Patents by Inventor James Gharib

James Gharib 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: 20160374613
    Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar
  • Patent number: 9392953
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and methods used for neurophysiologic monitoring, and more particularly to an algorithm capable of discerning between background activity (non-physiologic and physiologic) and evoked neurophysiologic activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventor: James Gharib
  • Patent number: 9295396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at surgery. More particularly, the present invention is directed at a system and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments involving the use of neurophysiology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Doug Layman, Thomas Scholl, Albert Kim, Albert Pothier, Patrick Miles, Josef Gorek, Mark Peterson
  • Publication number: 20160081682
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 9204871
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 9066701
    Abstract: A surgical access system comprising a tissue retraction assembly equipped with two or more electrodes for use in monitoring the status of nearby neural structures, including the localized depth of neural structures relative to one or more components of the tissue retraction assembly. Additional neurological testing may be performed to monitor the health and status of the neural structures during the portions of the surgical procedure in which the tissue retraction assembly is used to maintain the operative corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Finley, James Gharib, Richard A. O'Brien, Robert Snow
  • Patent number: 9037250
    Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar
  • Publication number: 20150133735
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 8956283
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 8915846
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Publication number: 20140235950
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 8812116
    Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert F. Kaula, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Goretti Medeiros
  • Publication number: 20140180016
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 8740783
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing neurophysiologic assessments of neural tissue including nerve pathology monitoring which may or may not be augmented by adding the ability to assess or monitor the pressure being exerted upon a nerve or nerve root before, during and/or after retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Scot Martinelli, David Ivanko, Benjamin VerHage
  • Publication number: 20140148796
    Abstract: The present invention involves a system and methods for assessing the state of the neuromuscular pathway to ensure further nerve tests aimed at detecting at least one of a breach in a pedicle wall, nerve proximity, nerve direction, and nerve pathology, are not conducted when neuromuscular blockade levels may decrease the reliability of the results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Kelli Howell, Doug Layman, Albert Pothier
  • Patent number: 8738123
    Abstract: The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to: (a) determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site; (b) assess the pathology (health or status) of a nerve or nerve root before, during, or after a surgical procedure; and/or (c) assess pedicle integrity before, during or after pedicle screw placement, all in an automated, easy to use, and easy to interpret fashion so as to provide a surgeon-driven system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett, Eric Finley, Scot Martinelli
  • Patent number: 8708899
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar
  • Patent number: 8696559
    Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 8679006
    Abstract: A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: D752646
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, James Gharib, Robert Ryder, Allen Farquhar, Dana Dlugach