Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Ainsworth
Stephen D. Ainsworth 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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Patent number: 8449598Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, E Tina Cheng, James M. Jacobs
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Patent number: 8388675Abstract: The invention provides an improved stent design for repairing vasculature, the stent having rings including struts defining first peaks and second peaks, selected second peaks of adjacent rings being connected by links. The stent design incorporates non-linear links with undulating portions extending generally perpendicular to or circumferentially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent and adjacent first peaks with different longitudinal lengths such that stent flexibility is increased without sacrificing stent compression for delivery.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Andreina P. Gomez
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Publication number: 20130013000Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the provision of spinal therapy to three or more adjacent motion segments accessed through a trans-sacral approach. The spinal therapies include fusion and dynamic stabilization with and without a distraction of the most cephalad motion segment of the two or more adjacent motion segments provided therapy. The disclosure includes methods and apparatus to impart a distraction on a second more caudal motion segment after providing therapy to the more cephalad motion segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: TRANS1 INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Robert L. Assell, Andrew H. Cragg, Eugene A. Dickhudt, Tawney A. Schwarz, Bradley J. Wessman
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Patent number: 8328847Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the provision of spinal therapy to two or more adjacent motion segments accessed through a trans-sacral approach. The spinal therapies include fusion and dynamic stabilization with and without a distraction of the most cephalad motion segment of the two or more adjacent motion segments provided therapy. The disclosure includes methods and apparatus to impart a push distraction to increase the distance between two adjacent vertebrae. Related concepts for the extraction of previously inserted devices and the delivery and removal of plugs for plugging the interior cavities of implantable devices are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Robert L. Assell, Andrew H. Cragg, Bradley J. Wessman
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Patent number: 8328846Abstract: Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus and implants using same are disclosed having an outermost membrane that is semi-compliant and limits the innermost membrane and any intermediate membranes that are highly compliant from bulging out of any opening in the annulus fibrosus. The outermost membrane may help protect the innermost membrane from trauma including any trauma before the innermost membrane is expanded through the injection of prosthetic nucleus material and trauma during the expansion of the innermost membrane in response to the injection of prosthetic nucleus material. Also disclosed is a coated membrane which combines the mechanical properties of the foundation layer with the low permeability to the passage of the flowable prosthetic material of the coating. This coated membrane is semi-compliant and prevents the prosthetic nucleus from bulging out of any openings in the annulus fibrosus. Use is made of injected prosthetic nucleus material that changes to a non-flowable state.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Bradley J. Wessman
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Patent number: 8308777Abstract: Disclosed are surgical tools, tool sets and methods for percutaneously accessing and preparing treatment sites within the spine for subsequent treatment procedures. The treatment site may be an inter-vertebral motion segments in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The tool set may comprise introducer tools and bone dilators for accessing and tapping into a targeted site, such as, for example, the anterior surface of the S1 vertebral body. The tool set may also comprise cutters and extractors for preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures. The tool set may additionally comprise a bone graft inserter, an exchange system, and/or a temporary distraction tool for further preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Assell, Stephen D. Ainsworth, Brandon Arthurs
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Patent number: 8167947Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the provision of spinal therapy to two or more adjacent motion segments accessed through a trans-sacral approach. The spinal therapies include fusion and dynamic stabilization with and without a distraction of the most cephalad motion segment of the two or more adjacent motion segments provided therapy. The disclosure includes methods and apparatus to impart a push distraction to increase the distance between two adjacent vertebrae. Related concepts for the extraction of previously inserted devices and the delivery and removal of plugs for plugging the interior cavities of implantable devices are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Robert L. Assell, Andrew H. Cragg, Bradley Wessman
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Patent number: 8088147Abstract: Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus and implants using same are disclosed having an outermost membrane that is semi-compliant and limits the innermost membrane and any intermediate membranes that are highly compliant from bulging out of any opening in the annulus fibrosus. The outermost membrane may help protect the innermost membrane from trauma including any trauma before the innermost membrane is expanded through the injection of prosthetic nucleus material and trauma during the expansion of the innermost membrane in response to the injection of prosthetic nucleus material. Also disclosed is a coated membrane which combines the mechanical properties of the foundation layer with the low permeability to the passage of the flowable prosthetic material of the coating. This coated membrane is semi-compliant and prevents the prosthetic nucleus from bulging out of any openings in the annulus fibrosus. Use is made of injected prosthetic nucleus material that changes to a non-flowable state.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Brandon B. Arthurs, Robert L. Assell, Bradley J. Wessman
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Patent number: 8052613Abstract: Disclosed are surgical tools, tool sets and methods for percutaneously accessing and preparing treatment sites within the spine for subsequent treatment procedures. The treatment site may be an inter-vertebral motion segments in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The tool set may comprise introducer tools and bone dilators for accessing and tapping into a targeted site, such as, for example, the anterior surface of the S1 vertebral body. The tool set may also comprise cutters and extractors for preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures. The tool set may additionally comprise a bone graft inserter, an exchange system, and/or a temporary distraction tool for further preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Assell, Stephen D. Ainsworth, Andrew H. Cragg, Eugene A. Dickhudt
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Publication number: 20110270312Abstract: A spinal implant with associated surgical tools, tool sets and methods for percutaneously accessing and preparing treatment sites within the spine for subsequent treatment procedures. The treatment site may be an inter-vertebral motion segments in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The tool set may comprise introducer tools and bone dilators for accessing and tapping into a targeted site, such as, for example, the anterior surface of the S1 vertebral body. The tool set may also comprise cutters and extractors for preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures. The tool set may additionally comprise a bone graft inserter, an exchange system, and/or a temporary distraction tool for further preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Assell, Stephen D. Ainsworth, Andrew H. Cragg, Eugene A. Dickhudt
