Patents by Inventor James Rinner

James Rinner 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: 20170079706
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for improving the cleaning and/or sterilization of medical instruments and related tools, such as a cleanable ratcheting module that can be attached to various surgical instruments used during surgery, and then easily and efficiently cleaned. Cleaning of the tool is facilitated by various ports and/or openings in the device that allow for cleaning fluids, liquids and/or other gases to freely flow through interior aspects of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Publication number: 20170042597
    Abstract: A surgical bender for use in bending and/or plastically deforming a variety of types and/or shapes of materials in medical and/or surgical applications. Various embodiments include a compact and easily sterilizable multiple fulcrum arrangement that utilizes a series of interlocked actuating lever arms to greatly multiply an actuating force applied to a pair of handles for application to an intended material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 9411379
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for inhibiting, preventing and/or hindering eavesdropping or accidental use of cameras and microphones of a portable electronic device (PED), in order to assist the user with maintaining their personal privacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventors: James A. Rinner, Kimberly A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 9351768
    Abstract: A spinal implant has a mechanism for inhibiting a bone screw used in attaching the spinal implant to the spine from backing out from the spinal implant once the bone screw has been received in the spinal implant. The spinal implant has a bone screw bore defining a bore wall in which is disposed a resilient closed curve band or ring. The resilient closed curve band has a plurality of resilient segments that extend into the bore. Each one of the plurality of resilient segments form a spring that allows a head of a bone screw to ingress there through but prevents the head of the bone screw from egress there from. The resilient closed curve band forms a retention ring that is received in one or more slots, channels, grooves or the like in the bore hole wall. The plurality of resilient segments are formed as arcs, curves and/or configured arcs/curves that extend radially inward from outer arced or curved portions of the retention ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Rinner, Daniel Predick, Michael S. Butler
  • Publication number: 20150216674
    Abstract: A spinal interbody implant has a bone screw retention mechanism that prohibits bone screws from backing out after the bone screws are installed. A bone screw retention plate is received in a plate retention area of the implant to provide a barrier that keeps the installed bone screws from backing out of their bone screw pocket. The bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate and a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body. Retention plate fasteners may be used to retain the configured plate. In one form, the bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate, a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body, and a retention plate bolt. In another form, the bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate, a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body, and a retention plate bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters, James A. Rinner, Michael S. Butler, Seetal K. Erramilli
  • Patent number: 9017412
    Abstract: A spinal interbody implant has a bone screw retention mechanism that prohibits bone screws from backing out after the bone screws are installed. A bone screw retention plate is received in a plate retention area of the implant to provide a barrier that keeps the installed bone screws from backing out of their bone screw pocket. The bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate and a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body. Retention plate fasteners may be used to retain the configured plate. In one form, the bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate, a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body, and a retention plate bolt. In another form, the bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate, a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body, and a retention plate bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters, James A. Rinner, Michael S. Butler, Seetal K. Erramilli
  • Patent number: 9005249
    Abstract: A spinal rod connector assembly for use with a vertebral bone screw has an articulating clamp for 1) fixing an orientation of the spinal rod connector assembly relative to and on the vertebral bone screw, and 2) attaching a separate spinal rod onto the spinal rod connector assembly in concert with one another. The articulating clamp resides in a body of the spinal rod connector assembly and transfers a received downward force laterally to a spinal rod component of the spinal rod connector assembly which is configured to abut the spinal rod and hold the spinal rod between itself and a spinal rod holder of the spinal rod connector assembly. The articulating clamp thus improves the force transfer efficacy of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Rinner, Michael S. Butler, Seetal K. Erramilli
  • Publication number: 20150073479
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spinal implant system that incorporates unique snap, or spring loaded, features to assist the surgeon in the placement of screws, rods, hooks and transverse connectors. The poly-axial movement also uses a more direct loading lower saddle into the bone screw to improve locking of the construct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Publication number: 20150073484
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spinal implant system that incorporates unique snap, or spring loaded, features to assist the surgeon in the placement of screws, rods, hooks and transverse connectors. The poly-axial movement also uses a more direct loading lower saddle into the bone screw to improve locking of the construct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Publication number: 20150073488
