Patents by Inventor Michael Serra

Michael Serra 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: 20260123991
    Abstract: A laser or ultrasonic instrument is used to remove tissue during a surgery, such as to form one or more pilot holes in a vertebra or a window in bone. Where a laser is used, interrogative laser pulses can be used to obtain information, such as detecting depth or tissue type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2025
    Publication date: May 7, 2026
    Inventors: Eric Finley, Adrien Ponticorvo, Michael Serra, Christopher Nelsen, Robert German, Justin Doose, Danielle Richterkessing, Antonio Ubach, John C. Love
  • Publication number: 20260123990
    Abstract: A laser or ultrasonic instrument is used to remove tissue during a surgery, such as to form one or more pilot holes in a vertebra or a window in bone. Where a laser is used, interrogative laser pulses can be used to obtain information, such as detecting depth or tissue type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2025
    Publication date: May 7, 2026
    Inventors: Eric Finley, Adrien Ponticorvo, Michael Serra, Christopher Nelsen, Robert German, Justin Doose, Danielle Richterkessing, Antonio Ubach, John C. Love
  • Patent number: 12594099
    Abstract: Various implementations include rod reduction instruments, spinal fixation monitoring systems, and related methods. Certain implementations include a rod reduction instrument that is adapted for use with a spinal fixation system and includes a sensor configured to detect a load exerted by a rod reducer on a spinal rod, along with a reduction feedback system that provides an indicator of the load exerted by the rod reducer on the spinal rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Nuvasive Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Nelsen, Robert German, Michael Serra
  • Publication number: 20260069262
    Abstract: A surgical wire is part of a system that includes a retractor blade defining one or more paths for the surgical wire to follow. The paths can be one or more openings, cannulations, paths, tubes, other structures, or combinations thereof. The surgical wire can be routed through the front, back, and/or middle of the retractor blade and into a vertebral body. The surgical wire can be routed through a shim in communication with the retractor blade and into a vertebral body Systems and methods are used to insert surgical wires into bone. Systems and methods are used for removing surgical wires from bone. Systems include those for gripping and pulling or pushing surgical wires. Systems include those that interact with a retractor (e.g., an arm, body, or blade thereof) to facilitate removal of the surgical wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Cole Douglas, Kelli Lynch, Juan Uribe, Shane Fedon, Byron Riemhofer, Michael Serra, Alejandro De La Rosa, Ross Volpe, Chunqing Lu, Stephen Laffoon
  • Patent number: 12569236
    Abstract: A surgical wire is part of a system that includes a retractor blade defining one or more paths for the surgical wire to follow. The paths can be one or more openings, cannulations, paths, tubes, other structures, or combinations thereof. The surgical wire can be routed through the front, back, and/or middle of the retractor blade and into a vertebral body. The surgical wire can be routed through a shim in communication with the retractor blade and into a vertebral body Systems and methods are used to insert surgical wires into bone. Systems and methods are used for removing surgical wires from bone. Systems include those for gripping and pulling or pushing surgical wires. Systems include those that interact with a retractor (e.g., an arm, body, or blade thereof) to facilitate removal of the surgical wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Nuvasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Cole Douglas, Kelli Lynch, Juan Uribe, Shane Fedon, Byron Riemhofer, Michael Serra, Alejandro De La Rosa, Ross Volpe, Chunqing Lu, Stephen Laffoon
  • Publication number: 20260026793
    Abstract: A surgical access system comprising a tissue dilation assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: James Coleman Lee, Benjamin VerHage, Michael Serra, Troy B. Woolley, Brian Snider, Matthew Schwartz
  • Patent number: 12533117
    Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods for performing surgical procedures on the spine, including one or more of creating an operative corridor to the spine, delivering implants to the spine, fusing one or more segments of the spine and fixing one or more segments of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Lovell, Michael Serra, Troy B. Woolley, Mark D. Peterson, Antoine G. Tohmeh
  • Publication number: 20260007476
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems for surgical navigation, the system comprising a tracking array attachable to a medical instrument, an image capturing device, and a navigation system that communicates with the image capturing device and generates tracking information of the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2025
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Inventors: Brett Coakley, Shoun Matsuka, Guy Nimrodi, Michael Serra, Michael Barela, Megan Jeffords, Danielle Richterkessing
  • Publication number: 20250380939
