Patents by Inventor Michael Zajack
Michael Zajack 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: 9357908Abstract: A blade extending tower is provided for setting blade depth on retractors having telescoping or extending blades. The blade extending tower features a base, a column extending from the base, and mating features on the column configured to engage the blades of a retractor to extend the blades to a desired blade depth. Blade depth of the retractor is set buy sliding the retractor onto the blade extending tower such that the mating features of the blade extending tower engage the blades or the retractor, stopping the blades progression while the rest of the retractor continues along the length of the column. Thus the blades of the retractor are extended from the retractor to a depth determined by the configuration of the blade extending tower.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.Inventors: William J. Frasier, Connie P. Marchek, Timothy Beardsley, Michael Zajack
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Patent number: 8828005Abstract: A spinal fixation element is provided having a feature formed thereon that facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element through an access device, thus allowing the spinal fixation element to be positioned in relation to a spinal anchor that is coupled to the access device and that is implanted in a vertebra in a patient's spine. The feature also optionally facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element in relation to spinal anchors implanted in adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the spinal fixation element is adapted for use with an access device that has at least one slot or opening formed therein and having a width that is less than a width of the feature, thus preventing the feature from passing therethrough. The spinal fixation element can therefore be inserted through the access device, and a portion of the fixation element can be passed through the slot or opening in the access device while the feature is retained in the access device.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Paul Birkmeyer, Michael Zajack, Erasmo Lopez, Ramon Alberto Ruberte
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Patent number: 7918792Abstract: A surgical retractor for use with a spinal stabilization system including a plurality of bone anchors and a plurality of anchor extensions. The surgical retractor includes a frame positionable between a first anchor extension connected to a first bone anchor implanted in a first vertebra and a second anchor extension connected to a second bone anchor implanted in a second vertebra and a first retractor blade connectable to the frame for retracting tissue between the first anchor extension and the second anchor extension.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.Inventors: Anne Drzyzga, William Frasier, Michael Zajack, Michael DeFusco, Connie Marchek, Nicholas Pavento, Ginger Boyer, Sara Dziedzic
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Publication number: 20100041956Abstract: A blade extending tower is provided for setting blade depth on retractors having telescoping or extending blades. The blade extending tower features a base, a column extending from the base, and mating features on the column configured to engage the blades of a retractor to extend the blades to a desired blade depth. Blade depth of the retractor is set buy sliding the retractor onto the blade extending tower such that the mating features of the blade extending tower engage the blades or the retractor, stopping the blades progression while the rest of the retractor continues along the length of the column. Thus the blades of the retractor are extended from the retractor to a depth determined by the configuration of the blade extending tower.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: William J. FRASIER, Connie P. MARCHEK, Timothy BEARDSLEY, Michael ZAJACK
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Patent number: 7625339Abstract: A blade extending tower for setting blade depth on retractors having telescoping or extending blades. The blade extending tower features a base, a column extending from the base, and mating features on the column configured to engage the blades of a retractor to extend the blades to a desired blade depth. Blade depth of the retractor is set buy sliding the retractor onto the blade extending tower such that the mating features of the blade extending tower engage the blades or the retractor, stopping the blades progression while the rest of the retractor continues along the length of the column. Thus the blades of the retractor are extended from the retractor to a depth determined by the configuration of the blade extending tower.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Depuy Spine, Inc.Inventors: William J. Frasier, Connie P. Marchek, Timothy Beardsley, Michael Zajack
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Publication number: 20090216328Abstract: A spinal fixation element is provided having a feature formed thereon that facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element through an access device, thus allowing the spinal fixation element to be positioned in relation to a spinal anchor that is coupled to the access device and that is implanted in a vertebra in a patient's spine. The feature also optionally facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element in relation to spinal anchors implanted in adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the spinal fixation element is adapted for use with an access device that has at least one slot or opening formed therein and having a width that is less than a width of the feature, thus preventing the feature from passing therethrough. The spinal fixation element can therefore be inserted through the access device, and a portion of the fixation element can be passed through the slot or opening in the access device while the feature is retained in the access device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: DePuy Spine, Inc.Inventors: Paul Birkmeyer, Michael Zajack, Erasmo Lopez, Ramon A. Ruberte
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Patent number: 7547318Abstract: A spinal fixation element is provided having a feature formed thereon that facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element through an access device, thus allowing the spinal fixation element to be positioned in relation to a spinal anchor that is coupled to the access device and that is implanted in a vertebra in a patient's spine. The feature also optionally facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element in relation to spinal anchors implanted in adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the spinal fixation element is adapted for use with an access device that has at least one slot or opening formed therein and having a width that is less than a width of the feature, thus preventing the feature from passing therethrough. The spinal fixation element can therefore be inserted through the access device, and a portion of the fixation element can be passed through the slot or opening in the access device while the feature is retained in the access device.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.Inventors: Paul Birkmeyer, Michael Zajack, Erasmo Lopez, Ramon Ruberte
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Publication number: 20080021285Abstract: A surgical retractor for use with a spinal stabilization system including a plurality of bone anchors and a plurality of anchor extensions. The surgical retractor includes a frame positionable between a first anchor extension connected to a first bone anchor implanted in a first vertebra and a second anchor extension connected to a second bone anchor implanted in a second vertebra and a first retractor blade connectable to the frame for retracting tissue between the first anchor extension and the second anchor extension.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Anne Drzyzga, William Frasier, Michael Zajack, Michael DeFusco, Connie Marchek, Nicholas Pavento, Ginger Boyer, Sara Dziedzic
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Publication number: 20060129033Abstract: A blade extending tower for setting blade depth on retractors having telescoping or extending blades. The blade extending tower features a base, a column extending from the base, and mating features on the column configured to engage the blades of a retractor to extend the blades to a desired blade depth. Blade depth of the retractor is set buy sliding the retractor onto the blade extending tower such that the mating features of the blade extending tower engage the blades or the retractor, stopping the blades progression while the rest of the retractor continues along the length of the column. Thus the blades of the retractor are extended from the retractor to a depth determined by the configuration of the blade extending tower.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2004Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: DePuy Spine, Inc.Inventors: William Frasier, Connie Marchek, Timothy Beardsley, Michael Zajack
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Publication number: 20060030861Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices are described for providing access to a surgical site proximate the anterior region of a patient's spine. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is a cannula that includes a distal end adapted to mate with the anterior surface of a vertebra. An exemplary method includes positioning the cannula through an incision, placing the distal end of the cannula against the anterior surface of a vertebra, and performing a surgical procedure through the cannula. Instruments or spinal implants may be inserted through the cannula.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2005Publication date: February 9, 2006Inventors: Robert Simonson, Eric Kolb, David Konieczynski, Jonathan Fanger, Michael Zajack, Michael Jacene
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Publication number: 20050215999Abstract: A spinal fixation element is provided having a feature formed thereon that facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element through an access device, thus allowing the spinal fixation element to be positioned in relation to a spinal anchor that is coupled to the access device and that is implanted in a vertebra in a patient's spine. The feature also optionally facilitates placement of the spinal fixation element in relation to spinal anchors implanted in adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the spinal fixation element is adapted for use with an access device that has at least one slot or opening formed therein and having a width that is less than a width of the feature, thus preventing the feature from passing therethrough. The spinal fixation element can therefore be inserted through the access device, and a portion of the fixation element can be passed through the slot or opening in the access device while the feature is retained in the access device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2004Publication date: September 29, 2005Applicant: DEPUY SPINE, INC.Inventors: Paul Birkmeyer, Michael Zajack, Erasmo Lopez, Ramon Ruberte