Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Afzal

Thomas A. Afzal 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: 20250107795
    Abstract: Exemplary lateral suture anchor fixation systems include a lateral anchor, a lateral anchor inserter, an auxiliary or second anchor, and an auxiliary or second anchor inserter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Brian Bowman, Sachiye Koide, Colin Murphy, Benjamin Arnold, Thomas A. Afzal
  • Publication number: 20250025322
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for deploying a graft to a treatment site of a patient. Exemplary systems include a device body and an insertion mechanism. The device body can have a handle and a trigger. The insertion mechanism can be in operative association with the device body, and can have an outer sheath, a support shaft disposed at least partially within the outer sheath, an expansion mechanism coupled with the support shaft, and a graft in contact with the expansion mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Colin Murphy, Benjamin Arnold, Brian Bowman, Mark H. Getelman, Thomas A. Afzal
  • Publication number: 20250025286
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for deploying a graft to a treatment site of a patient. Exemplary systems include a device body and an insertion mechanism. The device body can have a handle and a trigger. The insertion mechanism can be in operative association with the device body, and can have an outer sheath, a support shaft disposed at least partially within the outer sheath, an expansion mechanism coupled with the support shaft, and a graft in contact with the expansion mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Colin Murphy, Benjamin Arnold, Brian Bowman, Mark H. Getelman, Thomas A. Afzal
  • Publication number: 20250025287
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for deploying a graft to a treatment site of a patient. Exemplary systems include a device body and an insertion mechanism. The device body can have a handle and a trigger. The insertion mechanism can be in operative association with the device body, and can have an outer sheath, a support shaft disposed at least partially within the outer sheath, an expansion mechanism coupled with the support shaft, and a graft in contact with the expansion mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Colin Murphy, Benjamin Arnold, Brian Bowman, Mark H. Getelman, Thomas A. Afzal
  • Publication number: 20240398402
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for deploying a graft to a treatment site of a patient. Exemplary systems operate to fix a graft to bone or soft tissue by placing multiple anchors through the graft in different locations, with individual anchors interconnected by sutures fixing the graft to the patient tissue. Exemplary anchor assemblies include an initial anchor with a suture permanently affixed, intermediate anchors through which the running suture can pass freely after placement, and a final anchor which locks the running suture under tension once placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Colin Murphy, Brian Bowman, Benjamin Arnold, Thomas A. Afzal
  • Publication number: 20240398582
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for deploying a graft to a treatment site of a patient. Exemplary systems include a device body and an insertion mechanism. The device body can have a handle and a trigger, and a controller. The insertion mechanism can be in operative association with the device body, and can have an outer sheath, a central shaft disposed at least partially within the outer sheath, an expansion mechanism in operative association with the central shaft, and a graft that can be deployed by the expansion mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Colin Murphy, Brian Bowman, Benjamin Arnold, Thomas A. Afzal
  • Patent number: 9750615
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the sagittal plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SPINAL KINETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 9687353
    Abstract: The described devices are spinal implants that may be surgically implanted into the spine to replace damaged or diseased discs using a posterior approach. The discs are prosthetic devices that approach or mimic the physiological motion and reaction of the natural disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas A. Afzal
  • Patent number: 9364337
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SPINAL KINETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 8998989
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the sagittal plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Spinal Kinetics Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sun-Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 8808381
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Spinal Kinetics Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 8403987
    Abstract: This description deals with a medical device, specifically a prosthetic intervertebral disc having a compressible core bounded by a fiber-containing or fiber-reinforced membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Spinal Kinetics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Reo, Elizabeth V. Wistrom, Frank Fellenz, Thomas A. Afzal
  • Publication number: 20120296431
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the sagittal plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SPINAL KINETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sun-Kyu Ha
  • Publication number: 20120172990
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 8038715
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Spinal Kinetics Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Publication number: 20110106262
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 7905921
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Spinal Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Publication number: 20110054619
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Publication number: 20110040386
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 7541000
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for pumping and oxygenating blood are provided that include a gas removal system. An integrated blood processing unit is provided in which a gas removal/blood filter, pump and blood oxygenation element are mounted within a common housing. The gas removal system includes a sensor mounted on the housing to sense the presence of gas, and a valve is operably coupled to the sensor to evacuate gas from the system when the sensor detects an accumulation of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiovention, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Stringer, Kevin L. Hultquist, Mehrdad Farhangnia, Ben F. Brian, III, Fred I. Linker, James M. Culp, Jean-Pierre Dueri, Thomas A. Afzal