    Abstract: A lateral retractor system has components and features to permit control of each retractor arm so as to articulate independently. The system likewise includes the ability to lock one arm in place and articulate only the other, as well as the ability to toggle or switch between modes, including the mode where the arms articulate together, equally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Inventors: Andrew Hartman, Byron Reimhofer, Michael Serra
  • Patent number: 12484972
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems for surgical navigation, the system comprising a tracking array attachable to a medical instrument, an image capturing device, and a navigation system that communicates with the image capturing device and generates tracking information of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Coakley, Shoun Matsuka, Guy Nimrodi, Michael Serra, Michael Barela, Megan Jeffords, Danielle Richterkessing
  • Patent number: 12426866
    Abstract: A surgical access system comprising a tissue dilation assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Coleman Lee, Benjamin Verhage, Michael Serra, Troy Woolley, Brian Snider, Matthew Schwartz
  • Patent number: 12396863
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Luiz Pimenta, Andrew Morris, Brian Snider, Michael Serra
  • Publication number: 20250134510
    Abstract: Medical or surgical devices, instruments, systems, and methods for use in optically sensing loads acting on a patient's anatomy may include a surgical device or instrument configured for insertion to a surgical site and an interrogator coupled to the surgical device or instrument via an optical fiber having a sensing area at a location of the surgical device or instrument at which a load is to be sensed. The measured load may be used as being indicative of a load acting on a patient's anatomy. Such measured or determined load may be used to make decisions before, during, or after a patient procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2025
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Nelsen, Michael Serra
  • Publication number: 20250082319
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Luiz Pimenta, Michael Serra, Andrew Morris, Nathan Lovell, Nelson Oi, Eugene Shoshtaev
  • Publication number: 20250082316
    Abstract: An example retraction system includes a first retraction assembly, the first retraction assembly including a first arm coupled to a rack, a second arm coupled to the rack, a first retractor blade coupled to the first arm and a second retractor blade coupled to the second arm. The retraction system also includes a second retraction assembly, the second retraction assembly including a carriage configured to engage a blade post having a blade coupled to a distal end and a handle coupled to a proximal end, the blade post adjustable relative to the carriage. The retraction system also includes a third retractor blade coupled to the blade post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Serra, Samuel Tome, Byron Riemhofer, Shane Fedon
  • Patent number: 12185931
    Abstract: Medical or surgical devices, instruments, systems, and methods for use in optically sensing loads acting on a patient's anatomy may include a surgical device or instrument configured for insertion to a surgical site and an interrogator coupled to the surgical device or instrument via an optical fiber having a sensing area at a location of the surgical device or instrument at which a load is to be sensed. The measured load may be used as being indicative of a load acting on a patient's anatomy. Such measured or determined load may be used to make decisions before, during, or after a patient procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Nelsen, Michael Serra
  • Patent number: 12171420
    Abstract: An example retraction system includes a first retraction assembly, the first retraction assembly including a first arm coupled to a rack, a second arm coupled to the rack, a first retractor blade coupled to the first arm and a second retractor blade coupled to the second arm. The retraction system also includes a second retraction assembly, the second retraction assembly including a carriage configured to engage a blade post having a blade coupled to a distal end and a handle coupled to a proximal end, the blade post adjustable relative to the carriage. The retraction system also includes a third retractor blade coupled to the blade post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Serra, Samuel Tome, Byron Riemhofer, Shane Fedon
  • Publication number: 20240398579
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants with detachable fixation tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Luiz Pimenta, Michael Serra, Andrew Morris, Nathan Lovell, Sarah Stoltz, Nelson Oi
  • Patent number: 12150638
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Nuvasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Luiz Pimenta, Michael Serra, Andrew Morris, Nathan Lovell, Nelson Oi, Eugene Shoshtaev
  • Publication number: 20240366208
    Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods for performing surgical procedures on the spine, including one or more of creating an operative corridor to the spine, delivering implants to the spine, fusing one or more segments of the spine and fixing one or more segments of the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Lovell, Michael Serra, Troy B. Woolley, Mark D. Peterson, Antoine G. Tohmeh