Patents by Inventor Thomas N. Troxell

Thomas N. Troxell 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: 9814577
    Abstract: Biocompatible mesh materials are employed to make implants for repairing or replacing a bone or for soft tissue repair. The mesh materials can be comprised of bioabsorbable materials, non-bioabsorbable materials or bioabsorbable and non-bioabsorbable materials. Pharmaceutical actives, bone growth enhancers and the like can be combined with the implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BioDynamics LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels
  • Publication number: 20160319563
    Abstract: A method and system for extending a vertical structural member supporting a structure, where a sleeve is coupled to the vertical structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap is coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a structure attachment device is coupled to the cap to attach the system to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Michael E. Gable, James D. Ralph, III, Thomas N. Troxell, Gary S. Smrtic
  • Patent number: 9416556
    Abstract: A method and system for extending a vertical structural member supporting a structure, where a sleeve is coupled to the vertical structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap is coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a structure attachment device is coupled to the cap to attach the system to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Composite Structural Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Gable, James D. Ralph, III, Thomas N. Troxell, Gary S. Smrtic
  • Patent number: 9289241
    Abstract: Craniotomy closures comprising surgical fasteners are described for use in reattaching a skull flap removed from the skull of a patient during brain surgery. Methods of using the same are also described. Surgical strips used in combination with the fasteners are shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The craniotomy closures are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement materials to the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: BioDynamics LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels
  • Publication number: 20150345171
    Abstract: A method and system for extending a vertical structural member supporting a structure, where a sleeve is coupled to the vertical structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap is coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a structure attachment device is coupled to the cap to attach the system to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Michael E. Gable, James D. Ralph, III, Thomas N. Troxell, Gary S. Smrtic
  • Patent number: 9140024
    Abstract: A method and system for extending a vertical structural member supporting a structure, where a sleeve is coupled to the vertical structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap is coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a structure attachment device is coupled to the cap to attach the system to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Composite Structural Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Gable, James D. Ralph, III, Thomas N. Troxell, Gary S. Smrtic
  • Patent number: 8915921
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting particulate bone from the operating site during an osteotomy or bone drilling procedure so that it can be used subsequently to augment the bone fusion process. A bone cutting or drilling tool is provided with a module for collecting particulate bone simultaneously with cutting or drilling the bone. The collected particulate bone is transferred continuously to a sterile containment module and maintained under sterile conditions until it is prepared for re-use in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: BioDynamics LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels
  • Patent number: 8870958
    Abstract: An intervertebral spacer has curvate upper and lower rough surfaces that stimulate bone growth and is formed from a porous material that facilitates bone growth thereinto. The spacer has a plurality of smooth linear grooves to facilitate insertion of the spacer into an intervertebral space using a spacer insertion tool that has a scissor-style body. Each of the insertion tool's arm's heads has an inner surface having a pair of smoothed linear protrusions that fit within the linear grooves of the spacer when the heads are closed about the spacer. When the spacer is held, spaces are present between the spacer's rough surfaces and the heads' inner surfaces so that when the protrusions are longitudinally slid from the grooves to leave the spacer in the intervertebral spacer, the rough surfaces are not disturbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: SpineCore, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell
  • Publication number: 20140223856
    Abstract: A method and system for extending a vertical structural member supporting a structure, where a sleeve is coupled to the vertical structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap is coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a structure attachment device is coupled to the cap to attach the system to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Composite Structural Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Gable, James D. Ralph, III, Thomas N. Troxell, Gary S. Smrtic
  • Patent number: 8790377
    Abstract: A bone plate and system is provided. The bone fixation plate conforms to the contour of an irregularly shaped bone and eliminates the need for pre-bending or intraoperative bending of the plate. The bone plate is applied to the bone in a generally flat condition and the process of installing and tightening the bone screws in the prescribed order serves to contour the plate to the underlying bone while providing sufficient strength to effect bone healing. The geometry of the plate allows the plate to follow the contour of an irregularly shaped bone, preventing prominence and patient palpability and streamlining the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: MBD Medical LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels, Thomas D. Meade
  • Patent number: 8597335
