Patents by Inventor Ross R. NICHOLS

Ross R. NICHOLS 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: 10143565
    Abstract: An interbody fusion device includes a top member, a base member, and an expansion member. The top member includes a first bone-engaging side and a threaded opening. The base member is received by the top member and includes a second bone-engaging side and an open cavity aligned with the threaded opening of the top member. The expansion member is disposed within the open cavity for rotation about an axis. The expansion member includes a threaded portion threadably engaged with the threaded opening. Rotation of the expansion member translates the first bone-engaging side away from the second bone-engaging side along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: BIOSPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Farris, Daniel D. Refai, Brian G. Emerick, Ross R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10117755
    Abstract: An interbody fusion device includes a base member, a top member, and an expansion mechanism for moving the top member relative to the base member. The expansion mechanism may include a connector drive rod assembly, a gear, a threaded rod, and a support means. The gear ring is coupled to the threaded rod and is rotatable. The expansion mechanism may also include at least one load head coupled to the threaded rod. An alternative interbody fusion device is also disclosed and includes a bottom member, a superior member, and an expansion mechanism for moving the superior member relative to the bottom member. The expansion mechanism includes a first expansion assembly for moving a first end of the superior member relative to the bottom member, a second expansion assembly for moving a second end of the superior member relative to the bottom member, and a connector drive rod assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: BioSpine, LLC
    Inventors: Brian G. Emerick, Ross R. Nichols, Daniel D. Refai, Heidi Stamets, Larry D. Sutton, Brent Walter
  • Publication number: 20180271676
    Abstract: Interbody fusion devices, insertion tools, methods for assembling an interbody fusion device, and methods for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies are disclosed. The interbody fusion device includes a base member, a top member, and at least one movement mechanism. The base member includes at least one of a pivotal cylinder and a hinge channel. The top member includes at least one of a pivot cylinder and a hinge channel. The at least one pivot cylinder of the base member engages the at least one hinge channel of the top member and the at least one pivot cylinder of the top member engages the at least one hinge channel of the base member. The at least one movement mechanism engages the top member and the base member. Also disclosed are a vertebral spacer device and an interbody spacer system including an insertion tool and an interbody fusion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: BIOSPINE, LLC
    Inventors: ROSS R. NICHOLS, DANIEL REFAI, BRIAN G. EMERICK, HEIDI STAMETS
  • Publication number: 20180263786
    Abstract: Interbody fusion devices, interbody fusion device systems, insertion tools, methods for assembling an interbody fusion device, and methods a method for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies are disclosed. The interbody fusion device includes a body member with a pivot cylinder, a superior member with a pivot channel that is configured to engage the pivot cylinder, and a movement mechanism for moving the superior member relative to the body member. The interbody fusion device systems may include an interbody fusion device and an insertion tool. Also disclosed is a method of assembling an interbody fusion device. In addition, a method for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies in a spine is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: BioSpine, LLC
    Inventors: Brian G. EMERICK, Daniel REFAI, Ross R. NICHOLS
  • Patent number: 9980825
    Abstract: Interbody fusion devices, insertion tools, methods for assembling an interbody fusion device, and methods for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies are disclosed. The interbody fusion device includes a base member, a top member, and at least one movement mechanism. The base member includes at least one of a pivot cylinder and a hinge channel. The top member includes at least one of a pivot cylinder and a hinge channel. The at least one pivot cylinder of the base member engages the at least one hinge channel of the top member and the at least one pivot cylinder of the top member engages the at least one hinge channel of the base member. The at least one movement mechanism engages the top member and the base member. Also disclosed are a vertebral spacer device and an interbody spacer system including an insertion tool and an interbody fusion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: BIOSPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Ross R Nichols, Daniel Refai, Brian G Emerick, Heidi Stamets
  • Patent number: 9974664
    Abstract: Interbody fusion devices, interbody fusion device systems, insertion tools, methods for assembling an interbody fusion device, and methods a method for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies are disclosed. The interbody fusion device includes a body member with a pivot cylinder, a superior member with a pivot channel that is configured to engage the pivot cylinder, and a movement mechanism for moving the superior member relative to the body member. The interbody fusion device systems may include an interbody fusion device and an insertion tool. Also disclosed is a method of assembling an interbody fusion device. In addition, a method for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies in a spine is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: BIOSPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Brian G Emerick, Daniel Refai, Ross R Nichols
  • Publication number: 20160151172
    Abstract: An interbody fusion device including a body member, at least one side member engaging the body member, and at least one movement mechanism that engages at least one side member and the body member. A surgical method for maintaining a space between two vertebral bodies in a spine, including the steps of obtaining a medical device, such as an interbody fusion device, and inserting and coupling an expansion tool into an opening within the medical device. The surgical method also including slidingly inserting the medical device into a space between two vertebral bodies and rotating the expansion tool to move the at least one side member in a direction relative to the body member. The method may further include detaching the expansion tool from the medical device and removing the tool from the space between the two vertebral bodies in the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Ross R. Nichols, Brian G. Emerick, Daniel Refai
