Patents by Inventor Gary Karlin Michelson

Gary Karlin Michelson 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: 20080287955
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7452359
    Abstract: An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Publication number: 20080255564
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7431722
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve. Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted to restore the normal angular relationship of the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. An extended outer sleeve having extended portions capable of maintaining the vertebrae distracted in their normal angular relationship is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7399303
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7326214
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7297147
    Abstract: An improved multi-bite bone cutting rongeur with an ultrathin foot plate and a disposable cutting element and storage chamber unit is disclosed. The present invention has an integrated cutting element and storage chamber unit that is truly disposable, rather than merely replaceable. The present invention requires the use of no tools or special assembly. The chamber is simply placed onto the shaft whereby it is immediately locked into place by the use of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7291149
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of inserting a variety of interbody spinal fusion implants across a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The variety of implants have at least a partially frusto-conical configuration or opposed arcuate portions in an angular relationship to one another along the length of the implant. One of the methods of the present invention contemplates distracting the adjacent vertebral bodies, forming a bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across a distracted disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies and into the adjacent vertebral bodies, and inserting into the bore the spinal implant having opposed arcuate portions in an angular relationship to one another along the length of the implant and oriented toward the adjacent vertebral bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7288093
    Abstract: An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7264622
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7255698
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation deice is bound to the spinal fusion implant by a locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7207991
    Abstract: An improved method and instrumentation for performing spinal surgery, including discectomy, interbody fusion and rigid internal fixation of the spine, from the lateral aspect of the spine is disclosed. The surgical procedure can be performed through a very small incision. The instrumentation of the present invention, all of which is inserted from a lateral position into the spine in the preferred embodiment, comprises a guide pin, a distractor, an extended outer sleeve, an inner sleeve an adjustable drill and an implant driver. The distractor of the present invention is driven into the disc for spacing apart and realigning the adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7118598
    Abstract: An at least in part cylindrical push-in interbody spinal fusion implant having an expandable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7115128
    Abstract: An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7066961
    Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes the spinal segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7063700
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7014638
    Abstract: An ergonomic and proprioceptive handle design for instruments is disclosed. The handle can be used with a wide variety of medical instruments, such as a rongeur, as well as other instruments, such as guns and staplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7011663
    Abstract: An improved multi-bite bone cutting rongeur with an ultrathin foot plate and a disposable cutting element and storage chamber unit is disclosed. The present invention has an integrated cutting element and storage chamber unit that is truly disposable, rather than merely replaceable. The present invention requires the use of no tools or special assembly. The chamber is simply placed onto the shaft whereby it is immediately locked into place by the use of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Gary Karlin Michelson
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 7008453
    Abstract: An at least in part cylindrical push-in interbody spinal fusion implant having an expandable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson
  • Patent number: 6962606
    Abstract: A push-in interbody spinal fusion implant having an expandable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Gary Karlin Michelson