Patents by Inventor Gerald R. Hankins

Gerald R. Hankins 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).

  • Method and system for fusing a spinal region
    Patent number: 8460382
    Abstract: A method and system for fusing a region in the spine involve the use of at least one guide tube to pass instruments and substances into the spinal region in a minimally invasive manner. In the preferred practice of the method, a guide tube is anchored to a vertebra and the guide tube is moved to thereby position the vertebra. A steerable drilling tool is passed through the guide tube and steered into position to abrade at least a portion of an intervertebral disc and thereby create a cavity in the disc. A flowable substance is passed into the cavity and permitted to solidify to establish fusion in the cavity. Optionally, an uninflated balloon is inserted into the cavity and the balloon is filled with the flowable substance to contain the flowable substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Helm, David F. Kallmes, Gerald R. Hankins, Mary E. Jensen
  • Method and System For Fusing a Spinal Region
    Publication number: 20110196497
    Abstract: A method and system for fusing a region in the spine involve the use of at least one guide tube to pass instruments and substances into the spinal region in a minimally invasive manner. In the preferred practice of the method, a guide tube is anchored to a vertebra and the guide tube is moved to thereby position the vertebra. A steerable drilling tool is passed through the guide tube and steered into position to abrade at least a portion of an intervertebral disc and thereby create a cavity in the disc. A flowable substance is passed into the cavity and permitted to solidify to establish fusion in the cavity. Optionally, an uninflated balloon is inserted into the cavity and the balloon is filled with the flowable substance to contain the flowable substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Gregory A. Helm, David F. Kallmes, Gerald R. Hankins, Mary E. Jensen
  • Method and system for fusing a spinal region
    Patent number: 7947079
    Abstract: A method and system for fusing a region in the spine involve the use of at least one guide tube to pass instruments and substances into the spinal region in a minimally invasive manner. In the preferred practice of the method, a guide tube is anchored to a vertebra and the guide tube is moved to thereby position the vertebra. A steerable drilling tool is passed through the guide tube and steered into position to abrade at least a portion of an intervertebral disc and thereby create a cavity in the disc. A flowable substance is passed into the cavity and permitted to solidify to establish fusion in the cavity. Optionally, an uninflated balloon is inserted into the cavity and the balloon is filled with the flowable substance to contain the flowable substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Helm, David F. Kallmes, Gerald R. Hankins, Mary E. Jensen
  • Method and system for fusing a spinal region
    Patent number: 6805697
    Abstract: A method and system for fusing a region in the spine involve the use of at least one guide tube (10a) to pass instruments and substances into the spinal region in a minimally invasive manner. In the preferred practice of the method, a guide tube is anchored to a vertebra and the guide tube is moved to thereby position the vertebra. A steerable drilling tool (20a) is passed through the guide tube and steered into position to abrade at least a portion of an intervertebral disc, thereby creating a cavity in the disc. A flowing substance is passed into the cavity and permitted to solidify to establish fusion in the cavity. Optionally, an uninflated balloon (40) is inserted into the cavity and the balloon is filled with the flowing substance to contain the flowing substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Helm, David F. Kallmes, Gerald R. Hankins, Mary E. Jensen
  • M6P/IGF-II receptor tumor suppressor gene
    Patent number: 5874222
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a tumor suppressor and, in particular, to the mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II (M6P/IGF-II) receptor and to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches based on same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignees: Duke University, Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Randy L. Jirtle, Angus T. DeSouza, Gerald R. Hankins