  • Publication number: 20160089247
    Abstract: Interbody fusion devices, insertion tools, methods for assembling an interbody fusion device, and methods for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies are disclosed. The interbody fusion device includes a base member, a top member, and at least one movement mechanism. The base member includes at least one of a pivot cylinder and a hinge channel. The top member includes at least one of a pivot cylinder and a hinge channel. The at least one pivot cylinder of the base member engages the at least one hinge channel of the top member and the at least one pivot cylinder of the top member engages the at least one hinge channel of the base member. The at least one movement mechanism engages the top member and the base member. Also disclosed are a vertebral spacer device and an interbody spacer system including an insertion tool and an interbody fusion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Ross R Nichols, Daniel Refai, Brian G Emerick, Heidi Stamets
  • Patent number: 9271777
    Abstract: An interbody fusion device including a body member, at least one side member engaging the body member, and at least one movement mechanism that engages at least one side member and the body member. A surgical method for maintaining a space between two vertebral bodies in a spine, including the steps of obtaining a medical device, such as an interbody fusion device, and inserting and coupling an expansion tool into an opening within the medical device. The surgical method also including slidingly inserting the medical device into a space between two vertebral bodies and rotating the expansion tool to move the at least one side member in a direction relative to the body member. The method may further include detaching the expansion tool from the medical device and removing the tool from the space between the two vertebral bodies in the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Spine, LLC
    Inventors: Ross R. Nichols, Brian G. Emerick, Daniel Refai
  • Publication number: 20150366676
    Abstract: An interbody fusion device includes a top member, a base member, and an expansion member. The top member includes a first bone-engaging side and a threaded opening. The base member is received by the top member and includes a second bone-engaging side and an open cavity aligned with the threaded opening of the top member. The expansion member is disposed within the open cavity for rotation about an axis. The expansion member includes a threaded portion threadably engaged with the threaded opening. Rotation of the expansion member translates the first bone-engaging side away from the second bone-engaging side along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Farris, Daniel D. Refai, Brian G. Emerick, Ross R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20150351925
    Abstract: Interbody fusion devices, interbody fusion device systems, insertion tools, methods for assembling an interbody fusion device, and methods a method for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies are disclosed. The interbody fusion device includes a body member with a pivot cylinder, a superior member with a pivot channel that is configured to engage the pivot cylinder, and a movement mechanism for moving the superior member relative to the body member. The interbody fusion device systems may include an interbody fusion device and an insertion tool. Also disclosed is a method of assembling an interbody fusion device. In addition, a method for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies in a spine is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brian G Emerick, Daniel Refai, Ross R Nichols
  • Patent number: 9066813
    Abstract: Unidirectional dynamic interbody fusion devices and methods of use for insertion into a patient in order to maintain a space between two vertebral bodies. A first interbody fusion device including a body member, at least one side member, and a means for moving the at least one side member relative to the central body member. A second interbody fusion device including a base member, a top member, and a means for moving the top member relative to the base member. A surgical method for maintaining a space between two vertebral bodies in a spine, including obtaining a medical device, inserting and coupling an expansion tool into an opening within the medical device, slidingly inserting the medical device into a space between two vertebral bodies; and rotating the expansion tool to move the at least one side member in a direction relative to the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Spine, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Farris, Daniel Refai, Brian G. Emerick, Ross R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20150094814
    Abstract: An interbody fusion device includes a base member, a top member, and an expansion mechanism for moving the top member relative to the base member. The expansion mechanism may include a connector drive rod assembly, a gear, a threaded rod, and a support means. The gear ring is coupled to the threaded rod and is rotatable. The expansion mechanism may also include at least one load head coupled to the threaded rod. An alternative interbody fusion device is also disclosed and includes a bottom member, a superior member, and an expansion mechanism for moving the superior member relative to the bottom member. The expansion mechanism includes a first expansion assembly for moving a first end of the superior member relative to the bottom member, a second expansion assembly for moving a second end of the superior member relative to the bottom member, and a connector drive rod assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Brian G. Emerick, Ross R. Nichols, Daniel D. Refai, Heidi Stamets, Larry D. Sutton, Brent Walter
  • Publication number: 20120310350
    Abstract: Unidirectional dynamic interbody fusion devices and methods of use for insertion into a patient in order to maintain a space between two vertebral bodies. A first interbody fusion device including a body member, at least one side member, and a means for moving the at least one side member relative to the central body member. A second interbody fusion device including a base member, a top member, and a means for moving the top member relative to the base member. A surgical method for maintaining a space between two vertebral bodies in a spine, including obtaining a medical device, inserting and coupling an expansion tool into an opening within the medical device, slidingly inserting the medical device into a space between two vertebral bodies; and rotating the expansion tool to move the at least one side member in a direction relative to the body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BIOSPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. FARRIS, Daniel REFAI, Brian G. EMERICK, Ross R. NICHOLS