Patents by Inventor William D. Armstrong
William D. Armstrong 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: 20160067051Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a body including a first vertebral engaging surface and a second vertebral engaging surface. At least one of the surfaces including a posterior linear side and an anterior arcuate side. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Stanley T. Palmatier, Virginia Leigh Richardson
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Publication number: 20160067056Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a body including a first vertebral engaging surface and a second vertebral engaging surface. The first vertebral engaging surface is rotatable relative to the second vertebral engaging surface. Systems and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Stanley T. Palmatier, Virginia Leigh Richardson
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Patent number: 9220607Abstract: An interbody implant system is provided. The interbody implant system includes an implant having an engagement surface and an instrument including a first member and a second member that is movable relative to the first member. The first member is configured to capture the implant and the second member includes an interface configured to engage the engagement surface to releasably lock the implant in at least one orientation relative to the second member. The at least one of the engagement surface and the interface include at least one planar face. Methods of use are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Warsaw Oorthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Stanley T. Palmatier, Keith M. Miller, Charles L. Branch, William D. Armstrong, Anthony J. Melkent, Thomas Drochner, Richard A. Hynes, Jonathan Blackwell, Kidong Yu
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Publication number: 20150351922Abstract: An interbody implant system is provided. The interbody implant system includes an implant having an engagement surface and an instrument including a first member and a second member that is movable relative to the first member. The first member is configured to capture the implant and the second member includes an interface configured to engage the engagement surface to releasably lock the implant in at least one orientation relative to the second member. The at least one of the engagement surface and the interface include at least one planar face. Methods of use are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Stanley T. Palmatier, Keith M. Miller, Charles L. Branch, William D. Armstrong, Anthony J. Melkent, Thomas E. Drochner, Richard A. Hynes, Jonathan E. Blackwell, Kidong Yu
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Patent number: 9095445Abstract: An interbody spacer includes an elongated body with a maximum width between opposite side walls and a maximum height between upper and lower bearing surfaces. The interbody spacer also includes a leading end nose connecting the side walls to facilitate insertion of the interbody spacer into a disc space between vertebrae in an insertion orientation, from which the interbody device is then rotated to position the upper and lower bearing surfaces in contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. The leading end nose forms a blunt convex nose between the upper and lower bearing surfaces to maximize the bearing surface area available to contact the adjacent endplates.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Kidong Yu, Keith E. Miller, William D. Armstrong, Charles Branch, Kevin T. Foley, Peter McCombe, Anthony J Melkent, William R. Sears
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Publication number: 20140088714Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprises a first component and a second component. The second component includes an actuator and a third component comprises a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp. The third component comprises rails including at least a portion of the ramps. At least one of the ramp portions disposed with the first rail has a first height and at least one of the ramp portions disposed with the second rail has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. The actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation such that the ramps engage at least one of the components between a first configuration and a second configuration. Methods of use are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Stanley T. Palmatier, Anthony J. Melkent, William D. Armstrong
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Publication number: 20140031943Abstract: An interbody spacer includes an elongated body with a maximum width between opposite side walls and a maximum height between upper and lower bearing surfaces. The interbody spacer also includes a leading end nose connecting the side walls to facilitate insertion of the interbody spacer into a disc space between vertebrae in an insertion orientation, from which the interbody device is then rotated to position the upper and lower bearing surfaces in contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. The leading end nose forms a blunt convex nose between the upper and lower bearing surfaces to maximize the bearing surface area available to contact the adjacent endplates.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Kidong YU, Keith E. Miller, William D. Armstrong, Charles Branch, Kevin T. Foley, Peter McCombe, Anthony J. Melkent, William R. Sears
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Patent number: 8628578Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprises a first component and a second component. The second component includes an actuator and a third component comprises a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp. The third component comprises rails including at least a portion of the ramps. At least one of the ramp portions disposed with the first rail has a first height and at least one of the ramp portions disposed with the second rail has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. The actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation such that the ramps engage at least one of the components between a first configuration and a second configuration. Methods of use are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Stanley T. Palmatier, Anthony J Melkent, William D Armstrong
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Publication number: 20130158663Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprises a first component and a second component. The second component includes an actuator and a third component comprises a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp. The third component comprises rails including at least a portion of the ramps. At least one of the ramp portions disposed with the first rail has a first height and at least one of the ramp portions disposed with the second rail has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. The actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation such that the ramps engage at least one of the components between a first configuration and a second configuration. Methods of use are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INCInventors: Keith E. Miller, Stanley T. Palmatier, Anthony J Melkent, William D. Armstrong
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Publication number: 20130158664Abstract: An intervertebral implant is provided. The intervertebral implant comprises a first component comprising an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface. A second component is connected to the first component, and is relatively moveable thereform. The second component comprises an outer tissue engaging surface and an inner surface. The second component includes an actuator. A third component is disposed for engagement and is movable relative to the first and second components. The third component comprises at least a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp. The actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation of the wedge such that the ramps engage the inner surface of at least one of the first component and the second component to move the components between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration. Methods of use are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Stanley T. Palmatier, Keith E. Miller, Anthony J. Melkent, William D. Armstrong
