Patents by Inventor Michael S. Butler

Michael S. Butler 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: 9707015
    Abstract: A spinal implant for immobilizing the C1 vertebra with respect to the C2 vertebra of the spine provides controlled coupling between the C1 and C2 vertebrae, and includes a C1 component attachable to the C1 vertebra, two C2 components attachable to the C2 vertebra, and a transverse element. The C1 component has two wings each of which retains a rod holder that rotates and translate for capturing a C2 component rod. Each C2 component has a hook for connection with a side of the C2 vertebra lamina and a rod for attachment to one of the rod holders of the C1 component. Each C2 component receives and secures the transverse connector which holds position of the C2 components relative to one another. Each C2 component may include a plate configured for compression against the C2 vertebra spinous process, with each plate including spikes to aid in preventing construct migration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Alex Hirschl, Michael S. Butler, Daniel Predick, Madeline C. Wolters
  • Publication number: 20170196600
    Abstract: A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Danish Siddiqui, Daniel Predick
  • Patent number: 9649198
    Abstract: A spinal interbody implant has a bone screw retention mechanism that prohibits bone screws from backing out after the bone screws are installed. A bone screw retention plate is received in a plate retention area of the implant to provide a barrier that keeps the installed bone screws from backing out of their bone screw pocket. The bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate and a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body. Retention plate fasteners may be used to retain the configured plate. In one form, the bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate, a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body, and a retention plate bolt. In another form, the bone screw retention mechanism consists of a retention plate, a configured plate retention area in a face of the implant body, and a retention plate bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters, James A. Rinner, Michael S. Butler, Seetal K. Erramilli
  • Patent number: 9610172
    Abstract: A radially expandable spinal interbody device for implantation between adjacent vertebrae of a spine is deliverable to an implant area in a radially collapsed state having minimum radial dimensions and once positioned is then radially expandable through and up to maximum radial dimensions. The expanded radially expandable spinal interbody device is configured to closely mimic the anatomical configuration of a vertebral face. The radially expandable spinal interbody device is formed of arced, pivoting linkages that allow transfiguration from the radially collapsed minimum radial dimensions through and up to the radially expanded maximum radial dimensions once deployed at the implant site (i.e. between adjacent vertebrae). The pivoting linkages have ends with locking features that inhibit or prevent overextension of the linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Daniel Predick
  • Patent number: 9603628
    Abstract: A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Danish Siddiqui, Daniel Predick
  • Publication number: 20170065424
    Abstract: Orthopedic implants described herein are used for fractures, inter-digital fusion of the fingers, toes, and other small bones of the body, as well as other procedures. Each implant has first and second drive ends for insertion into bone. The drive ends may be on the same or separate implant component(s) and include external threading. In one form, a single component includes the first and second drive ends, while in another form, a first component has the first drive end and a second component has the second drive end. In the two component version, a head of one component receives an end of the other component to provide coupling or joining of the two components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Centric Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett D. Lauf, Michael S. Butler, Richard M. Mueller, Matthew S. Coyne
  • Publication number: 20170065423
    Abstract: The invention is a subtalar implantable to expand after implantation. The subtalar implant has two or more expansion segments or wings. In all forms, the expansion wings are hinged on the distal portion of the subtalar implant which causes only the proximal portion of the wing to expand relative to the midplane of the implant. The expansion wings and the entire subtalar implant are threaded to prevent the implant from backing out of the sinus tarsi once implanted. In one form, the subtalar implant includes an integral expansion screw that, when rotated, expands the expansion wings. In another form, the subtalar implant includes a separate expansion screw that, when rotated, expands the expansion wings. The integral and the separate expansion screw includes a socket that accepts a like driver tool for rotating the expansion screw and expanding the expansion wings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Centric Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett D. Lauf, Michael S. Butler, Matthew S. Coyne
  • Publication number: 20170056029
