Patents by Inventor Rudy A. Pretti
Rudy A. Pretti 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).
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Publication number: 20150216676Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized cross section in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant for arthrodesis whereas for arthroplasty it fixes to endpoints but cushions the spine naturally.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Damien J. Shulock, John E. Ashley, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Publication number: 20150134064Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one fixation element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to engage a surface of an adjacent vertebral body and secure the implant between two vertebral bodies. Preferably, the implant is expandable and has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it must pass to be deployed within the intervertebral space. Once within the space between vertebral bodies, the implant can be expanded so as to engage the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures restored and maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: R. Thomas Grotz, Rudy A. Pretti
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Patent number: 9028550Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized cross section in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant for arthrodesis whereas for arthroplasty it fixes to endpoints but cushions the spine naturally.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Damien J. Shulock, John E. Ashley, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 8992620Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: John E. Ashley, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Damien J. Shulock, Murali Kadaba, David G. Matsuura, George A. Mansfield, III, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti, Dennis Crandall
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Patent number: 8956413Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: John E. Ashley, Murali Kadaba, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Thomas Grotz, George A. Mansfield, III, David G. Matsuura, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 8932355Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one fixation element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to engage a surface of an adjacent vertebral body and secure the implant between two vertebral bodies. Preferably, the implant is expandable and has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it must pass to be deployed within the intervertebral space. Once within the space between vertebral bodies, the implant can be expanded so as to engage the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures restored and maintained.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: R. Thomas Grotz, Rudy A. Pretti
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Patent number: 8696751Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a refracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: John E. Ashley, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Damien J. Shulock, Murali Kadaba, David G. Matsuura, George A. Mansfield, III, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Publication number: 20130338710Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that comprises an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. Also disclosed is a bone anchor that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be attached to apertures in the anchor top or else compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the spreader relative to the anchor body attach suture material. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor body or anchor base to attach to or clamp suture material there between.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: KFx Medical CorporationInventors: Malcolm Heaven, Mikxay Sirivong, Rudy Pretti, Michael Ko, John P. Greelis
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Publication number: 20130261748Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: John E. Ashley, Murali Kadaba, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Thomas Grotz, George A. Mansfield, III, David G. Matsuura, Rudy Pretti
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Publication number: 20130253650Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: John E. Ashley, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Damien J. Shulock, Murali Kadaba, David G. Matsuura, George A. Mansfield, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 8523902Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that includes an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. Also disclosed is a bone anchor that includes a base and a top such that suture material may be attached to apertures in the anchor top or else compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Methods are described that allow use of single bone anchor to secure tissue to bone or also to use more than one bone anchor to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: KFx Medical CorporationInventors: Malcolm Heaven, Mikxay Sirivong, Rudy Pretti, Michael Ko, John P. Greelis
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Patent number: 8480741Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment. Expanding selectively, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. Greater distraction height is achieved without an increase in implant size through the use of interfitted stages.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 8454695Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment. Expanding selectively, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 8435296Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Murali Kadaba, Philip J. Simpson, John E. Ashley, Walter Dean Gillespie, Thomas Grotz, George A. Mansfield, III, David G. Matsuura, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 8394143Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. Hydraulic extension of extendable members permit the cage to conformably engage between vertebral bodies to effectively distract the disc space and rigidly fix the spine.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Coalign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Publication number: 20120116518Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments, eliminate pathologic spine motion, or effect vertebral body replacement. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant for arthrodesis whereas for arthroplasty it fixes to endpoints but cushions the spine naturally.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: COALIGN INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 8070813Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between vertebral bodies to effectively distract the disc space and rigidly fix the spine. Extendible members with multiple interfitting stages permit a relatively large range of distraction capability in a compact package.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Publication number: 20110270398Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures restored and maintained. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment, or if filled with compressible substances, the cage can be used for motion preservation between vertebral bodies. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: COALIGN INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Patent number: 7985256Abstract: A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller that the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures restored and maintained. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment, or if filled with compressible substances, the cage can be used for motion preservation between vertebral bodies. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti
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Publication number: 20110130835Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a refracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: INNVOTEC SURGICAL, INC.Inventors: John E. Ashley, Philip J. Simpson, Walter Dean Gillespie, Damien J. Shulock, Murali Kadaba, David G. Matsuura, George A. Mansfield, III, Thomas Grotz, Rudy Pretti