Patents by Inventor Joshua A. Butters

Joshua A. Butters 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: 20170020684
    Abstract: A system comprising a fusion cage and at least one engagement member is provided. The fusion cage includes a first member and a second member. The engagement member is configured to retain the first and second members in an expanded state while simultaneously fixing the fusion case to adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fauth, Dylan M. Hushka, Nicholas Slater, Joshua A. Butters, Brad A. Niese, Mark J. Mooradian
  • Patent number: 9504460
    Abstract: A soft tissue repair device can include a housing having a handle, a deployment system having an actuation member, and an insertion system having an inserter and a slider. The slider can be coupled to the actuation member and movable relative to the inserter between deployed and retracted positions. First and second anchors can be carried on an external surface of the slider such that the anchors are spaced apart and portions of the anchors are coaxial with the slider and each other. A flexible strand can couple the anchors. The insertion system can cooperate with the deployment system to move the slider to the deployed position to deploy the first anchor upon activating the actuation member a first time, and to move the slider to the deployed position from the retracted position to deploy the second anchor upon actuating the actuation member a second time after the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Nathan M. Sautter, Brian K. Berelsman, Jeffery D. Arnett, Joshua A. Butters, Dylan M. Hushka, Nicholas R. Slater
  • Publication number: 20160338683
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compression and distraction shaft assembly used to apply compression and distraction to bones including vertebrae. Shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly are attached together via a polyaxial fulcrum. The polyaxial fulcrum allows all rotational degrees of freedom between shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly. Such fulcrum, during compression and distraction, does not impart ancillary stresses or motion to vertebrae. An hourglass-shaped bore for engaging pliers is formed in approximately middle of both the shaft A assembly and the shaft B assembly. Distraction pliers having cylindrical tips are used to apply distraction to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart an appropriate amount of distraction to the vertebrae, they are locked in this position. Compression pliers having cylindrical tips are used to apply compression to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart an appropriate amount of compression to the vertebrae, they are locked in this position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua A. Butters, Jeffery Arnett
  • Patent number: 9456908
    Abstract: A system comprising a fusion cage and at least one engagement member is provided. The fusion cage includes a first member and a second member. The engagement member is configured to retain the first and second members in an expanded state while simultaneously fixing the fusion case to adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: CoorsTek Medical LLC
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fauth, Dylan Matthew Hushka, Nicholas Slater, Joshua A. Butters, Brad Anthony Niese, Mark J. Mooradian
  • Patent number: 9427258
    Abstract: A total hip femoral prosthesis provides a shortened neck and more proximal coating level. Additionally, a means for strengthening the neck may be incorporated to increase stress transfer to the native bone. A method for reducing potential impingement that results from a high neck resection level includes instrumentation for cutting chamfered surfaces into the bone surrounding the proximal end of the implant. Instrumentation and methods of creating chamfered cuts are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Chow IP, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Chow, Bjorn N. Rindal, Nicholas Slater, Joshua A. Butters
  • Publication number: 20160242866
    Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, Joshua A. Butters
  • Patent number: 9414865
    Abstract: Eccentrically shaped bone fixation implants interact with bone fragments or joints to compress the bone fragments or joint bones together. The eccentrically shaped bone fixation implants can have longer and shorter portions along an axis and a plurality of teeth with opposing beveled surfaces in different configurations to vary both the direction and amplitude of the compressive forces applied to the bone fragments or joint bones. Instrumentation for implanting and orienting the eccentrically shaped bone fixation implants are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Synergy Disc Replacement INC.
