Patents by Inventor William D. Smith
William D. Smith 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: 20240081843Abstract: Systems, techniques, and devices are described that may be used in a minimally invasive bone realignment procedure. In some examples, a method of performing a minimally invasive metatarsal correction procedure involves using a bone preparation guide having a guide surface with a length less than a diameter of a bone to be cut using the guide surface. The clinician can guide a bone preparation instrument along the guide surface and angle the bone preparation instrument beyond one or both ends of the guide surface to cut the end of the underlying bone beyond one or both of the ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Adriaan Kuyler, Paul Dayton, Mark Erik Easley, William T. DeCarbo, Daniel J. Hatch, Jody McAleer, Robert D. Santrock, W. Bret Smith, Sean F. Scanlan, Jason May, Michael Stedham
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Publication number: 20220323231Abstract: A vertebral body replacement device, dimensioned for implantation between a first and second vertebral bone is described. The vertebral body replacement device includes a superior endcap, an inferior endcap and a central core between the superior and inferior endcaps. The vertebral body replacement device further includes a fusion aperture extending through the superior and inferior endcaps and central core. The vertebral body replacement device is made of radiolucent material and can be implanted from a lateral or anterior approach to the spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: William D. Smith, Benjamin Arnold, Daniel Zatta, Jeremy Malik, Morton B. Albert
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Patent number: 11389301Abstract: A vertebral body replacement device, dimensioned for implantation between a first and second vertebral bone is described. The vertebral body replacement device includes a superior endcap, an inferior endcap and a central core between the superior and inferior endcaps. The vertebral body replacement device further includes a fusion aperture extending through the superior and inferior endcaps and central core. The vertebral body replacement device is made of radiolucent material and can be implanted from a lateral or anterior approach to the spine.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: William D. Smith, Benjamin Arnold, Daniel Zatta, Jeremy Malik, Morton B. Albert
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Publication number: 20200054459Abstract: A vertebral body replacement device, dimensioned for implantation between a first and second vertebral bone is described. The vertebral body replacement device includes a superior endcap, an inferior endcap and a central core between the superior and inferior endcaps. The vertebral body replacement device further includes a fusion aperture extending through the superior and inferior endcaps and central core. The vertebral body replacement device is made of radiolucent material and can be implanted from a lateral or anterior approach to the spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: William D. Smith, Benjamin Arnold, Daniel Zatta, Jeremy Malik, Morton B. Albert
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Patent number: 10485672Abstract: A vertebral body replacement device, dimensioned for implantation between a first and second vertebral bone is described. The vertebral body replacement device includes a superior endcap, an inferior endcap and a central core between the superior and inferior endcaps. The vertebral body replacement device further includes a fusion aperture extending through the superior and inferior endcaps and central core. The vertebral body replacement device is made of radiolucent material and can be implanted from a lateral or anterior approach to the spine.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: William D. Smith, Benjamin Arnold, Daniel Zatta, Jeremy Malik, Morton B. Albert
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Patent number: 9949840Abstract: Systems and methods are described for accessing and operating on an intervertebral disc at the lumbosacral junction via a trans-iliac approach. The instruments and methods described employ nerve monitoring to direct passage of the instruments through a safe zone between the L5 nerve root lying posterior to the trans-iliac path and the iliac vein (and iliac artery) lying anterior to the trans-iliac path.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: William D. Smith
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Publication number: 20170304066Abstract: A vertebral body replacement device, dimensioned for implantation between a first and second vertebral bone is described. The vertebral body replacement device includes a superior endcap, an inferior endcap and a central core between the superior and inferior endcaps. The vertebral body replacement device further includes a fusion aperture extending through the superior and inferior endcaps and central core. The vertebral body replacement device is made of radiolucent material and can be implanted from a lateral or anterior approach to the spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: William D. Smith, Benjamin Arnold, Daniel Zatta, Jeremy Malik, Morton B. Albert
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Patent number: 9700425Abstract: A vertebral body replacement device, dimensioned for implantation between a first and second vertebral bone is described. The vertebral body replacement device includes a superior endcap, an inferior endcap and a central core between the superior and inferior endcaps. The vertebral body replacement device further includes a fusion aperture extending through the superior and inferior endcaps and central core. The vertebral body replacement device is made of radiolucent material and can be implanted from a lateral or anterior approach to the spine.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: William D. Smith, Benjamin Arnold, Daniel Zatta, Jeremy Malik, Morton B. Albert
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Patent number: 9670972Abstract: In order to reduce torsional vibrations in a drive including a torque converter with a turbine and impeller, clutch slip speed of the drive is adjusted by manipulation of clutch pressure. This may be done in either closed loop mode or open loop mode by setting the clutch pressure to a predetermined value or continuously adjusting clutch pressure. Pressure is adjusted to produce a positively sloped function of sensed total torque of the clutch and turbine over the clutch slip speed. This produces extended service life of the drive train components, greater efficiency of the torque converter, and smoother operation of the drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Twin Disc, Inc.Inventors: William D. Smith, Richard A. Shaw
