Patents by Inventor Keith E. Miller

Keith E. Miller 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: 10646213
    Abstract: An assembly for remotely manipulating a patient's spine. A compressor/distractor mechanism attaches to spinal anatomy or vertebral screws on adjacent vertebrae at a spinal surgical site on a patient's spine. A flexible cable is operatively connected to the compressor/distractor mechanism and to a control mechanism. The control mechanism manipulates the flexible cable, controlling the compressor/distractor mechanism to compress or distract the vertebrae. A rotatable surgical table with a remote control can be used in place of the compressor/distractor mechanism and the control mechanism. The rotatable surgical table can rotate the patient to place the spinal surgical site in a desired compressed or distracted position, and to place the patient in a desired orientation with respect to a horizontal reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Richard Quinn Brown
  • Publication number: 20200129306
    Abstract: A pivoting wedge expandable spinal implant. An upper portion and a lower portion are pivotally connected together. The implant, in a collapsed position, is inserted into a disc space. A driving screw engages and applies a force to a pushing portion, driving the pushing portion toward the implant's distal end. The pushing portion engages and drives a wedge toward the implant's distal end. The wedge pivots upward against an inner surface of the lower portion. The wedge continues to pivot along an inner surface of the upper portion, translating the force to the upper portion, pivoting and expanding the upper portion to an expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Anthony J. Melkent
  • Patent number: 10610376
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant is provided having a frame with a distal wall for retaining an expansion plug such that bone growth promoting material may be introduced to a proximal portion of the implant after expansion. Various implants, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Adriaan J. Kuyler, Anthony J. Melkent, Keith E. Miller
  • Patent number: 10575886
    Abstract: A bone screw comprising a shaft having a wall, the wall including a minor diameter and at least one thread having an external thread form. The thread form including a first portion comprising a crest of the thread form and a second portion extends between a minor diameter of the thread form and the first portion. The first portion having a solid configuration relative to the second portion. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 10531964
    Abstract: A pivoting wedge expandable spinal implant. An upper portion and a lower portion are pivotally connected together. The implant, in a collapsed position, is inserted into a disc space. A driving screw engages and applies a force to a pushing portion, driving the pushing portion toward the implant's distal end. The pushing portion engages and drives a wedge toward the implant's distal end. The wedge pivots upward against an inner surface of the lower portion. The wedge continues to pivot along an inner surface of the upper portion, translating the force to the upper portion, pivoting and expanding the upper portion to an expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Wardaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Anthony J. Melkent
  • Publication number: 20190343564
    Abstract: A bone screw comprising a shaft having a wall, the wall including a minor diameter and at least one thread having an external thread form. The thread form including a first portion comprising a crest of the thread form and a second portion extends between a minor diameter of the thread form and the first portion. The first portion having a solid configuration relative to the second portion. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20190343567
    Abstract: A bone screw comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a minor diameter. The shaft including a core having an angled surface relative to the axis. The angled surface extending from the minor diameter adjacent a proximal portion of the shaft to a distal portion of the shaft, and a wall disposed about the angled surface. The wall including at least one thread having an external thread form. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20190343566
    Abstract: A bone screw comprises a shaft including a proximal portion, a distal portion and a wall including at least one thread having an external thread form having a lattice configuration. The thread form defining at least one void configured for bone growth therethrough. The distal portion is fabricated onto the proximal portion by an additive manufacturing method. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20190343565
    Abstract: A bone screw includes a shaft including at least one thread having an external thread form and defining at least one cavity. The shaft includes at least one tissue gathering member disposed to direct tissue into the at least one cavity. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20190254836
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant is provided having first and second endplates hinged along one end or otherwise connected by pins, protrusions and channels, or similar mechanisms and an expansion mechanism(s) disposed therebetween configured to expand the first and second endplates from each other. Also provided are expandable spinal implants that may be expanded in a parallel manner to increase the height of the device while maintaining a lordotic angle. Other spinal implants may provide dual expansion whereby both height and lordotic angle are adjusted. Various implants, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Cowan, Cristian A. Capote, Keith E. Miller, Zain Noordin
  • Publication number: 20190254838
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant is provided having first and second endplates hinged along one end and an expansion mechanism disposed therebetween configured to expand the first and second endplates from each other to provide a lordotic angle of up to 60 degrees. Various implants, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: KEITH E. MILLER, CRISTIAN A. CAPOTE, ZAIN NOORDIN
  • Publication number: 20190201209
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant includes a distal projection extending from only one side of the implant, ending in an anterior tip, the anterior portion and anterior tip defining an elongated distal end hook, which is wider than the proximal end. The distal end hook rotates around the spinal cord, aligning the implant with a desired pathway, then inserts into place in the disc space between the vertebrae. The elongated widened distal end hook provides a TLIF approach, distributes loads, provides anterior rim engagement, and creates lordosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Charles Branch, Charles Fisher, Mladen Djurasovic, Marcel Dvorak, Sigurd Berven, Anthony J. Melkent, Jonathan M. Dewey, Keith E. Miller, Adriaan J. Kuyler
