Patents by Inventor Hans-Joachim Fruh

Hans-Joachim Fruh 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: 20070118220
    Abstract: A vertebral implant for impaction in a disc space to restore and/or maintain desired disc space height and spinal orientation is provided. The implant has an elongated basis body having a generally lens-shape provided by convex upper and lower surfaces. Bearing surfaces are provided on the cross-edge surfaces of the endwalls. Grooves are provided in the upper and lower surfaces positioned between the bearing surfaces. The implant can be prepared from a wide variety of materials including metallic materials, synthetic materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials, and composite materials including reinforced materials i.e. glass, fiber, and/or carbon fiber reinforced materials (CFRP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Mingyan Liu, Hans-Joachim Fruh, Harald Ebner, Bradley Estes
  • Patent number: 7169183
    Abstract: This invention provides a vertebral implant for impaction in a disc space to restore and/or maintain desired disc space height and spinal orientation. The implant has an elongated basis body having a generally lens-shape provided by convex upper and lower surfaces. Bearing surfaces are provided on the cross-edge surfaces of the endwalls. Grooves are provided in the upper and lower surfaces positioned between the bearing surfaces. The implant can be prepared from a wide variety of materials including metallic materials, synthetic materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials, and composite materials including reinforced materials i.e. glass, fiber, and/or carbon fiber reinforced materials (CFRP). These preferred materials for fabricating implants in the present invention reduce costs, increase service life and provide excellent physiological compatibility. The non-metallic material can be selected to be either a substantially permanent material, a biodegradable material or a bioerodable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingyan Liu, Hans-Joachim Früh, Harald Ebner, Bradley T. Estes
  • Publication number: 20030023306
    Abstract: This invention provides a vertebral implant for impaction in a disc space to restore and/or maintain desired disc space height and spinal orientation. The implant has an elongated basis body having a generally lens-shape provided by convex upper and lower surfaces. Bearing surfaces are provided on the cross-edge surfaces of the endwalls. Grooves are provided in the upper and lower surfaces positioned between the bearing surfaces. The implant can be prepared from a wide variety of materials including metallic materials, synthetic materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials, and composite materials including reinforced materials i.e. glass, fiber, and/or carbon fiber reinforced materials (CFRP). These preferred materials for fabricating implants in the present invention reduce costs, increase service life and provide excellent physiological compatibility. The non-metallic material can be selected to be either a substantially permanent material, a biodegradable material or a bioerodable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Mingyan Liu, Hans-Joachim Fruh, Harald Ebner, Bradley T. Estes
  • Publication number: 20030009222
    Abstract: This invention provides a synthetic threaded vertebral implant for treatment of spinal deformities. The implant can be formed of variety of materials including synthetic organic materials, composites, and ceramics. The threaded implant can restore and maintain a desired disc space height. In one embodiment, the threaded implant has an elongate cylindrical body with an external thread. Implant terminates in a proximal end and an opposite distal end. One or both of ends can include chamfer surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Fruh, Harald Ebner, Bradley T. Estes