Patents by Inventor Charles R. Forton

Charles R. Forton 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: 20230380872
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Charles R. Forton, Brian Bergeron, Bruce A. Riceman, Peter Thomas Miller, Kameron Scott Ely
  • Patent number: 11737794
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Charles R. Forton, Brian Bergeron, Bruce A. Riceman, Peter Thomas Miller, Kameron Scott Ely
  • Publication number: 20210161562
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Charles R. Forton, Brian Bergeron, Bruce A. Riceman, Peter Thomas Miller, Kameron Scott Ely
  • Patent number: 10945772
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Charles R. Forton, Brian Bergeron, Bruce A. Riceman, Peter Thomas Miller, Kameron Scott Ely
  • Patent number: 10492801
    Abstract: A power-driven surgical tool that includes an elongated housing having a fin member aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of such elongated housing. The tool is power-driven and enables the attachment of either a drill bit or a screwdriver bit. The configuration is such as to provide maximum comfort and a visualization of the target area for the surgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventors: Mario Gonzalez, Eric Mickelson, Dan Davison, Gregg Prisco, Jason Barber, Charles R. Forton, Brian R. Conroy
  • Patent number: 10426538
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. An adjuster may be used in conjunction with the extenders to change a separation distance between the bone fastener assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Jones, Charles R. Forton
  • Patent number: 10154862
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for vertebral reduction using sleeves detachably coupled to collars of bone fasteners. The reduction can be performed during a minimally invasive procedure for implanting spinal stabilization systems. A sleeve can include internal threads that match threads on the respective collar to form a continuous set of threads. Threads on a closure member can be engaged with the threads on the sleeve and the closure member turned to translate the closure member along the sleeve. The closure member can be used to push a rod relative to the collar to which the sleeve is attached to cause a vertebral body to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Miller, Charles R. Forton, Bruce A. Riceman, Larry T. Khoo, Reginald J. Davis, Michael Scott Hisey
  • Patent number: 10130394
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Erik J. Wagner, Charles R. Forton, Robert J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20180303526
    Abstract: Systems for trauma and/or joint fusion implants and instruments include transarticular screw and intra-articular washer, polyaxial screw and plate, single- and multi-level polyaxial bone clamps, and minimally invasive adaptations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas E. Schmierer, Charles R. Forton, Victor Zaporojan, Marc C. Yap
  • Patent number: 10052137
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Erik J. Wagner, Charles R. Forton, Robert J. Jones
  • Patent number: 10010356
    Abstract: Systems for trauma and/or joint fusion implants and instruments include transarticular screw and intra-articular washer, polyaxial screw and plate, single- and multi-level polyaxial bone clamps, and minimally invasive adaptations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Wenzel Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Schmierer, Charles R. Forton, Victor Zaporojan, Marc C. Yap
  • Publication number: 20180092665
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide compression/distraction methods and tools useful for fitting a spinal stabilization system in a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The spinal stabilization system may comprise screws anchored in vertebrae. The vertebrae may need to be compressed or distracted. One embodiment of an instrument disclosed herein may comprise a shaft for engaging one of the screws through an extender sleeve. A driver may engage another screw through an opening of the instrument. Through this engagement, a surgeon may use the rack and pinion of the instrument to compress or distract one or more levels of the vertebrae in a parallel motion, which can be advantageous clinically in certain situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Emily King, Bruce A. Riceman, Charles R. Forton, Peter Thomas Miller
  • Patent number: 9833267
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide compression/distraction methods and tools useful for fitting a spinal stabilization system in a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The spinal stabilization system may comprise screws anchored in vertebrae. The vertebrae may need to be compressed or distracted. One embodiment of an instrument disclosed herein may comprise a shaft for engaging one of the screws through an extender sleeve. A driver may engage another screw through an opening of the instrument. Through this engagement, a surgeon may use the rack and pinion of the instrument to compress or distract one or more levels of the vertebrae in a parallel motion, which can be advantageous clinically in certain situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily King, Bruce A. Riceman, Charles R. Forton, Peter Thomas Miller
  • Publication number: 20170273725
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for vertebral reduction using sleeves detachably coupled to collars of bone fasteners. The reduction can be performed during a minimally invasive procedure for implanting spinal stabilization systems. A sleeve can include internal threads that match threads on the respective collar to form a continuous set of threads. Threads on a closure member can be engaged with the threads on the sleeve and the closure member turned to translate the closure member along the sleeve. The closure member can be used to push a rod relative to the collar to which the sleeve is attached to cause a vertebral body to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Miller, Charles R. Forton, Bruce A. Riceman, Larry T. Khoo, Reginald J. Davis, Michael Scott Hisey
  • Patent number: 9707019
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for vertebral reduction using sleeves detachably coupled to collars of bone fasteners. The reduction can be performed during a minimally invasive procedure for implanting spinal stabilization systems. A sleeve can include internal threads that match threads on the respective collar to form a continuous set of threads. Threads on a closure member can be engaged with the threads on the sleeve and the closure member turned to translate the closure member along the sleeve. The closure member can be used to push a rod relative to the collar to which the sleeve is attached to cause a vertebral body to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Miller, Charles R. Forton, Bruce A. Riceman, Larry T. Khoo, Reginald James Davis, Michael Scott Hisey
  • Publication number: 20170119449
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. An adjuster may be used in conjunction with the extenders to change a separation distance between the bone fastener assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Robert J. Jones, Charles R. Forton
  • Publication number: 20170100164
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Charles R. Forton, Brian Bergeron, Bruce A. Riceman, Peter Thomas Miller, Kameron Scott Ely
  • Patent number: 9603631
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Erik J. Wagner, Charles R. Forton, Robert J. Jones
  • Patent number: 9579140
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. An adjuster may be used in conjunction with the extenders to change a separation distance between the bone fastener assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Jones, Charles R. Forton
  • Patent number: D874649
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventors: Mario Gonzalez, Eric Mickelson, Dan Davison, Gregg Prisco, Jason Barber, Charles R. Forton, Brian R. Conroy