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).

  • Patent number: 8672840
    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: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert Kaula, Goretti Medeiros
  • Publication number: 20140051999
    Abstract: A system and related methods for performing nerve detection during surgical access using ultrasound testing during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: James Gharib, Albert Pothier
  • Patent number: 8634904
    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: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert F. Kaula, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Goretti Medeiros
  • Patent number: 8591431
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and methods aimed at surgery, and more particularly to a system and methods for monitoring nervous tissue to assess the integrity of a pedicle wall during or after pilot hole formation and before, during, or after screw implantation, particularly in the thoracic spine. The system also performs other neurophysiologic assessments including, but not necessarily limited to, neuromuscular pathway status, nerve proximity detection, nerve pathology monitoring, and spinal cord health monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Blair Calancie, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Doug Layman
  • Patent number: 8568317
    Abstract: A system and related methods for performing at least one of bone integrity testing and nerve detection during surgical access using both neurophysiologic testing and ultrasound testing during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Albert Pothier
  • Patent number: 8568331
    Abstract: The present invention involves a system and methods for nerve testing during anterior surgery, including but not limited to anterior total disc replacement surgery, nucleus replacement, and interbody fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph Bertagnoli, James Gharib, G. Bryan Cornwall, Rory Schermerhorn
  • Patent number: 8550994
    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: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 8548579
    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: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert Kaula, Eric Finley, Jamil Ebanna, Scot Martinelli, Goretti Medeiros
  • Patent number: 8538539
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nu Vasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Kelli Howell, Doug Layman, Albert Pothier
  • Publication number: 20130237765
    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 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Publication number: 20130231537
    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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 8512235
    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: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert Kaula, Goretti Medeiros
  • Patent number: 8439832
    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: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert Kaula, Goretti Medeiros
  • Publication number: 20130090568
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Nu Vasive Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Doug Layman, Thomas Scholl, Albert Kim, Albert Pothier, Patrick Miles, Josef Gorek, Mark Peterson
  • Patent number: 8403841
    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: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert Kaula, Goretti Medeiros
  • Patent number: 8343046
    Abstract: A method for accessing a spinal disc of a lumbar spine of a patient using a surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly. The method can include maintaining an operative corridor along a lateral, trans-psoas path using the retraction assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert Kaula, Jeffrey Blewett, Goretti Medeiros, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20120303125
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert Kaula, Jeffrey Blewett, Goretti Medeiros, Eric Finley, Jamil Ebanna, Scot Martinelli
  • Patent number: 8303498
    Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction 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 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert F. Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett, Goretti Medeiros, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20120238893
    Abstract: System (20) and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments (30) employed in accessing a surgical target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: NUVASIVE, INC.
    Inventors: Allen Farquhar, James Gharib, Norbert Kaula, Jeffrey Blewett, Goretti Medeiros
  • Publication number: 20120238822
    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: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Norbert Kaula, Jeffrey Blewett, Goretti Medeiros