Patents by Inventor Rui Ferreira

Rui Ferreira 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: 8828064
    Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus may include a bone fixation plate having a fixation hole and a fastener shaft received in the fixation hole. The fastener shaft may include a first portion having an outer surface defining a first cam and a second bone-engaging portion. An annular member may be received in the fixation hole and may include an inner surface defining a second cam for cooperating with the first cam to selectively move the annular member in a radial direction between an unexpanded position permitting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole and an expanded position restricting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole. The annular member may be moved between the expanded position and the unexpanded position by rotation of the annular member relative to the fastener shaft following insertion of the fastener shaft into a bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: EBI, LLC
    Inventors: Tara Ziolo, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20140228895
    Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus is provided and includes a bone fixation plate having a fixation hole, a fastener shaft having a bone-anchoring portion and an upper portion defining an outer cam, and a C-shaped annular member having an outer surface, an inner surface defining an inner cam, and a gap formed through the entire annular member. The inner cam cooperates with the outer cam of the fastener shaft to move the annular member between an unexpanded position and an expanded position independent from movement of the fastener shaft relative to the bone fixation plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Tara Ziolo, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20130269294
    Abstract: Sterilizable and printable, wet-laid non-woven substrate exhibiting high-strength and temperature resistance above 140° C., providing sufficient airflow to relieve pressure in a package formed from the substrate during sterilization, providing a significant barrier to penetration by bacteria and debris, and which is sealable to itself and to thermoplastic films, comprises blends of nanofibrillated lyocell fibers, microfibers, fibers having a flat, rectangular cross-section and binder fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: AHLSTROM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas McKee Benton, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20130261636
    Abstract: A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating handle branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second handle branches, first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the first and second handle branches, and means for releasably locking the handle branches and the implant gripping arms in a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, the implant gripping arms of the rod coercer can be secured to each other by a flexible retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: David Barry, Rui Ferreira
  • Patent number: 8449549
    Abstract: A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes a handle having at least one rod contacting arm extending therefrom; an implant gripping assembly pivotally interconnected with the handle; and first and second implant gripping levers interconnected with the implant gripping assembly and including first and second protrusions biased to engage corresponding recesses of the implant. The protrusions can be selectively retracted from the recesses of the implant by pivoting the implant gripping levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: EBI, LLC
    Inventors: David Barry, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20120197318
    Abstract: A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes a handle having at least one rod contacting arm extending therefrom; an implant gripping assembly pivotally interconnected with the handle; and first and second implant gripping levers interconnected with the implant gripping assembly and including first and second protrusions biased to engage corresponding recesses of the implant. The protrusions can be selectively retracted from the recesses of the implant by pivoting the implant gripping levers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: David Barry, Rui Ferreira
  • Patent number: 8137357
    Abstract: A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating handle branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second handle branches, first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the first and second handle branches, and means for releasably locking the handle branches and the implant gripping arms in a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, the rod coercer includes a single handle having first and second implant gripping arms connected by a bridge and pivotally attached to the handle, and spring-loaded implant gripping arms for gripping sides of an implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: EBI, LLC
    Inventors: David Barry, Rui Ferreira
  • Patent number: 8128629
    Abstract: A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating forceps branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second forceps branches, and first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the rod contacting arms. In another embodiment, the rod coercer includes forceps branches which each include upper and lower forceps branches which pivot with respect to each other, and a rod contacting arm interconnected with one of the forceps branches. In another embodiment, the rod coercer includes pivotable implant gripping arms and a rod contacting arm driven by one of the forceps branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: EBI, LLC
    Inventors: David Barry, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20110196423
    Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus may include a bone fixation plate having a fixation hole and a fastener shaft received in the fixation hole. The fastener shaft may include a first portion having an outer surface defining a first cam and a second bone-engaging portion. An annular member may be received in the fixation hole and may include an inner surface defining a second cam for cooperating with the first cam to selectively move the annular member in a radial direction between an unexpanded position permitting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole and an expanded position restricting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole. The annular member may be moved between the expanded position and the unexpanded position by rotation of the annular member relative to the fastener shaft following insertion of the fastener shaft into a bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: EBI, L.P.
