Patents by Inventor Kent K. Wu

Kent K. Wu 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: 4938768
    Abstract: A bone gap bridging and fusing device for use where large portions of the bone are removed in limbs comprising first and second pin members adapted to be placed in axial openings formed in the opposed remaining bone portions. Each pin member includes a head and the heads of the pin members interengage one another to prevent relative rotation between the pin members. A collar telescopes over the interengaged heads to lock the pin members axially relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Henry Ford Hospital
    Inventor: Kent K. Wu
  • Patent number: 4611580
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the spine wherein a bone graft has been provided between oppositely spaced vertebral bodies in the space where vertebral bodies have been removed which comprises forming spaced transversely extending holes in the vertebral bodies, and applying a stabilizing device. The stabilizing device comprises screws that are threaded into the holes and a threaded shaft that is attached and fixed with respect to the screws, to stabilize the vertebral bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Henry Ford Hospital
    Inventor: Kent K. Wu
  • Patent number: 4570624
    Abstract: A universal guide device for drilling and inserting surgical pins which comprises an elongated bar, a plurality of blocks slideable along the bar and adapted to be adjustably locked in position on the bar. Each block supports a transverse opening, the openings in the blocks being parallel to one another. In one form a removable sleeve is provided and has a complementary external configuration corresponding to the internal configuration of the opening of each block. Each sleeve has an opening therethrough such that when the sleeves are positioned in the openings in the blocks, the openings of the sleeves are parallel to one another. Each sleeve has a serrated end for engagement with the bone of a portion of the body for holding the sleeve in position during drilling of an opening and insertion of a surgical pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Henry Ford Hospital
    Inventor: Kent K. Wu
  • Patent number: 4570618
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of stabilizing the spine wherein a bone graft has been provided between spaced vertebral bodies which comprises engaging preformed wire members having loops connected by wire with each loop engaging the transverse process of a vertebra, forming the wire connecting loops in an arch extending posteriorly of the lamina, and packing bone cement about the wire members and longitudinally between the lamina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Henry Ford Hospital
    Inventor: Kent K. Wu
  • Patent number: 4558697
    Abstract: A method of setting fractures of a limb which comprises applying tension to the ends of the limb which is fractured while the limb is under X ray observation, engaging portions of the limb with hooks of tools grasped out of the range of the X ray exposure, moving the hooks transversely to manipulate the portions of the limb while the portions are under X ray observation to align the portions of the limb, and inserting a wire axially through the aligned portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Henry Ford Hospital
    Inventor: Kent K. Wu
  • Patent number: 4557259
    Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for placing wire is utilized in close proximity to the spinal cord wherein a first tool having a thin tip is inserted between the ligament closest to the spinal cord and the associated vertebra, the first tool is manipulated to form a small passage, a second tool having a thicker tip is inserted into said passage and manipulated said tool to enlarge the passage further, and a third tool having a tubular tip is inserted into said passage and held in position so that a wire can be threaded through the opening of the tubular tip, after which the third tool with the tubular tip is removed leaving the wire in the passage that has been created between the ligament and the vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Henry Ford Hospital
    Inventor: Kent K. Wu
  • Patent number: 4553273
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the spine wherein vertebral bodies have been removed which comprises forming recesses in the vertebral bodies which face one another, inserting a longitudinally extendable prosthetic device between the opposed vertebral bodies with the ends of the prosthetic device engaging the recesses, extending the prosthetic device to the desired predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Henry Ford Hospital
    Inventor: Kent K. Wu