Patents by Inventor Wei-Hsiang Chang

Wei-Hsiang Chang 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: 12364586
    Abstract: Devices and methods for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Laffoon, Christopher Lee, David Safranski
  • Publication number: 20250134551
    Abstract: An example cutting apparatus includes a scalpel and a housing defining a scalpel guide. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the scalpel. A blade holder at a distal end of the scalpel. The scalpel has a length longer than a length of the housing. The scalpel guide constrains the movement path of the scalpel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2025
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Sujit Sivadas, Wei-Hsiang Chang, John C. Love
  • Patent number: 12185972
    Abstract: An example cutting apparatus includes a scalpel and a housing defining a scalpel guide. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the scalpel. A blade holder at a distal end of the scalpel. The scalpel has a length longer than a length of the housing. The scalpel guide constrains the movement path of the scalpel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Nuvasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujit Sivadas, Wei-Hsiang Chang, John C. Love
  • Publication number: 20240285416
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are dismantlable inserters for use in spinal fusion implant procedures, methods for engaging an implant using such inserters, methods of disengaging an implant from such inserters, and methods for disassembling such inserters, as well as systems including such inserters and corresponding implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Essayan, Alex Pham, stephen Laffoon, Wei-Hsiang Chang, Elizabeth Perry, Alejandro De La Rosa, Mary Hayles
  • Publication number: 20230398719
    Abstract: In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a mold for processing a material. The mold includes a body having a top surface and a bottom surface. A void within the body is configured to receive a porogen and a piece of thermoplastic material. The void extends in a top to bottom direction to form a non-through cavity with a cavity surface that is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the body. A protrusion on the body extends from the cavity surface towards the top surface. The void extends at least halfway through the body towards the bottom surface. A peg is disposed on the body and shaped to matingly engage a weight via a hole within the weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S.D. Lee
  • Patent number: 11772306
    Abstract: In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S. D. Lee
  • Patent number: 11672637
    Abstract: A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Laffoon, Christopher S. D. Lee, David Lee Safranski
  • Publication number: 20230143304
    Abstract: An example cutting apparatus includes a scalpel and a housing defining a scalpel guide. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the scalpel. A blade holder at a distal end of the scalpel. The scalpel has a length longer than a length of the housing. The scalpel guide constrains the movement path of the scalpel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Sujit Sivadas, Wei-Hsiang Chang, John C. Love
  • Publication number: 20220226095
    Abstract: Devices and methods for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Laffoon, Christopher Lee, David Safranski
  • Patent number: 11298217
    Abstract: Devices and methods for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Vertera, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S. D. Lee, David Lee Safranski
  • Publication number: 20210339437
    Abstract: In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S.D. Lee
  • Patent number: 11090843
    Abstract: In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Vertera, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S. D. Lee
  • Publication number: 20200383766
    Abstract: A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Laffoon, Christopher S.D. Lee, David Lee Safranski
  • Publication number: 20200331175
    Abstract: In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S.D. Lee
  • Patent number: 10786344
    Abstract: A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Vertera, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S. D. Lee, David Lee Safranski
  • Patent number: 10744687
    Abstract: In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Vertera, Inc
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S. D. Lee
  • Publication number: 20200078993
    Abstract: In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S.D. Lee
  • Patent number: 10507606
    Abstract: In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Vertera, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S. D. Lee
  • Publication number: 20190343611
    Abstract: Devices and methods for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S.D. Lee, David Lee Safranski
  • Patent number: D944990
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Vertera, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsiang Chang, Stephen Lee Laffoon, Christopher S. D. Lee, David Lee Safranski