Patents by Inventor Steven Tethrake
Steven Tethrake 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: 11076825Abstract: A surgical instrument for assessing tissue characteristics such as tissue density and volume is disclosed. The surgical instrument is hand-held and includes transducers adapted for emitting and/or receiving acoustic signals. The surgical instrument utilizes pulse-echo to determine tissue characteristics. The surgical instrument may be utilized to determine such things as the size of a lesion and whether the lesion has been completely removed or filled with graft material.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Nycz, Fred J. Molz, IV, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Warren Olson, Jr., William T. Donofrio
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Publication number: 20190059849Abstract: A surgical instrument for assessing tissue characteristics such as tissue density and volume is disclosed. The surgical instrument is hand-held and includes transducers adapted for emitting and/or receiving acoustic signals. The surgical instrument utilizes pulse-echo to determine tissue characteristics. The surgical instrument may be utilized to determine such things as the size of a lesion and whether the lesion has been completely removed or filled with graft material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Nycz, Fred J. Molz, IV, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Warren Olson, JR., William T. Donofrio
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Patent number: 10111646Abstract: A surgical instrument for assessing tissue characteristics such as tissue density and volume is disclosed. The surgical instrument is hand-held and includes transducers adapted for emitting and/or receiving acoustic signals. The surgical instrument utilizes pulse-echo to determine tissue characteristics. The surgical instrument may be utilized to determine such things as the size of a lesion and whether the lesion has been completely removed or filled with graft material.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Nycz, Fred J. Molz, IV, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Warren Olson, Jr., William T. Donofrio
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Publication number: 20160081655Abstract: A surgical instrument for assessing tissue characteristics such as tissue density and volume is disclosed. The surgical instrument is hand-held and includes transducers adapted for emitting and/or receiving acoustic signals. The surgical instrument utilizes pulse-echo to determine tissue characteristics. The surgical instrument may be utilized to determine such things as the size of a lesion and whether the lesion has been completely removed or filled with graft material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Nycz, Fred J. Molz, IV, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Warren Olson, JR., William T. Donofrio
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Patent number: 8970370Abstract: A system and method for calibrating physical data sensing devices with physical data control devices is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful for calibrating physical data sensing devices that measure physical data at periodic intervals different from the periodic intervals in which the physical data control device measure the physical data. The system and method provide a quick and accurate calibration between devices sampling at different rates.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Wesley J. Clement, Steven Tethrake, Steven Morrison
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Patent number: 8690068Abstract: This invention relates to a novel architecture of a passive RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tag which is highly miniature in size, capable of metal mounting and suitable for global operation in the entire UHF band (860 MHz to 960 MHz) without necessity of territory specific optimization of the antenna design layout. This invention envisages a novel antenna design that consists of a circular or rectangular microstrip antenna of ultra-small size (??/50), which is suitably loaded in shunt by lumped components resistor (R), inductor (L) and capacitor (C). The feed point, feed layout and the loading values are so optimized that a single tag will display optimum performance in all the territories. This invention relates to a method of encapsulating the passive tag with radio transparent materials like RadelĀ® R, as well as a metal backplane so that the encapsulated tag can withstand autoclaving while maintaining the required performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Michael Mathews, Chakravarty Tapas, Steven Tethrake, Robin Turner, Kuldeep Tyagi
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Publication number: 20130306740Abstract: This invention relates to a novel architecture of a passive RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tag which is highly miniature in size, capable of metal mounting and suitable for global operation in the entire UHF band (860 MHz to 960 MHz) without necessity of territory specific optimization of the antenna design layout. This invention envisages a novel antenna design that consists of a circular or rectangular microstrip antenna of ultra-small size (??/50), which is suitably loaded in shunt by lumped components resistor (R), inductor (L) and capacitor (C). The feed point, feed layout and the loading values are so optimized that a single tag will display optimum performance in all the territories. This invention relates to a method of encapsulating the passive tag with radio transparent materials like RadelĀ® R, as well as a metal backplane so that the encapsulated tag can withstand autoclaving while maintaining the required performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: WARSAW OTHROPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Michael Mathews, Chakravarty Tapas, Steven Tethrake, Robin Turner, Kuldeep Tyagi
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Patent number: 8454613Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying surgical instruments by use of radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) are disclosed. In the systems and methods, each of a plurality of surgical instruments is provided with at least one RFID transponder tag storing identification information associated with the corresponding instrument. The tag may be adhered to, embedded, or potted within a portion of the instrument. Using an RFID reading device, a user may interrogate the tag, thereby identifying the particular instrument. This identification information may be used to index a database and retrieve a data record unique to that instrument. The systems and methods allow a user to track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instruments, to assess, for example, the surgical instruments' duty life cycle usage.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Steven Tethrake, Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Nycz, Robert Varner, Mark Pelo
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Publication number: 20130049958Abstract: A system and method for calibrating physical data sensing devices with physical data control devices is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful for calibrating physical data sensing devices that measure physical data at periodic intervals different from the periodic intervals in which the physical data control device measure the physical data. The system and method provide a quick and accurate calibration between devices sampling at different rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Wesley J. Clement, Steven Tethrake, Steven Morrison
