Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Buford

Thomas B. Buford 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: 20150223854
    Abstract: A method of changing a bone angle includes creating an osteotomy between a first portion and a second portion of a tibia of a patient; creating a cavity in the tibia by removing bone material along an axis extending in a substantially longitudinal direction from a first point at the tibial plateau to a second point; placing a non-invasively adjustable implant into the cavity, the non-invasively adjustable implant comprising an adjustable actuator having an outer housing and an inner shaft, telescopically disposed in the outer housing, and a driving element configured to be remotely operable to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing; coupling one of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the first portion of the tibia; coupling the other of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the second portion of the tibia; and remotely operating the driving element to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing, thus changing an angle between the first porti
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: David Skinlo, Thomas B. Buford, Ephraim Akyuz, Thomas Weisel, Roger Pisarnwongs, Adam G. Beckett, Jeffrey Lee Gilbert, Frank Yan Liu, Urs Weber, Edmund J. Roschak, Blair Walker, Scott Pool
  • Publication number: 20150105826
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-invasively adjustable spinal system for treatment of a subject having spondylolisthesis includes a first implantable actuator having at least one anchoring structure, the anchoring structure configured to facilitate securement of the first implantable actuator to a portion of the sacrum of the subject. The non-invasively adjustable spinal system can further include an adjustment element, configured to be coupled to the first implantable actuator, the adjustment element having an engagement structure configured to engage at least one transverse process of a lumbar vertebra of the subject. The non-invasively adjustable spinal system can further include a driving element, wherein remote activation of the driving element causes movement of the adjustment element in relation to the first implantable actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart A. Green, Blair Walker, Thomas B. Buford, Urs Weber
  • Publication number: 20150038976
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an adjustable implant system includes a bone anchor having first and second ends, a bone engagement surface adjacent the first end, and a housing extending between the first and second ends. The adjustable implant system can further include a non-invasively actuatable driving element within the housing and coupled to an adjustment component configured to couple to a flexible elongate tension member which is capable of engaging a patient's soft tissue (e.g., rotator cuff or ACL). Non-invasive actuation of the driving element can cause the adjustment component to change the amount of tension on the flexible elongate tension member and consequently on the patient's soft tissue. The adjustable implant system can include an external adjustment device configured to be placed on or adjacent the patient's skin and comprising at least one energy transferring component configured to energize/actuate the driving element inside the housing of the adjustable implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Edmund J. Roschak, Thomas B. Buford, Blair Walker
  • Publication number: 20140277451
    Abstract: A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores stress distribution, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device includes an anti-migration feature that inhibits extreme movement within the joint while permitting free floating over a significant range. In one aspect, the anti-migration feature is an enlarged anterior structure or a posterior meniscus remnant engaging channel while in another aspect, the anti-migration feature includes a tethering member. Still further, removable radiopaque features are provided to enhance trialing of the implant prior to final implantation within the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Eran Ganz, Lex R. Giltaij, Rick Treharne, Thomas B. Buford, Dvora Galli
  • Publication number: 20140155946
    Abstract: A method of changing a bone angle includes creating an osteotomy between a first portion and a second portion of a tibia of a patient; creating a cavity in the tibia by removing bone material along an axis extending in a substantially longitudinal direction from a first point at the tibial plateau to a second point; placing a non-invasively adjustable implant into the cavity, the non-invasively adjustable implant comprising an adjustable actuator having an outer housing and an inner shaft, telescopically disposed in the outer housing, and a driving element configured to be remotely operable to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing; coupling one of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the first portion of the tibia; coupling the other of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the second portion of the tibia; and remotely operating the driving element to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing, thus changing an angle between the first porti
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Ellipse Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Skinlo, Thomas B. Buford, Ephraim Akyuz, Thomas Weisel, Roger Pisarnwongs, Adam G. Beckett, Jeffrey Lee Gilbert, Frank Yan Liu, Urs Weber, Edmund J. Roschak, Blair Walker, Scott Pool
  • Publication number: 20110295255
    Abstract: An implantable femoral fixation device adapted to be received the femoral neck and femoral head configured to support at least a portion of the inner surface of the cortical bone of the femur. In various embodiments the femoral fixation device is transformable between a first radially reduced configuration and a second, radially expanded configuration, is attached to an anchor, and/or is configured to be encased in fixation media. In one embodiment the anchor is a segmented intramedullary structure disposed in the intramedullary canal configurable between a relatively flexible, bent configuration for implantation or extraction and a relatively rigid, straightened configuration for bone treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SONOMA ORTHOPEDIC PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Roberts, Thomas B. Buford, III, Michael Veldman, Terrance Strohkirch, Edward Perez, Jesse Moore
  • Publication number: 20090216232
    Abstract: A modular implantable segmented intramedullary structure adapted to be received in the intramedullary canal of a bone configurable between a relatively flexible, bent configuration for implantation or extraction and a relatively rigid, straightened configuration for bone treatment. The segmented intramedullary structure comprises a plurality of interconnected segments with a first interface and a complementarily-shaped second interface such that the first interface of a segment cooperatively engages the second interface of an adjacent segment. The segments define a channel for a tensioning member to lock the structure in a compressed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: OSTEOLIGN, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Buford, III, Daniel F. Justin, Karen E. Mohr, Carlyle J. Creger, Jeremy D. Borchert, James D. Stoneburner, Mojan Goshayesh, Matthew T. Harmon, Roelof Trip, Charles E. Larsen
  • Patent number: 5405398
    Abstract: A posterior stabilized knee prosthesis with removable pin in the femoral component. The removable pin has a tapered split ring lock which prevents the pin from backing out. A split ring is provided on the pin which rides in a groove on the pin. When the pin is properly seated, the split ring engages a corresponding groove within the femoral prosthesis, locking the pin in place. Chamfers are provided on both the front and back of the split ring so that the split ring will compress as the pin is being screwed into the femoral component and also so that the pin can be removed if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Intermedics Orthopedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Buford, III, Charles H. Perrone, Jr., Jeffery C. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5067956
    Abstract: A fixation device for fastening a medical implant to a patient'3 s bone is provided which includes a fastener with a head member and a shank and a fixation member. The shank has threads along its whole length, and has an outside diameter greater than the width of the head member. The fixation member includes a bore for receiving the fastener. The bore has a diameter intermediate the width of the head member and the outside diameter of the threads of the shank. The head member of the fastener can thus be inserted into the bore such that the uppermost thread abuts against the underside of the fixation member to prevent the fastener from backing out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew Richards Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Buford, III, Robert Brosnahan, Scott Robinett, James Clark