Patents by Inventor Robert A. KIEFER

Robert A. KIEFER 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).

  • Patent number: 12207854
    Abstract: An attachment device with a radially expandable section is disclosed. The attachment device can have helical threads, for example, to facilitate screwing the attachment device into a bone. Methods of using the same are also disclosed. The attachment device can be positioned to radially expand the expandable section in cancellous bone substantially surrounded by cortical bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P.
    Inventors: E. Skott Greenhalgh, John-Paul Romano, Michael P. Igoe, Robert A. Kiefer, Wade K. Trexler
  • Patent number: 11737800
    Abstract: Attachment devices and methods of using the same are disclosed. The attachment devices can be fenestrated. The fenestrations can control the flow of fluid out of and/or into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P.
    Inventors: E. Skott Greenhalgh, Robert A. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 11458669
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for changing cross-sectional sizes and/or shapes of flat braided sutures and the resulting constructs are disclosed. The flat braided sutures can have a textile first cross-sectional shape that can be changed to a textile second cross-sectional shape. The systems can have a heater and a die. The flat braided sutures can be movable through the heater and the die. When the flat braided sutures are in the heater, the flat braided sutures can be heatable from a textile first temperature to a textile second temperature greater than the textile first temperature. When the flat braided sutures are at the textile second temperature, the textile first cross-sectional shape can be changeable to the textile second cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ATEX Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Kiefer, Nathan Spangenberg, Stephanie Burke, Matthew Oltman, Thomas R. Molz
  • Publication number: 20220266502
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for changing cross-sectional sizes and/or shapes of flat braided sutures and the resulting constructs are disclosed. The flat braided sutures can have a textile first cross-sectional shape that can be changed to a textile second cross-sectional shape. The systems can have a heater and a die. The flat braided sutures can be movable through the heater and the die. When the flat braided sutures are in the heater, the flat braided sutures can be heatable from a textile first temperature to a textile second temperature greater than the textile first temperature. When the flat braided sutures are at the textile second temperature, the textile first cross-sectional shape can be changeable to the textile second cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: US BioDesign, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. KIEFER, Nathan SPANGENBERG, Stephanie BURKE, Matthew OLTMAN, Thomas R. MOLZ
  • Patent number: 11155947
    Abstract: Methods and systems for braiding sutures and the resulting constructs are disclosed. The sutures can have alternating bifurcated and non-bifurcated lengths. The sutures can have looped-ends, with both ends of the loop having contiguous braiding with the adjacent body or remainder of the suture. Braiding machines can have one or more bifurcating bars that can controllably obstruct or allow passage of the shuttle and carriers of the braiding machine. The controllable bifurcating bars can result in u-turns in the shuttle and carrier paths, such as a path encircling a horngear adjacent to the bifurcating bar, or passage of the shuttle and carrier across the bifurcating bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Lake Region Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Kiefer, Nathan Spangenberg
  • Patent number: 10888363
    Abstract: Attachment devices and methods of using the same are disclosed. The attachment devices can be fenestrated. The fenestrations can control the flow of fluid out of and/or into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P.
    Inventors: E. Skott Greenhalgh, Robert A. Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20200330142
    Abstract: Attachment devices and methods of using the same are disclosed. The attachment devices can be fenestrated. The fenestrations can control the flow of fluid out of and/or into the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Stout Medical Group, L.P.
    Inventors: E. Skott GREENHALGH, Robert A. KIEFER
  • Publication number: 20200056312
    Abstract: Methods and systems for braiding sutures and the resulting constructs are disclosed. The sutures can have alternating bifurcated and non-bifurcated lengths. The sutures can have looped-ends, with both ends of the loop having contiguous braiding with the adjacent body or remainder of the suture. Braiding machines can have one or more bifurcating bars that can controllably obstruct or allow passage of the shuttle and carriers of the braiding machine. The controllable bifurcating bars can result in u-turns in the shuttle and carrier paths, such as a path encircling a horngear adjacent to the bifurcating bar, or passage of the shuttle and carrier across the bifurcating bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Robert A. Kiefer, Nathan Spangenberg
  • Publication number: 20200015873
    Abstract: An attachment device with a radially expandable section is disclosed. The attachment device can have helical threads, for example, to facilitate screwing the attachment device into a bone. Methods of using the same are also disclosed. The attachment device can be positioned to radially expand the expandable section in cancellous bone substantially surrounded by cortical bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: E. Skott GREENHALGH, John-Paul ROMANO, Michael P. IGOE, Robert A. KIEFER, Wade K. TREXLER
  • Publication number: 20190374269
    Abstract: Attachment devices and methods of using the same are disclosed. The attachment devices can be longitudinally expandable and/or compressible. The attachment devices can have an increasable and/or decreasable length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: Stout Medical Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert A. KIEFER, E. Skott GREENHALGH
  • Publication number: 20190167326
    Abstract: Attachment devices and methods of using the same are disclosed. The attachment devices can be fenestrated. The fenestrations can control the flow of fluid out of and/or into the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Stout Medical Group, L.P.