  • Publication number: 20190201213
    Abstract: A spinal fusion implant includes a leading end, an opposite trailing end, an upper portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, a lower portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, and opposed first and second side portions extending between the leading and trailing ends. The upper portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the upper portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened. The lower portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the lower portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony J. Melkent, Keith E. Miller
  • Patent number: 10265189
    Abstract: A spinal fusion implant includes a leading end, an opposite trailing end, an upper portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, a lower portion extending between the leading and trailing ends, and opposed first and second side portions extending between the leading and trailing ends. The upper portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the upper portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened. The lower portion includes at least two rails extending between the leading and trailing ends, the at least two rails including a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from one another, the first rail of the lower portion including a bone-contacting surface being at least partially smoothened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Melkent, Keith E. Miller
  • Patent number: 10238503
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant includes a distal projection extending from only one side of the implant, ending in an anterior tip, the anterior portion and anterior tip defining an elongated distal end hook, which is wider than the proximal end. The distal end hook rotates around the spinal cord, aligning the implant with a desired pathway, then inserts into place in the disc space between the vertebrae. The elongated widened distal end hook provides a TLIF approach, distributes loads, provides anterior rim engagement, and creates lordosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Branch, Charles Fisher, Mladen Djurasovic, Marcel Dvorak, Sigurd Berven, Anthony J. Melkent, Jonathan M. Dewey, Keith E. Miller, Adriaan J. Kuyler
  • Patent number: 10195050
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant is provided. The intervertebral implant comprises a first component comprising an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface. A second component is connected to the first component, and is relatively moveable therefrom. The second component comprises an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface. The second component includes an actuator. A third component is disposed for engagement and is movable relative to the first and second components. The third component comprises at least a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp. The actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation of the wedge such that the ramps engage the inner surface of at least one of the first component and the second component to move the components between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration. Methods of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Warsaw Othopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley T. Palmatier, Keith E. Miller, Anthony J. Melkent, William D. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20190000634
    Abstract: A method for treating a spine includes the steps of: creating a surgical pathway in a body along a first surgical approach to a surgical site including vertebral tissue; creating a surgical pathway in the body along a second surgical approach to the surgical site including the vertebral tissue; disposing a fulcrum with an intervertebral disc space of the vertebral tissue via the first surgical approach; and manipulating the vertebral tissue via the second surgical approach. Spinal implants, surgical instruments and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Beale, Keith E. Miller, William Allan Rezach, Richard A. Hynes
  • Publication number: 20180360615
    Abstract: A pivoting wedge expandable spinal implant. An upper portion and a lower portion are pivotally connected together. The implant, in a collapsed position, is inserted into a disc space. A driving screw engages and applies a force to a pushing portion, driving the pushing portion toward the implant's distal end. The pushing portion engages and drives a wedge toward the implant's distal end. The wedge pivots upward against an inner surface of the lower portion. The wedge continues to pivot along an inner surface of the upper portion, translating the force to the upper portion, pivoting and expanding the upper portion to an expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Anthony J. Melkent
  • Patent number: 10076423
    Abstract: A pivoting wedge expandable spinal implant. An upper portion and a lower portion are pivotally connected together. The implant, in a collapsed position, is inserted into a disc space. A driving screw engages and applies a force to a pushing portion, driving the pushing portion toward the implant's distal end. The pushing portion engages and drives a wedge toward the implant's distal end. The wedge pivots upward against an inner surface of the lower portion. The wedge continues to pivot along an inner surface of the upper portion, translating the force to the upper portion, pivoting and expanding the upper portion to an expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Anthony J. Melkent
  • Publication number: 20180168565
    Abstract: An assembly for remotely manipulating a patient's spine. A compressor/distractor mechanism attaches to spinal anatomy or vertebral screws on adjacent vertebrae at a spinal surgical site on a patient's spine. A flexible cable is operatively connected to the compressor/distractor mechanism and to a control mechanism. The control mechanism manipulates the flexible cable, controlling the compressor/distractor mechanism to compress or distract the vertebrae. A rotatable surgical table with a remote control can be used in place of the compressor/distractor mechanism and the control mechanism. The rotatable surgical table can rotate the patient to place the spinal surgical site in a desired compressed or distracted position, and to place the patient in a desired orientation with respect to a horizontal reference plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Richard Quinn Brown