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Patent number: 8016859Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the condition of the skeletal system and adjusting a treatment device to provide appropriate treatment in response to the sensed signal. More particularly, in one aspect the present invention is directed to a sensor for detecting changes at a spinal level and a dynamic treatment system adjustable in response to the detected changes.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Jeffrey H. Nycz, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Warren Olson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7993269Abstract: A sensor for detecting changes in spinal tissue is disclosed. The implantable sensor or surgical instrument includes a sensing element adapted for detecting indicators of tissue health. The sensor is configured for transmitting the tissue data outside of the body. Further a system and method are provided to utilize the sensed tissue properties to treat the patient's condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Jeffrey H. Nycz, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Warren Olson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100176925Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying surgical instruments by use of radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) are disclosed. In the systems and methods, each of a plurality of surgical instruments is provided with at least one RFID transponder tag storing identification information associated with the corresponding instrument. The tag may be adhered to, embedded, or potted within a portion of the instrument. Using an RFID reading device, a user may interrogate the tag, thereby identifying the particular instrument. This identification information may be used to index a database and retrieve a data record unique to that instrument. The systems and methods allow a user to track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instruments, to assess, for example, the surgical instruments' duty life cycle usage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Steven Tethrake, Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Nycz, Robert Varner, Mark Pelo
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Publication number: 20070244470Abstract: An apparatus may include a tool having a slot, the tool being composed of an electrical conductor and the slot being formed in an outer wall of the tool. The apparatus may include a transmitter having an antenna, where the antenna may be offset from the tool. The transmitter may be positioned within the slot, may be coupled to the tool by a conductive material, and may be covered with a protective material, where the tool may be adapted to operate as an electrical ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Inventors: Boyd Barker, Jr., Robert Varner, Jeffrey Nycz, Steven Tethrake
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Publication number: 20070239289Abstract: A software method may include receiving scan data from a device after the device retrieves a readable code from a container, the container having at least one transmitter contained therein, processing the scan data to generate a container code based on the readable code, receiving a signal from the at least one transmitter, the signal including identification information, generating a transaction code based on the container code and the identification information, and instructing the device to transmit the transaction code to a processing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Christopher Cambre, Marnita Holmes, Robert Varner, Steven Tethrake
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Publication number: 20070232958Abstract: A sensor for detecting changes in spinal tissue is disclosed. The implantable sensor or surgical instrument includes a sensing element adapted for detecting indicators of tissue health. The sensor is configured for transmitting the tissue data outside of the body. Further a system and method are provided to utilize the sensed tissue properties to treat the patient's condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2006Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: SDGI Holdings, Inc.Inventors: William Donofrio, Jeffrey Nycz, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Olson
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Publication number: 20070233065Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the condition of the skeletal system and adjusting a treatment device to provide appropriate treatment in response to the sensed signal. More particularly, in one aspect the present invention is directed to a sensor for detecting changes at a spinal level and a dynamic treatment system adjustable in response to the detected changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2006Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: SDGI Holdings, Inc.Inventors: William Donofrio, Jeffrey Nycz, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Olson
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Publication number: 20070197895Abstract: A surgical instrument for assessing tissue characteristics such as tissue density and volume is disclosed. The surgical instrument is hand-held and includes transducers adapted for emitting and/or receiving acoustic signals. The surgical instrument utilizes pulse-echo to determine tissue characteristics. The surgical instrument may be utilized to determine such things as the size of a lesion and whether the lesion has been completely removed or filled with graft material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2006Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: SDGI Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Nycz, Fred Molz, Steven Tethrake, Stanley Olson, William Donofrio
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Publication number: 20070188306Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically programming an RFID tag using machine readable indicia. A dual mode device performs a bar code scan of a bar coded label. Information obtained from the bar code scan is stored. This information may be used to query a database indexed by the bar code information that contains detailed product information. The bar code information as well as the detailed information may be transmitted in an RF signal by the dual mode device to an RFID tag to be stored in a memory structure in the tag. The dual mode device may perform a read operation on the tag after the write operation to confirm that the data was successfully stored and provide an indication thereof. The indication may be a visual indication, a textual indication, an audible indication or combinations of these.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Steven Tethrake, Robert Varner, Jeffrey Nycz
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Publication number: 20070159337Abstract: A modular RFID tag that includes at least first and second tag portions that are mechanically connected to one another. A portion of the RFID transponder circuit resides in each portion of the tag. When the two tag portions are connected they form a substantially cylindrically-shaped structure. When the two tag portions are connected to one another, a conductive pin attached to one portion engages the other portiont to complete the circuit. Each portion may include a deformable layer on an inside surface that allows the modular tag to be attached to items of different dimensions and cross-sectional profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Inventors: Steven Tethrake, Robert Varner, Roger Ousley, Jeffrey Nycz
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Publication number: 20070159336Abstract: A coiled RFID tag that includes an RFID transponder circuit that is formed over a generally cylindrically-shaped substrate core so that portions of the antenna of the transponder circuit circumscribe the substrate core. With this configuration, the tag may be applied to objects without regard to antenna orientation. The transponder circuit and substrate core are encased in a protective material that will prevent ingress of moisture and dust, insulate from heat and cold but will allow radio frequency waves to pass without significant attenuation. The tag may be attached various items by an overmolding process in the formation of a grip of other portions. Alternatively, the tag may be attached to objects by forming it into a flexible sleeve-like portion that is pulled over objects and maintained in position by the resilient properties of the sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Inventors: Steven Tethrake, Robert Varner, Jeffrey Nycz