Patents by Inventor Michael J. Merves

Michael J. Merves 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: 10092412
    Abstract: An interbody endeap comprises at least one member configured for connection with an interbody implant. The at least one member has a thickness that permits bone growth therethrough and a uniform surface configuration that resists and/or prevents egress of bone graft from a cavity of the interbody implant. Systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Anthony J. Melkent, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
  • Patent number: 9427328
    Abstract: An interbody endcap comprises at least one member configured for connection with an interbody implant. The at least one member has a thickness that permits bone growth therethrough and a uniform surface configuration that resists and/or prevents egress of bone graft from a cavity of the interbody implant. Systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Anthony J. Melkent, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
  • Publication number: 20160213489
    Abstract: An interbody endeap comprises at least one member configured for connection with an interbody implant. The at least one member has a thickness that permits bone growth therethrough and a uniform surface configuration that resists and/or prevents egress of bone graft from a cavity of the interbody implant. Systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Anthony J. Melkent, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
  • Publication number: 20150250607
    Abstract: An interbody endcap comprises at least one member configured for connection with an interbody implant. The at least one member has a thickness that permits bone growth therethrough and a uniform surface configuration that resists and/or prevents egress of bone graft from a cavity of the interbody implant. Systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Anthony J. Melkent, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
  • Patent number: 8409283
    Abstract: An implant and method for insertion between adjacent vertebral members. The implant comprising an implant body with a base section having a plurality of base extensions, and an end cap adapted for selective axial positioning at a selected point on the base section and subsequent rotational adjustment about an implant axis. The end cap also comprising a fixed aperture and a variable aperture, both configured to receive and lockingly engage corresponding base extensions to securely maintain the end cap positioned on the base section. The fixed and variable passages are configured and located to permit rotational end cap adjustment. The implant imparts end cap height and angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected or desired point when the implant is positioned and lockingly engaged in the intervertebral space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
  • Patent number: 8268002
    Abstract: An implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral members, comprising an implant body with a base section having positioning teeth, and an end cap adapted for positioning at a selected point on the base section via adjustment of an approach direction. The end cap comprises a seating surface adapted to contact the base section when positioned on the implant body, an end cap angulation, and positioning passages adapted to receive the positioning teeth. The implant may further comprise a locking mechanism adapted to lockingly engage the end cap and base section and prevent axial movement of the end cap. The positioning passages and positioning teeth are complementarily configured to facilitate slideably positioning the end cap on the base section. The implant body and end cap combination will impart end cap angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected point when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Blackwell, Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves
  • Patent number: 8177846
    Abstract: An implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral members, comprising an implant body with at least one base section and an end cap. The end cap is adapted for selective positioning on a base section via rotational adjustment of the end cap. The end cap comprises an exterior contact surface that faces away from the implant body when positioned on the base section, a seating surface which contacts the base section when positioned on the implant body, an end cap angulation, and locking passages extending between the exterior contact surface and seating surface and adapted to receive base section teeth. The locking passages and base teeth are complimentarily configured to engage and securely maintain the end cap positioned on the base section such that the implant imparts the end cap angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at a selected point when the implant is positioned between adjacent vertebral members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Blackwell, Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves
  • Publication number: 20120029634
    Abstract: An implant and method for insertion between adjacent vertebral members. The implant comprising an implant body with a base section having a plurality of base extensions, and an end cap adapted for selective axial positioning at a selected point on the base section and subsequent rotational adjustment about an implant axis. The end cap also comprising a fixed aperture and a variable aperture, both configured to receive and lockingly engage corresponding base extensions to securely maintain the end cap positioned on the base section. The fixed and variable passages are configured and located to permit rotational end cap adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
  • Publication number: 20120029640
    Abstract: An implant and method for insertion between adjacent vertebral members. The implant comprising an implant body with a base section having a plurality of base extensions and securing depressions, and an end cap adapted for selective axial positioning at a selected point on the base section and subsequent rotational adjustment about an implant axis. The end cap also comprising a fixed aperture and a variable aperture, both configured to receive and lockingly engage corresponding base extensions and securing depressions to securely maintain the end cap positioned on the base section. The fixed and variable passages are configured and located to permit rotational end cap adjustment. The implant imparts end cap height and angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected or desired point when the implant is positioned and lockingly engaged in the intervertebral space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Cristian A. Capote, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
