Patents by Inventor Michael Barrus

Michael Barrus 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: 12515301
    Abstract: A tool for use with a fastener includes a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The tool includes an engaging tip extending from the distal end, the engaging tip sized and shaped to detachably engage a receiving portion of the fastener, wherein the engaging tip is rotationally fixed to the fastener when the engaging tip is engaged with the fastener. The tool includes a compressible winged member extending distally from the drive shaft, the compressible winged member moveable between compressed and uncompressed positions. In the uncompressed position, the compressible winged member spans a distance greater than an internal diameter of a portion of the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignee: VB Spine US Opco LLC
    Inventors: Brittany Lang, Michael Barrus
  • Patent number: 12403015
    Abstract: An expandable device comprising, a body defining a bore, a shaft received in the bore of the body, an end plate coupled to the shaft, wherein rotation of the shaft translates the end plate with respect to the body, and a locking mechanism engaged with the shaft so as to permit the shaft to rotate in a first direction and apply a resistance force to resist the shaft when attempting to rotate in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Barrus, Clint Boyd, Liam Patrick Barnes, Jason Noel Gantick, Todd M. Wallenstein, Megan E. Carnes
  • Publication number: 20250213371
    Abstract: An expandable device comprises a body defining a bore, a shaft received in the bore of the body, an end plate coupled to the shaft. Rotation of the shaft translates the end plate with respect to the body. A locking mechanism is engaged with the shaft so as to permit the shaft to rotate in a first direction and apply a resistance force to resist the shaft when attempting to rotate in a second direction. A method of using the expandable device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2025
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Barrus, Clint Boyd, Liam Patrick Barnes, Jason Noel Gantick, Todd M. Wallenstein, Megan E. Carnes
  • Publication number: 20250195110
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a modular head assembly and a bone screw having a head and shank. The modular head assembly includes a housing defining proximal and distal surfaces and a throughhole therethrough; an anvil slidable within the throughhole; a biasing member circumferentially surrounding the anvil; an assembly cap secured to the housing and defining an inner surface having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; a retaining ring movable from the first portion of the assembly cap to the second portion of the assembly cap to transition the retaining ring between a first configuration in which the retaining ring is sized to receive the head of the bone screw and a second configuration in which the retaining ring is compressed about the bone screw to fix the bone screw relative to the modular head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Brittany Lang, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20250143752
    Abstract: A spinal fixation construct for aligning vertebral bodies includes a bone screw, a spinal rod, a flexible member, and a fixation member. The spinal rod is disposed within a saddle portion of a housing of the bone screw, and includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The spinal rod is formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. The flexible member is coupled to the spinal rod, and includes an elongated body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The flexible member is formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is different from the first modulus of elasticity. The fixation member includes a threaded body portion and a head portion defining a hole therethrough. A portion of the flexible member extends through the hole of the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory Mundis, Han Jo Kim, John Ferguson, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20250107830
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for inserting and attaching a modular tulip head to a bone screw that includes an outer sleeve, an indicator button, a shaft, and an auto-resetting component. The outer sleeve has a distal end and a proximal end, and the distal end is configured to receive a modular tulip head. The indicator button is adjacent to the proximal end of the outer sleeve and movable between a first position and a second position. The shaft is slidably disposed within the outer sleeve, and the auto-resetting component is slidably linked to the indicator button and configured to automatically reposition the indicator button to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Eric Cecco, Nicholas Padovani, Tyler Clarkson, Michael Barrus, Steven Greendyk
  • Patent number: 12262921
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a modular head assembly and a bone screw having a head and a shank. The modular head assembly includes a housing defining proximal and distal surfaces and a throughhole therethrough; an anvil slidable within the throughhole; a biasing member circumferentially surrounding the anvil; an assembly cap secured to the housing and defining an inner surface having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; a retaining ring movable from the first portion of the assembly cap to the second portion of the assembly cap to transition the retaining ring between a first configuration in which the retaining ring is sized to receive the head of the bone screw and a second configuration in which the retaining ring is compressed about the bone screw to fix the bone screw relative to the modular head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Brittany Lang, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20250072937
    Abstract: A modular pedicle screw for spinal fixation. The pedicle screw includes a bone screw and a modular head assembly. The bone screw having a head and a shank, the head defining at least one groove. The modular head assembly includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a throughbore extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal and distal ends of the housing, and an anvil disposed within the throughbore. The modular head assembly includes at least one protrusion sized and shaped to be received by the at least one groove for restricting relative movement between the housing and the bone screw to a single plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Larry E. McClintock, Michael Barrus
  • Patent number: 12114898
    Abstract: A modular pedicle screw for spinal fixation. The pedicle screw includes a bone screw and a modular head assembly. The bone screw having a head and a shank, the head defining at least one groove. The modular head assembly includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a throughbore extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal and distal ends of the housing, and an anvil disposed within the throughbore. The modular head assembly includes at least one protrusion sized and shaped to be received by the at least one groove for restricting relative movement between the housing and the bone screw to a single plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry E. McClintock, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20240245441
    Abstract: A tool (100) for use with a fastener includes a drive shaft (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) from a proximal end (102) to a distal end (104). The tool has an engaging tip (122) at the distal end (104) of the drive shaft (110) sized and shaped to detachably engage a fastener such that the engaging tip (122) is rotationally fixed to the fastener when the engaging tip (122) is engaged with the fastener. The tool (100) further includes a compressible engagement member (150) detachably coupled to the drive shaft (110). The compressible engagement member (150) extends from the engaging tip (122) and is sized and shaped to detachably engage with a receiving portion of the fastener. In an undeformed configuration, the compressible engagement member (150) has a width greater than the receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Barrus
  • Patent number: 11903621
