Patents by Inventor Joseph C. Cauthen

Joseph C. Cauthen 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: 8048160
    Abstract: A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 7951201
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices employ a fixation device delivery tool having a curved body portion. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed for placement in intervertebral disc tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Rodney L. Houfburg, Joseph D. Farrell
  • Patent number: 7909879
    Abstract: A device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal intervertebral disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the disc. The device can be affixed to surrounding tissue employing a variety of means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 7776096
    Abstract: A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 7670379
    Abstract: A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 7270681
    Abstract: An articulating spinal implant for intervertebral disc replacement. The articulating spinal implant is formed from two elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebra. An articulating mechanism between the two elements resists compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allows the adjacent vertebra to articulate about an instantaneous axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 7189235
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 7033395
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 6997956
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 6984247
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 6846328
    Abstract: An articulating spinal implant for interverteral disc replacement. The articulating spinal implant is formed from two elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebra. An articulating means between the two elements resists compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allows the adjacent vertebra to articulate about an instantaneous axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 6814737
    Abstract: A spinal implant insertion instrument for intervertebral implant surgery formed from a hollow first element of various external diameters, including a channel to accommodate and incorporate a vertebral pedicle, and a second element joined by a hinge to the first element, allowing reduction of the external diameter of the leading edge of the spinal implant insertion element sufficient to allow the passage of the spinal implant insertion instrument into the intervertebral disc space in a safe fashion, as the first maneuver, to be followed by activation of the second element upon the first, restoring the internal diameter of the spinal implant insertion instrument to a sufficient radius to allow successive passage of cutting, reaming, tapping instruments, and subsequent implantation of a spinal interbody implant device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Cauthen Research Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20040153159
    Abstract: An articulating spinal implant for intervertebral disc replacement. The articulating spinal implant is formed from two elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebra. An articulating means between the two elements resists compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allows the adjacent vertebra to articulate about an instantaneous axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20040049280
    Abstract: An articulating spinal implant for interverteral disc replacement. The articulating spinal implant is formed from two elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebra. An articulating means between the two elements resists compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allows the adjacent vertebra to articulate about an instantaneous axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 6679915
    Abstract: An articulating spinal implant for intervertebral disc replacement. The articulating spinal implant is formed from two elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebra. Articulation features between the two elements resist compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allow the adjacent vertebra to articulate about an instantaneous axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20030220690
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20030220694
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20030220693
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20030187507
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20030187508
    Abstract: A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen