positioned in the implant receiving space of the posterior arch portion to thereby enlarge the spinal canal such that the spinal cord is no longer compressed. The insertion of the implant is also completed through a minimally invasive approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: David Koch, Simon Kamber, Reto Halbeisen, Lukas Giger, Michael Guetlin, Felix Aschmann, Jann-Paul Suedkamp, Marco Messias, Tom Overes, Bruno Laeng, Roger Berger, Joern Richter
  • Patent number: 8167909
    Abstract: The connecting element (1) has the shape of a rod with longitudinal axis (2), a rear end (6), and a front end (7), and serves to span a number of bone anchoring elements (12) implanted in the bone. The connecting element (1) comprises at least one longitudinal slot (5). This provides it with a greater elasticity during implantation so that it can be reversibly deformed. The connecting element can then be stiffened once it has been fixed in the bone anchoring elements (e.g. pedicle screws).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Frigg, Bruno Läng
  • Publication number: 20120004692
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by a magnetic actuator that can be activated by a magnetic field from outside the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SYNTHES USA, LLC
    Inventors: Lukas Giger, Bruno Laeng, Hugo Flueckiger, Markus Hunziker
  • Patent number: 8016837
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by a magnetic actuator that can be activated by a magnetic field from outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Lukas Giger, Bruno Laeng, Hugo Flueckiger, Markus Hunziker
  • Publication number: 20110144694
    Abstract: A bone fixation element includes a bone fixation member having a base and a pair of arms elastically spreadable for reversibly clipping on a bone or an implant, and a connector assembly configured to be attached to the base so as to rigidly fix the fixation member to a bone fixation rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Bruno Laeng, Laura Villiger
  • Publication number: 20100292698
    Abstract: A system for securing a bone fixation device to a bone comprises a flexible longitudinal element configured to wrap about and stabilize one of a target portion of bone and a bone stabilizing element. The longitudinal element includes a plurality of projections extending distally from a first surface thereof. Each projection includes a proximal abutting surface in combination with a bone fixation element including a channel extending therethrough sized and shaped to slidably receive therein a portion of the longitudinal element distal of the head. The bone fixation element includes a recess shaped to receive the head and prevent the head from being drawn distally through the channel. The bone fixation element or the longitudinal element includes a tab configured to engage one of the proximal abutting surfaces to prevent the projections of the longitudinal element from moving proximally relative to the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Urs HULLIGER, Bruno Laeng
  • Publication number: 20070270803
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by a magnetic actuator that can be activated by a magnetic field from outside the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Lukas Giger, Bruno Laeng, Hugo Flueckiger, Markus Hunziker
  • Patent number: 6524341
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vertebral bone prosthetic device comprising an interior body, provided with an outer surface and a first coupling element thereon, and an exterior hollow body with a bore therein extending along a central axis, with the interior body being configured and dimensioned to be slidably received by the exterior body along the central axis, and provided with an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface having a groove. The device also comprises a fixation ring having inner and outer surfaces, with the inner surface having a second coupling element thereon. The fixation ring is configured and dimensioned to be received within the groove of the exterior body for rotational movement about the central axis of the exterior body. Rotation of the fixation ring results in engagement of the first and second coupling elements to thereby prevent relative sliding movement between the interior and exterior bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Bruno Läng, Alfred Benoit