Patents by Inventor Sean H. Kerr

Sean H. Kerr 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: 9254193
    Abstract: Provided are porous, biocompatible implant bodies and materials. These materials suitably comprise a population of randomly arranged thermoplastic constituents, with at least some of the constituents being bonded to one another The implant bodies are capable of being manipulated at room temperature from a first shape to a second shape, and of maintaining the second shape at about internal body temperature. Also provided are related methods of fabricating such implants and installing the implants into a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean H Kerr, David Armbruster, Ami Saheba, James Dwyer, Ali Cern Recber
  • Publication number: 20140127809
    Abstract: A perfusion device and method is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a container having a first internal chamber configured to hold the material; a port for introducing the liquid into the chamber; a vent for releasing gas and liquid from the chamber; and a means for sealing the vent to allow a vacuum to be drawn on the first chamber The material may be biomaterial, such as a bone graft material in any form. In one embodiment, the container is a syringe that defines the internal material chamber and includes an end cap and a plunger. The vent may be formed by a venting passageway in plunger and/or cap in some embodiments. In one embodiment, the vacuum may be created by a medical syringe coupled to the container, and which in some embodiments may also be used to deliver the liquid into the container. The liquid may be bone marrow aspirate in some embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Ed Kurek, Sean H Kerr
  • Patent number: 8641667
    Abstract: A perfusion device and method is provided in various examples. In an example, the device includes a container having a first internal chamber configured to hold the material; a port for introducing the liquid into the chamber; a vent for releasing gas and liquid from the chamber; and a flow control device for sealing the vent to allow a vacuum to be drawn on the first chamber. In an example, the container includes a syringe that defines the internal material chamber and includes an end cap and a plunger. The vent may be formed by a venting passageway in the plunger and/or the cap. In various examples, the vacuum may be created by a medical syringe coupled to the container. In some examples, the medical syringe may also be used to deliver the liquid into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Ed Kurek, Sean H. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20130304217
    Abstract: A first tool is configured to cut a polymer implant, and includes a handle, a cutting portion, and a bending portion. A second tool is configured to cut a polymer implant, and includes a handle, a first cutting portion, and a second cutting portion. The cutting portions contain a cutter that is preferably a blade. In the second tool, the blades are preferably angled with respect to each other between about 45°. The tools can be used to reshape an implant that is to be used to replace a portion of a skull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Ali Cem Recber, Sean H. Kerr, James Dwyer, Christopher Shane
  • Publication number: 20130289621
    Abstract: A drug-impregnated sleeve for encasing a medical implant is provided. In one embodiment, the sleeve may include a body made of a biologically-compatible material that defines an internal cavity configured to receive the medical implant. In one embodiment, the biologically-compatible material is bioresorbable. The body may include a plurality of apertures, such as perforations or holes, extending from the cavity through the body. The sleeve may further include a first end, a second end, and a drug impregnated into the resorbable sheet. In one possible embodiment, the first end of the sleeve may be open for receiving the medical implant therethrough and the second end may be closed. The implant may be encased in the sleeve and implanted into a patient from which the drug is dispensed in vivo over time to tissue surrounding the implantation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Mark T. Fulmer, David A. Armbruster, Robert Frigg, Elliot A. Gruskin, Sean H. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20130211541
    Abstract: Provided are porous, biocompatible implant bodies and materials. These materials suitably comprise a population of randomly arranged thermoplastic constituents, with at least some of the constituents being bonded to one another The implant bodies are capable of being manipulated at room temperature from a first shape to a second shape, and of maintaining the second shape at about internal body temperature. Also provided are related methods of fabricating such implants and installing the implants into a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Sean H. Kerr, David Armbruster, Ami Saheba, James Dwyer, Ali Cern Recber
  • Publication number: 20130023879
    Abstract: A method for augmenting a tissue including introducing into the tissue a first thermoplastic material at a first condition; treating the first thermoplastic material to achieve a second condition that includes an at least partially crystalline skin; and introducing a second material into the tissue whereby the first thermoplastic material and the second material are contained by the at least partially crystalline skin. Also a method of fracture reduction in a tissue including exposing to gamma radiation a mass of polycaprolactone characterized by a first shape; heating the mass of irradiated polycaprolactone above its melting temperature; introducing the heated mass of polycaprolactone into the tissue annulus to deform it from the first shape; allowing the material to return to the first shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Sean H. Kerr, Ali Cem Recber
  • Patent number: 7993349
    Abstract: The disclosed cranial flap clamp includes first and second clamping members and an extension member. A portion of the first member is positionable against inferior surfaces of a bone flap and skull and a portion of the second member is positionable against superior surfaces of the flap and skull. The extension member extends from the first member through the second member and fits between the flap and skull. Movement of either of the clamping members urges the inner surface of the first member against the inferior surfaces of the flap and skull and urges the inner surface of the second member against the superior surfaces of the flap and skull. The securing instrument includes features useful in cutting or crimping the extension member. The tension limiting assembly provides variable designs and combinations for limiting the tension placed on, and exerted by, the securing instrument during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: James P Hearn, John H Manthorp, Sean H Kerr, Bryan Monro Armitage, Paul Burns, Urs Wigger
  • Patent number: 7361178
    Abstract: The disclosed cranial flap clamp includes first and second clamping members and an extension member. A portion of the first member is positionable against inferior surfaces of a bone flap and skull and a portion of the second member is positionable against superior surfaces of the flap and skull. The extension member extends from the first member and fits between the flap and skull. The second member has a through opening for receiving the extension member. Movement of either of the clamping members urges the inner surface of the first member against the inferior surfaces of the flap and skull and urges the inner surface of the second member against the superior surfaces of the flap and skull. A stop provided by mechanical deformation of the extension member at any location along its length secures the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: James P. Hearn, John H. Manthorp, Sean H. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6793660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a syringe for delivery of a bone substitute material. The syringe includes a barrel for holding the material, a plunger receivable within the barrel and having a threaded portion, and an engagement member including a threaded throughbore positioned coaxial with the barrel. The threaded portion of the plunger is movable through the threaded throughbore barrel by pushing the plunger in the axial direction, and by rotating the plunger. The invention also relates to a method of expelling material from a syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Sean H. Kerr, Mark T. Fulmer
  • Publication number: 20030036762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a syringe for delivery of a bone substitute material. The syringe includes a barrel for holding the material, a plunger receivable within the barrel and having a threaded portion, and an engagement member including a threaded throughbore positioned coaxial with the barrel. The threaded portion of the plunger is movable through the threaded throughbore barrel by pushing the plunger in the axial direction, and by rotating the plunger. The invention also relates to a method of expelling material from a syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Sean H. Kerr, Mark T. Fulmer
  • Publication number: 20020016593
    Abstract: The disclosed cranial flap clamp includes first and second clamping members and an extension member. A portion of the first member is positionable against inferior surfaces of a bone flap and skull and a portion of the second member is positionable against superior surfaces of the flap and skull. The extension member extends from the first member and 10 fits between the flap and skull. The second member has a through opening for receiving the extension member. Movement of either of the clamping members urges the inner surface of the first member against the inferior surfaces of the flap and skull and urges the inner surface of the second member against the superior surfaces of the flap and skull. A stop provided by mechanical deformation of the extension member at any location along its length secures the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: James P. Hearn, John H. Manthorp, Sean H. Kerr