Patents by Inventor Michael Fulton
Michael Fulton 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: 11350970Abstract: A bone fastener assembly for connecting a bone to a stabilizing construct includes a connecting member, a fastener seat, and a bone fastener. The connecting member includes a connecting member axis, a first opening, a second opening, and a first spherical surface. The connecting member axis extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The first opening is adjacent the proximal end. The second opening is adjacent the distal end. The fastener seat includes a first end, a second end, a passageway, and a second spherical surface. The passageway extends from the first end to the second end along a seat axis. The second spherical surface is configured to slidably engage the first spherical surface. The bone fastener includes a shank and a head. The shank extends though the passageway. The head engages a head-mating surface of the fastener seat.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.Inventors: Laurence McKinley, Michael Fulton, Gregory Causey, Jeffrey J Thramann, Damon Belloni, Terry Ziemek, Alan Burkholder
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Publication number: 20190239931Abstract: A bone fastener assembly for connecting a bone to a stabilizing construct includes a connecting member, a fastener seat, and a bone fastener. The connecting member includes a connecting member axis, a first opening, a second opening, and a first spherical surface. The connecting member axis extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The first opening is adjacent the proximal end. The second opening is adjacent the distal end. The fastener seat includes a first end, a second end, a passageway, and a second spherical surface. The passageway extends from the first end to the second end along a seat axis. The second spherical surface is configured to slidably engage the first spherical surface. The bone fastener includes a shank and a head. The shank extends though the passageway. The head engages a head-mating surface of the fastener seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Laurence McKinley, Michael Fulton, Gregory Causey, Jeffrey J. Thramann, Damon Belloni, Terry Ziemek, Alan Burkholder
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Patent number: 10307184Abstract: A bone fastener assembly for connecting a bone to a stabilizing construct includes a connecting member, a fastener seat, and a bone fastener. The connecting member includes a connecting member axis, a first opening, a second opening, and a first spherical surface. The connecting member axis extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The first opening is adjacent the proximal end. The second opening is adjacent the distal end. The fastener seat includes a first end, a second end, a passageway, and a second spherical surface. The passageway extends from the first end to the second end along a seat axis. The second spherical surface is configured to slidably engage the first spherical surface. The bone fastener includes a shank and a head. The shank extends though the passageway. The head engages a head-mating surface of the fastener seat.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.Inventors: Laurence McKinley, Michael Fulton, Gregory Causey, Jeffrey Thramann, Damon Belloni, Terry Ziemek, Alan Burkholder
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Publication number: 20180193065Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. The spacer is provided in a variety of lengths and superior to inferior surface spacings. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and a cerclage element offset from the midline of the spacer in use so that the spacer defines a fulcrum and the cerclage element is operative to impart a moment to the vertebrae about the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Michael Fulton, Jeffrey J. Thramann
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Patent number: 9861400Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. The spacer is provided in a variety of lengths and superior to inferior surface spacings. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and a cerclage element offset from the midline of the spacer in use so that the spacer defines a fulcrum and the cerclage element is operative to impart a moment to the vertebrae about the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Michael Fulton, Jeffrey J Thramann
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Publication number: 20170360485Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Lawrence Binder, Terry Ziemek, Michael Fulton, Jeffrey J. Thramann, Robert E. Lins
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Publication number: 20170333091Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Justin Taber, Andrew Lamborne, Michael Fulton, Jeffrey J. Thramann
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Patent number: 9770271Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Lawrence Binder, Terry Ziemek, Michael Fulton, Jeffrey J Thramann, Robert E Lins
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Patent number: 9743960Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. The spacer is provided in a variety of lengths and superior to inferior surface spacings. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and a cerclage element offset from the midline of the spacer in use so that the spacer defines a fulcrum and the cerclage element is operative to impart a moment to the vertebrae about the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Justin Taber, Michael Fulton, Joe Maddux
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Patent number: 9724136Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.Inventors: Justin Taber, Andrew Lamborne, Michael Fulton, Jeffrey J Thramann
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Publication number: 20170189078Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. The spacer is provided in a variety of lengths and superior to inferior surface spacings. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and a cerclage element offset from the midline of the spacer in use so that the spacer defines a fulcrum and the cerclage element is operative to impart a moment to the vertebrae about the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Justin Taber, Michael Fulton, Joe Maddux
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Publication number: 20160354123Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. The spacer is provided in a variety of lengths and superior to inferior surface spacings. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and a cerclage element offset from the midline of the spacer in use so that the spacer defines a fulcrum and the cerclage element is operative to impart a moment to the vertebrae about the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Michael Fulton, Jeffrey J. Thramann
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Publication number: 20160120579Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. The spacer is provided in a variety of lengths and superior to inferior surface spacings. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and a cerclage element offset from the midline of the spacer in use so that the spacer defines a fulcrum and the cerclage element is operative to impart a moment to the vertebrae about the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Justin Taber, Michael Fulton, Joe Maddux
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Publication number: 20160113687Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Justin Taber, Andrew Lamborne, Michael Fulton, Jeffrey J. Thramann
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Patent number: 9265532Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. The spacer is provided in a variety of lengths and superior to inferior surface spacings. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and a cerclage element offset from the midline of the spacer in use so that the spacer defines a fulcrum and the cerclage element is operative to impart a moment to the vertebrae about the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2010Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Lanx, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Justin Taber, Michael Fulton, Joseph Maddux
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Patent number: 9247968Abstract: The present invention provides spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention the implant limits the maximum spacing between the spinous processes. In another aspect of the invention, a spacer has at least one transverse opening to facilitate tissue in-growth. In another aspect of the invention, an implant includes a spacer and separate extensions engageable with the spacer. In another aspect of the invention, instrumentation for inserting the implant is provided. In other aspects of the invention, methods for treating spine disease are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Lanx, Inc.Inventors: Justin Taber, Andrew Lamborne, Michael Fulton, Jeff Thramann
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Publication number: 20150351813Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Andrew LAMBORNE, Lawrence BINDER, Terry ZIEMEK, Michael FULTON, Jeffrey J THRAMANN, Robert E. LINS
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Patent number: 9119682Abstract: The described apparatus and method include a bone plating system comprising a plate longitudinally extending between a first plate end and a second plate end, wherein the plate further comprises a first plate surface spaced apart from an opposing second plate surface. Further, the bone plating system further includes a first spacer segment longitudinally extending between a first spacer end and a second spacer end, wherein the first spacer segment is shaped to adapt the plate to conform to an adjacent bone segment surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: LANX, INC.Inventors: Caleb Stoll, Morgan Lorio, Michael Fulton
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Patent number: 9055981Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Lanx, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Lamborne, Lawrence Binder, Terry Ziemek, Michael Fulton, Jeffery Thramann, Robert Lins
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Publication number: 20150157365Abstract: A bone fastener assembly for connecting a bone to a stabilizing construct includes a connecting member, a fastener seat, and a bone fastener. The connecting member includes a connecting member axis, a first opening, a second opening, and a first spherical surface. The connecting member axis extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The first opening is adjacent the proximal end. The second opening is adjacent the distal end. The fastener seat includes a first end, a second end, a passageway, and a second spherical surface. The passageway extends from the first end to the second end along a seat axis. The second spherical surface is configured to slidably engage the first spherical surface. The bone fastener includes a shank and a head. The shank extends though the passageway. The head engages a head-mating surface of the fastener seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Laurence McKinley, Michael Fulton, Gregory Causey, Jeffrey Thramann, Damon Belloni, Terry Ziemek, Alan Burkholder