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Patent number: 8038680Abstract: A driver for delivering an insert to a bone anchor, the bone anchor having an internal cavity with a set of internal threads, the driver adapted to rotate with respect to a bone anchor that is anchored in a vertebral body in order to engage external threads on the insert with the set of internal threads in the bone anchor and axially advance the threadedly engaged insert within the bone anchor while simultaneously preventing the bone anchor from rotating with respect to the vertebral body the driver having: 1) a threaded retention rod for engaging a bore in the insert; 2) a driver head to engage with the insert to apply torque to the insert and rotate the insert; and 3) an anchor stabilizer to engage with a proximal face of the bone anchor to prevent the bone anchor from rotating with respect to the vertebral body.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Brandon B. Arthurs, Robert L. Assell, Eugene A. Dickhudt, Bradley J. Wessman
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Publication number: 20110213458Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, E Tina Cheng, James M. Jacobs
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Patent number: 7951188Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantating in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, E Tina Cheng, James M. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20110112373Abstract: Disclosed are surgical tools, tool sets and methods for percutaneously accessing and preparing treatment sites within the spine for subsequent treatment procedures. The treatment site may be avertebral motion segments in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The tool set may a retraction device for retracting bowel from a sacrum. The device can induce a collapsible enclosure that defines a chamber. The collapsible enclosure can have a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In some arrangements, the chamber is filled with an inflation media. The expanded configuration defines a working channel positioned between the sacrum and the bowel and extending over or through at least a portion of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: TRANS1 INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Eugene E. Avidano, Frederic C. Feiler, JR.
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Patent number: 7938836Abstract: Tools for use in the deployment of spinal implant assemblies such as spinal motion preservation assemblies adapted for use in a spinal motion segment are disclosed including the process for delivering and assembling the spinal motion preservation assemblies in the spinal motion segment via an axial channel created with a trans-sacral approach. The tools allow the deployment of a pair of spinal implant components that are not rigidly connected to one another to be driven into adjacent vertebral bodies. The tools further allow for distraction via either dissimilar thread pitch or by axially advancing a distraction tool based on a threaded engagement with a proximal component in a proximal vertebral body to impose an distraction between that vertebral body and an adjacent distal vertebral body. The tools also allow for the provision of flowable biomaterials such as prosthetic nucleus material. Delivery of flowable biomaterials can be performed while the vertebrae are being held apart by a distraction tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: TranS1, Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Robert L. Assell, Bradley J. Wessman
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Patent number: 7914535Abstract: Disclosed are surgical tools, tool sets and methods for percutaneously accessing and preparing treatment sites within the spine for subsequent treatment procedures. The treatment site may be an inter-vertebral motion segments in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The tool set may comprise introducer tools and bone dilators for accessing and tapping into a targeted site, such as, for example, the anterior surface of the S1 vertebral body. The tool set may also comprise cutters and extractors for preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures. The tool set may additionally comprise a bone graft inserter, an exchange system, and/or a temporary distraction tool for further preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Robert L Assell, Stephen D Ainsworth, Andrew H Cragg, Eugene A Dickhudt
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Publication number: 20110060369Abstract: Disclosed are surgical tools, tool sets and methods for percutaneously accessing and preparing treatment sites within the spine for subsequent treatment procedures. The treatment site may be an inter-vertebral motion segments in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The tool set may comprise introducer tools and bone dilators for accessing and tapping into a targeted site, such as, for example, the anterior surface of the S1 vertebral body. The tool set may also comprise cutters and extractors for preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures. The tool set may additionally comprise a bone graft inserter, an exchange system, and/or a temporary distraction tool for further preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: TRANS1 INC.Inventors: Robert L. Assell, Stephen D. Ainsworth, Brandon Arthurs
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Publication number: 20110040329Abstract: Assemblies for implantation across one or more spinal motion segments to allow for control of the distance between bone anchors. Control of distance between bone anchors may be provided by one inter-anchor element pushing the pair of bone anchors apart and a second inter-anchor element pulling the pair of bone anchors together. Control of distance between bone anchors may be provided through use of dissimilar thread pitch. Compression of intervertebral disc space through controlled movement of a pair of anchored bone anchors towards one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Leighton J. LaPierre
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Publication number: 20110035005Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the provision of spinal therapy to two or more adjacent motion segments accessed through a trans-sacral approach. The spinal therapies include fusion and dynamic stabilization with and without a distraction of the most cephalad motion segment of the two or more adjacent motion segments provided therapy. The disclosure includes methods and apparatus to impart a push distraction to increase the distance between two adjacent vertebrae. Related concepts for the extraction of previously inserted devices and the delivery and removal of plugs for plugging the interior cavities of implantable devices are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: TRANS1 INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Robert L. Assell, Andrew H. Cragg, Bradley J. Wessman
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Publication number: 20110029019Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the provision of spinal therapy to two or more adjacent motion segments accessed through a trans-sacral approach. The spinal therapies include fusion and dynamic stabilization with and without a distraction of the most cephalad motion segment of the two or more adjacent motion segments provided therapy. The disclosure includes methods and apparatus to impart a push distraction to increase the distance between two adjacent vertebrae. Related concepts for the extraction of previously inserted devices and the delivery and removal of plugs for plugging the interior cavities of implantable devices are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: TranS1 Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Ainsworth, Robert L. Assell, Andrew H. Cragg, Bradley J. Wessman