    Inventors: Neil Duggal, Dylan Hushka, Nicholas Slater, Joshua Butters
  • Publication number: 20160213924
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for delivering stimulation therapy or relief to a patient. The system includes a stimulation electrode pair coupled to a good that can couple to a patient to deliver stimulation controlled through a wired or wireless link. The system includes a controller that can generate and apply a stimulation pulse to the stimulation electrode pair based on the stimulation program and the signal or data. The system includes a sensor coupled to the controller and the good, and a user interface enabling a user to remotely view or exchange information through the link, and to monitor and set or reconfigure the stimulation pulse. In some embodiments, the good includes a brace assembly that can be a brace, a stay, a sleeve, a sling, a garment, a wrap, or a strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Struan Coleman, Calvin Domenico, Edison Gieswein, Jessica Paparella, Joshua Butters, Marlina Kessler, David Saar, Lee Knox
  • Publication number: 20160199194
    Abstract: Systems for interbody fusion of adjacent bone portions may include an expanding implant and related instruments. An expanding implant may be formed as a linkage which is movable between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. A shaft of the implant may increase and decrease in length to move between the compact and expanded configurations, and an implant width perpendicular to the length may be increased in the expanded configuration. The implant width may increase more in a first direction than a second direction opposite the first direction. An inserter instrument may releasably grasp the spacer and transform the implant between the compact and expanded configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: IMDS LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Slater, Justin Hyer, Cortny Robison, Joshua A. Butters, Daniel J. Triplett
  • Patent number: 9345463
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compression and distraction shaft assembly used to apply compression and distraction to bones including vertebrae. Shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly are attached together via a polyaxial fulcrum. The polyaxial fulcrum allows all rotational degrees of freedom between shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly. Such fulcrum, during compression and distraction, does not impart ancillary stresses or motion to vertebrae. An hourglass-shaped bore for engaging pliers is formed in approximately middle of both the shaft A assembly and the shaft B assembly. Distraction pliers having cylindrical tips are used to apply distraction to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart an appropriate amount of distraction to the vertebrae, they are locked in this position. Compression pliers having cylindrical tips are used to apply compression to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart an appropriate amount of compression to the vertebrae, they are locked in this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua A. Butters, Jeffery Arnett
  • Patent number: 9308099
    Abstract: Systems for interbody fusion of adjacent bone portions may include an expanding implant and related instruments. An expanding implant may be formed as a linkage which is movable between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. A shaft of the implant may increase and decrease in length to move between the compact and expanded configurations, and an implant width perpendicular to the length may be increased in the expanded configuration. The implant width may increase more in a first direction than a second direction opposite the first direction. An inserter instrument may releasably grasp the spacer and transform the implant between the compact and expanded configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: IMDS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Triplett, Joshua A. Butters, Nicholas Slater, Cortny Robison
  • Patent number: 9301765
    Abstract: A total hip femoral prosthesis provides a shortened neck and high porous coating level. Additionally, a means for strengthening the neck may be incorporated to increase stress transfer to the native bone. A method for reducing potential impingement that results from a high neck resection level includes cutting chamfered surfaces into the bone surrounding the proximal end of the implant. Instrumentation and methods of creating chamfered cuts are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Chow IP, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Chow, Bjorn N. Rindal, Nicholas Slater, Joshua A. Butters
  • Patent number: 9247977
    Abstract: Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, Joshua A. Butters
  • Publication number: 20160000578
    Abstract: A system for spinal surgery includes a prosthesis comprising a plurality of bone anchors which engage an intervertebral construct for fusion or motion preservation. The fusion construct comprises a spacer optionally encircled by a jacket. The motion preservation construct may comprise an articulating disc assembly or an elastomeric disc assembly. Any of the constructs may occupy the intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae after removal of an intervertebral disc. The anchors slidingly engage the construct to securely fix the prosthesis to the vertebrae. The anchors and jacket of the fusion construct provide a continuous load path across opposite sides of the prosthesis so as to resist antagonistic motions of the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Hyun Bae, Nicholas Slater, Joshua A. Butters, Daniel F. Justin, Dylan Hushka, Rick B. Delamarter
  • Patent number: 9216078
