Patents by Inventor Steve D. Kruse

Steve D. Kruse 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).

  • Publication number: 20160066926
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing the interior of a bone for therapy. The therapy may include therapy for a bone fracture. The apparatus and methods may involve orienting a surgical instrument for proper deployment in the interior of the bone. An instrument guide may be positioned and retained against translation along, and rotation about one or more of three substantially orthogonal axes. Apparatus placed exterior to the bone may register the guide to a region inside the bone that is designated for preparation or treatment. One or more broaching members may be used to prepare the region for treatment. A broaching member may be expandable inside the bone. A broaching member may be flexible such that it broaches bone having a relatively lower density and it leaves bone having a relatively higher density substantially intact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Kyle Taylor, Stefan J. Hertel, Alex A. Peterson, Michael P. Brenzel, Steve D. Kruse, Todd A. Krinke, Paul Hindrichs
  • Publication number: 20150164514
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bone cavity preparation. Formed broaching members may be supported inside a bone by a rotator. The broaching members may be bowed out inside the bone to create a cavity having a shape determined by the broaching members and bone anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Grace Wlodarski, Alex A. Peterson, Todd A. Krinke, Michael P. Brenzel, Steve D. Kruse, Troy Michael Siemers, Benjamin Arcand, Brian John Mullins, Michael Bennett Tradewell, Erik Julian Nelson, Matthew Howard Rust, Cameron Thomas Kramer, Rachel Marie Kramer, Kyle Taylor
  • Publication number: 20150141996
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing the interior of a bone for therapy. The therapy may include therapy for a bone fracture. The apparatus and methods may involve orienting a surgical instrument for proper deployment in the interior of the bone. An instrument guide may be positioned and retained against translation along, and rotation about one or more of three substantially orthogonal axes. Apparatus placed exterior to the bone may register the guide to a region inside the bone that is designated for preparation or treatment. One or more broaching members may be used to prepare the region for treatment. A broaching member may be expandable inside the bone. A broaching member may be flexible such that it broaches bone having a relatively lower density and it leaves bone having a relatively higher density substantially intact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Kyle Taylor, Stefan J. Hertel, Alex A. Peterson, Michael P. Brenzel, Steve D. Kruse, Todd A. Krinke, Paul Hindrichs
  • Patent number: 8961518
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing the interior of a bone for therapy. The therapy may include therapy for a bone fracture. The apparatus and methods may involve orienting a surgical instrument for proper deployment in the interior of the bone. An instrument guide may be positioned and retained against translation along, and rotation about one or more of three substantially orthogonal axes. Apparatus placed exterior to the bone may register the guide to a region inside the bone that is designated for preparation or treatment. One or more broaching members may be used to prepare the region for treatment. A broaching member may be expandable inside the bone. A broaching member may be flexible such that it broaches bone having a relatively lower density and it leaves bone having a relatively higher density substantially intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Conventus Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Taylor, Stefan J. Hertel, Alex A. Peterson, Michael P. Brenzel, Steve D. Kruse, Todd A. Krinke, Paul Hindrichs
  • Publication number: 20150012096
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securing a bone implant are provided. The implant may be an expandable implant. The implant may be a non-expandable implant. The implant may be for repairing a bone fracture. The implant may be secured to a bone by anchors. The implant may include anchor receiving features. The anchor receiving features may be configured to direct an anchor into cortical bone. The anchor receiving features may be configured to receive an anchor driven through cortical bone. The implant may include bone engaging members configured to engage cancellous bone. An implant may include different profiles. The different profiles may be configured to secure the implant. The profiles may be configured to support the bone. The implant may have different flexing properties configured to position the implant in the bone. The implant may be positioned to receive an anchor driven through an outside of the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Todd A. Krinke, Steve D. Kruse, Kyle Taylor, Stefan J. Hertel, Michael P. Brenzel, Paul Hindrichs, Alex A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8906022