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Publication number: 20130110241Abstract: An interbody implant system is provided. The interbody implant system includes an implant having an engagement surface and an instrument including a first member and a second member that is movable relative to the first member. The first member is configured to capture the implant and the second member includes an interface configured to engage the engagement surface to releasably lock the implant in at least one orientation relative to the second member. The at least one of the engagement surface and the interface include at least one planar face. Methods of use are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Stanley T. Palmatier, Keith M. Miller, Charles L. Branch, William D. Armstrong, Anthony J. Melkent, Thomas Drochner, Richard A. Hynes, Jonathan Blackwell, Kidong Yu
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Publication number: 20130018466Abstract: An interbody spacer includes an elongated body with a maximum width between opposite side walls and a maximum height between upper and lower bearing surfaces. The interbody spacer also includes a leading end nose connecting the side walls to facilitate insertion of the interbody spacer into a disc space between vertebrae in an insertion orientation, from which the interbody device is then rotated to position the upper and lower bearing surfaces in contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. The leading end nose forms a blunt convex nose between the upper and lower bearing surfaces to maximize the bearing surface area available to contact the adjacent endplates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Kidong Yu, Keith E. Miller, William D. Armstrong, Charles Branch, Kevin Thomas Foley, Peter M. McCombe, Anthony J. Melkent, William R. Sears
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Patent number: 8080062Abstract: The present application is directed to implants for positioned between vertebral members. The implant may include a superior surface to contact against a first vertebral member, and an inferior surface to contact against a second vertebral member. The implant includes a fixation mechanism that is operable to extend a portion of the fixation mechanism into the vertebral members immediately above and below the implanted implant to affix the implant within the vertebral space between such vertebral members. The implant is substantially open in the superior and inferior directions to allow for the introduction of bone growth material within the interior of the implant to help promote fusion between the vertebral members.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: William D Armstrong, Gary S. Lindemann
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Publication number: 20100137989Abstract: The present application is directed to implants for positioned between vertebral members. The implant may include a superior surface to contact against a first vertebral member, and an inferior surface to contact against a second vertebral member. The implant includes a fixation mechanism that is operable to extend a portion of the fixation mechanism into the vertebral members immediately above and below the implanted implant to affix the implant within the vertebral space between such vertebral members. The implant is substantially open in the superior and inferior directions to allow for the introduction of bone growth material within the interior of the implant to help promote fusion between the vertebral members.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Gary S. Lindemann
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Patent number: 7441652Abstract: A mixing system and method for forming bone cement by mixing liquid monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) with a powder component comprising polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). A container of MMA is received in a bag. The MMA is emptied from the container into the bag, and a syringe is connected to the bag in substantially leak-free manner to receive the MMA from the bag. The syringe is disconnected from the bag and thereafter connected to a receptacle housing the powder component. The MMA is then transferred into the receptacle in substantially leak-free manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Med Institute, Inc.Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Richard B. Sisken
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Publication number: 20080262501Abstract: A multi-functional surgical instrument assembly for installing an implant between adjacent bone structures is disclosed that is capable of distracting adjacent bone structures, generating a measurement for a prosthetic implant, and installing the prosthetic implant without being removed from the patient. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a pair of opposing distracter arms movable toward or away from one another to a predetermined setting indicative of a height requirement of the implant. A pair of opposing spreader support segments is connected with a respective distal end of the distracter arms and extend downwardly a predetermined distance in relation to the distracter arms. A pair of opposing implant guide segments is connected with a distal end of the opposing spreader support segments. An inserter is detachably connected with the prosthetic implant, wherein the prosthetic implant is positioned between the opposing implant guide segments using the inserter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Richard Evan Chen, William D. Armstrong, Zafar Saleem Khan
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Patent number: 7418876Abstract: A shear stress sensor for measuring fluid wall shear stress on a test surface is provided. The wall shear stress sensor is comprised of an active sensing surface and a sensor body. An elastic mechanism mounted between the active sensing surface and the sensor body allows movement between the active sensing surface and the sensor body. A driving mechanism forces the shear stress sensor to oscillate. A measuring mechanism measures displacement of the active sensing surface relative to the sensor body. The sensor may be operated under periodic excitation where changes in the nature of the fluid properties or the fluid flow over the sensor measurably changes the amplitude or phase of the motion of the active sensing surface, or changes the force and power required from a control system in order to maintain constant motion.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Jonathan Naughton, William R. Lindberg
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Patent number: 6729488Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tamper-indicating closure having a plurality of resilient flexible projections bent upwardly and radially inwardly at a predetermined radius of curvature. The first step in the method includes providing a mold assembly comprising a female mold portion for forming the outer surface of the closure and a male mold portion for forming the closure's inner surface and its plurality of projections. The male and female mold portions are arranged for relative movement toward and away from each other between a mold open position and a mold closed position. When in the mold closed position, the male and female mold portions define a mold cavity in which the tamper-indicating closure is molded.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Captive Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Drew H. McNary, William D. Armstrong
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Publication number: 20040079840Abstract: An aircraft lift control system mounted on an aircraft is provided. The aircraft has at least one wing. The aircraft lift control system comprises an oscillating aero surface mounted to the aircraft wing. A resonant frame is connected to the oscillating aero surface. An actuator is mounted to the resonant frame wherein the sinusoidal force produced by the actuator on the resonant frame results in a resonant deformation in the resonant frame and resonant-sinusoidal displacement of the aero-surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: William D. Armstrong, William R. Lindberg, Jonathan W. Naughton, John E. McInroy
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Patent number: 6355201Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tamper-indicating closure having a plurality of resilient flexible projections bent upwardly and radially inwardly at a predetermined radius of curvature. The first step in the method includes providing a mold assembly comprising a female mold portion for forming the outer surface of the closure and a male mold portion for forming the closure's inner surface and its plurality of projections. The male and female mold portions are arranged for relative movement toward and away from each other between a mold open position and a mold closed position. When in the mold closed position, the male and female mold portions define a mold cavity in which the tamper-indicating closure is molded.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Captive Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Drew H. McNary, William D. Armstrong