Patents by Inventor Milica Berra

Milica Berra 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: 20230210569
    Abstract: A graft or prosthetic element suitable, e.g., for replacing a tendon or ligament is fastened in a bone tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a fastener. In a first step, the graft or prosthetic element is press-fitted in the tunnel or opening by forcing the fastener into the opening or by positioning the fastener in the opening and then expanding it, wherein the fastener is in contact with the graft or prosthetic element and with the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening. In a second step, the fastener is anchored in the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a liquefiable material which is liquefied in the vicinity of the bone wall where it is in contact with the fastener and by making the liquefied material penetrate into the bone wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Milica Berra, Andrea Müller, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Andreas Wenger, Elmar Mock
  • Patent number: 11589909
    Abstract: A graft or prosthetic element suitable, e.g., for replacing a tendon or ligament is fastened in a bone tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a fastener. In a first step, the graft or prosthetic element is press-fitted in the tunnel or opening by forcing the fastener into the opening or by positioning the fastener in the opening and then expanding it, wherein the fastener is in contact with the graft or prosthetic element and with the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening. In a second step, the fastener is anchored in the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a liquefiable material which is liquefied in the vicinity of the bone wall where it is in contact with the fastener and by making the liquefied material penetrate into the bone wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SPORTWELDING GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Milica Berra, Andrea Müller, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Andreas Wenger, Elmar Mock
  • Patent number: 11399953
    Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Müller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jörg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
  • Patent number: 11259934
    Abstract: A spine stabilization device having an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra. The device further includes a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device having a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies into a ventral direction. The support portion rests against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and includes an anchor. The anchor has an anchoring material portion that is inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SPINEWELDING AG
    Inventors: Andrea Müller, Milica Berra, Marcel Aeschlimann, Mario Lehmann, Urs Weber, Jörg Mayer, Stephen Hochschuler, Hansen Yuan, Frank M. Phillips, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Ulrich Berlemann
  • Publication number: 20210161519
    Abstract: A suture anchor includes a material having thermoplastic properties and is fixated in a hard tissue opening by liquefying at least part of this material and letting it penetrate into walls of the hard tissue opening. During the named fixation and preferably towards the end of it, the suture being held in a distal suture conduit is locked relative to the hard tissue by being clamped between the suture anchor and the wall of the hard tissue opening or by being clamped or braked through collapse of the suture conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Andrea Müller, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Milica Berra, Andreas Wenger
  • Patent number: 10939900
    Abstract: A suture anchor includes a material having thermoplastic properties and is fixated in a hard tissue opening by liquefying at least part of this material and letting it penetrate into walls of the hard tissue opening. During the named fixation and preferably towards the end of it, the suture being held in a distal suture conduit is locked relative to the hard tissue by being clamped between the suture anchor and the wall of the hard tissue opening or by being clamped or braked through collapse of the suture conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SPORTWELDING GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Andrea Müller, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Milica Berra, Andreas Wenger
  • Patent number: 10722369
    Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion. The anchorage portions include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions have a greater thickness and a greater depth than the stabilization portion. Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: WW TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Müller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
  • Patent number: 10709487
    Abstract: A graft or prosthetic element suitable e.g. for replacing a tendon or ligament is fastened in a bone tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a fastener. In a first step, the graft or prosthetic element is press-fitted in the tunnel or opening by forcing the fastener into the opening or by positioning the fastener in the opening and then expanding it, wherein the fastener is in contact with the graft or prosthetic element and with the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening. In a second step, the fastener is anchored in the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a liquefiable material which is liquefied in the vicinity of the bone wall where it is in contact with the fastener and by making the liquefied material penetrate into the bone wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SPORTWELDING GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Milica Berra, Andrea Mueller, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Andreas Wenger, Elmar Mock
  • Publication number: 20200146734
    Abstract: A graft or prosthetic element suitable, e.g., for replacing a tendon or ligament is fastened in a bone tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a fastener. In a first step, the graft or prosthetic element is press-fitted in the tunnel or opening by forcing the fastener into the opening or by positioning the fastener in the opening and then expanding it, wherein the fastener is in contact with the graft or prosthetic element and with the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening. In a second step, the fastener is anchored in the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a liquefiable material which is liquefied in the vicinity of the bone wall where it is in contact with the fastener and by making the liquefied material penetrate into the bone wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Milica Berra, Andrea Müller, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Andreas Wenger, Elmar Mock
  • Publication number: 20200030115
    Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Müller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jörg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
  • Patent number: 10470893
    Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Müller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jörg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
  • Publication number: 20190133777
    Abstract: A spine stabilization device having an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra. The device further includes a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device having a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies into a ventral direction. The support portion rests against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and includes an anchor. The anchor has an anchoring material portion that is inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Andrea Müller, Milica Berra, Marcel Aeschlimann, Mario Lehmann, Urs Weber, Jörg Mayer, Stephen Hochschuler, Hansen Yuan, Frank M. Phillips, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Ulrich Berlemann
  • Patent number: 10195045
    Abstract: A spine stabilization device having an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra. The device further includes a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device having a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies into a ventral direction. The support portion rests against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and includes an anchor. The anchor has an anchoring material portion that is inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SPINEWELDING AG
    Inventors: Andrea Müller, Milica Berra, Marcel Aeschlimann, Mario Lehmann, Urs Weber, Jörg Mayer, Stephen Hochschuler, Hansen Yuan, Frank M. Phillips, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Ulrich Berlemann
  • Patent number: 10154858
    Abstract: A device for preparing an opening in tissue for implantation of an implant. The device includes a tool adapted to be coupled to an energy source, an augmentation element of a thermoplastic material, and a counter element. A tool contact surface and a first augmentation element contact surface together form a first interface, and a second augmentation element contact surface and a counter element contact surface together form a second interface. The device is configured to be being inserted into an opening in the tissue and configured for the augmentation element to be compressed between the tool and the counter element while at the same time energy is coupled into the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: SPINEWELDING AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
  • Publication number: 20180000592
    Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion. The anchorage portions include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions have a greater thickness and a greater depth than the stabilization portion. Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Müller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
  • Patent number: 9782268
    Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Mueller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jörg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
  • Publication number: 20170266018
    Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Müller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jörg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
  • Patent number: 9757237
    Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion. The anchorage portions include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions have a greater thickness and a greater depth than the stabilization portion. Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: WW TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Mueller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
  • Patent number: 9724206
    Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Muller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jorg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
  • Publication number: 20170181742
    Abstract: A suture anchor includes a material having thermoplastic properties and is fixated in a hard tissue opening by liquefying at least part of this material and letting it penetrate into walls of the hard tissue opening. During the named fixation and preferably towards the end of it, the suture being held in a distal suture conduit is locked relative to the hard tissue by being clamped between the suture anchor and the wall of the hard tissue opening or by being clamped or braked through collapse of the suture conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Andrea Müller, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Milica Berra, Andreas Wenger