Patents by Inventor Christopher U. Phan

Christopher U. Phan 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: 20090275994
    Abstract: A method includes inserting a bone fixation device into a patient's body. The bone fixation device includes a first member and a second member movably coupled to the first member. A passageway is defined within a bone tissue after the bone fixation device is inserted and while the bone fixation device is disposed within the patient's body. At least a portion of the first member of the bone fixation device is disposed within the bone tissue along the passageway. The second member of the bone fixation device is moved relative to the first member of the bone fixation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher U. PHAN, Hugues F. Malandain
  • Publication number: 20090275954
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an insertion tool and a guide wire. The insertion tool has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the insertion tool is configured to retain a bone fixation device. The proximal end portion of the insertion tool defines a threaded opening. The guide wire has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. At least a portion of the guide wire is configured to be disposed within the insertion tool such that the distal end portion of the guide wire is disposed outside of and spaced apart from the distal end portion of the insertion tool. The proximal end portion of the guide wire includes a threaded portion configured to be disposed within and engage the threaded opening of the insertion tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher U. Phan, Hugues F. Malandain
  • Publication number: 20090240335
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for emplacement of an expandable device in a body part of interest in human and animal subjects. In one embodiment, the expandable device comprises a cage that may be emplaced in the intervertebral disc for use in spine fusion techniques. The device is fashioned so that it may be delivered to the intervertebral disc by percutaneous means, such as via a cannula. Additionally disclosed are systems and kits employing the devices of the invention as well as methods of manufacturing the devices of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory B. Arcenio, Christopher U. Phan
  • Publication number: 20090198241
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a measurement tool having a size configured to change when the measurement tool is moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. The measurement tool includes a first spacer member and a second spacer member configured to move relative to each other when the tool is moved between the first and second configurations. The measurement tool has a distal actuator having a first actuator surface matingly and movably coupled to the first spacer member, and a second actuator surface matingly and movably coupled to the second spacer member. A proximal actuator is coupled to a proximal end portion of the elongate member and is configured to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to at least a portion of a center line of an elongate member to move the distal actuator. The distal actuator is configured to move the first spacer member relative to the second spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher U. Phan
  • Publication number: 20090198245
    Abstract: Medical devices and related methods for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first elongate member that defines a lumen and a second elongate member that is movably disposed within the lumen of the first elongate member. A distal end portion of the first elongate member is configured to be releasably coupled to a spinal implant. A distal end portion of the second elongate member includes a driving member configured to engage an actuation member of the spinal implant when the first elongate member is coupled to the spinal implant. The driving member is configured to rotate the actuation member to move the spinal implant between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The first elongate member configured to secure the spinal implant to the first elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher U. Phan
  • Publication number: 20090198338
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a spacer and an actuator. The spacer has a first spacer member configured to engage an endplate of a first vertebra and a second spacer member configured to engage an endplate of a second vertebra. The actuator has a first actuator member and a second actuator member coupled to the first actuator member. Each of the first actuator member and the second actuator member is matingly and movably coupled to the first spacer member and the second spacer member. The actuator is configured to move the spacer between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first spacer member is in contact with the second spacer member when the spacer is in the first configuration. The first spacer member is spaced apart from the second spacer member by a non-zero distance when the spacer is in the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher U. PHAN
  • Publication number: 20090198337
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a spacer, a proximal retention member, a distal retention member, and an actuator. The spacer is configured to engage adjacent spinous processes. The proximal retention member is coupled to the spacer such that a portion of the proximal retention member is in contact with a proximal surface of the spacer. An axis within a plane defined by a first surface of the distal retention member is non-parallel to and non-normal to a longitudinal axis of the spacer. The distal retention member is movably coupled to the spacer such that a second surface of the distal retention member contacts a distal surface of the spacer. The actuator is movably coupled to the spacer and is configured to move relative to the spacer along the longitudinal axis. An actuation surface of the actuator is slidably coupled to and substantially parallel to the first surface of the distal retention member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher U. Phan
  • Publication number: 20080140082
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a sacrum are disclosed herein. In one variation, a method includes imaging a spine with a fluoroscopy device to provide a view of the sacrum. An anatomical landmark is identified based on the imaging, and a breach zone is defined based on the imaging. The anatomical landmark is used to identify an entry point and guide a medical device in a medial-to-lateral approach into a sacral ala region of the sacrum to perform a medical procedure within the sacral ala. In some embodiments, the anatomical landmark can be, for example, a pedicle, and in some embodiments, the anatomical landmark can be, for example, a V notch. In some embodiments, an entry point is identified using two anatomical landmarks. For example, the anatomical landmarks can be an S1 foramen of the side being accessed and a sacroiliac joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Eren Erdem, Lisanne A. Eng, Christopher U. Phan, Meera Sankaran, Ed Asturias
  • Publication number: 20080051707
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a support member and a knob, each having an engagement portion. The support member is coupled to a shaft of a catheter assembly. The knob is configured to engage a stylet of the catheter assembly. The knob is configured to rotate relative to the support member through multiple discrete increments when the engagement portion of the knob is engaged with the engagement portion of the support member. Each discrete increment can be, for example, less than one revolution (e.g., thirty degrees of rotation).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher U. Phan, Nishith Chasmawala, Alex Hsia
  • Publication number: 20080051820
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an expandable member and an elongate assembly. The expandable member is configured to displace a first portion of a bone structure relative to a second portion of the bone structure when moved from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The elongate assembly includes a shaft and an elongated member disposed with a lumen defined by the shaft. A proximal end portion of the expandable member is coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft such that the proximal end portion of the expandable member does not rotate relative to the distal end portion of the shaft when at least a portion of the expandable member is twisted about the elongated member through at least four revolutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Gorman Gong, Bryan J. Auyoung, Nishith Chasmawala, Alex Hsia, Reynaldo A. Osorio, Christopher U. Phan, Warren Sapida
  • Publication number: 20080051819
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongated member, an expandable member coupled to the elongated member, and an outer sheath. The outer sheath, which can be constructed from a different material than the expandable member, is disposed about the expandable member such that an outer surface of the expandable member is in discontinuous contact with an inner surface of the outer sheath. The expandable member and the outer sheath are configured to cooperatively displace a bone structure when moving between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Nishith Chasmawala, Bryan J. Auyoung, Gorman Gong, Alex Hsia, Lex P. Jansen, Christopher U. Phan
  • Publication number: 20080051818
    Abstract: A method includes moving an actuator from a first position to a second position such that a first shaft is rotatable relative to a second shaft. The second shaft is disposed within the first shaft and coupled to an expandable member. The actuator is moved from the second position to the first position such that the second shaft is rotatable relative to the first shaft through a plurality of discrete increments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher U. Phan, Nishith Chasmawala, Alex Hsia