Patents by Inventor Dan Ahlgren

Dan Ahlgren 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: 8480712
    Abstract: A spinal fixation system suitable for effecting fixation between adjacent vertebral levels within the spine. The spinal fixation system of the present invention includes a pair single axis or “fixed” pedicle screw assemblies, a pair of poly-axial pedicle screw assemblies, a pair of cannulated rod members, and a transverse connector spanning between the pair of cannulated rod members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest Samuel, Rob German, Rich Mueller, Eric Dasso, Robert Riley, Dan Ahlgren
  • Patent number: 7833251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices and methods generally aimed at spinal surgery. In particular, the disclosed system and associated methods relate to performing spinal fixation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Ahlgren, Bret Ferree, Keith Valentine, Patrick Miles
  • Patent number: 7776049
    Abstract: An improved implant inserter and implant where the inserter includes a set of prongs for gripping the implant and the implant includes a plurality of recesses for mating with the set of prongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curran, Eric Kovach, Dan Ahlgren, Bryan Hildebrand
  • Publication number: 20080065135
    Abstract: Systems and method for accessing a spinal target site involving a plurality of tissue displacement members configured to be advanced to a spinal target site and moved relative to one another to provide surgical access to the spinal target site, and an expandable member disposed at least partially about at least a portion of the plurality of tissue displacement members and configured to prevent tissue from migrating into the spinal target site during surgical access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: James Marino, Dan Ahlgren
  • Publication number: 20080065223
    Abstract: A method for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine. In one embodiment, the method involves the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts having a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface; and (b) successively introducing into a spine the plurality of spinal inserts such that the generally planar top and bottom surfaces are generally parallel to the two tissue surfaces, wherein the beveled surface are configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Ahlgren
  • Publication number: 20050149194
    Abstract: An intervertebral support system, comprising: a center portion having top and bottom recesses; a top portion having a bottom recess, the bottom recess in the top portion interlocking with the top recess in the center portion when the top position is positioned on top of the center portion; and a bottom portion having a top recess, the top recess in the bottom position interlocking with the bottom recess in the center portion when the bottom portion is positioned under the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Ahlgren
  • Patent number: 6485518
    Abstract: An intervertebral support assembly, comprising a pair of bone allografts positioned between two adjacent vertebrae, the bone allografts being positioned towards the anterior portion of the adjacent vertebrae; and a pair of facet screws, each facet screw securing together a facet joint between the two adjacent vertebrae. A method of providing support between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising positioning a pair of bone allografts between the two adjacent vertebrae at a location towards the front of the adjacent vertebrae; and securing together facet joints between the two adjacent vertebrae with a pair of facet screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: NuVasive
    Inventors: Bryan Cornwall, James F. Marino, Dan Ahlgren, Troy Wooley