Patents by Inventor Nicholas Poulos
Nicholas Poulos 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: 10966768Abstract: A self-drilling, self-tapping bone screw is described in which the bone screw has a drill tip free of threads and having a length at least as great as about the thickness of a proximal cortical bone layer, with the drill tip having opposed lands and a helical flute between each of the lands with each of the lands having a cutting edge configured to cut bone as the drill tip is rotated into the bone with the flutes conveying the bone debris away from the drill tip, where a lead thread begins to self-tap internal threads in the proximal cortical bone layer after the drill tip has drilled through the proximal cortical bone layer so as to avoid stripping the threads formed in the bone layer. A method of installation is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20210022784Abstract: A self-drilling, self-tapping bone screw is described in which the bone screw has a drill tip free of threads and having a length at least as great as about the thickness of a proximal cortical bone layer, with the drill tip having opposed lands and a helical flute between each of the lands with each of the lands having a cutting edge configured to cut bone as the drill tip is rotated into the bone with the flutes conveying the bone debris away from the drill tip, where a lead thread begins to self-tap internal threads in the proximal cortical bone layer after the drill tip has drilled through the proximal cortical bone layer so as to avoid stripping the threads formed in the bone layer. A method of installation is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventor: Nicholas POULOS
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Publication number: 20200179022Abstract: A self-drilling, self-tapping bone screw is described in which the bone screw has a drill tip free of threads and having a length at least as great as about the thickness of a proximal cortical bone layer, with the drill tip having opposed lands and a helical flute between each of the lands with each of the lands having a cutting edge configured to cut bone as the drill tip is rotated into the bone with the flutes conveying the bone debris away from the drill tip, where a lead thread begins to self-tap internal threads in the proximal cortical bone layer after the drill tip has drilled through the proximal cortical bone layer so as to avoid stripping the threads formed in the bone layer. A method of installation is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Patent number: 10548651Abstract: A self-drilling, self-tapping bone screw is described in which the bone screw has a drill tip free of threads and having a length at least as great as about the thickness of a proximal cortical bone layer, with the drill tip having opposed lands and a helical flute between each of the lands with each of the lands having a cutting edge configured to cut bone as the drill tip is rotated into the bone with the flutes conveying the bone debris away from the drill tip, where a lead thread begins to self-tap internal threads in the proximal cortical bone layer after the drill tip has drilled through the proximal cortical bone layer so as to avoid stripping the threads formed in the bone layer. A method of installation is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20180064555Abstract: An intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebrae and expanded in situ to occupy an optimal space between the vertebrae. The implant is inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae with its outer ends of the implant supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of predetermined thickness that may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is disclosed which permits endoscopic visualization of the disc space.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Patent number: 9326801Abstract: A fenestrated bone screw and method of use is disclosed in which a bone cement injection tube may be readily and sealably connected to the head of the bone screw by means of a bayonet connector so that bone cement from a cement pump may be forced into a cannula of the bone screw and into the bone structure proximate the fenestrations of the bone screw. Upon completion of the injection of the bone cement, the cement tube may be readily disconnected from the bone screw in such manner that leakage of bone cement is minimized. A surgical method of injecting bone cement into bone structure using such a cannulated, fenestrated bone screw is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20160095717Abstract: An intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebrae and expanded in situ to occupy an optimal space between the vertebrae. The implant is inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae with its outer ends of the implant supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of predetermined thickness that may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is disclosed which permits endoscopic visualization of the disc space.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Patent number: 9211195Abstract: An intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebrae and expanded in situ to occupy an optimal space between the vertebrae. The implant is inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae with its outer ends of the implant supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of predetermined thickness that may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is disclosed which permits endoscopic visualization of the disc space.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Patent number: 9180017Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an intervertebral disc prostheses or implant, and more particularly to an intervertebral disc prosthesis that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebral bodies and adjusted or expanded in situ to occupy an optimal or desired space between the vertebral bodies. The implant is preferably inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae bodies occupying the disc space with the outer ends of the implant being supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae bodies. The outer convex surfaces of the two body members conform anatomically to the shape of the disc space contacting the endplates. The implant has two body members that are movable relative to one another so as to vary the space between the members.