Patents by Inventor Stuart Weikel

Stuart Weikel 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: 20080039717
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for performing tissue, preferably bone tissue manipulation. The system and method may include implanting markers on opposite sides of a bone, fractured bone or tissue to facilitate bone or tissue manipulation, preferably in-situ closed fracture reduction. The markers are preferably configured to be detected by one or more devices, such as, for example, a detection device so that the detection device can determine the relative relationship of the markers. The markers may also be capable of transmitting and receiving signals. An image may be captured of the bone or tissue and the attached markers. From the captured image, the orientation of each marker relative to the bone fragment may be determined. Next, the captured image may be manipulated in a virtual or simulated environment until a desired restored orientation has been achieved. The orientation of the markers in the desired restored orientation may then be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Frigg, Stuart Weikel, Stefan Schwer, Geoffrey Flexner, Ross Hamel
  • Publication number: 20060009775
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for urging a longitudinal spinal member into a bone fastener. The surgical instrument may include a holder assembly for engaging a bone fastener, the holder assembly preferably comprising a pair of pivotably connected members arranged in a scissor type configuration, and a reducing mechanism for moving the spinal rod with respect to the bone fastener, the reducing mechanism including a rod contacting member and an outer support structure having an opening for receiving at least a portion of the holder assembly and a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the vertical drive mechanism which is sized and configured to threadably engage the holder assembly. The holder assembly preferably includes a pair of jaws each having an extension formed thereon for engaging a recess formed on the lateral side walls of the bone fastener so that the holder assembly can engage the bone fastener without extending into the U-shaped channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Dec, Stuart Weikel, Ernest Corrao, Alan Bachman
  • Publication number: 20050209629
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a resorbable containment device for use in treating voids in bone and restoring the anatomy of diseased or fractured bone. The resorbable containment device may be a balloon of varied size or shape to conform to the bone to be treated and may be deployed in any type of bone where collapsed fractures of cortical bone may be treated by restoring the bone from its inner surface. The containment device may be formed from a pluronic based polymer and may degrade in-vivo within a period of weeks after implantation into bone. The balloon may have multiple layers to provide desired surface characteristics, resistance to puncture and tearing, or other beneficial properties, as appropriate for the particular application of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Sean Kerr, Stuart Weikel, James Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20040133208
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder
  • Publication number: 20040098015
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inflatable device for use in restoring the anatomy of diseased or fractured bone. The inflatable device may be a balloon of varied size or shape to conform to the bone to be treated and may be deployed in any type of bone where collapsed fractures of cortical bone may be treated by restoring the bone from its inner surface. Once the bone has been sufficiently restored the balloons may be deflated and removed, or may remain inside the bone. The balloon may have multiple layers to provide desired surface characteristics, resistance to puncture and tearing, or other beneficial properties, as appropriate for the particular application of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, David C. Paul
  • Publication number: 20040087956
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Synthes (U.S.A)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder
  • Patent number: 6679886
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder
  • Patent number: 6632235
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inflatable device for use in restoring the anatomy of diseased or fractured bone. The inflatable device may be a balloon of varied size or shape to conform to the bone to be treated and may be deployed in any type of bone where collapsed fractures of cortical bone may be treated by restoring the bone from its inner surface. Once the bone has been sufficiently restored the balloons may be deflated and removed, or may remain inside the bone. The balloon may have multiple layers to provide desired surface characteristics, resistance to puncture and tearing, or other beneficial properties, as appropriate for the particular application of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, David C. Paul
  • Publication number: 20020177866
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inflatable device for use in restoring the anatomy of diseased or fractured bone. The inflatable device may be a balloon of varied size or shape to conform to the bone to be treated and may be deployed in any type of bone where collapsed fractures of cortical bone may be treated by restoring the bone from its inner surface. Once the bone has been sufficiently restored the balloons may be deflated and removed, or may remain inside the bone. The balloon may have multiple layers to provide desired surface characteristics, resistance to puncture and tearing, or other beneficial properties, as appropriate for the particular application of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, David C. Paul
  • Publication number: 20020032447
    Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Stuart Weikel, Nisra Thongpreda, Mike Lehmicke, Douglas Kephart, Larry Binder
  • Patent number: 6022377
    Abstract: A knee joint balancing instrument. A first body includes a first paddle for engaging a proximal end of a tibial bone. A second body includes a second paddle for engaging a distal end of a femoral bone. A rack is attached to the first body and is moveable relative thereto in a superior-inferior direction. The second body is pivotally mounted to the rack for pivoting about an axis extending in an anterior-posterior direction. A ratchet is connected to the first body and to the rack for selectively restraining movement of the rack in the superior-inferior direction relative to the first body. A pinion is connected to the first body and engages the rack to cause movement of the rack in the superior-inferior direction relative to the first body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Nuelle, Mark B. Lester, Mark E. Milburn, Erroll Sweat, Stuart Weikel