Patents by Inventor Charles L. Branch, Jr.

Charles L. Branch, Jr. 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: 9993630
    Abstract: A subdural drainage system includes: (a) a subdural drainage device having an opening formed therethrough, said subdural drainage device having an upper portion, a body portion, and a lower portion; (b) a housing having an upper portion and lower portion, with said housing connected to said subdural drainage device; said housing movable between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration; and (c) an elongated element positioned inside said housing, said elongated element having an upper portion, a lower portion and a deformable member connected to the lower portion; said elongated element being configured such that said elongated element is moved between (i) a retracted position with said elongated element inside a portion of said subdural drainage device and said deformable member inside said housing, and (ii) an extended position with said elongated element extending through said subdural drainage device such that said deformable member automatically extends to an extended, deformed position i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Charles L. Branch, Jr., John P. Eikman
  • Publication number: 20170291017
    Abstract: A subdural drainage device includes a subdural drainage housing defining a drainage passageway. The drainage passageway has a A subdural drainage device includes a subdural drainage housing defining a drainage passageway. The drainage passageway has a lower opening configured to connect to a subdural space of a patient and an upper opening. A blockage removal unit is in the housing, and the blockage removal unit has an end portion that is configured to reduce or remove blockages adjacent the lower opening of the drainage passageway that is movable between a retracted position in which the end portion is in the subdural drainage housing and an extended position in which the end portion of the blockage removal unit extends away from the subdural drainage housing via the lower opening of the drainage passageway. At least one side delivery port is in the housing and in fluid communication with the drainage passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Charles L. Branch, JR., John P. Eickman
  • Publication number: 20160166812
    Abstract: A subdural drainage system includes: (a) a subdural drainage device having an opening formed therethrough, said subdural drainage device having an upper portion, a body portion, and a lower portion; (b) a housing having an upper portion and lower portion, with said housing connected to said subdural drainage device; said housing movable between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration; and (c) an elongated element positioned inside said housing, said elongated element having an upper portion, a lower portion and a deformable member connected to the lower portion; said elongated element being configured such that said elongated element is moved between (i) a retracted position with said elongated element inside a portion of said subdural drainage device and said deformable member inside said housing, and (ii) an extended position with said elongated element extending through said subdural drainage device such that said deformable member automatically extends to an extended, deformed position i
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Charles L. Branch, JR., John P. Elkman
  • Patent number: 9095489
    Abstract: A planar support assembly for use with a patient body support, an extension support assembly, and a plurality of interchangeable head supports is provided. The extension support assembly is releasably mounted on a portion of the patient body support such that the extension support assembly extends outwardly from the patient body support. The planar support assembly includes a generally planar support configured to releasably attach to an end of the extension support assembly opposite the patient body support. The planar support is configured to receive and support one of a plurality of interchangeable head supports, and the planar support is adjustable with respect to the patient body support in two or more dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Joel L. Berry, John E. Reynolds, Charles L. Branch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8979903
    Abstract: A connection system is provided that joins a revision fixation plate to a previously implanted skeletal fixation plate. In one form, the system allows the previously implanted plating system to be revised without disturbing the original implant components. In one aspect, the connection includes joining the revision fixation plate to a previously implanted fastener. In another aspect, the revision fixation plate is directly joined to a previously implanted fixation plate. In yet another aspect, the connection includes forming a dynamic relationship between the previously implanted plating system, the revision fixation plate, and the affected vertebrae. In one form, the dynamic relationship enables movement between the previously implanted plating system and the affected vertebrae and in another form, the dynamic relationship enables movement between the previously implanted plating system and the revision fixation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Capote, Robert S. Biscup, Charles L. Branch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8403878
    Abstract: A subdural drainage system includes (a) a subdural drainage device having an opening formed therethrough, said subdural drainage device having an upper portion, a body portion, and a lower portion; (b) a housing having an upper portion and lower portion, with said housing connected to said subdural drainage device; said housing movable between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration; and (c) a stylet positioned inside said housing, said stylet having an upper portion and a lower portion and configured such that said stylet is moved between (i) a withdrawn position with said stylet withdrawn from a portion of said subdural evacuation port device, and (ii) an extended position with said stylet extending through said subdural drainage device such that blockages are disrupted in the subdural drainage device when said housing is moved between said first and second housing configurations; and (e) an external drain opening formed on either said subdural drainage device or said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Charles L. Branch, Jr., John P. Eickman
  • Patent number: 8221502
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a body having a plurality of movable portions cooperating to define an outer cross section having first and second transverse dimensions and first and second substantially planar surfaces disposed generally opposite one another and adapted to engage adjacent vertebral bodies. An expansion member co-acts with the movable portions to expand the body along each of the first and second transverse dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Wasaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Branch, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110282263
    Abstract: A subdural drainage system includes (a) a subdural drainage device having an opening formed therethrough, said subdural drainage device having an upper portion, a body portion, and a lower portion; (b) a housing having an upper portion and lower portion, with said housing connected to said subdural drainage device; said housing movable between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration; and (c) a stylet positioned inside said housing, said stylet having an upper portion and a lower portion and configured such that said stylet is moved between (i) a withdrawn position with said stylet withdrawn from a portion of said subdural evacuation port device, and (ii) an extended position with said stylet extending through said subdural drainage device such that blockages are disrupted in the subdural drainage device when said housing is moved between said first and second housing configurations; and (e) an external drain opening formed on either said subdural drainage device or said housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Charles L. Branch, JR., John P. Eickman
  • Publication number: 20100319706
    Abstract: A planar support assembly for use with a patient body support, an extension support assembly, and a plurality of interchangeable head supports is provided. The extension support assembly is releasably mounted on a portion of the patient body support such that the extension support assembly extends outwardly from the patient body support. The planar support assembly includes a generally planar support configured to releasably attach to an end of the extension support assembly opposite the patient body support. The planar support is configured to receive and support one of a plurality of interchangeable head supports, and the planar support is adjustable with respect to the patient body support in two or more dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Joel L. Berry, John E. Reynolds, Charles L. Branch, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100318132
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that include a plate member engageable to the spinal column with an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a coupling member having a post extending through at least one opening of the plate member and an anchor member pivotally captured in a receiver member of the coupling member below a lower surface of the plate member. A locking member secures the plate member to the coupling member. The coupling member includes an extended post with a proximal removable portion. The extended post facilitates placement of the plate member in position relative to the anchor assembly when engaged to the patient and be employed to reduce the plate member toward the anchor assembly when engaged to a vertebra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Melkent, Charles L. Branch, JR., Jonathan Blackwell
  • Patent number: 7794477
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that include a plate member engageable to the spinal column with an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a coupling member having a post extending through at least one opening of the plate member and an anchor member pivotally captured in a receiver member of the coupling member below a lower surface of the plate member. A locking member secures the plate member to the coupling member. The coupling member includes an extended post with a proximal removable portion. The extended post facilitates placement of the plate member in position relative to the anchor assembly when engaged to the patient and be employed to reduce the plate member toward the anchor assembly when engaged to a vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Melkent, Charles L. Branch, Jr., Jonathan Blackwell
  • Patent number: 7217293
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a body having a plurality of movable portions cooperating to define an outer cross section having first and second transverse dimensions and first and second substantially planar surfaces disposed generally opposite one another and adapted to engage adjacent vertebral bodies. An expansion member co-acts with the movable portions to expand the body along each of the first and second transverse dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Branch, Jr.
  • Patent number: D603967
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Joel L. Berry, John E. Reynolds, Charles L. Branch, Jr.