Patents by Inventor Douglas Kephart

Douglas Kephart 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: 7476226
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder
  • Publication number: 20060195097
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: David Evans, Douglas Kephart
  • Publication number: 20060074445
    Abstract: A system for performing a less invasive surgical procedure and, in particular, devices and methods for spinal fixation. The system comprises dilation tool(s), at least one working/insertion cannula, a plurality of screws, at least one fixation rod for connecting the screws, and a rod inserter. The dilation tool(s) may be used to dilate an incision made in a patient to form an opening. Thereafter, a drill may be used to form holes in the vertebrae. An insertion cannula may be attached to a screw and inserted into the opening. The screws may be polyaxial screws and may be inserted into the vertebrae using a screwdriver. An operator may then move the insertion cannula to manipulate a head portions of the screws such that the head portions may be aligned to receive a fixation rod. A rod inserter may be used to insert a fixation rod into the head portions. After the fixation rod is in place, it may be locked to the screws, thereby fixing the system in place on the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: David Gerber, Shaun Hanson, Xiaoping Hu, Douglas Kephart, Kyle Kuntz, Andrew Lee
  • Publication number: 20050119663
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical drill guide. The drill guide may include a first drill guide body having a distal end for placement substantially adjacent a bone, a second drill guide body slidable with respect to the first drill guide body and having a proximal end for contacting a portion of a drill bit, a handle associated with at least one of the first drill guide body and the second drill guide body, and a detent mechanism for releasably retaining the position of the first drill guide body with respect to the second drill guide body in predefined increments. Additionally or alternatively, the drill guide may include a locking member movable between a first position where it substantially prevents sliding of the second drill guide body with respect to the first drill guide body, and a second position where it permits sliding of the second drill guide body with respect to the first drill guide body. The locking member may be resiliently biased to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Keyer, Roger Berger, Douglas Kephart, Martin Walther
  • Publication number: 20040133208
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder
  • Publication number: 20040087956
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Synthes (U.S.A)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder
  • Patent number: 6679886
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder
  • Publication number: 20020032447
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder