Patents by Inventor Edward Liou

Edward Liou 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: 11065039
    Abstract: A spinal implant for implantation within a spinal facet joint is provided. The spinal implant may include a main body including opposing top and bottom surfaces, opposing front or distal and rear or proximal surfaces, and opposing side surfaces. At least one retaining feature may be associated with at least one surface of the main body to frictionally engage the implant within the spinal facet joint. At least one securement feature may be associated with at least one surface of the main body to selectively secure the implant within the spinal facet joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, Shigeru Tanaka, Jeffrey D. Smith, Scott Schneider, Christopher U. Phan, Wesley Wang
  • Patent number: 11058553
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a spinal facet cage implant for implantation in a spinal facet joint. In one implementation, the implant includes a distal leading end, a proximal trailing end, a first face, and a second face. The distal leading end has a distal surface generally opposite a proximal surface of the proximal trailing end. The first face has a first surface that is generally parallel with a second surface of the second face. The first and second faces extend between the distal leading end and the proximal trailing end. The first and second surfaces having one or more textured features adapted to provide friction with the spinal facet joint. One or more windows are defined in the first and/or second surfaces, and one or more side windows are defined in the first and/or second side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, David Michael Schummers, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: 11058466
    Abstract: A device for accessing and guiding at least one fixation device to a spine may include a distal portion configured to fit in a facet of the spine and a proximal portion extending from the distal portion. The proximal portion may be detachable from the distal portion and may be hollow or solid. A system for accessing and guiding at least one fixation device to a spine may include a distal portion configured to fit in a facet of the spine, a proximal portion extending from the distal portion, and a slidable guide device for sliding over the facet guide device to guide at least one instrument to the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan
  • Publication number: 20210059833
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for delivering a facet screw assembly to a facet joint. The system includes a facet screw assembly and a delivery device. The distal end of the delivery device includes a facet screw engagement feature, which is keyed to a corresponding delivery device engagement feature. In other embodiments, the system may include a facet screw assembly, a facet access guide, a washer sizer tool removably engaged with the facet access guide, a lateral mass decorticator guide slidably and removably engaged with the washer size tool, a washer implant delivery tool removably engaged with the facet access guide and detachably coupled to the facet screw assembly, and optionally an impact handle detachably coupled to the facet access guide, washer sizer tool, and washer implant delivery tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan, Christopher Lambert, Bon Champ, Edward Liou, Jeffrey D. Smith, Nicholas Domek
  • Patent number: 10874447
    Abstract: A system for implanting a bone screw into a vertebra of a vertebral column of a patient to help secure an implant within a joint between the vertebra and an adjacent vertebra may include a bone screw, a bone screw delivery mechanism detachably connected to the bone screw, and a guide tube. The guide tube may have a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen configured to receive the bone screw and the bone screw delivery mechanism, and at least one bend disposed nearer the distal end than the proximal end. The bend in the guide tube may change a trajectory of the bone screw and the bone screw delivery mechanism advancing through the lumen from a first trajectory along a longitudinal axis of the guide tube to a second trajectory that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Jeffrey D. Smith, Christopher U. Phan, Edward Liou
  • Publication number: 20200375633
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein provide lateral mass and facet fixation implants, which may be inserted and applied via a posterior approach, using minimally invasive or less invasive techniques. The embodiments described below generally include an intrafacet implant (or “facet implant”) and a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant. The lateral mass fixation member can include one or more tabs extending from a middle portion and configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae. The tabs may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, and may be collapsible to facilitate insertion of the device. Methods for delivering the lateral mass and facet fixation implants are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan, Jeffrey D. Smith, Todd Sheppard Saunders, Krzysztof Siemionow
  • Patent number: 10682243
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, apparatus and methods for accessing the cervical spine via an anterior approach and implanting a spinal fixation member between two vertebrae of the cervical spine in the disc or intervertebral joint space, such as in an ACDF procedure. The delivery device includes a distal end that can be anchored to the spinal fixation member. Once anchored to the spinal fixation member, the delivery device is operable to both advance and attach the spinal fixation member within a cervical disc joint space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher U. Phan, Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Jeffrey D. Smith, Scott Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200155205
