Patents by Inventor Charlie Forton

Charlie 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).

  • Instruments and methods for reduction of vertebral bodies
    Patent number: 7985242
    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. 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. A reducer may be used to achieve reduction of one or more vertebral bodies coupled to a spinal stabilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Charlie Forton, Robert J. Jones, Larry Khoo, Michael Landry, Erik Wagner
  • INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR REDUCTION OF VERTEBRAL BODIES
    Publication number: 20080009864
    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. 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. A reducer may be used to achieve reduction of one or more vertebral bodies coupled to a spinal stabilization system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Charlie Forton, Robert Jones, Larry Khoo, Michael Landry, Erik Wagner