Patents by Inventor Eric Buehlmann

Eric Buehlmann 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: 20260000435
    Abstract: Disclosed are surgical instruments and methods that aid in positioning a surgical visualization system, such as a camera or other imaging device, relative to an access device in a surgical procedure, including spinal procedures. The disclosed instruments and methods provide for mounting a camera or other imaging device to an access device, such as a spinal retractor blade, at various radial positions about a working channel to facilitate use of the camera or imaging device to aid in a variety of surgical steps or procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2025
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Inventors: Tyler Freeto, Brayden Tetreault, Roman Lomeli, Justin Fisk, Eric Buehlmann, James Murray, John DiVincenzo, Marissa Maciel
  • Patent number: 12496055
    Abstract: A retractor member is configured for insertion through a channel of an access member and for moving soft tissue at a treatment site that is accessible through the channel. The retractor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction. The distal end defines a retractor blade and the body defines a first surface and a second surface opposite each other along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The retractor includes an attachment device configured to selectively attach the body to a portion of the access member such that the body is extendable through the working channel while the body is attached to the portion of the access member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: Eric Buehlmann, Clara Cheung, Thomas Gamache, Roman Lomeli, Paul S. Maguire, James Paiva, Joern Richter, Daniel Thommen, John C. Voellmicke
  • Patent number: 12496093
    Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Medos International Sàrl
    Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Joern Richter, Michael Wang, Richard Assaker, Richard Fessler, Christoph Mehren, Seang Beng Tan, William Taylor, Eric Buehlmann, Michael White
  • Patent number: 12491004
    Abstract: A flexible surgical access port is provided that includes a flexible body. The flexible body is configured to elastically expand in response to passage of a surgical equipment therethrough, and thus retracts as the surgical equipment moves past. Thus, the flexible body can provide a surgical access path through Kambin's Triangle, and large surgical equipment passed through the flexible body does not compress the exiting nerve or the traversing nerve root for a prolonged period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: John Riley Hawkins, Jörn Richter, Eric Buehlmann, Daniel Thommen, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 12433766
    Abstract: A system for delivering flowable biomaterial to an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes a delivery body defining a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a longitudinal direction, a cannulation extending from the proximal end to an opening adjacent the distal end, and a distal region including a tip that extends to the distal end. The distal region defines a maximum height at a location proximal of the distal end and measured along a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The distal region is for indicating a distance between the adjacent vertebral bodies. The system includes a carrier having a longitudinally elongate channel for carrying biomaterial and being insertable within the cannulation, as well as an advancement member configured for insertion within the cannulation to forcibly advance the biomaterial from the cannulation, through the opening, and into the disc space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: James Murray, John Riley Hawkins, Benjamin Cleveland, Alicia McDermott, Roman Lomeli, John Dieselman, Stephen Bornhoft, Christopher Ramsay, Nicholas Pavento, Jan Klett, Stephane Gully, Eric Buehlmann, Thomas Gamache, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20250302575
    Abstract: Camera position indication systems and methods are disclosed herein for conveying a camera's position to a user and/or adjusting a camera view display to match a user's perspective during a surgical procedure. In one embodiment, an example method can include receiving an output view from a camera placed within a channel of an access device to view a surgical site within a patient, receiving an input of camera position from a user, and showing on a display the output view from the camera and an indication of camera position based on the input of camera position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2025
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Inventors: Roman Lomeli, Eric Buehlmann, James Paiva, Leonard Bryant Guffey
  • Patent number: 12402909
    Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: Medos International Sàrl
    Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Joern Richter, Michael Wang, Richard Assaker, Richard Fessler, Christoph Mehren, Seang Beng Tan, William Taylor, Eric Buehlmann, Michael White
  • Publication number: 20250152158
    Abstract: Connectors for connecting or linking one instrument or object to one or more other instruments or objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a first arm with a first attachment feature for attaching to a first object, such as a surgical access device, and a second arm with a second attachment feature for attaching to a second object, such as a support. The connector can have an unlocked state, in which the position and orientation of the access device can be adjusted relative to the support, and a locked state in which movement of the access device relative to the support is prevented or limited. Locking the connector can also be effective to clamp or otherwise attach the connector to the access device and the support, or said attachment can be independent of the locking of the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Eric Buehlmann, Joern Richter, Peter Senn, Veronique Christine Zollmann, Thomas Gamache, Roman Lomeli, Nicholas Pavento, J. Riley Hawkins, Jae Stelzer
  • Patent number: 12262897
    Abstract: Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a blade having a distal cutting edge configured to perform a cutting action that produces a plug or core from a media being cut by the cutting edge, a drive mechanism arranged to transfer an oscillating force to the cutting edge for oscillating the cutting edge, a shield positioned to block contact with a portion of the cutting edge, and a depth adjustment mechanism configured to translate the cutting edge along a proximal-distal axis of the shield to adjust an axial position of the cutting edge relative to the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Medos International Sàrl
    Inventors: Stephen Bornhoft, John C. Voellmicke, Eric Buehlmann, Roman Lomeli, Thomas Gamache, Katherine Selover, Duane Jeffrey Enck
  • Patent number: 12150636
    Abstract: Connectors for connecting or linking one instrument or object to one or more other instruments or objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a first arm with a first attachment feature for attaching to a first object, such as a surgical access device, and a second arm with a second attachment feature for attaching to a second object, such as a support. The connector can have an unlocked state, in which the position and orientation of the access device can be adjusted relative to the support, and a locked state in which movement of the access device relative to the support is prevented or limited. Locking the connector can also be effective to clamp or otherwise attach the connector to the access device and the support, or said attachment can be independent of the locking of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Medos International Sárl
    Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Eric Buehlmann, Joern Richter, Peter Senn, Veronique Christine Zollmann, Thomas Gamache, Roman Lomeli, Nicholas Pavento, J. Riley Hawkins, Jae Stelzer
  • Patent number: 12089873
    Abstract: Surgical access stabilization devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. For example, the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be used during a surgical procedure to selectively establish, stabilize, and maintain a desired trajectory and/or positioning of a surgical access device. An exemplary surgical access stabilization device can include a pad with an adhesive distal facing surface to adhere to an anchor surface, a surgical access device coupled to the pad, and a locking mechanism to selectively lock a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. In one embodiment, the anchor surface can be the skin of a patient. An exemplary surgical access device stabilization method can include making an incision in a patient at a surgical site, inserting a surgical access device through the incision, adhering a pad to an anchor surface, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Medos International Sàrl
    Inventors: J. Riley Hawkins, Christopher Ramsay, Thomas Gamache, Eric Buehlmann
  • Publication number: 20240216151
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for surgical systems comprising an applicator having a first shaft, an implant having a first member pivotably and detachably coupled to the first shaft, and a second member for converting rotational motion of the implant to a translational offset, and at least one of a sensor for determining the offset or an indicator for indicating the offset, provided that the indicator is not a protrusion located at an end of the applicator. A controller may be provided, the controller being configured to receive offset data from the sensor, determine an angle of the implant in a patient using dimensions of the implant and the offset, and display a current position of the implant relative to patient anatomy. The applicator may have a second shaft slidably disposed on the first shaft along an axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Eric Buehlmann, Marc Puls
  • Publication number: 20240206909
    Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Joern Richter, Michael Wang, Richard Assaker, Richard Fessler, Christoph Mehren, Seang Beng Tan, William Taylor, Eric Buehlmann, Michael White
  • Patent number: 11951021
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for surgical systems comprising an applicator having a first shaft, an implant having a first member pivotably and detachably coupled to the first shaft, and a second member for converting rotational motion of the implant to a translational offset, and at least one of a sensor for determining the offset or an indicator for indicating the offset, provided that the indicator is not a protrusion located at an end of the applicator. A controller may be provided, the controller being configured to receive offset data from the sensor, determine an angle of the implant in a patient using dimensions of the implant and the offset, and display a current position of the implant relative to patient anatomy. The applicator may have a second shaft slidably disposed on the first shaft along an axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Eric Buehlmann, Marc Puls
  • Patent number: 11944553
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are expanding spinal fusion cage embodiments including an expandable cage assembly configured to expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state in an intervertebral space when inflated with a material. The assembly can include an inflatable section defining an interior volume configured to receive the material and expand the interior volume in response to a pressure from the received material to cause the expandable cage assembly to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state, and a stabilization section configured to restrain the inflatable section during inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Peyton Hopson, Hassan Serhan, Eric Buehlmann, Robert Sommerich, Thomas Gamache, Cynthia Star, Philip Reeves, Oliver Smith, David Hayden, Loic Le Merlus
  • Publication number: 20240099781
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed comprising a neuromonitoring probe, a navigation array attached to the probe, a tracking system to detect and track elements of the navigation array, and a controller having at least one processor configured to receive neuromonitoring data from the probe, receive probe positional data from the tracking system to determine a three-dimensional position and orientation of the probe, correlate the neuromonitoring data to the positional data to determine neuromapping data indicating a nerve position in the patient, and overlay a representation of the neuromapping data over three-dimensional position and orientation of the patient to establish a boundary around the nerve. The boundary may be a visual boundary on a display or a physical boundary in a computer-assisted surgical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Marc Puls, Eric Buehlmann
  • Publication number: 20240058090
    Abstract: Camera position indication systems and methods are disclosed herein for conveying a camera's position to a user and/or adjusting a camera view display to match a user's perspective during a surgical procedure. In one embodiment, an example method can include receiving an output view from a camera placed within a channel of an access device to view a surgical site within a patient, receiving an input of camera position from a user, and showing on a display the output view from the camera and an indication of camera position based on the input of camera position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Roman Lomeli, Eric Buehlmann, James Paiva, Leonard Bryant Guffey
  • Patent number: 11883064
    Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Joern Richter, Michael Wang, Richard Assaker, Richard Fessler, Christoph Mehren, Seang Beng Tan, William Taylor, Eric Buehlmann, Michael White
  • Patent number: 11857179
    Abstract: A suturing device includes a curved needle, a suture, an elongate body, an actuator and a curved needle holder. The suture connects with the curved needle. The actuator interacts with the elongate body and is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The curved needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The curved needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip. The curved needle holder includes an inner surface defining a needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening. The curved needle has a curved needle radius and the curved needle passage has a curved needle passage radius that is different than the curved needle radius and the curved needle frictionally engages the inner surface when the needle is in a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: DURATAP LLC
    Inventors: Mark F. Kurd, David Greg Anderson, Jaime F. Sarabia, Eric Buehlmann, Jay P. Tapper, Jens Johnson, Ann R. Lee, Catherine Margaret Unruh
  • Publication number: 20230380823
    Abstract: A retractor member is configured for insertion through a channel of an access member and for moving soft tissue at a treatment site that is accessible through the channel. The retractor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction. The distal end defines a retractor blade and the body defines a first surface and a second surface opposite each other along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The retractor includes an attachment device configured to selectively attach the body to a portion of the access member such that the body is extendable through the working channel while the body is attached to the portion of the access member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Buehlmann, Clara Cheung, Thomas Gamache, Roman Lomeli, Paul S. Maguire, James Paiva, Joern Richter, Daniel Thommen, John C. Voellmicke