Patents by Inventor Matthew P. Gephart

Matthew P. Gephart 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: 20090069635
    Abstract: A retraction apparatus and method are disclosed that provide optimized access to a surgical site. In one form, a retraction frame has a retraction opening with two sets of blades operating therein. The blades are used to sequentially retract the tissue from about an incision. The sequential retraction of the blades generates only narrow gaps between the blades so that tissue and blood encroachment during the surgical procedure are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Gephart, Philip J. Berman
  • Patent number: 7001433
    Abstract: Artificial disc devices are disclosed that restore correct anatomical intervertebral spacing for damaged discs while maintaining a substantially normal range of biomechanical movement for the vertebrae between which they are implanted. The disc devices include center bearing and outer or annular bearing portions with the center bearing portion including generally axially extending locating surfaces which cooperate with the facing vertebral surfaces to resist migration. The outer bearing portion is for load bearing or load sharing with the center bearing portion and includes surfaces that extend radially toward the periphery of the vertebrae so that subsidence about the center bearing portion is minimized. Alternate forms of the disc devices include one with an axially enlarged center ball bearing having an annular ring bearing extending thereabout and another having upper and lower plate members with a central bumper member and a surrounding resilient annular member therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Pioneer Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Songer, Thomas S. Kilpela, Brian P. Janowski, Gregory A. Berrevoets, Matthew P. Gephart
  • Publication number: 20030220691
    Abstract: Artificial disc devices are disclosed that restore correct anatomical intervertebral spacing for damaged discs while maintaining a substantially normal range of biomechanical movement for the vertebrae between which they are implanted. The disc devices include center bearing and outer or annular bearing portions with the center bearing portion including generally axially extending locating surfaces which cooperate with the facing vertebral surfaces to resist migration. The outer bearing portion is for load bearing or load sharing with the center bearing portion and includes surfaces that extend radially toward the periphery of the vertebrae so that subsidence about the center bearing portion is minimized. Alternate forms of the disc devices include one with an axially enlarged center ball bearing having an annular ring bearing extending thereabout and another having upper and lower plate members with a central bumper member and a surrounding resilient annular member therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Pioneer Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Songer, Thomas S. Kilpela, Brian P. Janowski, Gregory A. Berrevoets, Matthew P. Gephart