    Inventors: Tara Ziolo, Rui Ferreira
  • Patent number: 7942913
    Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus and associate method. The bone fixation apparatus includes a plate having a fixation hole, and a modular fastener received in the fixation hole. The bone fixation fastener includes a shaft member and an expandable head member. The shaft member has a outer cam at a first end mating with a corresponding inner cam of the head member, such that upon rotation of the head member relative to the shaft member, the head member expands against an inner surface of the fixation hole to prevent back out of the shaft member relative to the bone fixation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: EBI, LLC
    Inventors: Tara Ziolo, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20110087293
    Abstract: The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as through a fixation procedure. A system for a percutaneous procedure is provided. The system can include a bone fastener including a receiver. The system can include a device having a first end, a second end and a middle portion. The first end, middle portion and second end can be disposed along a longitudinal axis, and the second end can be connected to the receiver. The middle portion can have a pair of deformable leg members extending between the first and second ends. The leg members can define a channel having a width. The leg members can be selectively movable between a retracted state and an expanded state with the width of the channel greater in the expanded state than in the retracted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: EBI, LLC
    Inventors: RUI FERREIRA, KONSTANTIN CAPLOON
  • Publication number: 20100185248
    Abstract: A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating handle branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second handle branches, first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the first and second handle branches, and means for releasably locking the handle branches and the implant gripping arms in a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, the rod coercer includes a single handle having first and second implant gripping arms connected by a bridge and pivotally attached to the handle, and spring-loaded implant gripping arms for gripping sides of an implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: David Barry, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20100185242
    Abstract: A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating forceps branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second forceps branches, and first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the rod contacting arms. In another embodiment, the rod coercer includes forceps branches which each include upper and lower forceps branches which pivot with respect to each other, and a rod contacting arm interconnected with one of the forceps branches. In another embodiment, the rod coercer includes pivotable implant gripping arms and a rod contacting arm driven by one of the forceps branches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: David Barry, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20070288018
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a first member and a second member. The first member has first and second arms. The first and second members are pivotally coupled to each other for relative movement about a rotation axis between a closed position for inserting the implant into a spine and an expanded position for providing structural support to the spine. The expandable implant includes a locking mechanism for arresting relative movement between the first member and the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: EBI, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Malberg, Gretchen Shah, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20060200130
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device comprising first and second arm assemblies for attachment to first and second vertebrae and at least one telescopic assembly interconnecting the first and second arm assemblies for relative motion therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Nathaniel Hawkins, Stephen Esses, Kirk Bailey, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20050228386
    Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus and associate method. The bone fixation apparatus includes a plate having a fixation hole, and a modular fastener received in the fixation hole. The bone fixation fastener includes a shaft member and an expandable head member. The shaft member has a outer cam at a first end mating with a corresponding inner cam of the head member, such that upon rotation of the head member relative to the shaft member, the head member expands against an inner surface of the fixation hole to prevent back out of the shaft member relative to the bone fixation plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Tara Ziolo, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20050021144
    Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a first member and a second member. The first member has first and second arms. The first and second arms of the first member both including an upper face partially defining an upper contact area of the implant and a lower face partially defining a lower contact surface of the implant. The second member has first and second arms that both include an upper face partially defining an upper contact area of the implant and a lower face partially defining a lower contact surface of the implant. The first and second members are pivotally coupled to each other for relative movement about a rotation axis between a closed position for inserting the implant into a spine and an expanded position for providing structural support to the spine. The rotation axis extends generally perpendicular to the upper and lower contact surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Marc Malberg, Gretchen Shah, Rui Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20040035287
    Abstract: A servomotor for an assisted braking of a motor vehicle comprises a rear wall (20) in which an axial cylindrical shaft (48) is formed, an intermediate part of which exhibits an inner shoulder (56) limiting the axial rearward motion of the piston (28) and capable of resisting a pulling force exerted on the control rod (12) driven by the brake pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Cedric Leboisne, Patrice Moinard, Rui Ferreira