Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Kuslich

Stephen D. Kuslich 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: 9526621
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of correcting numerous bone abnormalities including bone tumors and cysts, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, tibial plateau fractures and compression fractures of the spine. The abnormality may be corrected by first accessing and boring into the damaged tissue or bone and reaming out the damaged and/or diseased area using any of the presently accepted procedures or the damaged area may be prepared by expanding a bag within the damaged bone to compact cancellous bone. After removal and/or compaction of the damaged tissue the bone is stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Spineology Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20140288656
    Abstract: A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20140067066
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of correcting numerous bone abnormalities including bone tumors and cysts, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, tibial plateau fractures and compression fractures of the spine. The abnormality may be corrected by first accessing and boring into the damaged tissue or bone and reaming out the damaged and/or diseased area using any of the presently accepted procedures or the damaged area may be prepared by expanding a bag within the damaged bone to compact cancellous bone. After removal and/or compaction of the damaged tissue the bone is stabilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Spineology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20120116514
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for a partially biological disc replacement that stimulates natural fibrous, cartilaginous or other tissue growth in the DDD cavity, resulting in a partial biological disc replacement. Multiplicities of fibronous pieces of fibro-cartilaginous tissue promoting material are inserted into the DDD cavity inducing tissue growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Patricia K. Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20110245924
    Abstract: A method and device for supporting bone graft including a porous enclosure having a first collapsed state and a second expanded state wherein the second expanded state is sized to conform to the excavated intervertebral cavity upon insertion of bone graft into the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Patricia Kocian Kuslich
  • Patent number: 8012211
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for a partially biological disc replacement that stimulates natural fibrous, cartilaginous or other tissue growth in the DDD cavity, resulting in a partial biological disc replacement. Multiplicities of fibronous pieces of fibro-cartilaginous tissue promoting material are inserted into the DDD cavity inducing tissue growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Spineology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20110213463
    Abstract: A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Patricia K. Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20100286702
    Abstract: The present invention is a kit and a method of using a kit for treating bone including a fill material mixture made of osteoconductive material, osteoinductive material and a lubricating carrier, a porous container to receive the fill material mixture and a tool that flowably introduces the fill material mixture into the porous container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: James W. Ahern, Arthur Gertzman, Karen Roche, Moon Hae Sunwoo, Steven Wolfe, Stephen D. Kuslich, John E. Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20100268231
    Abstract: A method of treating a compression fracture in a bone comprising the steps of forming a transverse cavity within said bone defined by at least one substantially flat surface lying substantially in a transverse plane formed by and communicating with said transverse cavity, the transverse cavity having a substantially uniform transverse extent and a maximum height, the maximum height being less than said transverse extent and applying a force within said transverse cavity generally normal to said surface to displace said surface and restore said bone to its substantially normal anatomic position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Spineology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, John E. Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20100256648
    Abstract: A tool for directing bone replacement material under pressure comprising an elongated hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; the distal end including at least one opening having a deflection structure configured to deflect the bone replacement material out of the tube at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube in response to pressure applied to the bone replacement material such that the deflected bone replacement material creates a force with at least a portion of the force generally oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Francis Peterson, James W. Ahern
  • Publication number: 20100152855
    Abstract: A method of treating a compression fracture in a bone comprising the steps of forming a transverse cavity within said bone defined by at least one substantially flat surface lying substantially in a transverse plane formed by and communicating with said transverse cavity, the transverse cavity having a substantially uniform transverse extent and a maximum height, the maximum height being less than said transverse extent and applying a force within said transverse cavity generally normal to said surface to displace said surface and restore said bone to its substantially normal anatomic position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, John E. Kuslich
  • Patent number: 7722621
    Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are laparoscopically placed in a disc space separating two vertebrae. Implant tools, including distraction spacers, boring tools and implants, are passed through a cannula toward the disk space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Douglas W. Kohrs
  • Publication number: 20100049251
    Abstract: The device of the invention includes a flexible container that may be filled with fill material either before or after placement at the insertion site. It is one object of the present invention to provide a flexible container filled with morselized cortico-cancellous bone graft. According to one aspect of the present invention, a filled flexible container may be placed at the insertion site and then molded to the local anatomy. In an embodiment, a filled flexible container may be placed between two spinous processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Karen Roche, Patricia Kocian Kuslich
  • Publication number: 20090125110
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for a partially biological disc replacement that stimulates natural fibrous, cartilaginous or other tissue growth in the DDD cavity, resulting in a partial biological disc replacement. Multiplicities of fibronous pieces of fibro-cartilaginous tissue promoting material are inserted into the DDD cavity inducing tissue growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kuslich
  • Patent number: 7226481
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of correcting numerous bone abnormalities including bone tumors and cysts, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, tibial plateau fractures and compression fractures of the spine. The abnormality may be corrected by first accessing and boring into the damaged tissue or bone and reaming out the damaged and/or diseased area using any of the presently accepted procedures or the damaged area may be prepared by expanding a bag within the damaged bone to compact cancellous bone. After removal and/or compaction of the damaged tissue the bone must be stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Spineology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kuslich
  • Patent number: 7220282
    Abstract: A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Spineology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kuslich
  • Patent number: 7135026
    Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are laparoscopically placed in a disk space separating two vertebrae. Implant tools, including distraction spacers, boring tools and implants, are passed through a cannula toward the disk space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Douglas W. Kohrs
  • Patent number: 7056345
    Abstract: A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Spineology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kuslich
  • Patent number: RE42757
    Abstract: An expandable reamer for forming a space within a vertebral disc includes a pair of opposing blades which have a expanded state and a retracted state. The blades being pivotally positioned at the distal end of a shaft assembly. A shaft housing being substantially disposed about the shaft assembly. The proximal end of the shaft assembly being operatively engaged by a control device which when rotated allows the blades to be fully retracted for insertion into a pre-bored hole and then to be expanded incrementally until the cavity is bored as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Spineology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Patricia Kuslich, legal representative, Francis Peterson, Todd Bjork, Joseph E. Gleason, Rodney Rogstad
  • Patent number: RE42863
    Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are inserted into a disc space of disc material separating first and second vertebrae by forming bores between the vertebrae. A distraction spacer is temporarily put in place on one side of the vertebrae while a bore is being formed on an opposite side of the vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Douglas W. Kohrs