Patents by Inventor Eric P. Jerke
Eric P. Jerke 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).
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Patent number: 9931149Abstract: A driver instrument for engaging and transferring rotational torque to a bone anchor already screwed into a bony structure. The driver instrument may be advanced through an incision while disengaged from the bone anchor and thereafter engaged in a driver socket of the bone anchor. The driver instrument includes an elongate shaft extending distally from a handle, a tapered distal tip, and a driver engagement feature located proximally of the tapered distal tip. The tapered distal tip and the driver engagement feature are configured such that the longitudinal rotational axis of the driver instrument automatically moves into parallel alignment with the longitudinal rotational axis of the bone anchor as the driver engagement feature of the driver instrument is advanced into the driver socket of the bone anchor.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Eric P Jerke
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Publication number: 20170281244Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Jack A. Dant, Deborah Lynn Hoch, Eric P. Jerke, Eric J. Lundequam
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Patent number: 9750512Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for guiding medical instruments used in attaching bone plates. The apparatus has a handle assembly, guide member, a spacer, and an actuation member. The actuation member extends from the handle assembly and actuates the spacer between a position adjacent the guide member and a position spaced from the guide member. The spacer has a through hole that may axially align with a lumen extending through the guide member when in the first position and which is moved out of axial alignment with the lumen in the second position. The spacer may function as a depth stop to control the maximum depth a drill bit can extend from the guide member.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Jerke, Peter G. Schulte, David W. Castleman, Andrew Olson, Jack A. Dant, Eric J. Lundequam, Hugh D. Hestad
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Patent number: 9737341Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Jack A Dant, Deborah Lynn Hoch, Eric P Jerke, Eric J Lundequam
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Patent number: 9532810Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Hugh D Hestad, Jack A Dant, Eric J Lundequam, Eric P Jerke, Deborah Lynn Hoch
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Publication number: 20160249965Abstract: A driver instrument for engaging and transferring rotational torque to a bone anchor already screwed into a bony structure. The driver instrument may be advanced through an incision while disengaged from the bone anchor and thereafter engaged in a driver socket of the bone anchor. The driver instrument includes an elongate shaft extending distally from a handle, a tapered distal tip, and a driver engagement feature located proximally of the tapered distal tip. The tapered distal tip and the driver engagement feature are configured such that the longitudinal rotational axis of the driver instrument automatically moves into parallel alignment with the longitudinal rotational axis of the bone anchor as the driver engagement feature of the driver instrument is advanced into the driver socket of the bone anchor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventor: Eric P. Jerke
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Publication number: 20160157895Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Jack A. Dant, Eric J. Lundequam, Eric P. Jerke, Deborah Lynn Hoch
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Patent number: 9358060Abstract: A driver instrument for engaging and transferring rotational torque to a bone anchor already screwed into a bony structure. The driver instrument may be advanced through an incision while disengaged from the bone anchor and thereafter engaged in a driver socket of the bone anchor. The driver instrument includes an elongate shaft extending distally from a handle, a tapered distal tip, and a driver engagement feature located proximally of the tapered distal tip. The tapered distal tip and the driver engagement feature are configured such that the longitudinal rotational axis of the driver instrument automatically moves into parallel alignment with the longitudinal rotational axis of the bone anchor as the driver engagement feature of the driver instrument is advanced into the driver socket of the bone anchor.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Eric P. Jerke
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Patent number: 9289244Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Jack A. Dant, Eric J. Lundequam, Eric P. Jerke, Deborah L. Hoch
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Publication number: 20160066962Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Jack A Dant, Deborah Lynn Hoch, Eric P Jerke, Eric J Lundequam
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Publication number: 20150374414Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Jack A. Dant, Deborah L. Hoch, Eric P. Jerke, Eric J. Lundequam
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Patent number: 9220541Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Jack A. Dant, Deborah L. Hoch, Eric P. Jerke, Eric J. Lundequam
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Publication number: 20150112353Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for guiding medical instruments used in attaching bone plates. The apparatus has a handle assembly, guide member, a spacer, and an actuation member. The actuation member extends from the handle assembly and actuates the spacer between a position adjacent the guide member and a position spaced from the guide member. The spacer has a through hole that may axially align with a lumen extending through the guide member when in the first position and which is moved out of axial alignment with the lumen in the second position. The spacer may function as a depth stop to control the maximum depth a drill bit can extend from the guide member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Jerke, Peter G. Schulte, David W. Castleman, Andrew Olson, Jack A. Dant, Eric J. Lundequam, Hugh D. Hestad
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Publication number: 20150032116Abstract: A driver instrument for engaging and transferring rotational torque to a bone anchor already screwed into a bony structure. The driver instrument may be advanced through an incision while disengaged from the bone anchor and thereafter engaged in a driver socket of the bone anchor. The driver instrument includes an elongate shaft extending distally from a handle, a tapered distal tip, and a driver engagement feature located proximally of the tapered distal tip. The tapered distal tip and the driver engagement feature are configured such that the longitudinal rotational axis of the driver instrument automatically moves into parallel alignment with the longitudinal rotational axis of the bone anchor as the driver engagement feature of the driver instrument is advanced into the driver socket of the bone anchor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Eric P. Jerke
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Publication number: 20140142640Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventors: HUGH D. HESTAD, JACK A. DANT, ERIC J. LUNDEQUAM, ERIC P. JERKE, DEBORAH L. HOCH
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Patent number: 8685064Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Jack A. Dant, Eric J. Lundequam, Eric P. Jerke, Deborah L. Hoch
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Publication number: 20130013004Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Jack A. Dant, Eric J. Lundequam, Eric P. Jerke, Deborah L. Hoch
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Patent number: 8337530Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Jack A. Dant, Eric J. Lundequam, Eric P. Jerke, Deborah L. Hoch
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Publication number: 20120232598Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventors: HUGH D. HESTAD, JACK A. DANT, ERIC J. LUNDEQUAM, ERIC P. JERKE, DEBORAH L. HOCH