Patents by Inventor Michael Brace

Michael Brace 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: 20050124994
    Abstract: An occipitocervical fixation system includes a plate for securing to the occiput and at least one pre-bent rod. The plate includes holes for receiving bone fasteners, and at least one clamping assembly for retaining a portion of a rod. The clamping assembly is selectively pivotable and lockable in place to fix the position of the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Roger Berger, David Gerber, Hansjuerg Emch, Michael Brace
  • Patent number: 6902565
    Abstract: An occipitocervical fixation system includes a plate for securing to the occiput and at least one pre-bent rod. The plate includes holes for receiving bone fasteners, and at least one clamping assembly for retaining a portion of a rod. The clamping assembly is selectively pivotable and lockable in place to fix the position of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Roger Berger, David Gerber, Hansjuerg W. Emch, Michael Brace
  • Patent number: 6890334
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device, such as a bone plate, to bone. The assembly includes the fixation device, a bushing, a fastening screw, and a locking screw. The bushing is seated within a through hole in the fixation device and can rotate within the through hole and has a sidewall with a bore. The sidewall has at least one slot for allowing outward expansion of the sidewall against the through hole to thereby lock the bushing at a selected angle relative to the axis of the through hole. The fastening screw has a threaded shaft for insertion through the bore of the bushing and threads into bone to secure the bushing and fixation device to bone. The head of the fastening screw fits in the bushing and includes a radial wall and open end defining a recess. The radial side wall has at least one slit for allowing outward expansion of the radial wall thereby outwardly expanding the sidewall of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Michael Brace, Hansjuerg Emch
  • Publication number: 20030199876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device, such as a bone plate, to bone. The assembly includes the fixation device, a bushing, a fastening screw, and a locking screw. The bushing is seated within a through hole in the fixation device and can rotate within the through hole and has a sidewall with a bore. The sidewall has at least one slot for allowing outward expansion of the sidewall against the through hole to thereby lock the bushing at a selected angle relative to the axis of the through hole. The fastening screw has a threaded shaft for insertion through the bore of the bushing and threads into bone to secure the bushing and fixation device to bone. The head of the fastening screw fits in the bushing and includes a radial wall and open end defining a recess. The radial side wall has at least one slit for allowing outward expansion of the radial wall thereby outwardly expanding the sidewall of the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Michael Brace, Hansjuerg Emch
  • Patent number: 6575975
    Abstract: A bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device such as a bone plate, to bone includes a fixation device including a through hole; a bushing having a sidewall with a bore and a slot; a fastening screw with a threaded shaft and a head including a recess; and a locking screw with a body capable of being threaded into the head of the fastening screw to expand its radial wall. In use, the bushing is seated within the through hole of the fixation device at a selected angle and the fastening screw is inserted through the bore of the bushing such that its head fits in the bushing and its shaft is threaded into bone. The locking screw may then be threaded into the head of the fastening screw to expand the radial wall of its head resulting in the locking of the fastening screw, and bushing at a selected orientation within the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Michael Brace, Hansjuerg Emch
  • Patent number: 6379364
    Abstract: A surgical drill guide assembly for demountable attachment to the fastener holes of a bone plate is provided. The drill guide assembly includes a pair of alignment drill tubes that are aligned with corresponding fastener holes in the bone plate, and a pair of expandable bushings that are configured and dimensioned to engage the fastener holes. The surgical drill guide assembly is releasably lockable to the bone plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Michael Brace, Roger Berger, Hansjuerg W. Emch
  • Patent number: 6342057
    Abstract: A surgical drill guide assembly for demountable attachment to a slotted bone plate is provided. The drill guide assembly includes one or more alignment drill tubes that are remotely aligned with corresponding fastener holes in the bone plate, and an expandable bushing that is configured and dimensioned to engage a slot in the bone plate. A variable angle block permits angulation of the alignment drill tubes about a central axis of the surgical drill guide assembly. The alignment drill tubes are releasably lockable at a surgeon-selected angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Michael Brace, Roger Berger, Hansjuerg W. Emch
  • Publication number: 20010037112
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device, such as a bone plate, to bone. The assembly includes the fixation device, a bushing, a fastening screw, and a locking screw. The bushing is seated within a through hole in the fixation device and can rotate within the through hole and has a sidewall with a bore. The sidewall has at least one slot for allowing outward expansion of the sidewall against the through hole to thereby lock the bushing at a selected angle relative to the axis of the through hole. The fastening screw has a threaded shaft for insertion through the bore of the bushing and threads into bone to secure the bushing and fixation device to bone. The head of the fastening screw fits in the bushing and includes a radial wall and open end defining a recess. The radial side wall has at least one slit for allowing outward expansion of the radial wall thereby outwardly expanding the sidewall of the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Michael Brace, Hansjuerg Emch
  • Patent number: 6235033
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device, such as a bone plate, to bone. The assembly includes the fixation device, a bushing, a fastening screw, and a locking screw. The bushing is seated within a through hole in the fixation device and can rotate within the through hole and has a sidewall with a bore. The sidewall has at least one slot for allowing outward expansion of the sidewall against the through hole to thereby lock the bushing at a selected angle relative to the axis of the through hole. The fastening screw has a threaded shaft for insertion through the bore of the bushing and threads into bone to secure the bushing and fixation device to bone. The head of the fastening screw fits in the bushing and includes a radial wall and open end defining a recess. The radial side wall has at least one slit for allowing outward expansion of the radial wall thereby outwardly expanding the sidewall of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Michael Brace, Hansjuerg Emch
  • Patent number: 6187005
    Abstract: A variable angle spinal fixation system is disclosed. The system includes a longitudinal member positionable along a spinal column, a fastener having a threaded end for engaging a vertebra, and a connector member for connecting the fastener and the longitudinal member. The connector member has a channel extending through side surfaces of the connector member for receiving the longitudinal member, an opening laterally displaced from the channel and extending through top and bottom surfaces of the connector member for receiving the fastener, and a fastener clamping element for securing the fastener in the opening at a surgeon selected angle relative to the connector member and longitudinal member. The system according to the present invention allows angulation of the fastener to accommodate complex pathologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Michael Brace, Eric Lange