Patents by Inventor Jim Freid

Jim Freid 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: 20120016365
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a bone plating system may include a plate having end holes, each extending from an upper surface to a lower surface of the plate and comprising an inner surface having a curved contour. The bone plating system may include bone fasteners, each being sized to be placed in a ring for anchoring an end of the plate to a bone, the ring being sized to fit in a corresponding end hole and rotatable therein to define an angle of a corresponding bone fastener relative to the plate. The ring may have an outer surface that substantially corresponds to the curved contour of the inner surface of the hole to allow for rotation of the ring within the hole. The angles of the bone fasteners relative to the plate may define a converging or diverging configuration, which can prevent the bone fasteners from backing out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jim Freid, Michael E. Landry, Erik J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8025677
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Freid, Michael E. Landry, Erik J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7833271
    Abstract: A spinal implant is provided which maintains intervertebral spacing and stability within the spine. The spinal implant may include a body and an insert. The body of the spinal implant may be formed of a ceramic material. In some embodiments, the body may be formed of beta tricalcium phosphate. The body may include an opening that is complementary to the insert. The insert may fit within the opening. The insert may include a number of passageways. Some of the passageways may intersect to form a scaffold for bone growth. Bone growth promoting material may be introduced into the insert before the insert is positioned in a body and inserted in a patient between two vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret E. Mitchell, Jim Freid
  • Publication number: 20100222814
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Freid, Michael E. Landry, Erik J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7611527
    Abstract: A spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine is provided. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed. An assembly tool may be used to engage and disengage the anchoring system during the installation or removal of the spinal fixation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Freid, Michael E. Landry, Erik J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6964664
    Abstract: A spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine is provided. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed. An assembly tool may be used to engage and disengage the anchoring system during the installation or removal of the spinal fixation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Spinal Concepts Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Freid, Michael E. Landry, Erik J. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20050251257
    Abstract: A spinal implant is provided which maintains intervertebral spacing and stability within the spine. The spinal implant may include a body and an insert. The body of the spinal implant may be formed of a ceramic material. In some embodiments, the body may be formed of beta tricalcium phosphate. The body may include an opening that is complementary to the insert. The insert may fit within the opening. The insert may include a number of passageways. Some of the passageways may intersect to form a scaffold for bone growth. Bone growth promoting material may be introduced into the insert before the insert is positioned in a body and inserted in a patient between two vertebrae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Margaret Mitchell, Jim Freid
  • Publication number: 20040127897
    Abstract: A spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine is provided. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed. An assembly tool may be used to engage and disengage the anchoring system during the installation or removal of the spinal fixation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jim Freid, Michael E. Landry, Erik J. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20020045898
    Abstract: A spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine is provided. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed. An assembly tool may be used to engage and disengage the anchoring system during the installation or removal of the spinal fixation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: Spinal Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Freid, Michael E. Landry, Erik J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6331179
    Abstract: A spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine is provided. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed. An assembly tool may be used to engage and disengage the anchoring system during the installation or removal of the spinal fixation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Spinal Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Freid, Michael E. Landry, Erik J. Wagner
  • Patent number: D505205
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Spinal Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Freid