Patents by Inventor Dan Balbierz

Dan Balbierz 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: 11607230
    Abstract: Medical devices for creating or expanding a cavity within bone of a patient are disclosed. In some circumstances, a medical device, such as an osteotome is designed to facilitate simultaneous advancement and articulation of a distal portion of the osteotome. Simultaneous advancement and articulation of the distal portion may reduce one or more forces on the distal portion of the osteotome relative to other methods in which advancement and articulation are separated in time, thereby decreasing the risk of breakage or other damage to the osteotome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 11540842
    Abstract: Medical devices such as osteotomes are provided. The medical device may include inner and outer members that form a working end portion. Distal end portions of the inner and outer members can cooperate to allow deflection of the working end portion. Medical devices including indicators are also provided. The indicator may communicate a direction of deflection of the working end portion to a practitioner. Additionally, medical devices including torque release mechanisms are provided. The torque release mechanism may uncouple a first portion of the medical device from a second portion of the medical device when an amount of torque applied to the medical device exceeds a predetermined value. The torque release mechanism may limit damage to components of the medical device during use of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Jose Galdos
  • Patent number: 11344350
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates an osteotome for treating hard tissue and methods of use. The osteotome embodiments described herein include a shaft with a working end configured to displace hard tissue and a lumen to deliver material through the shaft. The working end may create pathways by selectively transitioning from a linear to a non-linear configuration. The lumen may deliver material through the shaft while the working end is in a linear or a non-linear configuration allowing precise filling of the pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 11304739
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for mixing and injecting fluid treatment, such as cement to treat bone or hard tissue. In some embodiments, a mixing apparatus may facilitate mixing within a syringe. Additionally, the syringe may be configured to extract bone cement from a cement mixer. A syringe for mixing and injecting cement may include a detachable handle that may be detached after extracting bone cement from a mixer to facilitate coupling to a high-pressure syringe for injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Andy Poursaid, Gregory R. McArthur, Robert D. Poser
  • Publication number: 20210401496
    Abstract: Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 11116570
    Abstract: Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 11052237
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a connector for medical devices. The connector may have two interfaces facing different planes. The two interfaces may provide access to the connector's core and hub. The hub may be free to rotate relative to the core to increase accessibility and/or angle attachment while maintaining a fluid pathway between the core and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Gregory R. McArthur
  • Patent number: 11026744
    Abstract: Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Publication number: 20200390449
    Abstract: Medical devices for creating or expanding a cavity within bone of a patient are disclosed. In some circumstances, a medical device, such as an osteotome is designed to facilitate simultaneous advancement and articulation of a distal portion of the osteotome. Simultaneous advancement and articulation of the distal portion may reduce one or more forces on the distal portion of the osteotome relative to other methods in which advancement and articulation are separated in time, thereby decreasing the risk of breakage or other damage to the osteotome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 10660656
    Abstract: Medical devices for creating or expanding a cavity within bone of a patient are disclosed. In some circumstances, a medical device, such as an osteotome is designed to facilitate simultaneous advancement and articulation of a distal portion of the osteotome. Simultaneous advancement and articulation of the distal portion may reduce one or more forces on the distal portion of the osteotome relative to other methods in which advancement and articulation are separated in time, thereby decreasing the risk of breakage or other damage to the osteotome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Publication number: 20200078066
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates an osteotome for treating hard tissue and methods of use. The osteotome embodiments described herein include a shaft with a working end configured to displace hard tissue and a lumen to deliver material through the shaft. The working end may create pathways by selectively transitioning from a linear to a non-linear configuration. The lumen may deliver material through the shaft while the working end is in a linear or a non-linear configuration allowing precise filling of the pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Publication number: 20200060695
    Abstract: Medical devices such as osteotomes are provided. The medical device may include inner and outer members that form a working end portion. Distal end portions of the inner and outer members can cooperate to allow deflection of the working end portion. Medical devices including indicators are also provided. The indicator may communicate a direction of deflection of the working end portion to a practitioner. Additionally, medical devices including torque release mechanisms are provided. The torque release mechanism may uncouple a first portion of the medical device from a second portion of the medical device when an amount of torque applied to the medical device exceeds a predetermined value. The torque release mechanism may limit damage to components of the medical device during use of the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Jose Galdos
