Patents by Inventor Steven Willis

Steven Willis 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: 11622867
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinal implant with a solid frame and a porous inner layer. The implant may have a cavity defined by the porous inner layer. The solid frame may have one or more ribs extending from a medial wall to a lateral wall. The thickness of the porous layer may vary relative the thickness of the solid frame at various locations. An inserter to place a spinal implant and a method to perform same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Bryan D. Milz, Thomas A. Alheidt, Jessica Cetrangol, Christian Karl Schultz, Jason Steinke, Steven Willis, Robert Cipoletti, Charles L. Bush, Jr., Brad Juchno
  • Patent number: 11471284
    Abstract: A prosthesis for spinal surgery includes a spacer adapted to be secured into the bone and attached to one of a plurality of configuration plates. The configuration plates are interchangeable and each one is configured to utilize a different combination of bone screws, anchors or both. The prosthesis may further include a retaining mechanism to prevent bone screws and/or anchors from backing out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Christian Karl Schultz, Jason H. Steinke, Steven Willis, Justyna Zielinska
  • Publication number: 20220175431
    Abstract: A bone fastener includes a head, and a screw portion extends from the head. The screw portion includes a shaft and a thread extending along and about the shaft. The thread has a height extending from a root to a tip thereof. The thread also has first and second portions disposed between the root and the tip. The second portion has a porous structure configured to promote bone ingrowth and has a porosity greater than that of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Willis, Steven F. Krause, Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Brett Traficant, Erika Corbin, Lauren Barkauskas
  • Patent number: 11284927
    Abstract: A bone fastener includes a head, and a screw portion extends from the head. The screw portion includes a shaft and a thread extending along and about the shaft. The thread has a height extending from a root to a tip thereof. The thread also has first and second portions disposed between the root and the tip. The second portion has a porous structure configured to promote bone ingrowth and has a porosity greater than that of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Willis, Steven F. Krause, Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Brett Traficant, Erika Corbin, Lauren Barkauskas
  • Publication number: 20210307921
    Abstract: A spinal interbody device (IBD) includes a solid wall that at least partially defines a boundary of the IBD and a porous body connected to the solid wall. The porous body includes a plurality of sections that form at least a portion of both a superior and inferior bone interface side of the IBD. Each section of the porous body has a different porosity than an adjacent section such that the porosities increase toward a center of the IBD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Collin Newman, Christian Karl Schultz, Steven Willis, Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Oliver Buchert, Christopher P. Bell, Andrew Edward Ehlers, Anna Reza, Marc Gilles Long, Joseph Henry Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210236299
    Abstract: A spinal implant including porous and solid portions is disclosed. The implant includes porous portions on upper and lower surfaces and in an interior thereof. Methods of manufacturing and implanting such implants are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Steven Willis, Justyna Zielinska, Robin Stamp, Chau Ngo
  • Patent number: 11065126
    Abstract: A spinal interbody device (IBD) includes a solid wall that at least partially defines a boundary of the IBD and a porous body connected to the solid wall. The porous body includes a plurality of sections that form at least a portion of both a superior and inferior bone interface side of the IBD. Each section of the porous body has a different porosity than an adjacent section such that the porosities increase toward a center of the IBD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Collin Newman, Christian Karl Schultz, Steven Willis, Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Oliver Buchert, Christopher P. Bell, Andrew Edward Ehlers, Anna Reza, Marc Gilles Long, Joseph Henry Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210145590
    Abstract: A prosthesis for spinal surgery includes a spacer adapted to be secured into the bone and attached to one of a plurality of configuration plates. The configuration plates are interchangeable and each one is configured to utilize a different combination of bone screws, anchors or both. The prosthesis may further include a retaining mechanism to prevent bone screws and/or anchors from backing out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Christian Karl Schultz, Jason H. Steinke, Steven Willis, Justyna Zielinska
  • Patent number: 11000386
    Abstract: A spinal implant including porous and solid portions is disclosed. The implant includes porous portions on upper and lower surfaces and in an interior thereof. Methods of manufacturing and implanting such implants are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Willis, Justyna Zielinska, Robin Stamp, Chau Ngo
  • Patent number: 10987230
    Abstract: A spinal fusion implant including a body and a jacket is disclosed. The jacket includes at least two radiopaque markers extending therefrom for use in determining the position of the implant after placement between intervertebral bodies. Methods of implanting and evaluating positioning of the implant are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Steven Willis, Robert Cipoletti
  • Patent number: 10966835
    Abstract: A prosthesis for spinal surgery includes a spacer adapted to be secured into the bone and attached to one of a plurality of configuration plates. The configuration plates are interchangeable and each one is configured to utilize a different combination of bone screws, anchors or both. The prosthesis may further include a retaining mechanism to prevent bone screws and/or anchors from backing out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Karl Schultz, Jason Steinke, Steven Willis, Justyna Zielinska
  • Publication number: 20210070616