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20150045891Abstract: An intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebrae and expanded in situ to occupy an optimal space between the vertebrae. The implant is inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae with its outer ends of the implant supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of predetermined thickness that may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is disclosed which permits endoscopic visualization of the disc space.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Patent number: 8906099Abstract: An intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebrae and expanded in situ to occupy an optimal space between the vertebrae. The implant is inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae with its outer ends of the implant supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of predetermined thickness that may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is disclosed which permits endoscopic visualization of the disc space.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20140277188Abstract: A self-drilling, self-tapping bone screw is described in which the bone screw has a drill tip free of threads and having a length at least as great as about the thickness of a proximal cortical bone layer, with the drill tip having opposed lands and a helical flute between each of the lands with each of the lands having a cutting edge configured to cut bone as the drill tip is rotated into the bone with the flutes conveying the bone debris away from the drill tip, where a lead thread begins to self-tap internal threads in the proximal cortical bone layer after the drill tip has drilled through the proximal cortical bone layer so as to avoid stripping the threads formed in the bone layer. A method of installation is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20140194886Abstract: A fenestrated bone screw and method of use is disclosed in which a bone cement injection tube may be readily and sealably connected to the head of the bone screw by means of a bayonet connector so that bone cement from a cement pump may be forced into a cannula of the bone screw and into the bone structure proximate the fenestrations of the bone screw. Upon completion of the injection of the bone cement, the cement tube may be readily disconnected from the bone screw in such manner that leakage of bone cement is minimized. A surgical method of injecting bone cement into bone structure using such a cannulated, fenestrated bone screw is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20140025167Abstract: A system is disclosed for distracting a disc space in a cervical spine at a level adjacent to a previously operated disc space where, in the previous surgery, a cervical plate has been applied to the anterior of the spine to span the previously operated upon disc space and where the cervical plate is attached to the vertebrae bodies on opposite sides of the previously operated upon disc space with the cervical plate covering at least a portion of the vertebrae bodies. A conventional distractor post is screwed into a third vertebrae body, and a second distractor post or member is fixedly and removably secured to the cervical plate. A conventional distractor instrument is applied to the posts of both distractor posts for applying a distraction force to the vertebrae bodies delimiting the disc space to be operated upon. A surgical method of distraction is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20130178939Abstract: An intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebrae and expanded in situ to occupy an optimal space between the vertebrae. The implant is inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae with its outer ends of the implant supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of predetermined thickness that may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is disclosed which permits endoscopic visualization of the disc space.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Patent number: 8480748Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebral bodies and adjusted or expanded in situ to occupy an optimal or desired space between the vertebral bodies. The implant is preferably inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae bodies occupying the disc space with the outer ends of the implant being supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae bodies. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of a, predetermined thickness may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20120089228Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an intervertebral implant that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebral bodies and adjusted or expanded in situ to occupy an optimal or desired space between the vertebral bodies. The implant is preferably inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae bodies occupying the disc space with the outer ends of the implant being supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae bodies. The implant has two body members with a space therebetween so the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of a, predetermined thickness may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. The upper and lower surfaces of the implant may have a desired lordotic angle. A method of using an implant is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventor: Nicholas Poulos
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Publication number: 20110087329Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an intervertebral disc prostheses or implant, and more particularly to an intervertebral disc prosthesis that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebral bodies and adjusted or expanded in situ to occupy an optimal or desired space between the vertebral bodies. The implant is preferably inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae bodies occupying the disc space with the outer ends of the implant being supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae bodies. The outer convex surfaces of the two body members conform anatomically to the shape of the disc space contacting the endplates. The implant has two body members that are movable relative to one another so as to vary the space between the members.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventor: Nicholas Poulos