Patents by Inventor John E. Ashley
John E. Ashley 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).
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Publication number: 20130261748Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: John E. Ashley, Murali Kadaba, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Thomas Grotz, George A. Mansfield, III, David G. Matsuura, Rudy Pretti
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Publication number: 20130253650Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: John E. Ashley, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Damien J. Shulock, Murali Kadaba, David G. Matsuura, George A. Mansfield, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 8435296Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Murali Kadaba, Philip J. Simpson, John E. Ashley, Walter Dean Gillespie, Thomas Grotz, George A. Mansfield, III, David G. Matsuura, Rudy Pretti
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Publication number: 20120245695Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: COALIGN INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Philip J. Simpson, David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, George A. Mansfield, III, John E. Ashley
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Patent number: 8192495Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Coalign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Simpson, David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, George A. Mansfield, III, John E. Ashley
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Publication number: 20120136389Abstract: A suture lock according to the present invention provides sufficiently secures a suture thread in place in a quick and efficient manner. It eliminates the need for a laproscopic surgeon to tie complex or multi-step knots. The suture lock generally comprises a suture lock body having a suture channel that allows a suture thread to be drawn into the suture lock body. A plurality of teeth extends into an opening of the suture channel in such a manner that an inserted suture thread will be locked in place. In addition, a guide portion eases insertion of a suture thread free end by simplifying relative rotational adjustment of the lock. An embodiment of the present invention may be fabricated from a material or materials that naturally dissolve within the human body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Anpa Medical, Inc.Inventors: John E. Ashley, David F. Lyons
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Publication number: 20120130387Abstract: An insertion handle for medical implants includes a handle with an elongate shaft extending therefrom and connection means for the implant disposed at the end of the shaft opposite the handle. The connection means includes a pivotable attachment for the implant that is controlled remotely from the handle. Both angle of the implant with respect to the handle and shaft as well as the attachment may be separately controlled and adjusted. Remote angular adjustment facilitates insertion of implants in to small surgical sites because the orientation of the implant may be repeatedly, remotely adjusted as the implant is inserted. Connectors may also be provided at the engagement surface between the handle and implant in order to provide communication with the implant or surgical site. The connectors also may serve as torque bearing members to avoid the need for separate torque bearing means such as keyways and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: COALIGN INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Philip J. Simpson, George A. Mansfield, Damien J. Shulock, David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, John E. Ashley
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Publication number: 20120109318Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs, systems including such prosthetic intervertebral discs, and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the sagittal plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components, construction, and other features of the discs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Darin C. Gittings, Michael L. Reo, Janine C. Robinson, John E. Ashley, Nicholas C. Koske, Roxanne L. Richman, Elizabeth V. Wistrom, Uriel Hiram Chee
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Patent number: 8109968Abstract: A suture lock according to the present invention sufficiently secures a suture thread in place in a quick and efficient manner. It eliminates the need for a laparoscopic surgeon to tie complex or multi-step knots. The suture lock generally comprises a suture lock body having a suture channel that allows a suture thread to be drawn into the suture lock body. A plurality of teeth extends into an opening of the suture channel in such a manner that an inserted suture thread will be locked in place. In addition, a guide portion eases insertion of a suture thread free end by simplifying relative rotational adjustment of the lock. An embodiment of the suture lock may be fabricated from a material or materials that naturally dissolve within the human body.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Anpa Medical, Inc.Inventors: John E. Ashley, David F. Lyons
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Publication number: 20110190772Abstract: A device for modifying tissue in a spine may include: a shah having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having dimensions which allow h to be passed into an epidural space of the spine and between target and non-target tissues at least one distal force application member extending from the distal portion of the shall and configured to facilitate application of at least one of anchoring force and tensioning force to the shaft; at least one movable tissue modifying member coupled with the shaft at or near its distal portion; at least one drive member coupled with the at least one tissue modifying member to activate the at least one tissue modifying member; and at least one power transmission member coupled with the at least one drive member to deliver power to the at least one drive member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Jeffery L. Bleich, Kenneth J. Michlitsch, John E. Ashley
