Patents Issued in October 10, 2017
  • Patent number: 9782205
    Abstract: A tibiotalar fusion system includes that includes a curved fusion nail and interlocking fasteners, along with delivery instrumentation. The curved ankle fusion nail is delivered with the fasteners in such a manner that the curved ankle fusion nail does not pass through the subtalar (talocalcaneal) joint. The curved fusion nail thus preserves the subtalar (talocalcaneal) joint and the natural motion of the hindfoot within a mammal such as, for example, a human. Additionally, drill guided delivery instrumentation and surgical methods of delivering and fixing the curved tibiotalar nail within a desired anatomical location such as the ankle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: CMARR ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventor: Roy R. Marrero, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9782206
    Abstract: An implant system for use in orthopedic surgery for fixation of bone includes an intramedullary nail and a coupling unit. The intramedullary nail has a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse bore. The proximal portion includes a bore defining a first axis and a guiding structure defining a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the intramedullary nail and are spaced apart from each other. The coupling unit is movably arranged within the proximal portion and includes a substantially cylindrical pin and a drive member with a through hole. The guiding structure is configured to slidably receive the substantially cylindrical pin, such that the pin can engage within a groove of a bone fastener configured to penetrate the transverse bore of the intramedullary nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Mueckter, Ingo Stoltenberg
  • Patent number: 9782207
    Abstract: A bone anchor locking device for receiving a bone anchor having a shank and an enlarged head, the device has a bone anchor, a dome and a conical split washer. The receiving portion has a base extending radially outward and inwardly to a wall. The dome has a center aperture sized to pass a bone anchor. The split washer has an inner conical surface sloped to slide and expand against at least a portion of the base on insertion of a bone anchor to allow a maximum diameter of a head of a bone anchor to pass and thereafter the split washer retracts overlying the maximum diameter of the head to prevent a bone anchor from backing out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Amendia, Inc.
    Inventors: Challis Avery King, Dale Whipple, William Carlton Tally
  • Patent number: 9782208
    Abstract: An assembly including an implantable part designed to be fastened to at least one bone or bone portions to be joined and at least one screw for fastening the implantable part to the at least one bone or bone portions. The implantable part includes at least one tapped hole and the screw includes a head designed to be engaged in the tapped hole. The tapped hole is cylindrical and includes at least one radial notch emerging in a surface of the implantable part through which the screw is designed to be engaged in the tapped hole. The radial notch produces an interruption in the tapping included by the tapped hole. The head of the screw is conical, with an apical angle of between 15 and 25°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE FINANCIERE ET MEDICALE
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Martin
  • Patent number: 9782209
    Abstract: A dual-start fastener is disclosed having two threads helically wound about its shaft. The thread tooth profile (in section) constitutes substantially parallel upper and lower facets on each thread flank. A first thread has a crest diameter greater than a second thread. A distal end of the fastener includes self-tapping cutters formed on the threads which force shards of bone to advance into shallow troughs adjacent the cutters for subsequent resorption by adjacent osseous tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: RTG SCIENTIFIC
    Inventor: Gary Jack Reed
  • Patent number: 9782210
    Abstract: A technique for simultaneously forming a plurality of paste filled tunnels. The plurality of paste filled tunnels are connected to a surgical tube directly or indirectly and emptied one after another, until a desired amount of the paste is injected into a bone cavity, organ or a tissue via the surgical tube. The paste may be a bone cement paste, a drug powder paste, viscous fluid or gel. The injected bone cement paste will set in the bone cavity to act as a medical implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventors: Jiin-Huey Chern Lin, Chien-Ping Ju
  • Patent number: 9782211
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diagnosing and treating disorders of the lung are provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, a method comprises obtaining diagnostic information relating to a patient's lungs, compiling a list of potential treatment plans for lung volume reduction in the first and second lungs, excluding treatment plans from the list of potential treatment plans that propose treatment of a lung segment that falls within a segment exclusion rule, and identifying at least one preferred treatment plan from the list of potential treatment plans that targets sufficiently diseased lung segments while also targeting a preferred combined volume of the first and second lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: UPTAKE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Barry, Erik Henne, Avina Gupta, Sourish Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9782212
    Abstract: A method for operating an electrosurgical generator is disclosed, including receiving a high level algorithm at an electrosurgical generator including a processor, a power supply, and a radio frequency amplifier, the high level algorithm including an interpreted language script, processing the interpreted language script through an interpreter engine executed by the processor, selecting at least one of a plurality of configuration files stored in the electrosurgical generator based on the interpreted language script to effect a desired mode of operation, and executing the interpreted language script based on the selected one of the plurality of configuration files to generate instructions which cause the electrosurgical generator to control at least one of the power supply and the radio frequency amplifier to generate radio frequency energy according to the selected one of the plurality of configuration files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, William D. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 9782213
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bipolar electrode, and more particularly, to an electrode for high-frequency heat treatment capable of cauterizing and necrotizing lesions by heating the lesions, such as a cancer tissue of a body organ, with a high frequency, in particular, an overlapping bipolar electrode for high-frequency heat treatment capable of cauterizing lesions of tubular organs, such as a blood vessel, with a minimum invasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: STARmed Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Min Shin, Kyung Hoon Shin, Dong Un Kim
  • Patent number: 9782214
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, William D. Dannaher, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Aaron C. Voegele, Timothy P. Lessek, Gavin M. Monson, Barry C. Worrell, Hitesh Jain
  • Patent number: 9782215
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device comprises a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and a removable transducer module. The transducer module includes a waveguide, a locking mechanism, and an electronics assembly including at least one button. The handle assembly includes a trigger assembly configured to actuate the button(s) of the electronics assembly when the transducer module is coupled with the handle assembly. The shaft assembly engages the waveguide of the transducer module and is disposed at the distal end of the handle assembly. The distal end of the shaft assembly includes a harmonic blade. When assembled with the handle assembly, the transducer module is capable of providing ultrasonic energy to the harmonic blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Wells D. Haberstich, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 9782216
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a forceps and a blade. The forceps includes a first working jaw and a second working jaw. The blade extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a notched section. The blade is located between the first working jaw and the second working jaw. A first therapy current can be connected to the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both so that tissue gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw and within the notched section can be coagulated. While the tissue is gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw, the blade is moveable along its longitudinal axis so that the tissue is cut with the notched section without repositioning the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: Kester J. Batchelor, Richard J. Curtis, Ryan J. Windgassen
  • Patent number: 9782217
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a radio-frequency signal for a surgical device is disclosed. The circuit has a voltage regulator that supplies direct current (DC) voltage, a first MOSFET, a second MOSFET, and a MOSFET driver. The MOSFET driver receives the DC voltage supplied from the voltage regulator and has a local oscillator. The local oscillator switches the first MOSFET and the second MOSFET on and off at a frequency generated by the local oscillator. The circuit further includes a transformer connected to the first and second MOSFETs, having a center tap and a main voltage applied at the center tap, and providing an alternating current (AC) output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Matthew A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9782218
    Abstract: A thermocoagulation/cutting device 11 includes an exothermic part 13 made of a meta; a first current supply portion 41 projecting integrally from the exothermic part 13; a second current supply portion 42 projecting integrally from the exothermic part 13; and a third current supply portion 43 projecting integrally from the exothermic part 13. The thermocoagulation/cutting device 11 includes a controller 16. The controller 16 is capable of causing an electric current to flow between the first current supply portion 41 and second current supply portion 42, between the first current supply portion 41 and third current supply portion 43, or between the second current supply portion 42 and third current supply portion 43.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sumihito Konishi, Tsuyoshi Hayashida, Yoshitaka Honda
  • Patent number: 9782219
    Abstract: A surgical device for operating on tissue comprises an end effector, a disposable shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The shaft assembly comprises an articulation section operable to provide deflection of the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The interface assembly comprises a plurality of pivotable base sections. The interface assembly comprises a plurality of drive components associated with drive shafts driven by an external system and each drive component is associated with a section of the base. The drive components are operable to cause rotation of one or both of the shaft or end effector and movement of components of the end effector. The drive components are further operable to cause articulation of the articulation section. The base sections are pivotable toward each other to couple with the shaft assembly or away from each other to disengage the shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, David T. Martin, William J. White
  • Patent number: 9782220
    Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member has a pair of electrode channels that open at the distal end of the shaft member, wherein the electrode channels are positioned adjacent to one another. The pair of electrodes are configured to deliver energy, and one of the pair of electrodes are configured to be disposed in each electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9782221
    Abstract: Deep Tissue Low Intensity Laser Therapy or Treatment (DT-LILT) as described here is a novel methodology through which selective destruction of nociceptive (pain) nerves can be brought upon by a medical laser delivery system using the phenomenon of absorption and cell resonance. Using this method nerve cells that transmit pain can be selectively destroyed leaving the surrounding tissues intact as no heat is generated. The delivery system incorporates a fine needle through which a 703 nm (range 690 to 710) pulsed wave low intensity laser is delivered deep into the body, directly to the area of pain causing selective destruction of pain nerves. Laser devices based on this methodology should be used only by the physician or equivalent professional community since diagnosing and defining the area of pain is critical to providing successful pain relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: C Laser, Inc.
    Inventor: Pattanam Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 9782222
    Abstract: This invention is an improved method and device for treating varicose veins 200 or the greater saphenous vein 202. The method comprises the use of infrared laser radiation in the region of 1.2 to 1.8 um in a manner from inside the vessel 200 or 202 such that the endothelial cells of the vessel wall 704 are damaged and collagen fibers in the vessel wall 704 are heated to the point where they permanently contract, the vessel 200 or 202 is occluded and ultimately resorbed. The device includes a laser 102 delivered via a fiber optic catheter 300 that may have frosted or diffusing fiber tips 308. A motorized pull-back device 104 is used, and a thermal sensor 600 may be used to help control the power required to maintain the proper treatment temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: COOL TOUCH INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David R. Hennings, Mitchell P. Goldman, Robert A. Weiss, Eric B. Taylor, Don Johnson
  • Patent number: 9782223
    Abstract: A surgical trajectory alignment device is disclosed, including an alignment trajectory guide holding portion shaped to receive and secure an alignment trajectory guide along a longitudinal patient entry axis, the longitudinal patient entry axis falling within a plane. The surgical trajectory alignment device further includes a first alignment trajectory guide holding portion activator operable to rotate an alignment trajectory guide secured by an alignment arm holding portion within the plane; and a second alignment trajectory guide holding portion activator operable to translate an alignment trajectory guide secured by the alignment arm holding portion in a direction away from the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher Daniel Ross
  • Patent number: 9782224
    Abstract: A device for selectively grasping a part of a separate elongated body extending through the device, includes at least three partially mobile jaw members defining between them a through hole of variable diameter depending on their mutual relative positioning, supporting and driving elements to which the jaw members are mounted and which are adapted to provide a coordinated motion to the members around the elongated body situated in the variable through hole, resulting in a closing or opening of the through hole. The jaw members have an elongated shape with two opposed ends and the supporting and driving elements include a circular or annular support body to which a first end of each jaw member is connected and a mobile annular driving body to which a second opposed end of each jaw member is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE DE STRASBOURG (ETABLISSEMENT PUBLIC NATIONAL A CARACTERE SCIENTIFIQUE, CULTUREL ET PROFESSIONNEL), CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (ETABLISSEMENT PUBLIC NATIONAL A CARACTERE SCIENTIFIQUE ET TECHNOLOGIQUE), INSTITUT HOSPITALO-UNIVERSITAIRE DE CHIRURGIE MINI-INVASIVE (GUIDEE PAR L'IMAGE), INSTITUT NATIONAL DES SCIENCES APPLIQUEES (ESTABLISSEMENT PUBLIC NATIONAL A CARACTERE SCIENTIFIQUE, CULTUREL ET PROFESSIONNEL)
    Inventors: Olivier Piccin, Nitish Kumar, Laurence Meylheuc, Laurent Barbe, Bernard Bayle, Francois Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9782225
    Abstract: A surgical instrument arrangement has a modular motor drive unit which has a drive arrangement having at least one output element, an instrument shaft that can be detachably connected to the drive unit, and a drive arrangement having at least one input drive element. The output drive arrangement and the input drive arrangement can be coupled to each other by a mechanical interface that has at least one single-sided linkage, a pin, and a cut-out, wherein the pin can be radially expanded in the cut-out. Alternatively, a gap may be formed between the pin and the cut-out, which gap is wavy in the radial direction, and in which a radially displaceable, axially fixed intermediate element arrangement is arranged. The surgical instrument arrangement may also include a sterile barrier, which is provided to envelop the drive unit and to be arranged between the drive unit and the instrument shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Lohmeier, Wolfgang Schober, Sven Brudniok
  • Patent number: 9782226
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a custom arthroplasty resection guide or jig are disclosed herein. For example, one method may include: generating MRI knee coil two dimensional images, wherein the knee coil images include a knee region of a patient; generating MRI body coil two dimensional images, wherein the body coil images include a hip region of the patient, the knee region of the patient and an ankle region of the patient; in the knee coil images, identifying first locations of knee landmarks; in the body coil images, identifying second locations of the knee landmarks; run a transformation with the first and second locations, causing the knee coil images and body coil images to generally correspond with each other with respect to location and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corporation
    Inventors: Ilwhan Park, Keun Song, Oleg Mishin, Michael Santarella
  • Patent number: 9782227
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an arthroplasty jig is disclosed herein. The method may include the following: generate two dimensional image data of a patient joint to undergo arthroplasty, identify in the two dimensional image data a first point corresponding to an articular surface of a bone forming the joint, identify a second point corresponding to an articular surface of an implant, identify a location of a resection plane when the first point is correlated with the second point, and create the arthroplasty jig with a resection guide located according to the identified location of the resection plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corporation
    Inventors: Ilwhan Park, Venkata Surya Sarva, Irene Min Choi
  • Patent number: 9782228
    Abstract: According to the invention, the process includes the steps of: a) taking a sagittal preoperative x-ray of the vertebral column of the patient to be treated, extending from the cervical vertebrae to the femoral heads; b) on that x-ray, identifying points on S1, S2, T12 et C7; c) depicting, on the said x-ray, curved segments beginning at the center of the plate of S1 et going to the center of the plate of C7; e) identifying, on that x-ray, the correction(s) to be made to the vertebral column, including the identification of posterior osteotomies to make; f) pivoting portions of said x-ray relative to other portions of that x-ray, according to osteotomies to be made; g) performing, on said x-ray, a displacement of the sagittal curvature segment extending over the vertebral segment to be corrected; h) from a straight vertebral rod (TV), producing the curvature of that rod according to the shape of said sagittal curvature segment in said displacement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Medicrea International
    Inventors: Thomas Mosnier, David Ryan
  • Patent number: 9782229
    Abstract: A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A Foster
  • Patent number: 9782230
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling a telesurgical system are disclosed. In accordance with a method, a first tool connected to a first manipulator of the system, and a second tool connected to a second manipulator of the system, are controlled. A swap of the tools such that the first tool is connected to the second manipulator and the second tool is connected to the first manipulator is then detected. The first tool connected to the second manipulator and the second tool connected to the first manipulator are then controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Niels Smaby, Gregory W. Dachs, II, Nicola Diolaiti, Pushkar Hingwe, Thomas R. Nixon, Bruce M. Schena, Nitish Swarup
  • Patent number: 9782231
    Abstract: This is a surgical instrument organizational device for use during medical procedures where instruments are being used. This invention is designed to hold numerous instruments upright and easily accessible. The length of the base (1) can be lengthened, shortened or heightened during manufacturing to fit the need of specialized areas of surgery all the while keeping the same basic design intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey Freerks
  • Patent number: 9782232
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system includes an imaging device configured to acquire a first image of a fundus of an eye and a hemorrhage detecting unit. The hemorrhage detecting unit includes a processor configured to receive the first fundus image from the imaging device, analyze the first fundus image to detect a hemorrhage in the eye, and in response to detecting the hemorrhage, send a signal to an intraocular pressure controller. The ophthalmic surgical system further includes the intraocular pressure controller, which includes a processor configured to receive the signal from the hemorrhage detecting unit, in response to the received signal, determine if a current intraoperative pressure of the eye is below a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining the current intraoperative pressure of the eye is below the predetermined threshold, generate a signal to increase the intraoperative pressure of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Michael J. Papac
  • Patent number: 9782233
    Abstract: A kit and/or method for use during surgery is configured to decrease the risk of accidental retention of foreign objects, such as surgical items or medical devices, used in surgery inside of a patient after the surgery is completed. Specifically, illustrative kits may include, but not be limited to, a combination of one or more foreign objects, an anchoring member attached to a point outside of the patient or surgical field, and at least one or more connection members connecting the foreign objects to the anchoring member. Illustrative methods may include, but not be limited to, anchoring one or more foreign object by one or more connection members, wherein a first end of each connection member is attached to the foreign object, and a second end of each connection member is attached to a junction member; attaching the junction member to an anchoring member; and attaching the anchoring member to a structure that is outside the patient or surgical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Rush University Medical Center
    Inventor: Richard W. Byrne
  • Patent number: 9782234
    Abstract: Upon using a stethoscope, there is a problem that it had been needed to interrupt work and mount the stethoscope using both hands, resulting in poor work efficiency. Also, when it is needed to repeatedly mount and unmount the stethoscope for such as a group examination, for example, it had been necessary to continuously carry out an operation of expanding ear tubes many times, which is complicated. Thus the present invention provides an attachment for a stethoscope comprising a mounting part which can be mounted to both of ear tubes, and a manipulating part for manipulating the mounting part, the manipulating part and the mounting part being connected through a rotatable fulcrum, so that the mounting part may be opened and closed by opening and closing operation of the manipulating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: WING Co., Ltd., Earth Create Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryohei Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 9782235
    Abstract: An implant surgical guide apparatus includes a bone pen which is standardized by various diameters based on mesio-distal distances of natural teeth so that an implant can be placed at the center of a prosthetics, and comprises a cup having a rotatably symmetrical shape and a pen coupled to the cup and drilling into an alveolar bone so that the implant can be guided to a position with an angle as desired by an operator when the implant is placed in the alveolar bone corresponding to tooth loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ACRODENT CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jun Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9782236
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for finding virtual tooth features on virtual three-dimensional models of the teeth of patients. The tooth features comprise marginal ridges, cusp tips, contact points, central groove and buccal groove. Tooth axes system plays a key role in identifying the tooth features. An iterative method is disclosed for improving the accuracy of the tooth axes system. A virtual three-dimension model preferably obtained by scanning the dentition of a patient forms the basis for determining the tooth features. Tooth features are derived for all categories of teeth including molars, premolars, canines and front teeth. Tooth features are very helpful and used in planning orthodontic treatment. The tooth features are determined automatically using the computerized techniques; and can be manually adjusted when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Peer Sporbert, Hans Imgrund, Markus Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 9782237
    Abstract: A method for assessment of orthodontic treatment for a patient include: calculating a first feature value according to a facial profile of the patient; calculating a second feature value according to a facial midline of the patient and a mesial surface of one of anterior teeth in an orthodontic quadrant; calculating a space value according to a difference between an arch length of a dental arch portion of the orthodontic quadrant, and a sum of mesiodistal diameters of crowns of teeth encompassed by the dental arch portion; and calculating an assessment value indicating a proposed displacement for a molar in the orthodontic quadrant according to the space value and the first and second feature values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: York S. Y. Chen
  • Patent number: 9782238
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for manufacturing a physical dental model. A virtual model is provided representative of at least a portion of the intra-oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, and the virtual model includes a virtual portion representative of each dental implant. The virtual spatial disposition of each such virtual portion is determined with respect to the virtual model, corresponding to a real spatial disposition of the respective implant with respect to the intra oral cavity. A physical model is then manufactured based on the virtual model, the physical model including a physical analog corresponding to each implant at a respective physical spatial disposition with respect to the physical model corresponding to the respective virtual spatial disposition of the respective virtual portion with respect to the first virtual model as already determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Avi Kopelman
  • Patent number: 9782239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixture, such as a dental fixture, for insertion into a bore hole arranged in bone tissue. The fixture has two condensation portions, which may be designed to provide the same or different tensile strain levels to the cortical and cancellous bone tissue, respectively. The invention also relates to a thread maker for making a female thread in bone tissue prior to insertion of a fixture. The invention further relates to a fixture set, having a thread maker and a fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc
    Inventors: Stig Hansson, Anders Halldin
  • Patent number: 9782240
    Abstract: A dental implant comprising a subperiosteal extension, said extension extending radially beyond a radius of a post of said dental implant. A device for mounting onto a dental implant configured to extend said dental implant to comprise a subperiosteal extension, said device extending radially beyond an interface between bone and said dental implant. A method of implanting a dental implant comprising elevating a mucoperiosteal flap at site of implantation, drilling a hole for inserting a dental implant comprising a subperiosteal extension, inserting said dental implant, and covering said subperiosteal extension with said mucoperiosteal flap. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: MEDINTAL LTD.
    Inventors: Itzhak Binderman, Avinoam Yaffe, Gideon Hallel, Amit Binderman
  • Patent number: 9782241
    Abstract: An orthodontic structure includes a body where at least one connecting hole is formed, a fastening part disposed on the body and fastened to an implant, and at least one traction assembly connected to the body. The traction assembly includes an orthodontic table and an adjustment part extending outwards from the orthodontic table to engage the connecting hole. The orthodontic table has at least one locking recess capable of holding a metal wire in place. The orthodontic structure is connected to the implant which is embedded in an alveolar bone in advance to provide a requisite anchorage effect required by orthodontics. Thus, the implant treatment and the orthodontic treatment can be concurrently executed to shorten the treatment time for straightening teeth and attain good implanting and straightening effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: Biomate Medical Devices Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 9782242
    Abstract: Metallic dental prostheses made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys wherein the dental prosthesis has an elastic strain limit of around 1.2% or more and methods of making such metallic dental prostheses are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Propery, LLC
    Inventors: Atakan Peker, Choongnyun Paul Kim, Quoc Tran Pham
  • Patent number: 9782243
    Abstract: An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventors: Grant A. Ritchey, Craig E. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 9782244
    Abstract: A method of manufacture for a vaginal insert. The vaginal insert may have a core, a cover, and a removal element. In various embodiments, the cover can be conformed to the vaginal insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt G. Krupka, Jesse J. Pasterski, Chadwick I. Romzek, Scott A. Ainsworth, Jeffrey Louis Heinen
  • Patent number: 9782245
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventors: James R. Mujwid, John E. Titus
  • Patent number: 9782246
    Abstract: A suture-less pelvic implant system and method is provided for treating pelvic conditions, such as incontinence or vaginal prolapse. The implant can include a fixation portion, which may be rectangular or suture line, having a plurality of fixation elements, e.g., barbs, extending therefrom to fixate within target pelvic tissue, such as the vaginal apex. In a sacralcolpopexy, an opposing end or anchor of the implant is fixated within the sacrum or like structure to stabilize, raise, support or reposition the vaginal apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventors: Chaouki A. Khamis, James A. Alexander
  • Patent number: 9782247
    Abstract: An intraluminal filtration device for embolic protection includes a device body and each of a coarse filter and a fine filter, for filtering larger-size and smaller-size particles, respectively. The device body includes a body wall extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis, and being formed at least in part of an organic gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David D. Grewe
  • Patent number: 9782248