    Abstract: A medical instrument set and method of use for surgically treating bony aberrations of the calcaneus such as calcaneal compression fractures. The present medical instrument set allows surgical treatment of bony aberrations through a minimally invasive procedure that provides better outcomes than both a closed reduction and an open reduction procedure. The medical instrument set includes one or more of an access needle, drill, depth guide, cement plunger, and curette. The access needle is used to provide access to a desired calcaneal site and is characterized by a cannula and a removable trocar tip. The drill is used to bore into the calcaneus. The depth guide is used to visually indicate how far a medical instrument extends beyond and/or through the access needle cannula. The cement plunger is used to introduce bone cement into the desired calcaneal site. The curette is used to mechanically create a void at the desired calcaneal site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Centric Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters, Michael S. Butler
  • Publication number: 20170020678
    Abstract: Arthroplasty implants replace an articulating surface of a bone joint such as bone joints of the foot, and is characterized by a three-component device comprising a bone screw, a button, and a cap. The button incorporates knurling on its distal end to fixate onto bone, a center hole, a spherical pocket to mate with the bone screw for stabilization, and a proximal retention structure to mate with the cap. The bone screw incorporates distal bone (cortical) threads or threading, a spherical head, and a drive structure used to insert the bone screw through the hole of the button and into the bone (e.g. a distal segment of the first metatarsal). The cap incorporates a distal mating structure that retains the cap onto the button, a proximal smooth spherical head that mates with the distal surface of the bone (e.g. a phalange bone), and a tang that prevents rotation after implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Centric Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett D. Lauf, Daniel P. Predick, Michael S. Butler
  • Publication number: 20160354124
    Abstract: Interspinous/inter-laminar spinal spacers are configured to be placed between bony structures of adjacent vertebrae. In one form, a spinal spacer includes a body including a first plate having a first wing configured to engage a first vertebra and a second wing configured to engage a second vertebra, and a post extending from the first plate to define a longitudinal axis, the post having a bullet nose; a second plate slidably coupled to the post of the body, the second plate including a first wing configured to engage the first vertebra; and a second wing configured to engage the second vertebra; wherein the second plate defines a first bore configured to receive the post, and wherein the bullet nose is designed to pierce through an interspinous ligament between the first vertebra and the second the vertebra so that the interspinous ligament can hold the implant in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Kara A. Bucci, Madeline Wolters, Michael S. Butler
  • Publication number: 20160331543
    Abstract: Lumbar and cervical interbody or intervertebral devices for implantation between adjacent vertebrae of a spine and/or within intermediary canals of long bones are characterized by a body defining a superior end and an inferior end whose surfaces have serrations or teeth thereon forming anti-backout structures that allow implantation of the body but inhibit removal or backing out therefrom. The one-way structures may extend from the anterior end to the posterior end. The one-way structures may take different shapes but are always configured to allow insertion of the interbody device in an anterior-first manner while preventing and/or inhibiting the interbody device from backing out posteriorly. The various interbody devices may be further characterized by a body defining a cavity that is in communication with the superior and inferior ends of the body and at least one lateral side thereof via openings in the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Michael J. Milella, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160324550
    Abstract: An adjustable spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume and/or cross sectional area in the spinal canal and/or neural foramen. The adjustable implant provides a spinal extension inhibitor. The implant includes elliptical or oval shaped adjustable member or spacer for positioning between and adjustably spacing apart the spinous processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters, Michael S. Butler, David Lee, James Payne, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160317137
    Abstract: A retractor assembly includes a base; a first side arm assembly coupled to a first side of the base and configured to translate relative to the base along a first direction; a second side arm assembly coupled to a second side of the base and configured to translate relative to the base along the first direction independent from the first side arm assembly; and a central arm assembly coupled to a center portion of the base and configured to translate relative to the base along a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Predick, Michael S. Butler
  • Publication number: 20160287301