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Publication number: 20110130835Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a refracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: INNVOTEC SURGICAL, INC.Inventors: John E. Ashley, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Damien J. Shulock, Murali Kadaba, David G. Matsuura, George A. Mansfield, III, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 7938830Abstract: A device for modifying tissue in a spine may include: a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having dimensions which allow it to be passed into an epidural space of the spine and between target and non-target tissues; at least one distal force application member extending from the distal portion of the shaft and configured to facilitate application of at least one of anchoring force and tensioning force to the shaft; at least one movable tissue modifying member coupled with the shaft at or near its distal portion; at least one drive member coupled with the at least one tissue modifying member to activate the at least one tissue modifying member; and at least one power transmission member coupled with the at least one drive member to deliver power to the at least one drive member.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Baxano, Inc.Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Jeffery L. Bleich, Kenneth Michlitsch, John E. Ashley
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Patent number: 7887538Abstract: A method for modifying tissue in a patient may involve one or more of the following steps: advancing at least a distal portion of at least one elongate, at least partially flexible tissue modification device into a patient and between one or more target tissues and one or more non-target tissues; positioning at least one tissue modifying member of the tissue modification device adjacent the target tissue such that the tissue modifying member(s) face the target tissue and do not face the non-target tissue; applying an anchoring force to the tissue modification device at or near the distal portion or a proximal portion of the device; applying a tensioning force to the tissue modification device at or near an opposite end of the device relative to the end to which anchoring force is applied, while maintaining the anchoring force, to urge the tissue modifying member(s) against the target tissue; and modifying the target tissue, using the tissue modifying member(s), while preventing the tissue modifying member(s)Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Baxano, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Vahid Saadat, Steven A. Spisak, John E. Ashley
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Publication number: 20100145456Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Philip J. Simpson, David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, George A. Mansfield, III, John E. Ashley
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Publication number: 20100145455Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Philip J. Simpson, David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, George A. Mansfield, III, John E. Ashley
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Publication number: 20100114318Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs, systems including such prosthetic intervertebral discs, and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the sagittal plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components, construction, and other features of the discs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Spinal Kinetics, Inc.Inventors: Darin C. Gittings, Michael L. Reo, Janine C. Robinson, John E. Ashley, Nicholas C. Koske, Roxanne L. Richman, Elizabeth V. Wistrom, Uriel Hiram Chee
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Publication number: 20100057204Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Murali Kadaba, Philip J. Simpson, John E. Ashley, Walter Dean Gillespie, Thomas Grotz, George A. Mansfield, III, David G. Matsuura, Rudy Peretti
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Publication number: 20090156958Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Bankim H. MEHTA, John E. ASHLEY, Scott A. McGILL
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Publication number: 20090076546Abstract: A suture lock according to the present invention provides sufficiently secures a suture thread in place in a quick and efficient manner. It eliminates the need for a laproscopic surgeon to tie complex or multi-step knots. The suture lock generally comprises a suture lock body having a suture channel that allows a suture thread to be drawn into the suture lock body. A plurality of teeth extends into an opening of the suture channel in such a manner that an inserted suture thread will be locked in place. In addition, a guide portion eases insertion of a suture thread free end by simplifying relative rotational adjustment of the lock. An embodiment of the present invention may be fabricated from a material or materials that naturally dissolve within the human body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: John E. Ashley, David F. Lyons
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Patent number: 7309336Abstract: A catheter for delivering energy to a surgical site is disclosed. The catheter includes at a proximal end a handle and at a distal end a probe. The catheter includes at least one energy delivery device and an activation element. The at least one energy delivery device is located at the distal end of the catheter to deliver energy to portions of the surgical site. The activation element is located at the distal end of the catheter, to transition the probe from a linear to a multi-dimensional shape, within the surgical site. Methods for deploying the probe from the linear to multi-dimensional shape are disclosed. In another embodiment of the invention the catheter includes a heating element fabricated on a substrate by photo-etching to deliver thermal energy to portions of the surgical site. In another embodiment of the invention the catheter includes an energy delivery element, a tip and a blade.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Oratec Interventions, Inc.Inventors: John E. Ashley, Hugh R. Sharkey, Joel Saal, Jeffrey A. Saal