Patents by Inventor Sean Hamilton Kerr

Sean Hamilton 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: 7628851
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to implantable compositions, and method for preparing same, containing a calcium salt-containing component, optionally demineralized bone, a plurality of discrete fibers, optionally a flow additive, and optionally continuous reinforcing fibers or an array of organized fibers in the form of mesh. Advantageously, the discrete fibers have a specific aspect ratio (length/diameter) from about 50:1 to about 1000:1. The addition of a small amount of discrete fibers and/or the continuous reinforcing fibers or fiber mesh can cause drastic increases in certain mechanical properties including flexural strength, flexural toughness, and/or screw pullout strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Monro Armitage, Ira C Ison, Mark Thomas Fulmer, Sean Hamilton Kerr, Michael Lehmicke, Patrick Leamy, William Schiffer
  • Publication number: 20080262630
    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: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Synthes (U.S.A.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Fulmer, David A. Armbruster, Robert Frigg, Elliott A. Gruskin, Sean Hamilton Kerr
  • Publication number: 20080214998
    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: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Ed Kurek, Sean Hamilton Kerr
  • Patent number: 5957927
    Abstract: A surgical tool for assisting the implantation of a bone fixation device is disclosed. The tool includes a bone fixation device holder for releaseably engaging a bone fixation device. The bone fixation device holder has at least one hole which is larger in diameter than the bone fixation device screws and aligns with at least one of the bone fixation device screw holes when the bone fixation device is engaged by the bone fixation device holder. The tool also includes a handle proximal to the holder and consisting of left and right portions. As the left and right portions are moveable relative to each other and a distal end of the handle is connected to a proximal end of the holder, the relative movement of the left and right portions results in angular movement of the bone fixation device holder. The tool according to the present invention facilitates the stabilization, fusion, or distraction of bone parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Magee, Sean Hamilton Kerr