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).
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Patent number: 9615820Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: SPORTWELDING GMBHInventors: Jorg Mayer, Andrea Mueller, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Andreas Wenger, Milica Berra
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Publication number: 20170049478Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
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Patent number: 9510861Abstract: A method of anchoring an implant in hard tissue, and/or hard tissue replacement material, includes the steps of providing an initial opening in the hard tissue, providing a thermoplastic augmentation element, a tool and a counter element, compressing the augmentation element between the tool and the counter element while energy is coupled into the tool and while a periphery of a liquefaction interface of the tool and the augmentation element and/or of a liquefaction interface of the augmentation element and the counter element is in the opening, thereby liquefying material of the augmentation element at the liquefaction interface(s) to yield liquefied material, causing portions of the liquefied material to penetrate into structures of the hard tissue, allowing the liquefied material to harden and to thereby become augmentation material, removing the tool and the counter element, and anchoring the implant in the opening including at least some of the augmentation material.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: SPINEWELDING AGInventors: Jorg Mayer, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
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DEVICE TO BE IMPLANTED IN HUMAN OR ANIMAL TISSUE AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING AND ASSEMBLING THE DEVICE
Publication number: 20160135961Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Müller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jörg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra -
Publication number: 20160074171Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Andrea Müller, Milica Berra, Marcel Aeschlimann, Mario Lehmann, Urs Weber, Jorg Mayer, Stephen Hochschuler, Hansen Yuan, Frank M. Phillips, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Ulrich Berlemann
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DEVICE TO BE IMPLANTED IN HUMAN OR ANIMAL TISSUE AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING AND ASSEMBLING THE DEVICE
Publication number: 20160058579Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Mueller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jörg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra -
Patent number: 9220609Abstract: A spine stabilization device is provided, the spine stabilization device including an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra, and including a top surface oriented towards the lower endplate of the vertebral body of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface oriented towards the upper endplate of the vertebral body of the lower vertebra; and a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device including a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra into a ventral direction, the support portion shaped to rest against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and further including an anchor, the anchor including an anchoring material portion that is configured to be inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral body of the upper vertebra and of thType: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: SPINEWELDING AGInventors: Andrea Mueller, 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
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Publication number: 20150119993Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2015Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Mueller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
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Patent number: 8951254Abstract: 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 (1) and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion (2). The anchorage portions (1) include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion (2) preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions (1) have a greater thickness (T1) and a greater depth (D) than the stabilization portion (2). Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face (4) 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: WW Technology AGInventors: Jorg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Mueller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
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Publication number: 20140135856Abstract: A method of anchoring an implant in hard tissue, and/or hard tissue replacement material, includes the steps of providing an initial opening in the hard tissue, providing a thermoplastic augmentation element, a tool and a counter element, compressing the augmentation element between the tool and the counter element while energy is coupled into the tool and while a periphery of a liquefaction interface of the tool and the augmentation element and/or of a liquefaction interface of the augmentation element and the counter element is in the opening, thereby liquefying material of the augmentation element at the liquefaction interface(s) to yield liquefied material, causing portions of the liquefied material to penetrate into structures of the hard tissue, allowing the liquefied material to harden and to thereby become augmentation material, removing the tool and the counter element, and anchoring the implant in the opening including at least some of the augmentation material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Spinewelding AGInventors: Jorg Mayer, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
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Patent number: 8663297Abstract: A method of anchoring an implant in hard tissue, and/or hard tissue replacement material, includes the steps of providing an initial opening in the hard tissue, providing a thermoplastic augmentation element, a tool and a counter element, compressing the augmentation element between the tool and the counter element while energy is coupled into the tool and while a periphery of a liquefaction interface of the tool and the augmentation element and/or of a liquefaction interface of the augmentation element and the counter element is in the opening, thereby liquefying material of the augmentation element at the liquefaction interface(s) to yield liquefied material, causing portions of the liquefied material to penetrate into structures of the hard tissue, allowing the liquefied material to harden and to thereby become augmentation material, removing the tool and the counter element, and anchoring the implant in the opening including at least some of the augmentation material.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: WW Technology AGInventors: Jorg Mayer, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
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Publication number: 20130006278Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: SPORTWELDING GMBHInventors: Jörg Mayer, Milica Berra, Andrea Mueller, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Andreas Wenger, Elmar Mock
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Publication number: 20120078300Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: SPORTWELDING GMBHInventors: Jörg Mayer, Andrea Mueller, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl, Andreas Wenger, Milica Berra
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Publication number: 20120022535Abstract: 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 (1) and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion (2). The anchorage portions (1) include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion (2) preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions (1) have a greater thickness (T1) and a greater depth (D) than the stabilization portion (2). Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face (4) 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: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2009Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: WW TECHNOLOGY AGInventors: Jorg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Mueller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
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Publication number: 20110257694Abstract: A method of anchoring an implant in hard tissue, and/or hard tissue replacement material, includes the steps of providing an initial opening in the hard tissue, providing a thermoplastic augmentation element, a tool and a counter element, compressing the augmentation element between the tool and the counter element while energy is coupled into the tool and while a periphery of a liquefaction interface of the tool and the augmentation element and/or of a liquefaction interface of the augmentation element and the counter element is in the opening, thereby liquefying material of the augmentation element at the liquefaction interface(s) to yield liquefied material, causing portions of the liquefied material to penetrate into structures of the hard tissue, allowing the liquefied material to harden and to thereby become augmentation material, removing the tool and the counter element, and anchoring the implant in the opening including at least some of the augmentation material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2009Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: WW TECHNOLOGY AGInventors: Jorg Mayer, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
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Publication number: 20100274358Abstract: A spine stabilization device is provided, the spine stabilization device including an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra, and including a top surface oriented towards the lower endplate of the vertebral body of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface oriented towards the upper endplate of the vertebral body of the lower vertebra; and a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device including a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra into a ventral direction, the support portion shaped to rest against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and further including an anchor, the anchor including an anchoring material portion that is configured to be inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral body of the upper vertebra and of thType: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: SPINEWELDING AGInventors: Andrea Mueller, 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
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DEVICE TO BE IMPLANTED IN HUMAN OR ANIMAL TISSUE AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING AND ASSEMBLING THE DEVICE
Publication number: 20100023057Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue comprises two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts comprises 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 comprises a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations comprises 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 pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying vibration, e.g. 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2007Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: WOODWELDING AGInventors: Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Andrea Muller, Thomas Knecht, Philipp Seiler, Urs Weber, Christopher Rast, Jorg Mayer, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra