Patents by Inventor Nicholas van der Walt

Nicholas van der Walt 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: 20180049622
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mixed reality surgical navigation system (10) comprising: a display device (104) comprising a processor unit (102), a display generator (204), a sensor suite (210) having at least one camera (206); and at least one marker (600) fixedly attached to a surgical tool (608); wherein the system (10) maps three-dimensional surfaces of partially exposed surfaces of an anatomical object of interest (604); tracks a six-degree of freedom post of the surgical tool (608), and provides a mixed reality user interface comprising stereoscopic virtual images of desired features of the surgical tool (608) and desired features of the anatomical object (604) in the user's (106) field of view. The present invention also provides methods of using the system in various medical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew William Ryan, Andrew Philip Hartman, Nicholas van der Walt
  • Patent number: 9855075
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Santiago P. Borja
  • Publication number: 20170296274
    Abstract: In another embodiment, a hip joint navigation jig is provided that includes an anatomical interface comprising a bone engagement portion. A registration jig is also provided that is coupled, e.g., removeably, with the anatomical interface. A rotatable member is provided for rotation about an axis that is not vertical when the jig is mounted to the bone adjacent to a hip joint and the registration jig is coupled with the anatomical interface. An anatomy engaging probe is coupled with the rotatable member for rotation about the axis and is translatable to enable the probe to be brought into contact with a plurality of anatomical landmarks during a procedure. An inertial sensor is coupled with the probe to indicate orientation related to the landmarks, the sensor being disposed in a different orientation relative to horizontal when the probe is in contact with the landmarks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Matthew Ryan, Jonathan Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9775725
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device, a reference sensor device, and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device, reference sensor device, and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, or otherwise to assist in an orthopedic procedure(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Charles Shapiro, Richard Lane, Matt Ryan
  • Publication number: 20170238946
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Santiago P. Borja
  • Publication number: 20170196571
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, a device for positioning and orienting the femoral cutting block. The present invention also provides a device for setting rotation of sagittal resection for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The present invention further provides methods for setting the rotation of the tibial implant by kinematic measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Berend, Jonathan Nielsen, Nicholas van der Walt, Scott Richard Small
  • Patent number: 9649160
    Abstract: In another embodiment, a hip joint navigation jig is provided that includes an anatomical interface comprising a bone engagement portion. A registration jig is also provided that is coupled, e.g., removeably, with the anatomical interface. A rotatable member is provided for rotation about an axis that is not vertical when the jig is mounted to the bone adjacent to a hip joint and the registration jig is coupled with the anatomical interface. An anatomy engaging probe is coupled with the rotatable member for rotation about the axis and is translatable to enable the probe to be brought into contact with a plurality of anatomical landmarks during a procedure. An inertial sensor is coupled with the probe to indicate orientation related to the landmarks, the sensor being disposed in a different orientation relative to horizontal when the probe is in contact with the landmarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Matthew Ryan, Jonathan Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9572586
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Santiago P. Borja
  • Patent number: 9549742
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, a device for positioning and orienting the femoral cutting block. The present invention also provides a device for setting rotation of sagittal resection for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The present invention further provides methods for setting the rotation of the tibial implant by kinematic measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Berend, Jonathan Nielsen, Nicholas van der Walt, Scott Richard Small
  • Publication number: 20160278943
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device, a reference sensor device, and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device, reference sensor device, and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, or otherwise to assist in an orthopedic procedure(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Charles Shapiro, Richard Lane, Matt Ryan
  • Publication number: 20160242934
    Abstract: A hip joint navigation system is provided that includes a base having at least one channel disposed therethrough for receiving a pin for mounting the base to the pelvis. A mount feature is disposed on a top surface. A registration jig is configured to couple with the base and to engage anatomical landmarks. In some aspects, a patient specific jig system for hip replacement is provided including an engagement surface formed to closely mate to acetabular bone contours of a specific patient and a registration feature configured to be in a pre-determined orientation relative to an acetabulum the patient when the jig is coupled with acetabular bone contours of the specific patient. In other aspects, methods of using the systems are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Jonathan Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20160213383
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Santiago P. Borja
  • Patent number: 9339226
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device, a reference sensor device, and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device, reference sensor device, and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, or otherwise to assist in an orthopedic procedure(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Charles Shapiro, Matt Ryan, Sean Nash
  • Patent number: 9271756
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device, a reference sensor device, and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device, reference sensor device, and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, or otherwise to assist in an orthopedic procedure(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Charles Shapiro, Richard Lane, Matt Ryan
  • Patent number: 9192392
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Santiago P. Borja
  • Publication number: 20150150569
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal alignment system comprising at least one vertebral coupler, at least one reference device and a surgical orientation device. The present invention further provides methods using the spinal alignment system to assist in alignment of the spine during a surgical procedure to correct a deformity due to trauma or degeneration. The present invention also provides a pedicle screw navigation system comprising of a pedicle screw navigator, a first reference device, a second reference device and a surgical orientation device. The present invention provides methods using the pedicle screw navigation system to assist in determining the proper orientation of a pedicle screw during spinal surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Jonathan Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20150127009
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, a device for positioning and orienting the femoral cutting block. The present invention also provides a device for setting rotation of sagittal resection for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The present invention further provides methods for setting the rotation of the tibial implant by kinematic measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Berend, Jonathan Nielsen, Nicholas van der Walt, Scott Richard Small
  • Publication number: 20150100058
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Charles S. Shapiro, Santiago P. Borja
  • Patent number: 8998910
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Santiago P. Borja, Nicholas van der Walt
  • Patent number: 8911447
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: OrthAlign, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas van der Walt, Charles S. Shapiro, Santiago P. Borja