  • Publication number: 20120016478
    Abstract: Implants sized to be inserted into an intervertebral space between first and second vertebral members, and related methods. The spinal implant may have a body extending along a longitudinal axis with opposing first and second longitudinal ends. An end cap is mounted to the body at one of the ends and disposed longitudinally outboard of the corresponding end. The end cap comprises a first portion, a second portion, and an annular elastic element, such as an O-ring. The first and second portions are disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis. The annular elastic member circumferentially surrounds the first portion, the second portion, and the longitudinal axis. The annular elastic member applies a compressive force that urges the first and second portions together in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The end cap may be flat or angled. Other implants and related methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret M. Wilfong, Michael J. Merves
  • Publication number: 20120016476
    Abstract: Devices and methods for spacing apart vertebral members. The implant may include a body and an end cap. Connectors may extend outward from the body to attach with the end cap. The end cap may include a hinged design to securely attach to the body. The hinged design may include first and second sections that are connected at a hinge. The implant may also include a second end cap positioned at the opposite end of the body. The second end cap may be the same or different than the first end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret M. Wilfong, Michael J. Merves
  • Publication number: 20110190890
    Abstract: An implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral members, comprising an implant body with a base section having positioning teeth, and an end cap for positioning at a selected point on the base section via adjustment of an approach direction. The end cap comprises a seating surface which contacts the base section when positioned on the implant body, an end cap angulation, and positioning passages for receiving positioning teeth. The implant may comprise a locking mechanism for lockingly engaging the end cap and base section and preventing end cap axial movement. The positioning passages and positioning teeth configured to facilitate end cap slideable positioning on the base section. And, a positioning passage comprising a locking tenon for lockingly engaging a positioning tooth in the positioning passage. The implant body and end cap combination imparting angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected point when positioned in the intervertebral space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Blackwell, Cristian A. Capote, Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves, Bret M. Wilfong
  • Publication number: 20110184523
    Abstract: An implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral members, comprising an implant body with a base section having positioning teeth, and an end cap adapted for positioning at a selected point on the base section via adjustment of an approach direction. The end cap comprises a seating surface adapted to contact the base section when positioned on the implant body, an end cap angulation, and positioning passages adapted to receive the positioning teeth. The implant may further comprise a locking mechanism adapted to lockingly engage the end cap and base section and prevent axial movement of the end cap. The positioning passages and positioning teeth are complementarily configured to facilitate slideably positioning the end cap on the base section. The implant body and end cap combination will impart end cap angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected point when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Blackwell, Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves
  • Publication number: 20110106258
    Abstract: An implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral members, comprising an implant body with at least one base section and an end cap. The end cap is adapted for selective positioning on a base section via rotational adjustment of the end cap. The end cap comprises an exterior contact surface that faces away from the implant body when positioned on the base section, a seating surface which contacts the base section when positioned on the implant body, end cap angulation, positioning passages adapted to receive positioning teeth, the positioning passages and positioning teeth complimentarily configured to facilitate positioning the end cap on the base section, and a locking mechanism adapted to lockingly engage the end cap and base section such that the implant imparts end cap angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected point when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Blackwell, Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves
  • Publication number: 20110098820
    Abstract: An implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral members, comprising an implant body with at least one base section and an end cap. The end cap is adapted for selective positioning on a base section via rotational adjustment of the end cap. The end cap comprises an exterior contact surface that faces away from the implant body when positioned on the base section, a seating surface which contacts the base section when positioned on the implant body, an end cap angulation, and locking passages extending between the exterior contact surface and seating surface and adapted to receive base section teeth. The locking passages and base teeth are complimentarily configured to engage and securely maintain the end cap positioned on the base section such that the implant imparts the end cap angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at a selected point when the implant is positioned between adjacent vertebral members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Blackwell, Thomas E. Drochner, Michael J. Merves