Patents by Inventor Markus Hunziker
Markus Hunziker 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).
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Patent number: 9414935Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
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Patent number: 9402735Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
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Publication number: 20160183981Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring spinal rods. In general, devices are provided that can be configured to attach to a rib of a patient. In some embodiments, a device configured to attach to a rib of a patient to facilitate anchoring of a spinal rod coupled thereto can include first and second connectors each configured to attach to a rib of a patient. The first and second connectors can be independent elements and can be configured to be movable relative to one another. A spinal rod can be configured to couple to the device, to move relative to the first and second connectors and the rib after the first and second connectors have been connected to the rib, and to attach to a second device attached to another portion of the patient's anatomy, thereby securing the spinal rod in a fixed position to facilitate treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Fridolin Schlaepfer, Markus Hunziker
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Publication number: 20160128845Abstract: An intervertebral spacer implant (80) is provided with a retention mechanism (86) to help alleviate expulsion and movement of the implant when placed in the spine while providing an implant that is easier to insert in the spine. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises a keel on at least one of the inferior or superior faces of the spacer implant preferably extending in an anterior-posterior direction. In another embodiment the implant comprises a spacer (84) and a plate (82), the plate comprising a supplemental or alternative retention mechanism. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises one or more holes (88) in the anterior end of the plate. In yet another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises one or more blades that are in a first position when inserted and are preferably rotated to a second position that engages the superior and inferior vertebrae.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Dominique Messerli, Ryan T. Walsh, Brandon L. Randall, David E. Evans, Jacqueline Myer, David Koch, Markus Hunziker
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Publication number: 20160100865Abstract: An interspinous process spacer for implantation in an interspinous space between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process includes a balloon-like body, a first deployable protrusion and a second deployable protrusion. The body has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. The spacer is arrangeable in an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The first deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the proximal end and the second deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the distal end. The first and second deployable protrusions are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in the unexpanded configuration and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the expanded configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Markus Weber, Jacques Teisen, Markus Kraft, Florian Kaufmann, Markus Hunziker, Felix Aschmann, Stefan Saladin, Martin Oswald, Roman Randegger
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Patent number: 9282997Abstract: A growing rod for mounting between attachment mechanisms that are secured to anatomical structures of a patient having scoliosis. The growing rod includes a base rod having an attachment end, an extendable rod that is translatable relative to the base rod along a longitudinal axis and a housing enclosing at least a portion of the extendable rod therein. A magnet is rotatably mounted within the housing and is enclosed by a top magnet cover and a bottom magnet cover. The magnet includes a first pole and a second pole. A gear reduction mechanism is associated with the magnet and the extendable rod. The gear reduction mechanism reduces an output rotation to the extendable rod relative to an input rotation from the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.Inventor: Markus Hunziker
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Patent number: 9259243Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by a magnetic actuator that can be activated by a magnetic field from outside the body.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.Inventors: Lukas Giger, Bruno Laeng, Hugo Flueckiger, Markus Hunziker
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Publication number: 20150342750Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant for implantation in an intervertebral disc space in-between adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral implant includes a plate preferably coupled to a spacer. The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan T. Walsh, Thomas Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
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Patent number: 9192419Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
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Patent number: 9155571Abstract: An interspinous process spacer for implantation in an interspinous space between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process includes a balloon-like body, a first deployable protrusion and a second deployable protrusion. The body has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. The spacer is arrangeable in an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The first deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the proximal end and the second deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the distal end. The first and second deployable protrusions are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in the unexpanded configuration and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the expanded configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Thommen, Markus Weber, Jacques Teisen, Markus Kraft, Florian Kaufmann, Markus Hunziker, Felix Aschmann, Stefan Saladin, Martin Oswald, Roman Randegger
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Publication number: 20150216675Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
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Publication number: 20150164653Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant for implantation in an intervertebral disc space in-between adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral implant includes a plate preferably coupled to a spacer. The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan T. Walsh, Thomas Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
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Publication number: 20150157364Abstract: A growing rod for mounting between attachment mechanisms that are secured to anatomical structures of a patient having scoliosis. The growing rod includes an outer housing and an inner housing disposed within the outer housing. The inner housing includes a magnet assembly including a magnet having a first pole and a second pole and a gear reduction mechanism coupled to the magnet. A first rod is secured to the inner housing and a second rod is secured to the outer housing. The gear reduction mechanism reduces an output rotation of the magnet to rotate a driver that operates to move the inner housing along a longitudinal axis with respect to the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventor: MARKUS HUNZIKER
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Publication number: 20150150601Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by a magnetic actuator that can be activated by a magnetic field from outside the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Lukas Giger, Bruno Laeng, Hugo Flueckiger, Markus Hunziker
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Patent number: 9005295Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan Walsh, Tom Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
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Patent number: 8961567Abstract: A growing rod for mounting between attachment mechanisms that are secured to anatomical structures of a patient having scoliosis. The growing rod includes an outer housing and an inner housing disposed within the outer housing. The inner housing includes a magnet assembly including a magnet having a first pole and a second pole and a gear reduction mechanism coupled to the magnet. A first rod is secured to the inner housing and a second rod is secured to the outer housing. The gear reduction mechanism reduces an output rotation of the magnet to rotate a driver that operates to move the inner housing along a longitudinal axis with respect to the outer housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventor: Markus Hunziker
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Patent number: 8894663Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by a magnetic actuator that can be activated by a magnetic field from outside the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Lukas Giger, Bruno Laeng, Hugo Flueckiger, Markus Hunziker
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Publication number: 20140148905Abstract: An intervertebral spacer implant (80) is provided with a retention mechanism (86) to help alleviate expulsion and movement of the implant when placed in the spine while providing an implant that is easier to insert in the spine. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises a keel on at least one of the inferior or superior faces of the spacer implant preferably extending in an anterior-posterior direction. In another embodiment the implant comprises a spacer (84) and a plate (82), the plate comprising a supplemental or alternative retention mechanism. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises one or more holes (88) in the anterior end of the plate. In yet another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises one or more blades that are in a first position when inserted and are preferably rotated to a second position that engages the superior and inferior vertebrae.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Dominique Messerli, Ryan T. Walsh, Brandon L. Randall, David E. Evans, Jacqueline Myer, David Koch, Markus Hunziker
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Publication number: 20140142631Abstract: A growing rod for mounting between attachment mechanisms that are secured to anatomical structures of a patient having scoliosis. The growing rod includes a base rod having an attachment end, an extendable rod that is translatable relative to the base rod along a longitudinal axis and a housing enclosing at least a portion of the extendable rod therein. A magnet is rotatably mounted within the housing and is enclosed by a top magnet cover and a bottom magnet cover. The magnet includes a first pole and a second pole. A gear reduction mechanism is associated with the magnet and the extendable rod. The gear reduction mechanism reduces an output rotation to the extendable rod relative to an input rotation from the magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventor: MARKUS HUNZIKER
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Patent number: 8702757Abstract: An interspinous process spacer for implantation in an interspinous space between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process includes a balloon-like body, a first deployable protrusion and a second deployable protrusion. The body has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. The spacer is arrangeable in an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The first deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the proximal end and the second deployable protrusion is mounted proximate the distal end. The first and second deployable protrusions are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in the unexpanded configuration and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the expanded configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Daniel Thommen, Markus Weber, Jacques Teisen, Markus Kraft, Florian Kaufmann, Markus Hunziker, Felix Aschmann, Stefan Saladin, Martin Oswald, Roman Randegger