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spinal implant system that incorporates unique snap, or spring loaded, features to assist the surgeon in the placement of screws, rods, hooks and transverse connectors. The poly-axial movement also uses a more direct loading lower saddle into the bone screw to improve locking of the construct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Publication number: 20150059251
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for inhibiting, preventing and/or hindering eavesdropping or accidental use of cameras and microphones of a portable electronic device (PED), in order to assist the user with maintaining their personal privacy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: James A. Rinner, Kimberly A. Rinner
  • Publication number: 20140263939
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a compact and pocketable camera support that attaches to an outer separate case or directly to the camera, tablet or phone body. This system uses one or more legs and/or other support features that fold away from the base of the invention and support the device whether it is a camera, phone or laptop/tablet computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 8828018
    Abstract: A bone cage placement device used to insert and position a bone cage in the disc space. Once the bone cage is positioned, a selector tool is inserted into the center aperture of the bone cage placement device. The end of the selector tool has a cam lift driving feature which is used to rotate the cam lift of the bone cage and expand the bone cage to the desired height. The selector tool is removed, and a graft placement tool and plunger are used to insert bone graft material into the plug. An end plug installation tool and installer are then used to insert an end plug to prevent leakage of material from the bone cage. The bone cage is released from the bone cage placement device, which is then removed from the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventors: Ashraf A. Ragab, James A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 8778025
    Abstract: The present invention is a rotatable cam lift. The distal end of the rotatable cam lift has a plurality of cam lift lobes and nesting surfaces that allow an expandable bone cage to be expanded with maximum control and predictability of expansion and which hold the bone cage firmly in position when expanded. Cam lift edges prevent over-rotation of the cam lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Ashraf A. Ragab, James A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 8568451
    Abstract: A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Spartek Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow, Henry A. Klyce, Matthew Hannibal, James A. Rinner, Jay A. Markwart
  • Publication number: 20130226250
    Abstract: The present invention is a systematic displacement bone screw having minor and major thread diameters that are constant instead of tapered. The crests at the tip of the screw are narrower than the crests near the screw head resulting in a smaller distance between the thread flanks, which displaces and/or compresses more bone matter. Because the major diameter remains constant, the diameter of the hole made by inserting the screw is consistent over the length of the screw allowing the screw to be adjusted without loosening. The systematic displacement screw with varying crest thicknesses also avoids the need to use a larger diameter screw in place of a removed screw during a repair procedure. Rather than increasing the size of the hole, the systematic displacement screw can be used for the both the original screw and the replacement screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 8496706
    Abstract: The present invention is an expandable and adjustable bone cage designed to be used in conjunction with a pedicle screw or plating fusion system. The expandable and adjustable bone cage provides structure for the placement of bone graft material between two adjacent vertebral bodies in order to stabilize or fuse the spine in a predetermined position. The expandable and adjustable bone cage is contoured for easy insertion between vertebral bodies and may be expanded after insertion to maintain, establish or increase lordosis, as well as help secure the bone cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventors: Ashraf A. Ragab, James A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 8419779
    Abstract: The present invention is a systematic displacement bone screw having minor and major thread diameters that are constant instead of tapered. The crests at the tip of the screw are narrower than the crests near the screw head resulting in a smaller distance between the thread flanks, which displaces and/or compresses more bone matter. Because the major diameter remains constant, the diameter of the hole made by inserting the screw is consistent over the length of the screw allowing the screw to be adjusted without loosening. The systematic displacement screw with varying crest thicknesses also avoids the need to use a larger diameter screw in place of a removed screw during a repair procedure. Rather than increasing the size of the hole, the systematic displacement screw can be used for the both the original screw and the replacement screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Publication number: 20130018422
    Abstract: A spinal rod connector assembly for use with a vertebral bone screw has an articulating clamp for 1) fixing an orientation of the spinal rod connector assembly relative to and on the vertebral bone screw, and 2) attaching a separate spinal rod onto the spinal rod connector assembly in concert with one another. The articulating clamp resides in a body of the spinal rod connector assembly and transfers a received downward force laterally to a spinal rod component of the spinal rod connector assembly which is configured to abut the spinal rod and hold the spinal rod between itself and a spinal rod holder of the spinal rod connector assembly. The articulating clamp thus improves the force transfer efficacy of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: LIFE SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Rinner, Michael S. Butler, Seetal K. Erramilli
  • Patent number: 8317836
    Abstract: A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Spartek Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow, Henry A. Klyce, Matthew Hannibal, James A. Rinner, Jay A. Markwart