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securing a bone implant are provided. The implant may be an expandable implant. The implant may be a non-expandable implant. The implant may be for repairing a bone fracture. The implant may be secured to a bone by anchors. The implant may include anchor receiving features. The anchor receiving features may be configured to direct an anchor into cortical bone. The anchor receiving features may be configured to receive an anchor driven through cortical bone. The implant may include bone engaging members configured to engage cancellous bone. An implant may include different profiles. The different profiles may be configured to secure the implant. The profiles may be configured to support the bone. The implant may have different flexing properties configured to position the implant in the bone. The implant may be positioned to receive an anchor driven through an outside of the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Conventus Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Krinke, Steve D. Kruse, Kyle Taylor, Stefan J. Hertel, Michael P. Brenzel, Paul Hindrichs, Alex A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20120253410
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a fractured bone for repair. Preparing the bone may include fracture reduction. Preparing the bone may include holding a fracture in reduction. Preparing the bone may include identifying locations for obtaining access to an interior region of the bone. The apparatus may include structures outside the bone that interact with fragments of the bone. The structures may participate in the reduction. The structures may participate in holding the reduction. The structures may participate in identifying the locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Kyle Taylor, Todd A. Krinke, Alex A. Peterson, Thomas David Magnuson, Steve D. Kruse, Mark Robert Bilitz, Stefan J. Hertel, Michael P. Brenzel, Paul Hindrichs
  • Publication number: 20110218626
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securing a bone implant are provided. The implant may be an expandable implant. The implant may be a non-expandable implant. The implant may be for repairing a bone fracture. The implant may be secured to a bone by anchors. The implant may include anchor receiving features. The anchor receiving features may be configured to direct an anchor into cortical bone. The anchor receiving features may be configured to receive an anchor driven through cortical bone. The implant may include bone engaging members configured to engage cancellous bone. An implant may include different profiles. The different profiles may be configured to secure the implant. The profiles may be configured to support the bone. The implant may have different flexing properties configured to position the implant in the bone. The implant may be positioned to receive an anchor driven through an outside of the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Todd A. Krinke, Steve D. Kruse, Kyle Taylor, Stefan J. Hertel, Michael P. Brenzel, Paul Hindrichs, Alex A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20110218585
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for repairing a bone. The apparatus and methods may involve transferring a mechanical load from a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment. For example, the first bone fragment may be at the end of the bone. The second bone fragment may be in the diaphyseal region of the bone. The bone fragment at the end of the bone may be separated by a fracture from the bone fragment in the diaphyseal region of the bone. The fracture may interfere with transmission of the load from the bone fragment at the end of the bone to the bone fragment in the diaphyseal region of the bone. Transmission of the load across the fracture by the apparatus may promote healing of the fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Todd A. Krinke, Steve D. Kruse, Kyle Taylor, Stefan J. Hertel, Michael P. Brenzel, Paul Hindrichs
  • Publication number: 20110190832
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing the interior of a bone for therapy. The therapy may include therapy for a bone fracture. The apparatus and methods may involve orienting a surgical instrument for proper deployment in the interior of the bone. An instrument guide may be positioned and retained against translation along, and rotation about one or more of three substantially orthogonal axes. Apparatus placed exterior to the bone may register the guide to a region inside the bone that is designated for preparation or treatment. One or more broaching members may be used to prepare the region for treatment. A broaching member may be expandable inside the bone. A broaching member may be flexible such that it broaches bone having a relatively lower density and it leaves bone having a relatively higher density substantially intact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Kyle Taylor, Stefan J. Hertel, Alex A. Peterson, Michael P. Brenzel, Steve D. Kruse, Todd A. Krinke, Paul Hindrichs
  • Patent number: 5955684
    Abstract: A modular probe that is used for determining levels in a process material container, bins, pipes, using capacitance, micro impulse radar, or other types of signals, and which has a self contained pressure seal in the probe. The probe mounts to a connector that has an explosion proof barrier. The connector in turn supports a transmitter housing, which can be made explosion proof as well. The probe is coupled to the connector in a manner so that they can be easily separated and replaced without altering the explosion proof barrier. An independent seal on the probe itself permits the probe to be installed in a tank prior to the transmitter installation, and the transmitter may be uncoupled from the connector and replaced with a new transmitter without affecting the explosion proof portion of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gravel, Steve D. Kruse, Randall C. Olson