Patents by Inventor Michael A. Hammer

Michael A. Hammer 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: 10335202
    Abstract: A spinal fixation system comprising at least one fastener having a fastener head at a proximal end and at least one body. The body comprises a rod receiving channel for receiving a fixation rod, a pressure cap for engaging the fastener head, and a fastener head receiving chamber for retaining the fastener head within the body. The fastener head receiving chamber allows for multi-axial movement of the body in relation to the fastener when the pressure cap is disengaged from the fastener head. The body is secured in a mono-axial position in relation to the fastener when the pressure cap is biased against the fastener head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Tara Ziolo, Michael A. Hammer, John Lovell, Francesco A. Larosa, Nelson Li
  • Patent number: 9375236
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a system for connecting a fastener element (e.g., a pedicle screw) relative to a rod for the purposes of vertebral fixation is provided. The system may permit multi-axial movement between the fastener element and the rod. Further, the system may permit the angular relationship between the fastener element and the rod to be held in a desired orientation. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “rod” is intended to refer to any elongated structure. Such an elongated structure may be solid or hollow and may have any desired cross-section (e.g., circular, oval, square, rectangular). Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “interference fit” is intended to refer to physical contact between two or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hammer, Alan Lombardo
  • Publication number: 20150134006
    Abstract: A spinal fixation system comprising at least one fastener having a fastener head at a proximal end and at least one body. The body comprises a rod receiving channel for receiving a fixation rod, a pressure cap for engaging the fastener head, and a fastener head receiving chamber for retaining the fastener head within the body. The fastener head receiving chamber allows for multi-axial movement of the body in relation to the fastener when the pressure cap is disengaged from the fastener head. The body is secured in a mono-axial position in relation to the fastener when the pressure cap is biased against the fastener head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Tara Ziolo, Michael A. Hammer, John Lovell, Francesco A. Larosa, Nelson Li
  • Publication number: 20150134004
    Abstract: A spinal fixation system comprising at least one fastener having a fastener head at a proximal end and at least one body. The body comprises a rod receiving channel for receiving a fixation rod, a pressure cap for engaging the fastener head, and a fastener head receiving chamber for retaining the fastener head within the body. The fastener head receiving chamber allows for multi-axial movement of the body in relation to the fastener when the pressure cap is disengaged from the fastener head. The body is secured in a mono-axial position in relation to the fastener when the pressure cap is biased against the fastener head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Tara Ziolo, Michael A. Hammer, John Lovell, Francesco A. Larosa, Nelson Li
  • Publication number: 20140228897
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a system for connecting a fastener element (e.g., a pedicle screw) relative to a rod for the purposes of vertebral fixation is provided. The system may permit multi-axial movement between the fastener element and the rod. Further, the system may permit the angular relationship between the fastener element and the rod to be held in a desired orientation. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “rod” is intended to refer to any elongated structure. Such an elongated structure may be solid or hollow and may have any desired cross-section (e.g., circular, oval, square, rectangular). Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “interference fit” is intended to refer to physical contact between two or more components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hammer, Alan Lombardo
  • Patent number: 8709051
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a system for connecting a fastener element (e.g., a pedicle screw) relative to a rod for the purposes of vertebral fixation is provided. The system may permit multi-axial movement between the fastener element and the rod. Further, the system may permit the angular relationship between the fastener element and the rod to be held in a desired orientation. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “rod” is intended to refer to any elongated structure. Such an elongated structure may be solid or hollow and may have any desired cross-section (e.g., circular, oval, square, rectangular). Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “interference fit” is intended to refer to physical contact between two or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Blackstone Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hammer, Alan Lombardo
  • Patent number: 8062339
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a system for connecting a fastener element (e.g., a pedicle screw) relative to a rod for the purposes of vertebral fixation is provided. The system may permit multi-axial movement between the fastener element and the rod. Further, the system may permit the angular relationship between the fastener element and the rod to be held in a desired orientation. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “rod” is intended to refer to any elongated structure. Such an elongated structure may be solid or hollow and may have any desired cross-section (e.g., circular, oval, square, rectangular). Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “interference fit” is intended to refer to physical contact between two or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Blackstone Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hammer, Alan Lombardo
  • Publication number: 20100256681
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a system for connecting a fastener element (e.g., a pedicle screw) relative to a rod for the purposes of vertebral fixation is provided. The system may permit multi-axial movement between the fastener element and the rod. Further, the system may permit the angular relationship between the fastener element and the rod to be held in a desired orientation. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “rod” is intended to refer to any elongated structure. Such an elongated structure may be solid or hollow and may have any desired cross-section (e.g., circular, oval, square, rectangular). Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “interference fit” is intended to refer to physical contact between two or more components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Michael A. Hammer, Alan Lambardo
  • Patent number: 5810830
    Abstract: A machining assembly, including a of the disclosure novel broach design, are disclosed for preparing a femoral medullary cavity for receipt of a femoral prosthetic stem, wherein the configuration of the implantation site allows for the neutral alignment of the prothesis within the medullary cavity for improved rigid fixation of the prosthetic stem therein. Aspects of the inventive machining assembly include a novel broach comprising a proximal lateral recess that allows for initial avoidance of the greater trochanter during implantation, thereby resulting in the preparation of a neutrally aligned cavity with respect to the broach. The machining assembly also includes a guide and a second cutting instrument for removing the bone of the greater trochanter once neutral alignment between the medullary cavity and broach are achieved for the subsequent implantation of a neutrally aligned femoral prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Howmedica Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Noble, Michael A. Hammer, Richard G. Eckrote, Michael Schulzki, Stuart Axelson
  • Patent number: 5665091
    Abstract: An improved surgical broach for preparing an intramedullary canal of a bone for receiving a prosthesis is described, wherein the broach comprises a plurality of cutting teeth having different configurations and placement upon the broach for optimizing cutting efficiency and speed for improved surgical ease-of-use while minimizing gap formation between the prosthesis and the intramedullary canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Howmedica Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Noble, Michael A. Hammer, Glen A. Kashuba, Steven J. Sawicki, Ben J. Verhoog, Richard G. Eckrote