    Abstract: The present invention is a surface-modified carbon material including chemical addends added to the surface of graphene, such that a one-dimensional periodicity corresponding to a large number of addition positions of the chemical addends can be observed in a Fourier-transformed image of a scanning probe microscopic image of the surface of graphene. The surface-modified carbon material of the present invention has a bandgap and therefore can be used as a sensor capable of electronically controlling an operation or another electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Kazukuni Tahara, Yoshito Tobe, Toru Ishikawa, Yuki Kubo, Steven Willy Nicolas De Feyter, Brandon Edward Hirsch, Zhi Li
  • Publication number: 20210038404
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinal implant with a solid frame and a porous inner layer. The implant may have a cavity defined by the porous inner layer. The solid frame may have one or more ribs extending from a medial wall to a lateral wall. The thickness of the porous layer may vary relative the thickness of the solid frame at various locations. An inserter to place a spinal implant and a method to perform same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Bryan D. Milz, Thomas A. Alheidt, Jessica Cetrangol, Christian Karl Schultz, Jason Steinke, Steven Willis, Robert Cipoletti, Charles L. Bush, JR., Brad Juchno
  • Patent number: 10835388
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinal implant with a solid frame and a porous inner layer. The implant may have a cavity defined by the porous inner layer. The solid frame may have one or more ribs extending from a medial wall to a lateral wall. The thickness of the porous layer may vary relative the thickness of the solid frame at various locations. An inserter to place a spinal implant and a method to perform same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Bryan D. Milz, Thomas A. Alheidt, Jessica Cetrangol, Christian Karl Schultz, Jason Steinke, Steven Willis, Robert Cipoletti, Charles L. Bush, Jr., Brad Juchno
  • Publication number: 20200121830
    Abstract: Implants including non-resorbable frameworks and resorbable components, as well as methods of use thereof are disclosed. The embodiments include different combinations of a non-resorbable framework (in some case structural and in other cases non-structural), and a resorbable component embedded within and/or around the framework (again, in some cases structural and in other cases non-structural). The disclosed implants provide an efficient means of providing structural support for the vertebral bodies post-implantation, as well as encouraging resorption of the implant and fusion of the associated vertebral bodies without negative side effects and/or failure, such as subsidence of the implant or cracking/fracturing of a portion of the implant when implanted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Bradley William Paddock, Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Adam Laurance Wollowick, Oliver Buchert, Matthew B. Havener, Robert Cipoletti, Steven Willis, Marc Gilles Long
  • Publication number: 20200046512
    Abstract: A spinal interbody device (IBD) includes a solid wall that at least partially defines a boundary of the IBD and a porous body connected to the solid wall. The porous body includes a plurality of sections that form at least a portion of both a superior and inferior bone interface side of the IBD. Each section of the porous body has a different porosity than an adjacent section such that the porosities increase toward a center of the IBD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Collin Newman, Christian Karl Schultz, Steven Willis, Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Oliver Buchert, Christopher P. Bell, Andrew Edward Ehlers, Anna Reza, Marc Gilles Long, Joseph Henry Robinson
  • Patent number: 10537666
    Abstract: Implants including non-resorbable frameworks and resorbable components, as well as methods of use thereof are disclosed. The embodiments include different combinations of a non-resorbable framework (in some case structural and in other cases non-structural), and a resorbable component embedded within and/or around the framework (again, in some cases structural and in other cases non-structural). The disclosed implants provide an efficient means of providing structural support for the vertebral bodies post-implantation, as well as encouraging resorption of the implant and fusion of the associated vertebral bodies without negative side effects and/or failure, such as subsidence of the implant or cracking/fracturing of a portion of the implant when implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley William Paddock, Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Adam Laurance Wollowick, Oliver Buchert, Matthew B. Havener, Robert Cipoletti, Steven Willis, Marc Gilles Long
  • Publication number: 20190321192
    Abstract: A spinal fusion implant including a body and a jacket is disclosed. The jacket includes at least two radiopaque markers extending therefrom for use in determining the position of the implant after placement between intervertebral bodies. Methods of implanting and evaluating positioning of the implant are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Willis, Robert Cipoletti
  • Patent number: 10433982
    Abstract: A tool for inserting a spinal implant is disclosed. The tool includes a tube with a handle end, an inserter end having an opening, and a curved portion located between the handle end and the inserter end. A driveshaft with an actuator extends within the tube so that the actuator is proximate to the opening. A knob is attached to the handle end and the driveshaft, wherein turning the knob rotates the actuator. Methods of utilizing the tool, as well as variations of the tool are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Willis, Zoya Royt
  • Publication number: 20190239935
    Abstract: A bone fastener includes a head, and a screw portion extends from the head. The screw portion includes a shaft and a thread extending along and about the shaft. The thread has a height extending from a root to a tip thereof. The thread also has first and second portions disposed between the root and the tip. The second portion has a porous structure configured to promote bone ingrowth and has a porosity greater than that of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Willis, Steven F. Krause, Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Brett Traficant, Erika Corbin, Lauren Barkauskas