Patents by Inventor Todd Bjork
Todd Bjork 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: 20100331882Abstract: An anchorless non-invasive force dissipation device for orthopedic instrumentation including a base having a patient contacting surface, the patient contacting surface including a surface area adapted for external placement on a patient's body, and an instrument alignment mechanism operably connected to and selectively positionable relative to the base, the instrument alignment mechanism adapted to interface with at least one orthopedic instrument, such that forces applied by the orthopedic instrument are dissipated across the surface area of the base with the device being unanchored externally of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: SPINEOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Todd Bjork, Dan McPhillips
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Publication number: 20080015639Abstract: An anchorless non-invasive force dissipation device for orthopedic instrumentation including a base having a patient contacting surface, the patient contacting surface including a surface area adapted for external placement on a patient's body, and an instrument alignment mechanism operably connected to and selectively positionable relative to the base, the instrument alignment mechanism adapted to interface with at least one orthopedic instrument, such that forces applied by the orthopedic instrument are dissipated across the surface area of the base with the device being unanchored externally of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventors: Todd Bjork, Dan McPhillips
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Publication number: 20070158513Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a support frame clamp member, a retraction shaft clamp member and a handle linked to the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member for moving the clamp members between loosened and tightened positions. The shaft clamp and the support frame permit pivoting of the retraction shaft relative to the support frame. The handle is disposed to move through a throw of less than 90°, always outside the support frame and always in alignment with the retractor shaft. For a standard orientation of the clamp, the tightening throw is vertically upward, on a handle which is balanced and aligned relative to the pivot axis and possibly relative to the connection of the frame clamp to the support frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Applicant: LeVahn Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLCInventors: Steven LeVahn, Todd Bjork, Ronald Von Wald, Todd Sharratt
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Publication number: 20060264711Abstract: A surgical joint includes a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member. The first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore. The second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket. A shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member frictionally engages the first support member and the second clamping member frictionally engages the second support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2006Publication date: November 23, 2006Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Todd Bjork, Todd Sharratt, Christopher Berg
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Publication number: 20060200005Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a first clamping member comprising a first clamping surface for engaging a first surgical rod and an attachment end. A second clamping member is mounted with respect to the first clamping member wherein the second clamping member comprises a second clamping surface for engaging a second surgical rod. A slide pin is disposed through and positioned within the attachment end of the first clamping member and wherein the shaft is in communication with the second clamping member. A force providing mechanism is disposed between the first and second clamping members and disposed about the slide pin wherein when the force providing mechanism and the slide pin are movable with respect to each other and place the first and second clamping members in either a loosened position or a tightened position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2006Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicant: LeVahn Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLCInventors: Todd Bjork, Todd Sharratt, Christopher Berg
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Publication number: 20060070419Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing feedstock materials for semi-solid forming comprising reducing the size of raw material, introducing the raw material into an extruder and extruding the raw material to produce feedstock material having a non-dendritic microstructure. Further disclosed is an apparatus for producing feedstock materials for semi-solid forming comprising an extruder, a feeder with means for maintaining raw material under a protective atmosphere, a nozzle on an end of the extruder with means for maintaining an extrudate under a protective atmosphere, temperature control means within the extruder and a pelletizer for pelletizing the extrudate. Additionally disclosed is a system for producing feedstock materials for semi-solid forming comprising a size reduction station, a magnetic screen, an extruder comprising a semi-solid raw material and a pelletizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Kristy Johnson, Nan Wang, Adam Kramschuster, Brian Schousek, Stephen Pohl, Todd Bjork
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Patent number: 7008433Abstract: This invention relates to a mixing and delivery device suitable for delivering injectable biomaterials, and to preferred bone cement formulations.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: DePuy Acromed, Inc.Inventors: John C. Voellmicke, Paul J. Mraz, Robert Sommerich, John Buonanno, Francis Peterson, Todd Bjork, Mark Duffy
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Publication number: 20050273109Abstract: An apparatus reams a cavity into a bone. The apparatus includes a cutting tool that is operably attached to a drive. A controller is in communication with the drive wherein the controller manipulates movement of the drive and the cutting tool in three dimensions such that the cutting tool reams a precise cavity into the bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2004Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventor: Todd Bjork
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Publication number: 20050272981Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a first clamping member comprising a first clamping surface for engaging a first surgical rod and an attachment end. A second clamping member is mounted with respect to the first clamping member wherein the second clamping member comprises a second clamping surface for engaging a second surgical rod. A shaft is disposed through and positioned within the attachment end of the first clamping member and wherein the shaft is in communication with the second clamping member. A force providing mechanism is disposed between the first and second clamping members and disposed about the shaft wherein when the force providing mechanism is positionable between a first position with the first and second clamping members being in a nonclamping position and a second position with the first and second clamping members being in a clamping position wherein the first and second sockets constrict to retain the first and second surgical rods in selected positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Todd Bjork, Todd Sharratt, Christopher Berg
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Publication number: 20050272982Abstract: A retractor retaining device retains an otherwise hand-held retractor in a retracting position within a surgical wound. The retractor retaining device includes a clamp that is attachable to a retractor support that is positioned about the wound. A retaining plate is attached to the clamp and engages a flexible loop. The flexible loop is detachably attached to the retaining plate for engaging a handle of the hand held retractor such that the hand held retractor is retained in the retracting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Todd Bjork, Todd Sharratt, Christopher Berg
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Publication number: 20050131394Abstract: A device for positioning a surgical apparatus in a selected position within a surgical site includes a housing attached to a rod positioned over the surgical site. The housing includes an internal cavity into which a force providing mechanism is positioned. A clamping mechanism is attached to the housing wherein the clamping mechanism includes a bore for engaging the surgical apparatus. The force providing mechanism moves to secure the surgical apparatus to the clamping mechanism in the selected position within the surgical site.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: June 16, 2005Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Todd Bjork, Joseph Gleason
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Publication number: 20050113645Abstract: An apparatus for holding a surgical retractor comprises a support handle and a surgical retractor holding element pivotally attached to the support handle. A rod engages the retractor holder element at a position spaced from the pivotal attachment to the support handle with the rod being movable thereby pivoting the holding element to move the position of the retractor blade of the surgical retractor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2004Publication date: May 26, 2005Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Todd Sharratt, Todd Bjork, Robert Ballantine
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Publication number: 20050080321Abstract: A surgical joint includes a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member. The first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore. The second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket. A shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member frictionally engages the first support member and the second clamping member frictionally engages the second support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2003Publication date: April 14, 2005Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Todd Bjork, Todd Sharratt, Christopher Berg
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Publication number: 20050065410Abstract: An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp. The assembly includes a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end. A support arm having an end portion with a substantially complimentary configuration to the surface defining the cavity is positionable within the cavity. A retaining mechanism is disposed about the main body and in communication with the end portion where the retaining mechanism retains the end portion within the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: March 24, 2005Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Todd Bjork, Todd Sharratt, Christopher Berg, Walter Dobrovolny
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Publication number: 20050059866Abstract: A surgical joint includes a first clamping member comprising a first clamping surface for engaging a first surgical rod and an attachment end. A second clamping member is mounted with respect to the first clamping member wherein the second clamping member comprises a second clamping surface for engaging a second surgical rod. A shaft is disposed through and positioned within the attachment end of the first clamping member and wherein the shaft is in communication with the second clamping member. A force providing mechanism is disposed between the first and second clamping members and disposed about the shaft wherein when the force providing mechanism and the shaft are movable with respect to each other and place the first and second clamping members in either a non-clamping position or a clamping position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Applicant: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Todd Bjork, Todd Sharratt, Christopher Berg
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Patent number: 6575978Abstract: A tool for cutting tissue comprising a body, a handle lever, a drive rod, and a cutter beam. The drive rod constructed and arranged for longitudinal movement through the body. The handle lever being operatively engaged to the drive rod, such that when the handle lever is moved between a first position and a second position the drive rod is moved between an advanced position and a retracted position. The drive rod extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end. The cutter beam being pivotally engaged to the distal end of the body. The cutter beam being pivotally moveable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position. A lower pivot member pivotally connects the distal end of the body and the cutter beam. The cutter beam being further pivotally engaged to a distal end of the drive rod.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Spineology, Inc.Inventors: Francis C. Peterson, Todd Bjork
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Publication number: 20020173813Abstract: A tool for cutting tissue comprising a body, a handle lever, a drive rod, and a cutter beam. The drive rod constructed and arranged for longitudinal movement through the body. The handle lever being operatively engaged to the drive rod, such that when the handle lever is moved between a first position and a second position the drive rod is moved between an advanced position and a retracted position. The drive rod extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end. The cutter beam being pivotally engaged to the distal end of the body. The cutter beam being pivotally moveable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position. A lower pivot member pivotally connects the distal end of the body and the cutter beam. The cutter beam being further pivotally engaged to a distal end of the drive rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Francis C. Peterson, Todd Bjork
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Publication number: 20020156483Abstract: This invention relates to a mixing and delivery device suitable for delivering injectable biomaterials, and to preferred bone cement formulations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: John C. Voellmicke, Paul J. Mraz, Robert Sommerich, John Buonanno, Nolene Harris, Neil Watkins, Rick Kowalski, Francis Peterson, Todd Bjork, Mark Duffy
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Patent number: 6383188Abstract: An expandable reamer for forming a space within a vertebral disc includes a pair of opposing blades which have a expanded state and a retracted state. The blades being pivotally positioned at the distal end of a shaft assembly. A shaft housing being substantially disposed about the shaft assembly. The proximal end of the shaft assembly being operatively engaged by a control device which when rotated allows the blades to be fully retracted for insertion into a pre-bored hole and then to be expanded incrementally until the cavity is bored as desired.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: The Spineology Group LLCInventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Francis Peterson, Todd Bjork, Joseph E. Gleason, Rodney Rogstad
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Publication number: 20010034526Abstract: An expandable reamer for forming a space within a vertebral disc includes a pair of opposing blades which have a expanded state and a retracted state. The blades being pivotally positioned at the distal end of a shaft assembly. A shaft housing being substantially disposed about the shaft assembly. The proximal end of the shaft assembly being operatively engaged by a control device which when rotated allows the blades to be fully retracted for insertion into a pre-bored hole and then to be expanded incrementally until the cavity is bored as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Francis Peterson, Todd Bjork, Joseph E. Gleason, Rodney Rogstad