Patents by Inventor Nancy M. Sheehy

Nancy M. Sheehy 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).

  • Rigidly guided implant placement
    Patent number: 8852210
    Abstract: A system for guiding an implant to an optimal placement within a patient includes a trajectory guide for guiding instruments along a selected trajectory and a trajectory fixation device for fixing the trajectory guide in a selected position. The trajectory guide defines a path configured to align with the selected trajectory. A movable support mounts the trajectory guide and selectively moves the trajectory guide to align the trajectory guide with the selected trajectory prior to fixing the trajectory guide in the selected position. After fixing the trajectory guide, instruments can be inserted along the trajectory through the path defined by the trajectory guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Selover, Christopher W. Sicvol, Ronald Naughton, Nancy M. Sheehy, Paul Birkmeyer
  • Methods and devices for minimally invasive spinal fixation element placement
    Patent number: 8277491
    Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In one embodiment, a dissection tool is provided for separating muscles along a muscle plane without causing damage to the muscles. The dissection tool can also include a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a guide wire. The tool allows the guide wire to be positioned relative to a vertebra, and once properly positioned, the tool can be removed to allow a spinal anchor to be delivered along the guide wire and implanted into the vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Selover, Nancy M. Sheehy
  • RIGIDLY GUIDED IMPLANT PLACEMENT
    Publication number: 20120209290
    Abstract: A system for guiding an implant to an optimal placement within a patient includes a trajectory guide for guiding instruments along a selected trajectory and a trajectory fixation device for fixing the trajectory guide in a selected position. The trajectory guide defines a path configured to align with the selected trajectory. A movable support mounts the trajectory guide and selectively moves the trajectory guide to align the trajectory guide with the selected trajectory prior to fixing the trajectory guide in the selected position. After fixing the trajectory guide, instruments can be inserted along the trajectory through the path defined by the trajectory guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: DEPUY SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Sean SELOVER, Christopher W. SICVOL, Ronald NAUGHTON, Nancy M. SHEEHY, Paul BIRKMEYER
  • Rigidly guided implant placement
    Patent number: 8182491
    Abstract: A system for guiding an implant to an optimal placement within a patient includes a trajectory guide for guiding instruments along a selected trajectory and a trajectory fixation device for fixing the trajectory guide in a selected position. The trajectory guide defines a path configured to align with the selected trajectory. A movable support mounts the trajectory guide and selectively moves the trajectory guide to align the trajectory guide with the selected trajectory prior to fixing the trajectory guide in the selected position. After fixing the trajectory guide, instruments can be inserted along the trajectory through the path defined by the trajectory guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Selover, Christopher W. Sicvol, Ronald Naughton, Nancy M. Sheehy, Paul Birkmeyer
  • Rigidly guided implant placement with control assist
    Patent number: 8016835
    Abstract: A system for guiding an implant to an optimal placement within a patient includes a trajectory guide for guiding instruments along a selected trajectory and a trajectory fixation device for fixing the trajectory guide in a selected position. The trajectory guide defines a path configured to align with the selected trajectory. A movable support mounts the trajectory guide and selectively moves the trajectory guide to align the trajectory guide with the selected trajectory prior to fixing the trajectory guide in the selected position. The trajectory is aligned coarsely by hand, then the trajectory is aligned using a fine adjustment system. After fixing the trajectory guide, instruments can be inserted along the trajectory through the path defined by the trajectory guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Birkmeyer, Christopher W. Sicvol, Hassan Serhan, Sean Selover, Ronald Naughton, Nancy M. Sheehy
  • METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINAL FIXATION ELEMENT PLACEMENT
    Publication number: 20100174326
    Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In one embodiment, a dissection tool is provided for separating muscles along a muscle plane without causing damage to the muscles. The dissection tool can also include a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a guide wire. The tool allows the guide wire to be positioned relative to a vertebra, and once properly positioned, the tool can be removed to allow a spinal anchor to be delivered along the guide wire and implanted into the vertebra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: DEPUY SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Sean P. Selover, Nancy M. Sheehy
  • Methods and devices for minimally invasive spinal fixation element placement
    Patent number: 7708763
    Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In one embodiment, a dissection tool is provided for separating muscles along a muscle plane without causing damage to the muscles. The dissection tool can also include a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a guide wire. The tool allows the guide wire to be positioned relative to a vertebra, and once properly positioned, the tool can be removed to allow a spinal anchor to be delivered along the guide wire and implanted into the vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Selover, Nancy M. Sheehy