Patents by Inventor Charles A Hartjen

Charles A Hartjen 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).

  • Interspinous process implant sizer and distractor with a split head and size indicator and method
    Patent number: 7189234
    Abstract: The present invention enables a physician to distract a previously created opening, determine the size of the opening, and alternatively, subsequently assist in inserting an implant between adjacent spinous processes. The distracting device has two prongs which separate as the handle of the device is closed. When the spinous processes are distracted to a desired diameter, the physician can lock the prongs in place, allowing him to determine and select an appropriately sized implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: St. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James F Zucherman, Ken Y Hsu, Charles A Hartjen, Charles J Winslow, John Flynn, David Bohrer
  • Sizing distractor and method for implanting an interspinous implant between adjacent spinous processes
    Publication number: 20060036258
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention can be applied to distract adjacent interspinous processes and measure a distraction height, so that an appropriately sized implant can be positioned between interspinous processes to relieve pain associated with at least one of the spinal column and associated structures. A system in accordance with one embodiment can include a sizing distractor having distraction prongs extending from opposing jaws, the opposing jaws can taper laterally toward the distraction prongs to assist in positioning the distraction prongs between obstructive structures related to the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: St. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Zucherman, Ken Hsu, Charles Hartjen, Charles Winslow, John Flynn, David Bohrer
  • Interspinous process implant sizer and distractor with a split head and size indicator and method
    Publication number: 20020072752
    Abstract: The present invention enables a physician to distract a previously created opening, determine the size of the opening, and alternatively, subsequently assist in inserting an implant between adjacent spinous processes. The distracting device has two prongs which separate as the handle of the device is closed. When the spinous processes are distracted to a desired diameter, the physician can lock the prongs in place, allowing him to determine and select an appropriately sized implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles A. Hartjen, Charles J. Winslow, John Flynn, David Bohrer