Patents by Inventor Rodney Ray Ballard

Rodney Ray Ballard 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: 20240115301
    Abstract: A bone screw comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a minor diameter. The shaft including a core having an angled surface relative to the axis. The angled surface extending from the minor diameter adjacent a proximal portion of the shaft to a distal portion of the shaft, and a wall disposed about the angled surface. The wall including at least one thread having an external thread form. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 11857233
    Abstract: A bone screw comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a minor diameter. The shaft including a core having an angled surface relative to the axis. The angled surface extending from the minor diameter adjacent a proximal portion of the shaft to a distal portion of the shaft, and a wall disposed about the angled surface. The wall including at least one thread having an external thread form. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 11793557
    Abstract: A build plate includes a surface that defines at least one opening configured for disposal of a proximal portion of a screw shaft. The proximal portion is formed by a first manufacturing method and defines a distal face. The proximal portion is connected with the surface in a configuration to orient the distal face for forming a distal portion of the screw shaft thereon by a second manufacturing method that includes an additive manufacturing apparatus. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Matthew D. May
  • Publication number: 20230320770
    Abstract: A bone fastener includes a screw shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is formed by a first manufacturing method and defines a distal face. The distal portion is formed onto the distal face by a second manufacturing method. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Matthew D. May
  • Patent number: 11712277
    Abstract: A bone fastener includes a screw shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is formed by a first manufacturing method and defines a distal face. The distal portion is formed onto the distal face by a second manufacturing method. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Matthew D. May
  • Patent number: 11707326
    Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: imaging a patient anatomy; selecting an implant strategy for at least one bone fastener having a first member; registering the imaging of the patient anatomy with imaging of at least a portion of a robot; engaging the first member with tissue of the patient anatomy via robotic guidance according to the implant strategy; and subsequently, manipulating the patient anatomy. Systems, spinal constructs, implants and surgical instruments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Dace, Richard Quinn Brown, Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20230190349
    Abstract: A bone screw comprising a shaft having a wall, the wall including a minor diameter and at least one thread having an external thread form. The thread form including a first portion comprising a crest of the thread form and a second portion extends between a minor diameter of the thread form and the first portion. The first portion having a solid configuration relative to the second portion. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: DALE A. TEMPCO, RODNEY RAY BALLARD, KEITH E. MILLER, WILLIAM ALAN REZACH
  • Patent number: 11589907
    Abstract: A bone screw comprising a shaft having a wall, the wall including a minor diameter and at least one thread having an external thread form. The thread form including a first portion comprising a crest of the thread form and a second portion extends between a minor diameter of the thread form and the first portion. The first portion having a solid configuration relative to the second portion. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 11426223
    Abstract: An implant receiver comprises a body formed by a first manufacturing method, the body including an outer surface and having spaced apart walls defining a cavity configured for disposal of a spinal implant; and at least one layer being formed onto at least a portion of the outer surface by a second manufacturing method. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 11331123
    Abstract: A bone screw includes a shaft including at least one thread having an external thread form and an implant receiver. A ring includes a mating surface engageable with the implant receiver and an outer surface, at least a portion of the outer surface having a coarse configuration to promote tissue on-growth with the outer surface. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 11311316
    Abstract: A bone fastener comprises a first member comprising a first surface defining an implant cavity. The first member includes a first part being non-rotatable relative to the first surface and a second part including a second surface defining a portion of the implant cavity and a slot. A second member is configured to penetrate tissue and is connectable with the first member. The first member is rotatable relative to the second member in a first plane of a body and the second part is movable relative to the first part in a second plane of the body such that the first part is relatively translatable in the slot. Implants, systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Alan Rezach, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Publication number: 20220087727
    Abstract: A bone screw comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a minor diameter. The shaft including a core having an angled surface relative to the axis. The angled surface extending from the minor diameter adjacent a proximal portion of the shaft to a distal portion of the shaft, and a wall disposed about the angled surface. The wall including at least one thread having an external thread form. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20220079644
    Abstract: A build plate includes a surface that defines at least one opening configured for disposal of a proximal portion of a screw shaft. The proximal portion is formed by a first manufacturing method and defines a distal face. The proximal portion is connected with the surface in a configuration to orient the distal face for forming a distal portion of the screw shaft thereon by a second manufacturing method that includes an additive manufacturing apparatus. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Matthew D. May
  • Publication number: 20220071664
    Abstract: A bone fastener comprises a first member comprising a first surface defining an implant cavity. The first member includes a first part being non-rotatable relative to the first surface and a second part including a second surface defining a portion of the implant cavity and a slot. A second member is configured to penetrate tissue and is connectable with the first member. The first member is rotatable relative to the second member in a first plane of a body and the second part is movable relative to the first part in a second plane of the body such that the first part is relatively translatable in the slot. Implants, systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Alan Rezach, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Patent number: 11229465
    Abstract: A build plate includes a surface that defines at least one opening configured for disposal of a proximal portion of a screw shaft. The proximal portion is formed by a first manufacturing method and defines a distal face. The proximal portion is connected with the surface in a configuration to orient the distal face for forming a distal portion of the screw shaft thereon by a second manufacturing method that includes an additive manufacturing apparatus. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Matthew D. May
  • Patent number: 11224470
    Abstract: A bone screw comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a minor diameter. The shaft including a core having an angled surface relative to the axis. The angled surface extending from the minor diameter adjacent a proximal portion of the shaft to a distal portion of the shaft, and a wall disposed about the angled surface. The wall including at least one thread having an external thread form. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 11219469
    Abstract: A bone screw includes a shaft with at least one thread having an external thread form. An implant receiver includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a solid configuration relative to the second portion. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Michael Sciubba, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Patent number: 11191582
    Abstract: A bone screw includes a shaft including at least one thread having an external thread form and defining at least one cavity. The shaft includes at least one tissue gathering member disposed to direct tissue into the at least one cavity. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20210298843
    Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: imaging a patient anatomy; selecting an implant strategy for at least one bone fastener having a first member; registering the imaging of the patient anatomy with imaging of a surgical driver; engaging the first member with tissue of the patient anatomy via the surgical driver according to the implant strategy; manipulating the patient anatomy; acquiring data points representative of a position of the first member relative to tissue; and retrieving the data points from a computer database for attaching a second member with the first member. Systems, spinal constructs, implants and surgical instruments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: William Alan Rezach, Mark C. Dace, Richard Quinn Brown, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Patent number: 11083598
    Abstract: A surgical coupling member includes a shaft defining an axis and including at least one thread having an external thread form. The external thread form having a leading flank and a trailing flank. The external thread form defines a pitch and a crest, the crest having a width in a range of about 35% to about 50% of the pitch of the external thread form, wherein the leading flank and the trailing flank are angled in a proximal orientation relative to the thread axis, and wherein the external thread form is configured to interlock with an internal thread form of an implant receiver. Systems, spinal constructs, implants and methods of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Alan Rezach, Jason M. May, Rodney Ray Ballard