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).

  • Patent number: 11065065
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Alan Rezach, Mark C. Dace, Richard Quinn Brown, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Publication number: 20210212741
    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: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Matthew D. May
  • Publication number: 20210186532
    Abstract: A surgical device has a shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion being disposable with a surgical robot guide to engage vertebral tissue. The proximal portion defines a detectable marker and is connectable with at least one surgical instrument for manipulating the vertebral tissue. Systems, surgical instruments, spinal implants, constructs and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Lehman, JR., William Alan Rezach, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Patent number: 10993753
    Abstract: A bone screw comprises a shaft including a proximal portion, a distal portion and a wall including at least one thread having an external thread form having a lattice configuration. The thread form defining at least one void configured for bone growth therethrough. The distal portion is fabricated onto the proximal portion by an additive manufacturing method. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 10966736
    Abstract: A surgical device has a shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion being disposable with a surgical robot guide to engage vertebral tissue. The proximal portion defines a detectable marker and is connectable with at least one surgical instrument for manipulating the vertebral tissue. Systems, surgical instruments, spinal implants, constructs and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Lehman, Jr., William Alan Rezach, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Patent number: 10966767
    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: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Matthew D. May
  • Patent number: 10864089
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a first member defining a cavity configured for disposal of a plurality of implants and including a distal portion that retains the implants with the first member. An element is configured to urge the implants in a first, release direction and the first member having at least one tab movable to prevent movement of at least one of the implants in a second direction. A second member is engageable with the at least one tab. Systems, spinal implants and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. May, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Publication number: 20200330160
    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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: Marc C. Dace, Richard Quinn Brown, Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20200323651
    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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: William Alan Rezach, Jason M. May, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Publication number: 20200268452
    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: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: William Alan Rezach, Mark C. Dace, Richard Quinn Brown, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Publication number: 20200268425
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 10751127
    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: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Dace, Richard Quinn Brown, Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20200197060
    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 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20200170679
    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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Michael Sciubba, Rodney Ray Ballard
  • Publication number: 20200163701
    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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 10653455
    Abstract: A bone fastener comprises a first member defining an implant cavity. A part is connectable with the first member. A second member is configured to penetrate tissue and includes a mating surface engageable with the part. The part is engageable to selectively translate the implant cavity relative to the second member. Implants, spinal constructs, systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Lehman, Jr., Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20200085500
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Mark C. Dace, Richard Quinn Brown, Rodney Ray Ballard, William Alan Rezach
  • Patent number: 10575886
    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: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
  • Publication number: 20200054460
    Abstract: Methods for surgically adjusting a curvature of a spine are disclosed. The methods provide for controlling the alignment of bony structures, such as vertebral bodies or portions thereof, as they are moved relative to one another during a surgical procedure. An intrabody implant disclosed and methods of use are also disclosed. The implant has an inclined surface, forming a wedge or other shape having, for example, an acute angle adapted to be placed between at least two separated portions of a single bony structure (such as a vertebral body). In some embodiments, the implant may be used to support portions of a vertebral body that have been separated surgically as part of a pedicle subtraction osteotomy and to orient the portions at a more predictable lordotic angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Ballard, David A. Mire
  • Patent number: 10492917
    Abstract: Methods for surgically adjusting a curvature of a spine are disclosed. The methods provide for controlling the alignment of bony structures, such as vertebral bodies or portions thereof, as they are moved relative to one another during a surgical procedure. An intrabody implant disclosed and methods of use are also disclosed. The implant has an inclined surface, forming a wedge or other shape having, for example, an acute angle adapted to be placed between at least two separated portions of a single bony structure (such as a vertebral body). In some embodiments, the implant may be used to support portions of a vertebral body that have been separated surgically as part of a pedicle subtraction osteotomy and to orient the portions at a more predictable lordotic angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Ray Ballard, David A. Mire