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).

  • Publication number: 20160067051
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Stanley T. Palmatier, Virginia Leigh Richardson
  • Publication number: 20160067056
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Stanley T. Palmatier, Virginia Leigh Richardson
  • Patent number: 9220607
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20150351922
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 9095445
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20140088714
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Stanley T. Palmatier, Anthony J. Melkent, William D. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20140031943
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 8628578
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Stanley T. Palmatier, Anthony J Melkent, William D Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20130158663
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC
    Inventors: Keith E. Miller, Stanley T. Palmatier, Anthony J Melkent, William D. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20130158664
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley T. Palmatier, Keith E. Miller, Anthony J. Melkent, William D. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20130110241
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20130018466
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 8080062
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: William D Armstrong, Gary S. Lindemann
  • Publication number: 20100137989
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Gary S. Lindemann
  • Patent number: 7441652
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Med Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Richard B. Sisken
  • Publication number: 20080262501
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Evan Chen, William D. Armstrong, Zafar Saleem Khan
  • Patent number: 7418876
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Jonathan Naughton, William R. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 6729488
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Captive Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew H. McNary, William D. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20040079840
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: William D. Armstrong, William R. Lindberg, Jonathan W. Naughton, John E. McInroy
  • Patent number: 6355201
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Captive Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew H. McNary, William D. Armstrong