  • Patent number: 10478241
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates an osteotome for treating hard tissue. The osteotome embodiments described herein include a shaft with a working end configured to displace hard tissue and a lumen to deliver material through the shaft. The working end may create pathways by selectively transitioning from a linear to a non-linear configuration. The lumen may deliver material through the shaft while the working end is in a linear or a non-linear configuration allowing precise filling of the pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 10470781
    Abstract: Medical devices such as osteotomes are provided. The medical device may include inner and outer members that form a working end portion. Distal end portions of the inner and outer members can cooperate to allow deflection of the working end portion. Medical devices including indicators are also provided. The indicator may communicate a direction of deflection of the working end portion to a practitioner. Additionally, medical devices including torque release mechanisms are provided. The torque release mechanism may uncouple a first portion of the medical device from a second portion of the medical device when an amount of torque applied to the medical device exceeds a predetermined value. The torque release mechanism may limit damage to components of the medical device during use of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Jose Galdos
  • Patent number: 10463380
    Abstract: Medical devices such as osteotomes are provided. The medical device may include inner and outer members that form a working end portion. Distal end portions of the inner and outer members can cooperate to allow deflection of the working end portion. Medical devices including indicators are also provided. The indicator may communicate a direction of deflection of the working end portion to a practitioner. Additionally, medical devices including torque release mechanisms are provided. The torque release mechanism may uncouple a first portion of the medical device from a second portion of the medical device when an amount of torque applied to the medical device exceeds a predetermined value. The torque release mechanism may limit damage to components of the medical device during use of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Jose Galdos
  • Publication number: 20190038331
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for mixing and injecting fluid treatment, such as cement to treat bone or hard tissue. In some embodiments, a mixing apparatus may facilitate mixing within a syringe. Additionally, the syringe may be configured to extract bone cement from a cement mixer. A syringe for mixing and injecting cement may include a detachable handle that may be detached after extracting bone cement from a mixer to facilitate coupling to a high-pressure syringe for injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Andy Poursaid, Gregory R. McArthur
  • Publication number: 20180193036
    Abstract: Medical devices for creating or expanding a cavity within bone of a patient are disclosed. In some circumstances, a medical device, such as an osteotome is designed to facilitate simultaneous advancement and articulation of a distal portion of the osteotome. Simultaneous advancement and articulation of the distal portion may reduce one or more forces on the distal portion of the osteotome relative to other methods in which advancement and articulation are separated in time, thereby decreasing the risk of breakage or other damage to the osteotome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Publication number: 20180161046
    Abstract: Medical devices such as osteotomes are provided. The medical device may include inner and outer members that form a working end portion. Distal end portions of the inner and outer members can cooperate to allow deflection of the working end portion. Medical devices including indicators are also provided. The indicator may communicate a direction of deflection of the working end portion to a practitioner. Additionally, medical devices including torque release mechanisms are provided. The torque release mechanism may uncouple a first portion of the medical device from a second portion of the medical device when an amount of torque applied to the medical device exceeds a predetermined value. The torque release mechanism may limit damage to components of the medical device during use of the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Jose Galdos
  • Publication number: 20180161047
    Abstract: Medical devices such as osteotomes are provided. The medical device may include inner and outer members that form a working end portion. Distal end portions of the inner and outer members can cooperate to allow deflection of the working end portion. Medical devices including indicators are also provided. The indicator may communicate a direction of deflection of the working end portion to a practitioner. Additionally, medical devices including torque release mechanisms are provided. The torque release mechanism may uncouple a first portion of the medical device from a second portion of the medical device when an amount of torque applied to the medical device exceeds a predetermined value. The torque release mechanism may limit damage to components of the medical device during use of the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Jose Galdos
  • Publication number: 20180147007
    Abstract: Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz