Patents by Inventor Carl G. Souza

Carl G. Souza 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: 20040267275
    Abstract: An implant holder is provided having first and second gripping arms, each having a proximal portion with a mating element formed thereon for selectively mating to a medical device, and a distal portion adapted to at least partially circumferentially engage and axially align with a rod-receiving member, e.g., a head, of a spinal implant. The spinal implant holder further includes an actuator mechanism coupled to the first and second gripping arms and effective to move the gripping arms between an open position, in which the gripping arms can be positioned around the rod-receiving head of a spinal implant, and a closed position, in which the gripping arms engage the rod-receiving head of the spinal implant. A rod reduction device is also provided and includes an elongate inserter tool having a proximal end and a distal end with a fastener-retaining member formed thereon and adapted to retain a fastener therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: John R. Cournoyer, Carl G. Souza, Anthony R. Carlone, Michael S. Varieur, Conor McCrea, Stephen Johnson
  • Patent number: 6682534
    Abstract: A surgical bone preparation instrument that is effective to prepare the surface of adjacent bone structures, and more particularly to remove a predetermined portion of bone from the vertebral endplates of adjacent vertebral bodies, is provided. In general, the surgical bone preparation instrument includes a housing member having an inner lumen formed therein, and an elongate member rotatably disposable within the housing member. The housing member can include a distractor member adapted to be disposed between adjacent bone structures, and optionally a rotation limiting element, and/or a stop member. In use, the elongate member is rotated with respect to the housing, thereby causing the cutting element to penetrate and remove bone from the adjacent bone structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: DePuy Acromed, Inc.
    Inventors: Tushar Ch. Patel, Morris D. Cesarone, Carl G. Souza
  • Publication number: 20030183545
    Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device holder for holding a surgical device, such as a surgical syringe, in a relatively fixed position. In one embodiment, the device includes a hollow elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an inner lumen extending therebetween for receiving a medical device. First and second end cap members, each having a central opening formed therein for receiving a portion of the medical device, are removably mated to the first and second ends of the elongate member. In use, the end cap members are effective to retain the medical device within the hollow elongate member. In another embodiment, a medical device holder is provided having first and second members, each member including at least one grasping member for engaging and support a medical device disposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Carl Lauryssen, Christopher T. Fair, Carl G. Souza, Richard C. Techiera
  • Publication number: 20030028190
    Abstract: A surgical bone preparation instrument that is effective to prepare the surface of adjacent bone structures, and more particularly to remove a predetermined portion of bone from the vertebral endplates of adjacent vertebral bodies, is provided. In general, the surgical bone preparation instrument includes a housing member having an inner lumen formed therein, and an elongate member rotatably disposable within the housing member. The housing member can include a distract member adapted to be disposed between adjacent bone structures, and optionally a rotation limiting element, and/or a stop member. In use, the elongate member is rotated with respect to the housing, thereby causing the cutting element to penetrate and remove bone from the adjacent bone structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Tushar Ch. Patel, Morris D. Cesarone, Carl G. Souza
  • Patent number: 6511484
    Abstract: A fastener cartridge installs clamping fasteners, e.g., a set screw and a lock nut, to fix a linking rod or cable in the head of an anchor assembly. The cartridge carries one or more fasteners, or pairs of inner and outer fasteners, and applies them onto the anchor head without cross-threading. A separate holder mechanism aligns and guides the cartridge with a centering body into which the fastener cartridge fits. One cartridge has a box wrench that externally grips and turns the nut, and a central shaft coaxial with the box wrench that positions and rotates a clamp screw in coordination with the nut. Preferably, these are configured, by springs, detents or offset positioning surfaces, to install the inner lock screw coaxially with but ahead of the outer nut to fix a linking member anchor assemblies prior to fitting, e.g., compressions and distractions of the spine and final tightening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: DePuy AcroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Torode, John Cournoyer, Carl G. Souza, Michael Varieur
  • Publication number: 20030004519
    Abstract: A fastener cartridge installs clamping fasteners, e.g., a set screw and a lock nut, to fix a linking rod or cable in the head of an anchor assembly. The cartridge carries one or more fasteners, or pairs of inner and outer fasteners, and applies them onto the anchor head without cross-threading. A separate holder mechanism aligns and guides the cartridge with a centering body into which the fastener cartridge fits. One cartridge has a box wrench that externally grips and turns the nut, and a central shaft coaxial with the box wrench that positions and rotates a clamp screw in coordination with the nut. Preferably, these are configured, by springs, detents or offset positioning surfaces, to install the inner lock screw coaxially with but ahead of the outer nut to fix a linking member anchor assemblies prior to fitting, e.g., compressions and distractions of the spine and final tightening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Ian Torode, John Cournoyer, Carl G. Souza, Michael Varieur