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Patent number: 9579131Abstract: This disclosure describes example an surgical fixation system and example methods for implanting the surgical fixation system on the spine. The surgical fixation system can be applied minimally invasively to the anterior column for both single level and multi-level constructs. The surgical system can be applied to the anterior column via lateral access approaches. The lateral access approach may traverse the psoas muscle. The fixation system includes a plurality of anchor assemblies connected by a spinal rod. The anchor assemblies each include a fixation body, bone anchor, rod-receiving member, anchor lock and rod lock. The rod-receiving member may be moveably coupled to the fixation body to facilitate rod insertion.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: Seth Gustine, William D. Smith
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Publication number: 20150308521Abstract: In order to reduce torsional vibrations in a drive including a torque converter with a turbine and impeller, clutch slip speed of the drive is adjusted by manipulation of clutch pressure. This may be done in either closed loop mode or open loop mode by setting the clutch pressure to a predetermined value or continuously adjusting clutch pressure. Pressure is adjusted to produce a positively sloped function of sensed total torque of the clutch and turbine over the clutch slip speed. This produces extended service life of the drive train components, greater efficiency of the torque converter, and smoother operation of the drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Twin Disc, Inc.Inventors: William D. Smith, Richard A. Shaw
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Patent number: 9138217Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical procedure, and related systems, for creating a minimally invasive operating corridor from a generally lateral approach, for example for performing corpectomies in the lumbar and thoracic regions of the spine.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Nu Vasive, Inc.Inventors: William D. Smith, Troy B. Woolley, Brian Snider, Michael Serra, Michael Mindoro
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Patent number: 8790406Abstract: Systems and methods are described for accessing and operating on an intervertebral disc at the lumbosacral junction via a trans-iliac approach. The instruments and methods described employ nerve monitoring to direct passage of the instruments through a safe zone between the L5 nerve root lying posterior to the trans-iliac path and the iliac vein (and iliac artery) lying anterior to the trans-iliac path.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Inventor: William D. Smith
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Publication number: 20140100659Abstract: A system, device and method for performing a transiliac approach for L5-S1 interbody fusion is disclosed. The surgeon may determine the access location using a neuromonitoring probe and fluoroscopy. Once the location is determined, the surgeon may use a cannulated needle or Jamshidi to create an initial pathway through the ilium. In an embodiment of the present invention, the surgeon may then advance a needle or Jamshidi through the ilium, just medial to the ilium wall. A guide pin may then be advanced through the cannulated needle or Jamshidi until the distal tip of the Jamshidi is reached. The Jamshidi may then be removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Spineology, Inc.Inventor: William D. Smith
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Patent number: 8328210Abstract: An axle suspension includes a vehicular frame and first and second mounting fixtures mounted in spaced relation beneath the vehicular frame. First and second swing arms have first and second ends and are substantially parallel. The first ends are pivotally mounted to the first mounting fixture for vertical pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal first pivot axis. An axle is positioned on top of and perpendicular to the first swing arm and the second swing arm. The axle is mounted toward the second end of the first swing arm and the second swing arm by underlying resilient elastomer bushings wherein limited movement of the axle is accommodated about a substantially horizontal second pivot axis. Air spring suspension is positioned between the axle and the frame wherein pivotal movement in an upward direction about the first pivot axis is dampened.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Link Suspensions of Canada LPInventors: Danny E. English, Shay O. Jarvis, William D. Smith
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Publication number: 20120283521Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical procedure, and related systems, for creating a minimally invasive operating corridor from a generally lateral approach, for example for performing corpectomies in the lumbar and thoracic regions of the spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: William D. Smith, Troy B. Woolley, Brian Snider, Michael Serra, Michael Mindoro
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Publication number: 20110175316Abstract: An axle suspension includes a vehicular frame and first and second mounting fixtures mounted in spaced relation beneath the vehicular frame. First and second swing arms have first and second ends and are substantially parallel. The first ends are pivotally mounted to the first mounting fixture for vertical pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal first pivot axis. An axle is positioned on top of and perpendicular to the first swing arm and the second swing arm. The axle is mounted toward the second end of the first swing arm and the second swing arm by underlying resilient elastomer bushings wherein limited movement of the axle is accommodated about a substantially horizontal second pivot axis. Air spring suspension is positioned between the axle and the frame wherein pivotal movement in an upward direction about the first pivot axis is dampened.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: RAYDAN MANUFACTURING INC.Inventors: Danny E. ENGLISH, Shay O. JARVIS, William D. SMITH
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Patent number: 7714598Abstract: An interconnection apparatus and a method of forming an interconnection apparatus. Contact structures are attached to or formed on a first substrate. The first substrate is attached to a second substrate, which is larger than the first substrate. Multiple such first substrates may be attached to the second substrate in order to create an array of contact structures. Each contact structure may be elongate and resilient and may comprise a core that is over coated with a material that imparts desired structural properties to the contact structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin N. Eldridge, Thomas H. Dozier, II, Igor Y. Khandros, Gaetan L. Mathieu, William D. Smith
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Patent number: D770045Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Curran, William D Smith
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Patent number: D919415Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.Inventors: Kyle H. Walker, Michael P. O'Connell, William D. Smith, Christopher R. McKulsky