    Abstract: Bone compression screws are characterized by a two-piece compression screw assembly comprising a screw component and a sleeve component. The screw component has external male bone screw threading at a distal end, external male machine screw threading on a proximal end, and a smooth shank between the threaded distal and proximal ends. The screw component may be solid, cannulated, slotted, fenestrated, fluted, helically fluted, or any combination thereof. The sleeve component has external male bone screw threading with a pitch that can be equal to, smaller than, or greater than the thread pitch of the screw component, an internal bore extending from a proximal end of the sleeve component to the distal end of the sleeve component and sized for reception over the proximal end of the screw component. Internal female machine screw threading is configured to mate with the external male machine screw threading of the screw component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Mehl, Daniel P. Predick, Michael S. Butler
  • Patent number: 9421043
    Abstract: Interspinous/inter-laminar spinal spacers are configured to be placed between bony structures of adjacent vertebrae. In one form, spinal spacers are defined by a unitary body comprising a first contoured plate and a second contoured plate. The first contoured plate comprises first and second wings configured to engage first and second vertebra, and a post extending from the contoured plate and having a bullet nose and an outer surface with a curved portion and a planar portion. The second contoured plate is slidably coupled to the post of the body and comprises first and second wings configured to engage first and second vertebra, a rear portion extending between the first wing and the second wing, and a front portion extending between the first wing and the second wing. The first wing, second wing, rear portion, and front portion define a first bore configured to receive the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Kara A. Bucci, Madeline Wolters, Michael S. Butler
  • Patent number: 9386916
    Abstract: A three-blade spinal retractor utilizes adjustable and lockable translating arms with angulating blades to provide triangulated medial/lateral and cephalad/caudal tissue retraction for spinal surgeries via the adjustably lockable translating arms. A medial/lateral translating arm with an angularly adjustable retraction blade co-acts and cooperates with angularly adjacent first and second cephalad/caudal translating arms with angularly adjustable retraction blades for tissue retraction and surgical site access. A plate having a medial/lateral adjustment system adjustably holds the medial/lateral translating arm, a first cephalad/caudal adjustment system adjustably holding the first cephalad/caudal translating arm and a second cephalad/caudal adjustment system adjustably holding the second cephalad/caudal translating arm. The translating arms each have a blade holder that provides angular adjustment of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Predick, Michael S. Butler
  • Patent number: 9351768
    Abstract: A spinal implant has a mechanism for inhibiting a bone screw used in attaching the spinal implant to the spine from backing out from the spinal implant once the bone screw has been received in the spinal implant. The spinal implant has a bone screw bore defining a bore wall in which is disposed a resilient closed curve band or ring. The resilient closed curve band has a plurality of resilient segments that extend into the bore. Each one of the plurality of resilient segments form a spring that allows a head of a bone screw to ingress there through but prevents the head of the bone screw from egress there from. The resilient closed curve band forms a retention ring that is received in one or more slots, channels, grooves or the like in the bore hole wall. The plurality of resilient segments are formed as arcs, curves and/or configured arcs/curves that extend radially inward from outer arced or curved portions of the retention ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Rinner, Daniel Predick, Michael S. Butler
  • Publication number: 20160120652
    Abstract: Dimensionally adjustable spinal prostheses are adjustable in an axial or superior to inferior dimension such that spinal prostheses may assume variations in height. The height adjustable spinal prostheses are characterized by first and second portions that are configured for adjustable coupling with one another. Spatial adjustment between the first and second portions is provided by an adjustment assembly. The adjustment mechanism preferably, but not necessarily, provides infinite adjustment over a minimum prosthesis height to a maximum prosthesis height. In one form, first and second ends of the height adjustable spinal prostheses are configured to receive an endplate. The endplates aid in attachment and/or anchoring of the spinal prosthesis within the spine. The endplates may be fashioned in various configurations such as circular or anatomical. In one form, the adjustment assembly utilizes rotational motion for varying the axial position of one prosthetic portion relative to the other prosthetic portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Butler
  • Patent number: 9301788
    Abstract: An adjustable spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume and/or cross sectional area in the spinal canal and/or neural foramen. The adjustable implant provides a spinal extension inhibitor. The implant includes elliptical or oval shaped adjustable member or spacer for positioning between and adjustably spacing apart the spinous processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters, Michael S. Butler
  • Patent number: D789839
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters, James A. Rinner, Michael S. Butler, Seetal K. Erramilli