Patents by Inventor John E. Hammill

John E. Hammill 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: 8157801
    Abstract: One method of reducing fractures in long bones is to insert an intramedullary screw through the bone canal across the fracture and deploy tangs to increase the purchase of the screw. Compression is then applied along the screw to bring the broken bone together. An improved low cost lag screw has a cannulated shaft with a shaped bore in the leading end. A similarly shaped tang body is movably disposed in the leading end bore. The tang body has several tangs laser welded about the periphery and extending from the tang body. The shaped surfaces of the bore have exit holes and the ends of the tangs are adjacent the holes. An end cap is laser welded to the leading end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7942910
    Abstract: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate driving tool. The system includes a stabilizing rod, a saddle member, a cap member and a set screw with at least one bone screw having a outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of a cavity formed in the saddle, wherein placement of the bone screw is made possible by matching the threads of the set screw to the threads of the bone screw. The head of the bone screw providing proper positioning of the stabilization rod within the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ortho Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7942911
    Abstract: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate driving tool. The system includes a stabilizing rod, a saddle member, a cap member and a set screw with at least one bone screw having a outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of a cavity formed in the saddle, wherein placement of the bone screw is made possible by matching the threads of the set screw to the threads of the bone screw. The head of the bone screw providing proper positioning of the stabilization rod within the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ortho Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7662174
    Abstract: A bone plate for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae or ends of a bone having a span for extending across the discontinuity. The span has brackets for attaching to the bone. The brackets have countersunk apertures terminating through which bone screws are placed in the bone. An cam bore is located between the countersunk apertures and a cam with lobe surfaces is positioned in the cam bore. Upon rotation of the cam, the lobe surfaces engage an end of the wedge shoes and move them so that the other end of the wedge shoes move into the countersunk apertures and frictionally engage the heads of the bone screws. The wedge shoe is provided with means to lock the cam in position. The wedge shoe is also provided with means to indicate that the shoe has completely engaged the head of the bone screw in the countersunk aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Spinal, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20090306720
    Abstract: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate driving tool. The system includes a stabilizing rod, a saddle member, a cap member and a set screw with at least one bone screw having a outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of a cavity formed in the saddle, wherein placement of the bone screw is made possible by matching the threads of the set screw to the threads of the bone screw. The head of the bone screw providing proper positioning of the stabilization rod within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20080287998
    Abstract: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate driving tool. The system includes a stabilizing rod, a saddle member, a cap member and a set screw with at least one bone screw having a outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of a cavity formed in the saddle, wherein placement of the bone screw is made possible by matching the threads of the set screw to the threads of the bone screw. The head of the bone screw providing proper positioning of the stabilization rod within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7438715
    Abstract: A bone plate kit for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae or ends of a bone includes several bone plates of different sizes and several bone fasteners of the same or different sizes. The fasteners may have the same configuration or several different configurations. The fasteners may be coated with bone growth material. The plates have a span for extending across a discontinuity. The span has brackets for attaching to the bone. The brackets have countersunk apertures terminating through which bone screws are placed in the bone. An eccentric cam bore is located between the countersunk apertures and, upon rotation of an eccentric cam, wedge grip shoes are slid into the countersunk apertures and frictionally engage the spherical heads of the bone screws. To prevent back-out of the bone screws, the eccentric cam is locked into the wedge grip shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Spinal LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20080140211
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a modular shoulder prosthesis. The prosthesis includes an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone. The proximal portion of the rod includes a self-holding taper which is telescoped into one end of a bore in the body element. The mating tapered surfaces of the rod and the body bore form a rotationally movable connection. Whereby the body of the prosthesis may be rotationally positioned after insertion of the rod. A neck element having a shaped protrusion is telescoped into a cavity in the other end of the body bore to prevent rotational movement therebetween. A threaded fastener provides a drawing force to lock all of the components together into a fixed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20080125787
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic rod assembly for intervertebral stabilization that allows for load sharing across vertebrae by providing predetermined compression, distraction and bending. The dynamic rod is based on a first and second rod having a flexible union. The flexible union includes a retaining element for securing the rods in position and a bearing element interposed between a first and second bearing seat permitting the compression, distraction and bending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7335201
    Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a linear engaging fastener cooperates with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7322984
    Abstract: A bone plate for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae or ends of a bone has a span for extending across the discontinuity. The span has brackets for attaching to the bone. The brackets have countersunk apertures terminating through which bone screws are placed in the bone. An eccentric cam bore is located between the countersunk apertures and, upon rotation of an eccentric cam, wedge grip shoes are slid into the countersunk apertures and frictionally engage the spherical heads of the bone screws. To prevent back-out of the bone screws, the eccentric cam is locked into the wedge grip shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Spinal, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7090674
    Abstract: A low profile orthopedic device is used to fix and stabilize bones to correct anomalies in skeletal structure occurring naturally or by trauma. Bone screws are screwed into bones by application of torque. Clamps are movably attached to the screws. Each clamp includes a compression ring. A connecting rod connects several screws through slots in the clamps. The clamps are tightened to hold the rod and the heads in a pre-selected position by linear movement of the compression rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Spinal, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7033399
    Abstract: A hip prosthesis has a neck, a trochanter, a link, and an intramedullary rod. The intramedullary rod and the link are formed as a sub-assembly connected together endwise by a universal joint formed as a tubular extension. The link is telescoped into the trochanter and the neck, successively. A bolt is threaded into a threaded bore in one end of the link and draws the intramedullary rod and link into the trochanter resulting in an immovable press fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Ortho Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 6887242
    Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a securing nut and locking bolt cooperate with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Ortho Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20030149487
    Abstract: A modular bone implant is connected together using linear compression rather than torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20030073997
    Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a securing nut and locking bolt cooperate with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20030073996
    Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a securing nut and locking bolt cooperate with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20030074078
    Abstract: A modular prosthesis has an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone, an artificial trochanter and a neck for carrying the ball. The intramedullary rod has a proximal end and a distal end telescoped together allowing free relative rotation of the ends. A split sleeve is fitted between the telescoped portions of the rod to form a rigid connection when the ends are separated longitudinally. A jack screw within the intramedullary rod separates theproximal end from the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20020120343
    Abstract: A modular prosthesis has an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone. The rod has a shaped proximal portion which is telescoped into one end of a bore in the trochanter element. The mating surfaces of the shaped rod and the trochanter bore form a rotationally immovable connection. A neck element is telescoped into the other end of the trochanter bore. The neck and the trochanter have mating surfaces with mating recesses. A key lock element is inserted into the mating recesses to prevent rotational movement between the neck and the trochanter. All the elements are secured together by a bolt through the neck, trochanter and rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 6440171
    Abstract: A modular prosthesis has an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone. The rod has a shaped proximal portion which is telescoped into one end of a bore in the trochanter element. The mating surfaces of the shaped rod and the trochanter bore form a rotationally immovable connection. A neck element is telescoped into the other end of the trochanter bore. The neck and the trochanter have mating surfaces with mating recesses. A key lock element is inserted into the mating recesses to prevent rotational movement between the neck and the trochanter. All the elements are secured together by a bolt through the neck, trochanter and rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Hammill Manuf. Co.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill