Patents by Inventor Ralph Meili

Ralph Meili 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: 20230233336
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 11612492
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 11517444
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20200138596
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20200015980
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 10531960
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 10433976
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20160324662
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20160317321
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 9414935
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 9402735
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 9192419
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20150216675
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20130268008
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20100145459
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20100145460
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger