Patents Issued in March 28, 2017
  • Patent number: 9603600
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using an actuator to deploy an implant configured to close a tissue puncture or a natural opening in a body. The actuator includes a handle that is rotated in a first direction to deploy a first set of deployable wings of the implant, and that is rotated in a second, opposite direction to deploy a second set of deployable wings of the implant. A guide wire coupled between the implant and the actuator rotates and/or moves axially with the actuator to cause the wings to deploy. After each of the first and second rotation strokes, the handle is prevented from rotating beyond the first and second strokes, respectively. After the wings are deployed to engage tissue therebetween, the handle is operated to eject the implant from the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: James E. Coleman, Christy Cummins
  • Patent number: 9603601
    Abstract: An occlusion device may comprise a first tube having a first balloon positioned at a distal end, and a second tube having a second balloon positioned at a distal end. The first balloon may be sized and configured to occlude a vascular lumen upstream of a vascular puncture, and the second balloon may be sized and configured to simultaneously occlude the vascular lumen downstream of the vascular puncture. A method of occluding a vascular puncture may comprise positioning a distal end of an occlusion device comprising a first balloon and a second balloon through the vascular puncture and into a vascular lumen. The first balloon may be positioned downstream of the vascular puncture, and the second balloon may be positioning upstream of the vascular puncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL PUERTO RICO LLC
    Inventor: Zachary J. Tegels
  • Patent number: 9603602
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices for reducing postpartum hemorrhage, including a belt having a fastener for securing the belt around a patient's body, a bladder being inflatable with air and adapted to be placed over the patient's abdomen for applying selective external pressure to the patient's uterus, a manual pump operably connected to the bladder to change air pressure of the bladder, and a pressure gauge for indicating the air pressure. Methods for using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Eastern Virginia Medical School
    Inventor: Alfred Z. Abuhamad
  • Patent number: 9603603
    Abstract: A surgical cutting blade for cutting bone material when the blade is coupled to a hand-held surgical saw includes a distal portion comprising a plurality of cutting teeth, a shank portion adjacent the distal portion, and a proximal portion adjacent the shank portion. The proximal portion may include a longitudinally extending slot having a proximal opening. The slot may be shaped to receive a portion of the surgical saw through the proximal opening. The proximal portion may have a plurality of deflectable fingers respectively separated from a plurality of main body portions by respective gaps. The plurality of deflectable fingers may extend adjacent the longitudinally extending slot, and may deflect into the gaps to increase and decrease a width of a portion of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John Xinghai Wang, Hung Van Bach, Donna J. Burnette, Walter Raymond Blackwell, Weiguo Chen, S. Shane Dexter, Vikram August Garadi, Kevin L. Haney, Joseph William Lopez, R. Mitchell Sherry, Paul Cihak, Durrell Tidwell
  • Patent number: 9603604
    Abstract: A bone cutting block includes: a plurality of saw slot plates each including a plurality of ends opposing one another, each of the plurality of ends including a locating feature, the plurality of saw slot plates defining at least one slot therebetween which is configured for receiving a bone saw blade therethrough to make a predefined cut in a bone; and two side plates opposing one another, including a plurality of locating features, and supporting the plurality of saw slot plates, each locating feature of the plurality of saw slot plates being connected with a respective one of the plurality of locating features of the side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Symmetry Medical Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Lazar, Richard A. Lane, Chris Bremer
  • Patent number: 9603605
    Abstract: A cutting block for use in a bone osteotomy procedure is disclosed, and includes a first cutting guide surface, a second cutting guide surface, and a third cutting guide surface. The first, second, and third cutting guide surfaces are adapted to be temporarily affixed to a bone having a first side and a second side such that the first cutting guide surface is disposed on the first side of the bone, and such that the second cutting guide surface and third cutting guide surface are disposed on the second side of the bone forming an angle therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteomics Corp.
    Inventor: Carlos E. Collazo
  • Patent number: 9603606
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an instrument, configured as a dental instrument or surgical instrument, the instrument comprising a shaft and a substantially rotation-symmetrical head which is attached to the shaft and provided with a plurality of cutting blades, the cutting blades being arranged distributed around the whole circumference of the head, in relation to a centric rotational axis of the instrument, characterized in that each cutting blade has a geometry differing from the other cutting blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GEBR. BRASSELER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Josef Hecke, Friedrich Wilhelm Meier, Markus Niemeier
  • Patent number: 9603607
    Abstract: A planing instrument, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a rotatable cutting head and a cutting face on a distal end of the cutting head. At least one radially displaceable cutting element has a cutting edge projecting in a distal direction from the cutting face. An adjustment element is operable to displace the cutting element toward a fully retracted state, or toward a fully expanded state. In another embodiment, a method of modifying a bone surface includes displacing at least one cutting element on a planing instrument to a fully retracted state, inserting the instrument into a human or animal, operating an adjustment element to displace the cutting element toward an expanded state, and activating the cutting head to begin planing the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lenkbar, LLC
    Inventor: Erik H. Papenfuss
  • Patent number: 9603608
    Abstract: A technique for knee replacement surgery that allow for the removal of an oval oblong-shaped allograft bone and cartilage plug from a donor distal femur. The technique uses instruments including (i) sizing guides to match the recipient's femoral size and curvature to that of a donor femur (the sizing guides also acting as a wide pin placement template for the donor distal femur); (ii) osteotomes that cut the curved and straight portions of the implant shape (these may be disposable or reusable); and (iii) templates that fit over the guide pins and have openings to allow the osteotomes to cut the donor femur plug to the correct size, shape and depth. The instruments allow for a non-circular shape to be extracted from a donor femur for use in a bone-saving osteoarthritis distal femur resurfacing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Joshua Karnes, John M. Konicek, David O. Shepard, Brandon L. Roller
  • Patent number: 9603609
    Abstract: An energy supplier of an ultrasonic treatment system can output an electric power in a first output mode and a second output mode in which the electric power supplied to a drive force generation unit during a unit time is higher than in the first output mode. A controller maintains an output state of the electric power in the first output mode when a judgment section judges that a load on an ultrasonic probe is less than or equal to a threshold, and switches the output state of the electric power to the second output mode when the judgment section judges that the load is more than the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ko Kawashima, Hideto Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 9603610
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to material removal instrument for forming cavities in interior body regions, particularly cavities in intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The instrument includes a cannula and a rotation mechanism disposed at least partially within the cannula. A cutting element extends from the rotation mechanism and impacts and dislocates tissue as the rotation mechanism is rotated within the body. Dislocated tissue with withdrawn from the body via the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jörn Richter, Salman Chegini, Daniel Thommen
  • Patent number: 9603611
    Abstract: An attachment guide for an interbody cage and a spinal plate includes a guide body and a coupling element. The guide body includes a proximal end, a pair of flanges, and a distal end. The proximal end includes an inserter attachment element configured to removably receive an inserter instrument. The pair of flanges extends from the guide body and is configured to engage the spinal plate. The distal end includes a surface configured to contact an anterior surface of the interbody cage and a cage engagement element configured to extend distally from the surface and into a wall of the interbody cage. The coupling element extends through an aperture of the guide body from the proximal end to the distal end and is configured to draw the pair of flanges into greater contact with the spinal plate and the cage engagement element into greater contact with the interbody cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Perry
  • Patent number: 9603612
    Abstract: Methods and instruments for reconstructing soft tissues of a skeletal joint such as for example of the foot or hand are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, M. Mary Sinnott, Patrick Michel White
  • Patent number: 9603613
    Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific portion and a guiding element having a through opening. The patient-specific portion has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate as a negative of a portion of an iliac crest of a pelvis of a specific patient and mate to the iliac crest only in one position. The guiding element has a preoperatively configured orientation and location relative to the patient-specific portion for preparing a bore in the bone of the patient to direct a bone screw at the preoperatively configured orientation and location for sacroiliac fixation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan John Schoenefeld, Robert C. Gutierrez, Philip Mellinger
  • Patent number: 9603614
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscope cap with a holding and withdrawal device for a tissue clip (4) that can be placed onto a spreading sleeve (3) of the endoscope cap (1). The endoscope cap comprises an end groove (7) that opens at the front edge of the spreading sleeve (3) and that slits open the cap wall on both sides, and a withdrawal thread or web (11) that radially traverses the end groove (7) in a forward axial cap section and that is introduced or can be introduced slideably into an endoscope channel for actuation thereof at a radial inside of the endoscope cap (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: OVESCO ENDOSCOPY AG
    Inventors: Marc O. Schurr, Chi-Nghia Ho, Andreas Kirschniak, Gunnar Anhoeck
  • Patent number: 9603615
    Abstract: An ultrasonic device having a tri-axial configuration including an ultrasound transmission member, a dilator, and a sheath is disclosed. The ultrasound device may be used in a procedure to treat an occluded blood vessel. The ultrasound transmission member can transmit ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic transducer to a distal end. The dilator facilitates entry of the ultrasonic transmission member into the subintimal space of a blood vessel. The sheath may articulate to aid in the process of re-entering the central lumen of the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Sarge
  • Patent number: 9603616
    Abstract: A dissector including a body, a first arm, a second arm, and a string and methods for use thereof. The first arm extending from the body towards a distal end thereof and the second arm extending from the body towards a distal end thereof. One end of the string is coupled to the first arm adjacent the distal end thereof and the other end of the string is coupled to the second arm adjacent the distal end thereof. The first and second arms have an expanded configuration such that the string is taut and have a collapsed configuration such that the string is slack. The string is configured to dissect tissue when the first and second arms are in the expanded configuration. The string may oscillate to dissect tissue. The distal ends of the first and second arms may atraumatically dissect tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Katelyn Galer, Justin Williams, Danyel Racenet, Kevin Sniffin, Stanislaw Marczyk, Saumya Banerjee
  • Patent number: 9603617
    Abstract: Liquid is ejected in a pulse-like manner from a nozzle provided at the distal end of a liquid ejection pipe. When the liquid is ejected, moving speed of the nozzle is detected. A driving frequency of a piezoelectric element is increased when the moving speed increase. The driving frequency is reduced when the moving speed decreases. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the number of times the liquid is ejected per unit length from changing according to the moving speed of the nozzle. Therefore, it is possible to excise a biological tissue at stable excision depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Seto, Kazuaki Uchida, Hideki Kojima, Hirokazu Sekino
  • Patent number: 9603618
    Abstract: Methods and devices for separating an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from tissue surrounding such object in a patient's vasculature system. Specifically, the surgical device includes a handle, an elongate sheath and a circular cutting blade that extends from the distal end of the sheath upon actuating the handle. The circular cutting blade is configured to engage the tissue surrounding an implanted lead and cut such tissue in a coring fashion as the surgical device translates along the length of the lead, thereby allowing the lead, as well as any tissue remaining attached to the lead, to enter the device's elongate shaft. The surgical device has a barrel cam cylinder in the handle assembly that imparts rotation of the blade and a separate cam mechanism in the tip of outer sheath assembly that imparts and controls the extension and retraction of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Spectranetics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Grace, Weston H. Lee, Robert Carver
  • Patent number: 9603619
    Abstract: A cutting balloon catheter and method of making and using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The cutting members may configured to be more flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Steven W. Bence, Alexander J. Asconeguy
  • Patent number: 9603620
    Abstract: A dermatome having a main body, a blade assembly and a blade guard, where the blade assembly has a blade edge and the blade guard has a base and a fence extending from the base toward the blade assembly so as to face the blade edge. The blade guard may include at least one blade assembly locator to facilitate the alignment of the blade guard with the blade assembly. A blade guard assembled on the blade assembly may operate so as to prevent unintended contact between the blade edge and objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Mahaffey, Bruce Straslicka
  • Patent number: 9603621
    Abstract: Disclosed are a low-resistance general sealing apparatus for a trocar and a trocar. A sealing ring (3) is compressed between an upper guiding mechanism (1) and a lower guiding mechanism (2). A smooth transition between the upper guiding mechanism (1) and the lower guiding mechanism (2) minimizes the contact area between the sealing ring (3) and a surgical instrument, which not only provides a guiding function when different forms of surgical instrument are inserted or removed, but also maximally transforms a “soft-hard” friction area between the sealing ring (3) and the surgical instrument into a “hard-hard” friction area between the plastics of upper and lower guiding mechanisms and an outer metal sheath of the surgical instrument, thereby greatly reducing the motion resistance, and meanwhile, having an excellent sealing effect. The sealing apparatus and the trocar are also applicable to instruments with diameters between 5 mm and 12 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU T. K. MEDICAL INSTRUMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xing Zhou
  • Patent number: 9603622
    Abstract: An insertion device is disclosed. The insertion device includes a base portion, a top portion slidably connected to the base portion, an introduction needle, a catheter in slidable relation to the introduction needle, and a substantially cylindrical flash chamber, the flash chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with the introduction needle. The flash chamber is connected to the base portion, the top portion slidably engages with the flash chamber, and the catheter and the top portion slidably advance with respect to the introduction needle and the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Brian H. Yoo, Brian D. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9603623
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a retractor including an enclosure extending from a first open end to a second open end to form a lumen extending along an axis therebetween and that is accessible from the first open end and the second open end. The retractor further includes a first aperture formed at first angular position in the enclosure, and a second aperture formed at second angular position in the enclosure and opposing the first aperture to form a passage extending transverse to the axis from the first aperture, through the lumen, and to the second aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture are located proximate to the first open end and sized to arrange the passage along a spine of a patient to receive a trocar for delivering a graft material to the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Nathaniel P. Brooks, Meghan A. Anderson, Hannah O. Meyer, Hannah Pezzi, Andrea Schuster, Amy R. Slawson
  • Patent number: 9603624
    Abstract: A method for dissecting a myoma from a uterine wall includes inserting a myomectomy screw retractor into a surgical site, articulating a tool assembly positioned at a distal end of the myomectomy screw retractor such that a screw of the tool assembly is positioned adjacent to the myoma orthogonal to the uterine wall, rotating the screw of the tool assembly into the myoma until the screw is substantially engaged with the myoma, manipulating the myoma by pitching, rotating, and/or providing traction to the myoma to expose cutting planes, and dissecting the myoma from the uterine wall by cutting along the exposed cutting planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, David N. Heard
  • Patent number: 9603625
    Abstract: A stabilization device is provided including an axle and a portion that can be affixed to a bone. The device is used to stabilize a joint while allowing motion of the joint along its natural trajectory and it is placed internally in order to prevent pin tract problems. Additionally, methods for using the device are provided that include, in various sequences, inserting the axle into a bone of a joint, adjusting the geometry of the device and attaching the fixable portion to another bone of the joint. The device can be provided as part of a system including an axis trajectory guide useful for locating the axis of rotation of the joint prior to insertion, adjustment and attachment of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Skeletal Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge L. Orbay, Thomas H. Norman, Alex Espinosa, William Garcia De Quevedo, Juan Salcedo
  • Patent number: 9603626
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for cranial fixation following a craniotomy and treatment for increased intracranial pressure. The cranial fixation device comprises of plates attached to the skull with a telescopic screw. The telescopic screw provides constrained movement of the bone flap relative to the skull to accommodate an increase in the intracranial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Rohit Khanna
  • Patent number: 9603627
    Abstract: A polyaxial pedicle screw includes a screwed shaft section for anchoring the pedicle screw in a vertebra, on one axial end of which a shaft head is configured which is coupled in a rotating and/or pivoting manner as well as in a tensile-force transmitting manner to a receiving sleeve for a longitudinal support. The receiving sleeve has a fastening means for selective positional fastening of the receiving sleeve with respect to the shaft section, the fastening means at least consisting of an inlay/pin mounted in the receiving sleeve and acting on the shaft head, and a locking element acting on the inlay/pin. The inlay/pin is configured with attachment points or engagement elements, which are not covered or overlapped by the locking element, for the provisional introduction of a compressive force on the inlay/pin parallel to the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventor: Sven Krüger
  • Patent number: 9603628
    Abstract: A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Danish Siddiqui, Daniel Predick
  • Patent number: 9603629
    Abstract: A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Implant Systems LLC
    Inventor: Marc E. Richelsoph
  • Patent number: 9603630
    Abstract: A multi-axial screw assembly comprises a receiver member, a base member, a crown and a bone anchoring member. The receiver member has an aperture configured to receive the base member and an internal groove. The base has a deflectable ring configured to mate with the internal groove of the receiver member and a slot configured to allow the deflectable ring to compress to a diameter less than the diameter of the aperture such that the base member may be compressed and axially received within the receiver member. The base member is axially restrained within the base member relative to the receiver member while allowed to rotate relative to the receiver member. The crown is received within the receiver member along the central axis of the receiver member. The crown maintains the diameter of the deflectable ring greater than the diameter of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A Farris
  • Patent number: 9603631
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Larry T. Khoo, Erik J. Wagner, Charles R. Forton, Robert J. Jones
  • Patent number: 9603632
    Abstract: A tulip bone screw assembly has a bone screw, a tulip and a saddle. The bone screw has a threaded shank and a polyaxial head. The tulip has a slotted opening for receiving a rod and an open distal end for passing the shank of the bone screw and holding the head and a locking ring positioned between the slotted opening and the distal end. The saddle has an axis defined by a center opening, a proximal concave end for engaging and holding the rod and a distal end with a plurality of friction fingers bent inwardly toward an axis of the saddle for applying a friction force to the head of the bone screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Amendia, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua David Gunn, David Brett Cain
  • Patent number: 9603633
    Abstract: An interspinous spacer device for the treatment of high-grade spinal disorders is disclosed herein. The interspinous spacer device includes a sliding rod and a base that contains a curved internal track that limits the range of motion and center of rotation of the spinal segments stabilized using the device to the physiological levels of a nondegraded spinal segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Christian M. Puttlitz, Benjamin C. Gadomski
  • Patent number: 9603634
    Abstract: A percutaneous cross connector system for use with implantation rods comprising a rod attachment device comprising a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion. The first jaw portion comprises a first concave surface to engage with a surface of a rod, a first biasing member, and a first pivoting mechanism. The second jaw portion comprises a second concave surface to engage with an opposite surface of the rod from the first jaw portion, a second pivoting mechanism, a second biasing surface, and a second locking surface. The first and second jaw portions can be mated so that the first and second concave surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the rod, the first and second pivoting mechanisms are aligned to pivot on a common axis, and the first biasing member is engaged against the second biasing surface to drive the second jaw portion against the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Amendia, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Frankel
  • Patent number: 9603635
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to orthopedic fixation devices that comprise a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element. The orthopedic fixation devices described herein can include modular locking clamp assemblies that can be fixed onto fasteners that are already implanted in bone. The modular locking clamp assemblies can include polyaxial locking clamp assemblies, as well as monoaxial locking clamp assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC
    Inventors: David N. Leff, Khiem Pham, Patrick Nolan, Devjeet Mishra, Michael Harper, Milan George, Katherine Manninen, John Perkins
  • Patent number: 9603636
    Abstract: A transverse connector system having a first and a second locking head, and a transverse rod that is secured by the first and second locking heads. The first and second locking heads are provided with a first and second pivot arm for engaging and securing first and second elongated rods. The first and second locking heads each simultaneously engage and secure the transverse and elongated rods separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Weiman, Ryan Watt
  • Patent number: 9603637
    Abstract: A polyaxial interspinous fusion device is described. The polyaxial interspinous fusion device has a fixed anchor, a polyaxial anchor, and a bone spacer. The fixed anchor has a center ring, one or more fixed anchor arms projecting laterally from the center ring, and a barrel projecting transversely from the center ring. The polyaxial anchor has a socket ring and one or more polyaxial anchor arms projecting laterally from the socket ring, wherein the socket ring has a concave engagement surface. The bone spacer has a spacer head having a convex socket engagement surface that matches the concave engagement surface of the socket ring. The bone spacer also has one or more zip lock flanges extending transversely from the spacer head and one or more bone abutments extending transversely from the spacer head. The zip lock flanges and bone abutments of the bone spacer fit through the socket ring and the barrel of the fixed anchor fits through the socket ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: AURORA SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Trent James Northcutt, Laszlo Garamszegi
  • Patent number: 9603638
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system and method are provided for treating a patient's spinal column, for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column, and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes interlaminar members positioned in the spaces intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately above and immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar members are operatively connected to one another by an adjustable support structure and cooperate therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: JCBD, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Jeffrey Donner, Christopher Thomas Donner
  • Patent number: 9603639
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for installing shape memory polymers relative to orthopedic implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Brown, Horacio Montes De Oca Balderas, Graeme Howling, James K. Rains, John Rose, Michael Hall, Robin A. Chivers, Andy Marsh, Mason James Bettenga, Andrew Thompson, Henry B. Faber
  • Patent number: 9603640
    Abstract: A fusion implant and fusion members for fusing target fusion bones of a lower extremity. The fusion implant including internally threaded apertures of a first thread lead, and fusion members including threading of the first thread lead and threading of a second thread lead that is less than the first thread lead. The fusion implant and a targeting instrument being configured to couple to one another in a predefined orientation. The predetermined orientation resulting in alignment of aspects of the fusion implant with aspects of the targeting instrument. The targeting instrument providing both distraction and compression to the joint between the target fusion bones. A guide instrument for preparing one of the target fusion bones for fusion thereof. A surgical method for applying compression to the joint between the target fusion bones to facilitate fusion thereof utilizing a fusion implant, fusion members, a targeting instrument and a guide instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nextremity Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew K. Palmer, Andrew Ariel Brief, Roman Adrian Sibel, Kevin Palmer, Matt Andrew Heilala, Gabriel Surma, Pamela C. Guzman, Mary Pile