    Inventors: E. Skott GREENHALGH, Robert A. KIEFER
  • Publication number: 20190168441
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for changing cross-sectional sizes and/or shapes of flat braided sutures and the resulting constructs are disclosed. The flat braided sutures can have a textile first cross-sectional shape that can be changed to a textile second cross-sectional shape. The systems can have a heater and a die. The flat braided sutures can be movable through the heater and the die. When the flat braided sutures are in the heater, the flat braided sutures can be heatable from a textile first temperature to a textile second temperature greater than the textile first temperature. When the flat braided sutures are at the textile second temperature, the textile first cross-sectional shape can be changeable to the textile second cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: US BioDesign, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. KIEFER, Nathan SPANGENBERG, Stephanie BURKE, Matthew OLTMAN, Thomas R. MOLZ
  • Publication number: 20170348115
    Abstract: An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. The device can have multiple flat sides that remain flat during expansi A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. Devices and methods for adjusting (e.g., removing, repositioning, resizing) deployed orthopedic expandable support devices are also disclosed. The expandable support devices can be engaged by an engagement device. The engagement device can longitudinally expand the expandable support device. The expandable support device can be longitudinally expanded until the expandable support device is substantially in a pre-deployed configuration. The expandable support device can be then be physically translated and/or rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: E. Skott GREENHALGH, John-Paul ROMANO, Michael P. IGOE, Robert A. KIEFER
  • Patent number: 9770339
    Abstract: An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. The device can have multiple flat sides that remain flat during expansion. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. Devices and methods for adjusting (e.g., removing, repositioning, resizing) deployed orthopedic expandable support devices are also disclosed. The expandable support devices can be engaged by an engagement device. The engagement device can longitudinally expand the expandable support device. The expandable support device can be longitudinally expanded until the expandable support device is substantially in a pre-deployed configuration. The expandable support device can be then be physically translated and/or rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P.
    Inventors: E. Skott Greenhalgh, John-Paul Romano, Michael P. Igoe, Robert A. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 9149286
    Abstract: Devices and methods for orthopedic support are disclosed. The device can have a first rigid section hingedly attached to a second rigid section. A tunnel through the bone near the implantation target site can be created. The device can be inserted into and pass through and out of the tunnel to the target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Flexmedex, LLC
    Inventors: E. Skott Greenhalgh, John-Paul Romano, Robert A. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 9050112
    Abstract: A tissue removal device for removing hard and/or soft tissue is disclosed. The device can have an elongated rigid shaft attached to an articulating broach. The device can be inserted through a transosseous delivery channel formed in a bone. The broach can articulate after passing through the transosseous delivery channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Flexmedex, LLC
    Inventors: E. Skott Greenhalgh, Robert A. Kiefer, Greg Anderson
  • Patent number: 8936627
    Abstract: Expandable support devices for tissue repair are disclosed. The devices can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. Surgical devices and methods for adjusting (e.g., removing, repositioning, resizing) deployed orthopedic expandable support devices are also disclosed. The expandable support devices can be engaged and surgically implanted by an engagement device and affixed to bone to provide stability and support for the devices. The expandable support devices are attachable to spinal fixation devices such as screws or plates, and may be used to support such devices when placed in weakened or damaged areas of bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Hochschuler, Skott E. Greenhalgh, John Paul Romano, Robert A. Kiefer, Wade Kevin Trexler, Michael P. Igoe
  • Patent number: 8636784
    Abstract: An attachment device with a radially expandable section is disclosed. The attachment device can have helical threads, for example, to facilitate screwing the attachment device into a bone. Methods of using the same are also disclosed. The attachment device can be positioned to radially expand the expandable section in cancellous bone substantially surrounded by cortical bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Stout Medical Group, LP
    Inventors: E. Skott Greenhalgh, John-Paul Romano, Michael Paul Igoe, Robert A. Kiefer, Wade Kevin Trexler
  • Publication number: 20130053852
    Abstract: A tissue removal device for removing hard and/or soft tissue is disclosed. The device can have an elongated rigid shaft attached to an articulating broach. The device can be inserted through a transosseous delivery channel formed in a bone. The broach can articulate after passing through the transosseous delivery channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Flexmedex, LLC
    Inventors: E. Skott GREENHALGH, Robert A. KIEFER, Greg ANDERSON
  • Publication number: 20100286692
    Abstract: A device for radial expansion in an endoluminal cavity in a bone is disclosed. The device can be used to treat bone fractures. The device can have a first radially expandable portion and a second radially expandable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: STOUT MEDICAL GROUP, L.P.
    Inventors: E. Skott GREENHALGH, John-Paul ROMANO, Robert A. KIEFER, Wade Kevin TREXLER