    Abstract: Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: BioDynamics LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell
  • Publication number: 20130245698
    Abstract: Craniotomy closures comprising surgical fasteners are described for use in reattaching a skull flap removed from the skull of a patient during brain surgery. Methods of using the same are also described. Surgical strips used in combination with the fasteners are shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The craniotomy closures are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement materials to the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BioDynamics LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels
  • Patent number: 8460346
    Abstract: Craniotomy closures comprising surgical fasteners are described for use in reattaching a skull flap removed from the skull of a patient during brain surgery. Methods of using the same are also described. Surgical strips used in combination with the fasteners are shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The craniotomy closures are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement materials to the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: BioDynamics LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels
  • Patent number: 8444679
    Abstract: A bone plate and system is provided. The bone fixation plate conforms to the contour of an irregularly shaped bone and eliminates the need for pre-bending or intraoperative bending of the plate. The bone plate is applied to the bone in a generally flat condition and the process of installing and tightening the bone screws in the prescribed order serves to contour the plate to the plate to the underlying bone while providing sufficient strength to effect bone healing. The geometry of the plate allows the plate to follow the contour of an irregularly shaped bone, preventing prominence and patient palpability and streamlining the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: MBD Medical LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels, Thomas D. Meade
  • Patent number: 8403966
    Abstract: A bone plate and system is provided. The bone fixation plate conforms to the contour of an irregularly shaped bone and eliminates the need for pre-bending or intraoperative bending of the plate. The bone plate is applied to the bone in a generally flat condition and the process of installing and tightening the bone screws in the prescribed order serves to contour the plate to the underlying bone while providing sufficient strength to effect bone healing. The geometry of the plate allows the plate to follow the contour of an irregularly shaped bone, preventing prominence and patient palpability and streamlining the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: MBD Medical LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels, Thomas D. Meade
  • Patent number: 8343162
    Abstract: An intervertebral distraction tool has a clamshell head with upper and lower halves, each having a curvate outer surface and a flat inner surface. The distal side of the head is hinged so that the head opens and closes from the proximal side of the head. The hinge is a separating hinge that allows the halves to not only angulate with respect to one another about the hinge axis, but also to vertically separate from one another at the hinge. A distraction separator has decreasing taper at its distal end and a longitudinal bore that accommodates the elongate shaft of the trial so that the separator can be moved longitudinally relative to the shaft. Upon forward movement of the separator, the tapered upper and lower surfaces engage the flat inner surfaces of the head, causing the halves to angulate about the hinge axis of the head, thereby opening the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: SpineCore, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell
  • Publication number: 20120283771
    Abstract: Described herein is a cranial plug for a burr hole or a cranial perforation made in a skull during brain surgery, the cranial plug being flexible and having a bottom portion and side walls extending upwards from the bottom portion, the bottom portion and the side walls formed in a concave or substantially concave shape, or alternatively, forming a concave or substantially concave shape when inserted into a burr hole or cranial perforation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: BIODYNAMICS, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels
  • Publication number: 20120283739
    Abstract: A driver assembly for affixing a surgical fastener to a target location is provided. Operation of the driver assembly inserts the surgical fastener in two stages, first an alignment stage through application of a distally directed force to partially insert the surgical fastener, and then a fastening stage to fully insert and seat the surgical fastener to a proper depth or compression level. The driver assembly comprises a spring loaded automatic trigger mechanism that may be adapted for use with a linearly insertable or a rotationally insertable surgical fastener. Application of the distally directed force actuates the trigger mechanism, wherein a corresponding impact force is delivered for seating the surgical fastener, coupled to a distal end of the driver assembly, upon alignment of cam and receiver elements embodied within the trigger mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels
  • Patent number: 8241336
    Abstract: Craniotomy closure systems comprising surgical fasteners and a protective covering over the dura are described for use in reattaching a skull flap removed from the skull of a patient during brain surgery. Methods of using the same are also described. Surgical strips optionally used in combination with the craniotomy closure systems are shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The craniotomy closure systems are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement materials to the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Z&R Medical, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Peter A. Zahos, Thomas N. Troxell, Mark Michels
  • Publication number: 20120136397
    Abstract: Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: BIODYNAMICS LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Thomas N. Troxell