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method of producing a decellularized composite tissue bioscaffold for musculoskeletal tissue interface reconstruction by physicochemically treating a musculoskeletal tissue interface isolated from allogeneic sources. In certain embodiments, such musculoskeletal tissue interfaces can also be isolated from xenogeneic sources. The method comprises treatment of the interface with detergents, chemical oxidants and ultrasonic energy, and wash steps in between to remove residual detergents as well as oxidants. The resulting bioscaffold may be freeze-dried or lyophilized, sterilized and aseptically packaged for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: James Chang, Colin Woon, Hung Pham
  • Patent number: 9782249
    Abstract: A ligament-tensioning device and method for activation of the ligament and/or capsule system in the implantation of a joint implant. The device includes a distal bearing plate for bearing against a distal skeletal part, and also includes first and second proximal bearing plates, each of which partially overlaps the distal bearing plate in a first in-use position, for bearing against a proximal skeletal part. The device further includes means for relative displacement of the proximal bearing plates to increase their spacing from the distal bearing plate. The displacement means includes a scissor-type guide means that supports the respective proximal bearing plate in the ventral-dorsal as well as the medial-lateral parallel position with respect to the distal bearing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hauri, Jan Stifter
  • Patent number: 9782250
    Abstract: Described herein is a simplified placement system and method for a tissue graft anchor by which a surgeon may introduce one or more sutures into a hole in a boney tissue, apply a precise amount of tension to the sutures to advance a soft tissue graft to a desired location, and then advance the anchor into the bone, preferably while maintaining the requisite pre-determined suture tension and without introducing spin to the suture. Particularly preferred embodiments allow for the one-handed operation. To that end, embodiments in which relative axial movement between the inner tensioning device and outer driver device is optionally physically constrained, for example by means of cooperating and/or compressive elements disposed in the respective hub and handle portions, are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Tenjin LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Dougherty, Gary R. Heisler, Robert A. Van Wyk
  • Patent number: 9782251
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting prosthesis implants into a patient pocket. The apparatus has three openings including a prosthesis opening, a larger proximal opening, and a small distal opening. The apparatus prevents infection; eases insertion and placement; and reduces complications. In use, the inverse bellow is placed through the patient incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the prosthesis into a surgical pocket of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Robert G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9782252
    Abstract: A movable ocular prosthetic apparatus and related systems and methods for moving an ocular prosthetic include a support member. An ocular prosthetic is mounted to the support member, wherein the ocular prosthetic is movable about the at least two axes of rotation. A control system controls a movement of the ocular prosthetic based on a sensed movement of a pupil of an eyeball of a human being.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Tim Christopherson
  • Patent number: 9782253
    Abstract: A method of treating a cataractous lens of a patient's eye includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form a treatment pattern, delivering the treatment pattern to the lens of the patient's eye to create a plurality of cuts in the form two or more different incisions patterns within the lens to segment the lens tissue into a plurality of patterned pieces, and mechanically breaking the lens into a plurality of pieces along the cuts. A first incision pattern includes two or more crossing cut incision planes. A second incision pattern includes a plurality of laser incision each extending along a first length between a posterior and an anterior surface of the lens capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Optimedica Corporation
    Inventors: William Culbertson, Barry Seibel, Neil Friedman, Georg Schuele, Phillip Gooding
  • Patent number: 9782254
    Abstract: A device 100 for delivering intraocular lens into an incision on an eye of a patient comprises a tubular member 130 defined by a hollow elongate passageway 131, a front 132 and a back through opening 133 of the passageway 131; a secured nozzle 150 having an expanded base 152, which is mounted to the front through opening 132 of the tubular member 130, tapering towards a pointed end 153 fashioned to be inserted into the incision, the secured nozzle 150 enclosing a lumen 154 substantially tapered from the base 152 to the pointed end 153 and aligned with the passageway 131 that the lens is disposed within the lumen 154 to be readily delivered; an elongate probe 110, at least partially housed within the passageway 131, having a bifurcated tip 115 which is configured to telescopically slide out from the pointed end 153 of the secured nozzle 150 pushing the disposed lens into the eye; and a plunger assembly 120 having a shaft 126 inserted into and moveable within the passageway 131 to anteriorly engage with the pro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SINGAPORE HEALTH SERVICES PTE LTD
    Inventor: Shamira Perera