    Abstract: A tensioner system for use in tensioning graft strands in a knee reconstruction procedure can include a handle assembly, a tensioner assembly coupled relative to the handle assembly, and a drive shaft slidably received through and supported by the handle assembly. The tensioner assembly can include an arm support member rotatably coupled to the handle assembly and first and second arm members each rotatably coupled to lateral sides of the arm support member. Each arm member can include at least one graft attachment area adapted to be coupled to a graft strand. The arm support member can be configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tensioner system and perpendicular to an axis of rotation of each of the arm members. The drive shaft can include proximal and distal ends that extend beyond respective proximal and distal ends of the handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Nathanael K. Conner, Brian K. Berelsman, Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone, Nicholas R. Slater, Jeffery D. Arnett, Joshua A. Butters
  • Patent number: 9192477
    Abstract: In an artificial hip joint stem of the present invention, a distance between an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion is decreased as separating from an opening part in a sectional view that is parallel to a stem central axis and includes the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, and both a front wall portion and a rear wall portion have a planar region in a sectional view that is parallel to the stem central axis and includes the front wall portion and the rear wall portion. A stem inserter of the present invention includes a disk-shaped front end part. The present invention also provides an artificial hip joint system including the artificial hip joint stem and the stem inserter, and an artificial hip joint including the artificial hip joint stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas Slater, Jeffery D. Arnett, Joshua A. Butters, Takatoshi Miyashita, Noboru Kazumi, Takao Ida
  • Publication number: 20150327942
    Abstract: Pedicle screws are designed to provide polyaxial coupling to pedicles of a vertebra. Intermediate pieces are attached to the pedicles screws and receive extender shafts. Extenders are inserted in the intermediate piece. The extenders project the anatomic points located in the cage outside the patient's body to facilitate proper contouring of a rod. An alignment linkage is used to ensure that the extenders are parallel to each other. The alignment linkage includes a linkage frame, an articulating linkage and a locking member. The articulating linkage has all rotational degrees of freedom and thereby adapts to any varying trajectories of the extenders and distance between the extenders. The alignment linkage includes a locking member with a pop-up indicator. The pop-up indicator notifies the users when the locking member is tightened with two of the extenders in non-parallel configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Joshua A. Butters, Jeffery Arnett
  • Publication number: 20150297859
    Abstract: A system for delivering drug is provided. The system includes an adapter and a device. The adapter is configured to establish fluid communication with a gas conduit of a ventilator circuit. The device includes an actuation member and an actuator. The actuation member is configured to pivot. A canister containing drug is disposed between the adapter and the actuation member. The actuator is engaged to the actuation member such that the actuator selectively causes pivotal movement of the actuation member, causing the actuation member to apply pressure over the canister, thereby causing the canister to deliver drug into the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Spandorfer, Brad Anthony Niese, Jeffery D. Arnett, Joshua A. Butters, Lane Michael Johnson
  • Patent number: 9138276
    Abstract: A system for spinal surgery includes a prosthesis comprising a plurality of bone anchors which engage an intervertebral construct for fusion or motion preservation. The fusion construct comprises a spacer optionally encircled by a jacket. The motion preservation construct may comprise an articulating disc assembly or an elastomeric disc assembly. Any of the constructs may occupy the intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae after removal of an intervertebral disc. The anchors slidingly engage the construct to securely fix the prosthesis to the vertebrae. The anchors and jacket of the fusion construct provide a continuous load path across opposite sides of the prosthesis so as to resist antagonistic motions of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Hyun Bae, Nicholas Slater, Joshua A. Butters, Daniel F. Justin, Dylan Hushka, Rick Delamarter
  • Patent number: RE45676
    Abstract: A posterior spinal fusion system may include a plurality of cannulas that mate with cages polyaxially coupled to pedicle screws. The cannulas maintain access to the pedicle screws to facilitate percutaneous insertion of a fusion rod into engagement with the cages. Each cannula has a pair of blades that may be held together by an abutment member that at least partially encircles the blades. Each abutment member abuts the skin to define a variable subcutaneous length of the corresponding cannula. Each abutment members is also lockably removable from the corresponding blades to enable the blades to pivot with respect to the connecting element to a position in which they can be withdrawn from the connecting element. The blades of each cannula are spaced apart to provide first and second slots of each cannula, through which the fusion rod can be percutaneously inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Kingsley Richard Chin, T. Wade Fallin, Joshua A. Butters, Daniel F. Justin