Patents by Inventor James B. Stiehl

James B. Stiehl 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).

  • Patent number: 9554812
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for integrating an electromagnetic navigation system and a tool and aligning the tool with a target are presented, including a sensor tool, a tool, a field generator, a display, and a computer. The sensor tool attaches to a target component in a unique position relative to target features. The field generator is fixed relative to the tool except in rotation about a tool axis. The display is adjustably mounted to the tool and automatically adjusts image parameters. Target registration and error compensation methods are provided. The system detects magnetic field and signal disturbances that may lead to inaccurate navigation, filters navigation data, and adjusts filtering parameters based on detected conditions. Apparatus for proximally locking an IM nail such that a clear passage through the cannulation of the nail is maintained are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Bryant Inkpen, Antony John Hodgson, Pierre Guy, Willem J. Atsma, Stephane Lavallee, James B. Stiehl
  • Patent number: 9017335
    Abstract: A computer assisted surgical navigation system and method is disclosed for registering the position of prosthetic hip joint components. Elements are applied to the pelvis and femur, generating a three-dimensional array. These two arrays combine to derive a reference point representing the native joint. A tracking device with a pre-determined shape and dimensions that precisely articulate with an acetabular cup component generates a third three-dimensional array. The device has a further shape and dimensions that independently articulate precisely with a neck portion of a femoral component, which represents a prosthetic joint center that is independently registered in the system. The tracking device concurrently registers the three dimensional positions of the femoral and acetabular prosthetic components, along with the prosthetic joint center and the native joint center, respectively enabling alterations in three dimensional location of the leg length and offset prior to reduction of the prosthetic joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Blue Ortho
    Inventor: James B. Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20140148808
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for integrating an electromagnetic navigation system and a tool and aligning the tool with a target are presented, including a sensor tool, a tool, a field generator, a display, and a computer. The sensor tool attaches to a target component in a unique position relative to target features. The field generator is fixed relative to the tool except in rotation about a tool axis. The display is adjustably mounted to the tool and automatically adjusts image parameters. Target registration and error compensation methods are provided. The system detects magnetic field and signal disturbances that may lead to inaccurate navigation, filters navigation data, and adjusts filtering parameters based on detected conditions. Apparatus for proximally locking an IM nail such that a clear passage through the cannulation of the nail is maintained are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin Bryant Inkpen, Antony John Hodgson, Pierre Guy, Willem J. Atsma, Stephane Lavallee, James B. Stiehl
  • Patent number: 8721595
    Abstract: A suction wand for use during a surgical operation involving cutting of bone which yields bone debris, the wand comprising a suction conduit, a suction tip, and a positive pressure conduit for directing gas toward the suction tip to expel debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Stiehl Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Stiehl, Kurt R. Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20130304003
    Abstract: A suction wand for use during a surgical operation involving cutting of bone which yields bone debris, the wand comprising a suction conduit, a suction tip, and a positive pressure conduit for directing gas toward the suction tip to expel debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: STIEHL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Stiehl, Kurt R. Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20130123721
    Abstract: A suction wand for use during a surgical operation involving cutting of bone which yields bone debris, the wand comprising a suction conduit, a suction tip, and a positive pressure conduit for directing gas toward the suction tip to expel debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: STIEHL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Stiehl, Kurt R. Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20110112515
    Abstract: A suction wand for use during a surgical operation involving cutting of bone which yields bone debris, the wand comprising a suction conduit, a suction tip, a filter screen for retaining bone debris, and a carbon dioxide gas conduit for directing gas toward the suction tip to expel debris from the filter screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: James B. Stiehl, Kurt R. Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20100261998
    Abstract: A computer assisted surgical navigation system and method is disclosed for registering the position of prosthetic hip joint components. Elements are applied to the pelvis and femur, generating a three-dimensional array. These two arrays combine to derive a reference point representing the native joint. A tracking device with a pre-determined shape and dimensions that precisely articulate with an acetabular cup component generates a third three-dimensional array. The device has a further shape and dimensions that independently articulate precisely with a neck portion of a femoral component, which represents a prosthetic joint center that is independently registered in the system. The tracking device concurrently registers the three dimensional positions of the femoral and acetabular prosthetic components, along with the prosthetic joint center and the native joint center, respectively enabling alterations in three dimensional location of the leg length and offset prior to reduction of the prosthetic joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: James B. Stiehl
  • Patent number: 7011664
    Abstract: A resection guide alignment apparatus includes a resection guide, an intramedullary (“IM”) rod coupled to the resection guide, and a locking mechanism. The IM rod has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal rod axis extending between the first and second ends. The IM rod further includes a coupling portion defining a longitudinal coupling axis transverse to the rod axis. The coupling portion is mounted to the resection guide such that the resection guide is movable linearly along the coupling axis between a plurality of fixable linear positions relative to the IM rod and the resection guide is movable angularly about the coupling axis between a plurality of fixable angular positions relative to the IM rod. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the linear and angular position of the resection guide relative to the IM rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Zimmer Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Haney, James B. Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20040153084
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a resection guide and an intramedullary (“IM”) rod coupled to the resection guide such that the resection guide is movable between a plurality of fixable positions relative to the IM rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Mark D. Haney, James B. Stiehl