Patents by Inventor Thomas O. Vikers
Thomas O. Vikers 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).
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Publication number: 20130006061Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for transvaginally accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: James A. Alexander, Benjamin Y. Arcand, Justin H. Huelman, Chaouki A. Khamis, Micah D. Thorson, William S. Tremulis, Thomas O. Viker
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Patent number: 8252025Abstract: A vertebral stabilization assembly for stabilizing a vertebral segment. The assembly includes a vertebral anchor, a first stabilization member, a second stabilization member, and a threaded fastener. A post of the first stabilization member is configured to be positioned in a first socket of the head portion of the vertebral anchor and a post of the second stabilization member is configured to be positioned in a second socket of the head portion of the vertebral anchor. The threaded fastener is configured to threadedly engage a threaded opening of the head portion such that when the threaded fastener is threaded into the threaded opening, the threaded fastener engages both the post of the first stabilization member and the post of the second stabilization member.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Patent number: 8147525Abstract: A method of treating the spine of a patient involves inserting anchors into vertebrae and connecting the anchors to a longitudinal member via housings. After insertion of the anchors, the housings containing a longitudinal member are positioned over the anchors and fastened.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Publication number: 20120016421Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventors: Emmanuel Zylber, Thomas Egli, Rosemary Thompson, Markus Froehlich, Giuseppe Cicerchia, Jack A. Dant, Thomas O. Viker, Kevin R. Ley
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Publication number: 20120004731Abstract: A segmented intervertebral body fusion support includes a plurality of segments, the segments including an initial segment, a final segment and at least one intermediate segment. The intermediate segment has a generally trapezoidal configuration and the initial and final segments include tapered side walls providing triangular gaps between adjacent segments. A draw wire is fixed to the first segment and passes through the remaining segments. By pulling the draw wire relative to the segments, the segments are drawn together in a generally arcuate configuration. The draw wire includes an enlargement that passes through the final segment and engages a plurality of fingers on the final segment, which prevents the draw wire from retracting, maintaining the arcuate configuration. The segmented device can be inserted through a laparoscopic device into the intervertebral space and can be subsequently drawn into the arcuate configuration to establish the desired intervertebral spacing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Patent number: 8057516Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Emmanuel Zylber, Thomas Egli, Rosemary Thompson, Markus Froehlich, Giuseppe Cicerchia, Jack A. Dant, Thomas O. Viker, Kevin R. Ley
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Patent number: 8043339Abstract: The present invention relates to flexible members for stabilizing a spinal column and methods for making the flexible members. In one embodiment, a flexible member comprises an inner elastomeric member and an outer fabric layer situated securely around the inner elastomeric member. The inner elastomeric member has a first elasticity to provide the flexible member with a desired flexibility. In another embodiment, the flexible member includes an outer covering that defines an outer elastomeric member. The outer elastomeric member may be situated securely around the outer fabric layer with the inner elastomeric member, the outer fabric layer, and the outer elastomeric member having the common lengthwise axis and defining the body including the opposing first and second ends. The outer elastomeric member may have a second elasticity that is less than the first elasticity.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Robert Garryl Hudgins, Thomas O. Viker, Hugh D. Hestad, David Mowry, Jack A. Dant
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Patent number: 8021429Abstract: A segmented intervertebral body fusion support includes a plurality of segments, the segments including an initial segment, a final segment and at least one intermediate segment. The intermediate segment has a generally trapezoidal configuration and the initial and final segments include tapered side walls providing triangular gaps between adjacent segments. A draw wire is fixed to the first segment and passes through the remaining segments. By pulling the draw wire relative to the segments, the segments are drawn together in a generally arcuate configuration. The draw wire includes an enlargement that passes through the final segment and engages a plurality of fingers on the final segment, which prevents the draw wire from retracting, maintaining the arcuate configuration. The segmented device can be inserted through a laparoscopic device into the intervertebral space and can be subsequently drawn into the arcuate configuration to establish the desired intervertebral spacing.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Patent number: 8007519Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes a pair of vertebral anchors and a flexible construct extending between the anchors to provide dynamic stabilization of the spine. The flexible construct includes first and second spring arms coupled to the anchors at first ends thereof and second ends coupled at a joint. The spring arms are capable of flexing toward and away from each other during movement of the spine. The system may include a biasing member for biasing movement of the spring arms toward and/or away from each other. The system may further include an adjustment feature that allows the distraction to be adjusted in situ. The stiffness characteristic of each of the spring arms may be selectively adjusted to meet the specific application. A method of stabilizing a spine includes securing anchors to selected vertebrae and coupling the flexible construct to the anchors through a top loading procedure.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: R. Garryl Hudgins, Thomas O. Viker, Guido Casutt
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Patent number: 8007535Abstract: The present invention provides an injectable annular ring useful in treating a deteriorating spinal disc. When used, the annular ring may be collapsed or folded in order for it to be placed through a small opening in a prepared intervertebral space within the annulus using minimally invasive techniques. Deployment or unfolding the ring in the intervertebral space provides an interior cavity bordered by the ring that is in direct contact with the vertebral endplates. When an internal volume of the ring is inject or filled with a load-bearing, hardenable material, the filled ring maintains the intervertebral spacing and prevents the ring from being expelled from the interior cavity through the small annular opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Robert Garryl Hudgins, Melanie Chapman, Guido Casutt, Rosemary Thompson, Thomas O. Viker, Hugh D. Hestad
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Patent number: 7892285Abstract: A vertebral disc replacement includes superior and inferior end plates separated by a leaf spring. The leaf spring includes two opposed legs that extend from a floating intermediate portion of the leaf spring to the superior end plate and two opposed legs that extend from the floating intermediate portion to the inferior end plate. The disc replacement device is compact and provides freedom of movement along three axes, translational along the caudal/cranial axis, lateral bending and flexion/extension.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Publication number: 20100160974Abstract: A method of assembling a bone anchor assembly is presented. The bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor and housing configured to receive the bone anchor and a longitudinal member. The bone anchor is inserted into a passage in the housing and material is swaged to retain the bone anchor in the housing. The material that is swaged is a portion of the housing or additional material added to the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Publication number: 20100160965Abstract: A method of treating the spine of a patient involves inserting anchors into vertebrae and connecting the anchors to a longitudinal member via housings. After insertion of the anchors, the housings containing a longitudinal member are positioned over the anchors and fastened.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Publication number: 20100057125Abstract: A vertebral stabilization assembly for stabilizing a vertebral segment. The assembly includes a vertebral anchor, a first stabilization member, a second stabilization member, and a threaded fastener. A post of the first stabilization member is configured to be positioned in a first socket of the head portion of the vertebral anchor and a post of the second stabilization member is configured to be positioned in a second socket of the head portion of the vertebral anchor. The threaded fastener is configured to threadedly engage a threaded opening of the head portion such that when the threaded fastener is threaded into the threaded opening, the threaded fastener engages both the post of the first stabilization member and the post of the second stabilization member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE INC.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Publication number: 20090112265Abstract: The present invention relates to flexible members for stabilizing a spinal column and methods for making the flexible members. In one embodiment, a flexible member comprises an inner elastomeric member and an outer fabric layer situated securely around the inner elastomeric member. The inner elastomeric member has a first elasticity to provide the flexible member with a desired flexibility. In another embodiment, the flexible member includes an outer covering that defines an outer elastomeric member. The outer elastomeric member may be situated securely around the outer fabric layer with the inner elastomeric member, the outer fabric layer, and the outer elastomeric member having the common lengthwise axis and defining the body including the opposing first and second ends. The outer elastomeric member may have a second elasticity that is less than the first elasticity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.Inventors: Robert Garryl Hudgins, Thomas O. Viker, Hugh D. Hestad, David Mowry, Jack A. Dant
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Publication number: 20090105546Abstract: A method of thermally treating tissue during a surgical procedure where a surgical access device, including a body member having walls with at least one conduit therein, is inserted into the patient. A chilled fluid is circulated through the at least one conduit such that the tissue that is located proximate the body member is cooled. Alternatively, the body member may be constructed from a highly thermally conductive material such that heat energy is transmitted through the body from the tissue located proximate the body member and into a heat sink. The surgical device may include a first or second blade portions constructed from an inner and an outer shell having walls. Ribs located on the inner shell sealingly coupled to the inner wall of the outer shell to create the at least one conduit within the walls of the blade portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2007Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Robert G. Hudgins, John Dawson, Chris Hrabe, Thomas O. Viker
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Publication number: 20090024158Abstract: A surgical access port expander for expanding an access path between an incision site and a surgical site during a surgical procedure. The access port expander has an actuator with an actuator rod connected to a plurality of blades. The blades are movable in response to motion of the actuator rod moving in a direction substantially parallel to the blade lengths. Further, each blade is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to its respective length from a contracted position to an expanded position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
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Publication number: 20090024203Abstract: An expandable surgical site access system and method for using the expandable surgical site access system to perform minimally invasive, percutaneous surgeries to access the spine or other bone structures, organs, or locations of the body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical site access system includes an elongated, expandable stent that is particularly adapted to be deployed in a body during a surgical procedure to provide access to a surgical site within the body. The stent defines a working channel through the body from a point of entry to the surgical site.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Zachary M. Hoffman, Robert G. Hudgins, John T. Maertens, Thomas O. Viker
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Publication number: 20080234744Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Emmanuel Zylber, Thomas Egli, Rosemary Thompson, Markus Froehlich, Giuseppe Cicerchia, Jack A. Dant, Thomas O. Viker, Kevin R. Ley
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Publication number: 20080234739Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes a pair of vertebral anchors and a flexible construct extending between the anchors to provide dynamic stabilization of the spine. The flexible construct includes first and second spring arms coupled to the anchors at first ends thereof and second ends coupled at a joint. The spring arms are capable of flexing toward and away from each other during movement of the spine. The system may include a biasing member for biasing movement of the spring arms toward and/or away from each other. The system may further include an adjustment feature that allows the distraction to be adjusted in situ. The stiffness characteristic of each of the spring arms may be selectively adjusted to meet the specific application. A method of stabilizing a spine includes securing anchors to selected vertebrae and coupling the flexible construct to the anchors through a top loading procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.Inventors: R. Garryl Hudgins, Thomas O. Viker, Guido Casutt