  • Patent number: 9603641
    Abstract: A device for osteosynthesis includes a body having a proximal surface, a distal surface configured and dimensioned to face a target portion of bone over which the body is to be mounted and a through opening extending through the body from the proximal surface to the distal surface along a central axis. The through hole includes a first protrusion extending from an inner surface thereof toward the central axis. The first protrusion is biased toward an unstressed state in which the first protrusion extends into the through opening to a first distance from the central axis. The first protrusion is movable toward the inner surface when subjected to a force directed outward from the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Urs Hulliger
  • Patent number: 9603642
    Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Barry M. Fell, Peter W. Dillon, Donald R. Mackay, Randy S. Haluck
  • Patent number: 9603643
    Abstract: A system includes and implant and an elongate device. The implant includes a first bone engaging portion and a flexible portion coupled to an end of the first bone engaging portion at an engagement portion. The flexible portion is configured to be compressed toward a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible portion. The elongate device includes an engagement end that is sized and configured to engage the engagement portion of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Reed, Dinesh V. Koka
  • Patent number: 9603644
    Abstract: A bone screw includes a shaft, a cannulated portion formed in the shaft, and a fenestration in the shaft connecting the cannulated portion to an exterior of the bone screw. A wall between the cannulated portion and the exterior of the bone screw includes a first wall portion having a different thickness than a second wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Spinal Generations, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick J. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 9603645
    Abstract: A cement-directing structure for use in cement-injection bone therapy includes a collapsible, self-restoring braided structure with regions of differential permeability to the bone cement. The regions of differential permeability may be provided by areas where the braided mesh density is greater or lesser than surrounding areas and/or by means of a baffle. After the structure is placed in a void within a bony structure, cement is injected into the interior of the structure then oozes out in preferred directions according to the locations of the regions of differential permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Sennett, William Harwick Gruber, Joseph Ernest Richard
  • Patent number: 9603646
    Abstract: A bone fixation system includes at least one bone fixation member and a bone fixation instrument. The bone fixation member includes a strap and a locking mechanism. The strap can be pulled through the locking mechanism so as to form a loop about a target bone so as to secure first and second bone segments in an approximated, compressed configuration. The bone fixation instrument is configured to apply tension to the loop about the target bone. The fixation instrument includes a tension assembly that is configured to secure a free end of the bone fixation member to the fixation instrument. The tension assembly is further configured to pull the free end so as to increase tension in the loop while the tension in the loop is less than a select tension. The tension assembly is unable to further increase tension in the bone fixation member once the tension in the bone fixation member has reached the select tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyril Voisard, Azagen Mootien, Etienne Crozier, Jean-Luc Thuliez, Nicolas Obliger
  • Patent number: 9603647
    Abstract: A bending tool can be configured to bend an orthopedic implant and includes a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly. The first jaw assembly includes a first base and a first adjustment member that is movably coupled to the first base. The second jaw assembly is movably coupled to the second jaw assembly. The second jaw assembly includes a second base and a second adjustment member that is movably coupled to the second base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Koch, Robert J. Schoutens
  • Patent number: 9603648
    Abstract: An insertion device for deploying an implant includes an elongated main body having a distal locking portion for coupling to the implant and a proximal handle portion. The main body defines a central passage and the distal locking portion has outer ridges and slots to allow the outer ridges to flex radially inward when mounting to the implant. A plunger slides in the central passage for movement between an unlocked position for mounting the implant on the distal locking portion, a locked position for locking the implant on the distal locking portion, and an insertion instrument deployed position for deploying the actuation plunger to move the blades from the stowed position to the deployed position. A spike cap drive rotatably mounts on the main body having a socket end for engaging a drive nut on the implant to, in turn, move the spike cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Spinal Simplicity LLC.
    Inventors: Melissa Frock, Adam Frock, Todd Moseley, Harold Hess
  • Patent number: 9603649
    Abstract: An orthopedic surgical instrument for use in disassembling an orthopedic prosthesis includes a main component, a rod, and a spindle. The main component has a housing and an elongated body extending from the housing with a passageway is defined in the elongated body. The rod has an elongated shaft, with a greater length than the elongated body, extending from the head of the rod and configured to pass through the main component. The spindle threads into the housing to move the rod along a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DEPUY IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron J. Matyas, Kyle D. Steffe, Rebecca L. Chaney, Tyler S. Hathaway, Michael A. Cook