    Abstract: Provided is a novel rod reducing device including a screw jack mechanism that is moveably engaged with an elongated grasping fork assembly, the screw jack mechanism having an elongated threaded portion, the elongated threaded portion being connected at its most distal end to a rod contact member, which is positioned in sliding circumferential contact with each of the two opposing elongated grasping members and the most proximal end of the elongated threaded portion terminating in a controlling member, which can be activated in a measured and controlled manner. A method of using the device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Barrus, Scott A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11786279
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device is provided including a modular head assembly and a bone screw. The modular head assembly includes a housing, an anvil, an insert, and a snap ring. The housing defines a proximal surface and an opposite, distal surface, and the proximal and distal surfaces define a throughbore therethrough. The anvil is configured to be slidably received within a portion of the throughbore. The insert defines a proximal surface and an opposite, distal surface, and the distal surface defines a first counterbore therein that terminates at a first annular surface. The first annular surface defines a second counterbore that terminates at a second annular surface. The snap ring is configured to be disposed within the first counterbore of the insert when in a first configuration, and within the second counterbore of the insert when in a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Barrus, Brandon Moore
  • Publication number: 20230293206
    Abstract: A spinal fixation construct for aligning vertebral bodies includes a bone screw, a spinal rod, a flexible member, and a fixation member. The spinal rod is disposed within a saddle portion of a housing of the bone screw, and includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The spinal rod is formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. The flexible member is coupled to the spinal rod, and includes an elongated body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The flexible member is formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is different from the first modulus of elasticity. The fixation member includes a threaded body portion and a head portion defining a hole therethrough. A portion of the flexible member extends through the hole of the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory Mundis, JR., Han Jo Kim, John Ferguson, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20230285056
    Abstract: A rod reducer includes a shaft, a sleeve assembly defining a bore dimensioned to receive the shaft therethrough, a housing defining a bore dimensioned to receive the shaft, arm members operatively associated with the housing, and an anvil operatively coupled with the shaft. The sleeve assembly includes a locking tab. The housing includes a groove configured to selectively receive the locking tab of the sleeve assembly. The housing includes a locking ledge portion in registration with the groove. The anvil is transitionable between a proximal position, in which, the arm members are spaced apart, and a distal position, in which, the arm members are in an approximated position. The sleeve assembly is rotatable between an engaged state in which, the locking ledge portion inhibits relative axial displacement of the sleeve assembly with the housing, and a disengaged state in which, the sleeve assembly is axially movable relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20230270472
    Abstract: A modular pedicle screw for spinal fixation. The pedicle screw includes a bone screw and a modular head assembly. The bone screw having a head and a shank, the head defining at least one groove. The modular head assembly includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a throughbore extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal and distal ends of the housing, and an anvil disposed within the throughbore. The modular head assembly includes at least one protrusion sized and shaped to be received by the at least one groove for restricting relative movement between the housing and the bone screw to a single plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Larry E. McClintock, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20230233233
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a modular head assembly and a bone screw having a head and a shank. The modular head assembly includes a housing defining proximal and distal surfaces and a throughhole therethrough; an anvil slidable within the throughhole; a biasing member circumferentially surrounding the anvil; an assembly cap secured to the housing and defining an inner surface having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; a retaining ring movable from the first portion of the assembly cap to the second portion of the assembly cap to transition the retaining ring between a first configuration in which the retaining ring is sized to receive the head of the bone screw and a second configuration in which the retaining ring is compressed about the bone screw to fix the bone screw relative to the modular head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Brittany Lang, Michael Barrus
  • Patent number: 11701145
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device is provided. The spinal fixation device includes a body portion including a stud portion defining a first annular groove. An outer housing is positionable on the stud portion of the body portion. An inner housing defines a second annular groove and is positionable between the outer housing and the stud portion. A ring member is positionable within each of the first and second annular grooves of the respective stud portion and inner housing to lock the inner housing to the body portion and to fixedly couple the outer housing to the stud portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Barrus
  • Patent number: 11684397
    Abstract: A rod reducer includes a shaft, a sleeve assembly defining a bore dimensioned to receive the shaft therethrough, a housing defining a bore dimensioned to receive the shaft, arm members operatively associated with the housing, and an anvil operatively coupled with the shaft. The sleeve assembly includes a locking tab. The housing includes a groove configured to selectively receive the locking tab of the sleeve assembly. The housing includes a locking ledge portion in registration with the groove. The anvil is transitionable between a proximal position, in which, the arm members are spaced apart, and a distal position, in which, the arm members are in an approximated position. The sleeve assembly is rotatable between an engaged state in which, the locking ledge portion inhibits relative axial displacement of the sleeve assembly with the housing, and a disengaged state in which, the sleeve assembly is axially movable relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Barrus
  • Patent number: 11672567
    Abstract: A spinal fixation construct for aligning vertebral bodies includes a bone screw, a spinal rod, a flexible member, and a fixation member. The spinal rod is disposed within a saddle portion of a housing of the bone screw, and includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The spinal rod is formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. The flexible member is coupled to the spinal rod, and includes an elongated body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The flexible member is formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is different from the first modulus of elasticity. The fixation member includes a threaded body portion and a head portion defining a hole therethrough. A portion of the flexible member extends through the hole of the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mundis, Han Jo Kim, John Ferguson, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20230165687
    Abstract: An expandable device comprising, a body defining a bore, a shaft received in the bore of the body, an end plate coupled to the shaft, wherein rotation of the shaft translates the end plate with respect to the body, and a locking mechanism engaged with the shaft so as to permit the shaft to rotate in a first direction and apply a resistance force to resist the shaft when attempting to rotate in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Barrus, Clint Boyd, Liam Patrick Barnes, Jason Noel Gantick, Todd M. Wallenstein, Megan E. Carnes