    Abstract: A spinal fixation access and delivery system is disclosed. In some aspects, the system is used to access the cervical facet joint via a posterior access approach. The system may include an access device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a chamfered or beveled end feature positioned at the distal portion of the body and configured for insertion at the cervical facet joint. The system may further include a guide device having access device engagement features and a spinal fixation member. The access device includes at least one guide device receiving feature complementary to or keyed to the engagement feature of the guide device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan, Christopher Lambert, Nicholas Domek, Bon Champ, Edward Liou
  • Patent number: 10653458
    Abstract: A method for implanting a bone screw in a vertebra may first involve inserting the bone screw and a bone screw delivery mechanism through a proximal end of a guide tube along a first trajectory. A proximal end of the bone screw is attached to a distal end of the bone screw delivery mechanism, and a distal end of the guide tube is positioned adjacent the vertebra. The method may next involve advancing the bone screw and the bone screw delivery mechanism through a bend in the guide tube to cause the bone screw to exit the distal end of the guide tube along a second trajectory and contact the vertebra. The method may further involve rotating the delivery mechanism to cause the bone screw to screw into the vertebra and detaching the bone screw delivery mechanism from the bone screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Jeffrey D. Smith, Christopher U. Phan, Edward Liou
  • Patent number: 10653535
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a bone anchor deployment device. In one implementation, the bone anchor deployment device includes a flexible shaft adapted to bend along a deployment trajectory. A socket at the distal end of the flexible shaft is adapted to retain a bone anchor in a non-coaxial position. The bone anchor deployment device further includes a guide shaft having a lumen and a distal tip and an elongated tube extending through at least a portion of the guide shaft lumen and protruding from the distal tip of the guide shaft. A guide passage extends through a lumen of the elongated tube, and a channel is formed from a surface at a distal end of the guide passage. The channel is oriented at an angle relative to the guide passage and is adapted to cause the flexible shaft to bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith, Edward Liou, David Michael Schummers
  • Publication number: 20200085475
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Edward Fletcher Eyster, Jonathan Carver, Joshua Druker, Martin Leugers, Kurin Tu, Peter Lombrozo
  • Patent number: 10588672
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Edward Fletcher Eyster, Jonathan Carver, Joshua Druker, Martin Leugers, Kurin Tu, Peter Lombrozo
  • Patent number: 10568666
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Edward Fletcher Eyster, Jonathan Carver, Joshua Druker, Martin Leugers, Kurin Tu, Peter Lombrozo
  • Publication number: 20190328429
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCORMACK, Jeffrey D. SMITH, Shigeru TANAKA, Edward LIOU, Edward Fletcher EYSTER, Jonathan CARVER, Joshua DRUKER, Martin LEUGERS, Kurin TU, Peter LOMBROZO
  • Patent number: 10456175
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Edward Fletcher Eyster, Jonathan Carver, Joshua Druker, Martin Leugers, Kurin Tu, Peter Lombrozo
  • Publication number: 20190247099
    Abstract: A device for accessing and guiding at least one fixation device to a spine may include a distal portion configured to fit in a facet of the spine and a proximal portion extending from the distal portion. The proximal portion may be detachable from the distal portion and may be hollow or solid. A system for accessing and guiding at least one fixation device to a spine may include a distal portion configured to fit in a facet of the spine, a proximal portion extending from the distal portion, and a slidable guide device for sliding over the facet guide device to guide at least one instrument to the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan
  • Publication number: 20190240041
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a spinal facet cage implant for implantation in a spinal facet joint. In one implementation, the implant includes a distal leading end, a proximal trailing end, a first face, and a second face. The distal leading end has a distal surface generally opposite a proximal surface of the proximal trailing end. The first face has a first surface that is generally parallel with a second surface of the second face. The first and second faces extend between the distal leading end and the proximal trailing end. The first and second surfaces having one or more textured features adapted to provide friction with the spinal facet joint. One or more windows are defined in the first and/or second surfaces, and one or more side windows are defined in the first and/or second side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, David Michael Schummers, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: D884895
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, Jeffrey D. Smith, Scott Schneider
  • Patent number: D887552
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Christopher U. Phan, Wesley Wang
  • Patent number: RE48501
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, Jeffrey D. Smith, David Michael Schummers