Patents by Inventor William K. Adcox

William K. Adcox 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).

  • Device and method for operating a tool relative to bone tissue and detecting neural elements
    Patent number: 9681880
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth L. Neubardt, William K. Adcox, Sharonda Felton
  • DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A TOOL RELATIVE TO BONE TISSUE AND DETECTING NEURAL ELEMENTS
    Publication number: 20170128084
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth L. Neubardt, William K. Adcox, Sharonda Felton
  • DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A TOOL RELATIVE TO BONE TISSUE AND DETECTING NEURAL ELEMENTS
    Publication number: 20150112346
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth L. Neubardt, William K. Adcox, Sharonda Felton