Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120022654 | VARIABLE HEIGHT INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE - Variable height intervertebral devices and method of employing the devices are disclosed. The devices and methods can maintain or re-establishing anatomic spacing along a spine and can ensure avoidance of long-term structural, neurological, vascular, and/or other systemic impairments. The intervertebral device includes a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first disk threaded to the first end of the cylindrical body and a second disk mounted to the second end of the cylindrical body; means for rotating the cylindrical body whereby the first disk translates along the cylindrical body to vary the height of the device; and a plurality of pins mounted to one disk, the plurality of pins slidably engageable with a plurality of sleeves mounted to the other disk, the pins and sleeves inhibiting the first disk from rotating when the cylindrical body is rotated. | 01-26-2012 |
20120265303 | VERTEBRAL BODY REPLACEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE TO MAINTAIN A SPACE BETWEEN TWO VERTEBRAL BODIES WITHIN A SPINE - A vertebral body replacement device includes a body member and a central rod member having two threaded portions and configured to be operatively associated with the body member. The device also includes a first end member and a second end member with the end members configured to threadingly engage the threaded portions of the central rod member. The body member and the two end members are further constructed to inhibit rotational movement of the two end members when the device is positioned within a space within a spine as the two end members will engage the adjacent respective vertebral bodies following rotational actuation of the central rod member causing the end members to move in an axial direction relative to the body member, thereby allowing the two end members to apply a force to the two vertebral bodies. A surgical instrument and method for using the device are also disclosed. | 10-18-2012 |
20120310350 | UNIDIRECTIONAL DYNAMIC INTERBODY FUSION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - Unidirectional dynamic interbody fusion devices and methods of use for insertion into a patient in order to maintain a space between two vertebral bodies. A first interbody fusion device including a body member, at least one side member, and a means for moving the at least one side member relative to the central body member. A second interbody fusion device including a base member, a top member, and a means for moving the top member relative to the base member. A surgical method for maintaining a space between two vertebral bodies in a spine, including obtaining a medical device, inserting and coupling an expansion tool into an opening within the medical device, slidingly inserting the medical device into a space between two vertebral bodies; and rotating the expansion tool to move the at least one side member in a direction relative to the body member. | 12-06-2012 |
20130158668 | UNILATERAL MOVEABLE INTERBODY FUSION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - An interbody fusion device including a body member, at least one side member engaging the body member, and at least one movement mechanism that engages at least one side member and the body member. A surgical method for maintaining a space between two vertebral bodies in a spine, including the steps of obtaining a medical device, such as an interbody fusion device, and inserting and coupling an expansion tool into an opening within the medical device. The surgical method also including slidingly inserting the medical device into a space between two vertebral bodies and rotating the expansion tool to move the at least one side member in a direction relative to the body member. The method may further include detaching the expansion tool from the medical device and removing the tool from the space between the two vertebral bodies in the spine. | 06-20-2013 |
20130282120 | VERTEBRAL BODY REPLACEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE TO MAINTAIN A SPACE BETWEEN TWO VERTEBRAL BODIES WITHIN A SPINE - A vertebral body replacement device includes a body member and a central rod member having two threaded portions and configured to be operatively associated with the body member. The device also includes a first end member and a second end member with the end members configured to threadingly engage the threaded portions of the central rod member. The body member and the two end members are further constructed to inhibit rotational movement of the two end members when the device is positioned within a space within a spine as the two end members will engage the adjacent respective vertebral bodies following rotational actuation of the central rod member causing the end members to move in an axial direction relative to the body member, thereby allowing the two end members to apply a force to the two vertebral bodies. A surgical instrument and method for using the device are also disclosed. | 10-24-2013 |
20140088649 | ARTICULATING SPINAL ROD SYSTEM - An adjustable articulating spinal rod system including a first elongated element secured to a first bone, a second elongated element secured to the spine, and an articulating joint connecting the first and second elongated elements. The articulating joint including a first movable joint, a second movable joint, and at least one locking mechanism. The first movable joint is coupled to the first elongated element and the second movable joint which is also coupled the second elongate element. The first and second movable joints are configured to allow polyaxial movement and rotation of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element. The at least one locking mechanism immobilizes the first and second movable joints in the locked position to secure the first elongate element in a position relative to the second elongate element and allow movement and rotation in an unlocked position. | 03-27-2014 |
20140214083 | ARTICULATING ROD ASSEMBLY - An articulating assembly includes a first elongated element for attachment to a first anatomical region, and a second elongated element for attachment to a second anatomical region. In at least one embodiment, a coupling connects the first and second elongated elements. The coupling includes a moveable joint configured to allow polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element. The assembly further includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable in an unlocked condition to permit polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element, and a locked condition to immobilize the movable joint and fix the position of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element. | 07-31-2014 |
20140222151 | VERTEBRAL BODY REPLACEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE TO MAINTAIN A SPACE BETWEEN TWO VERTEBRAL BODIES WITHIN A SPINE - A vertebral body replacement device includes a body member and a central rod member having two threaded portions and configured to be operatively associated with the body member. The device also includes a first end member and a second end member with the end members configured to threadingly engage the threaded portions of the central rod member. The body member and the two end members are further constructed to inhibit rotational movement of the two end members when the device is positioned within a space within a spine as the two end members will engage the adjacent respective vertebral bodies following rotational actuation of the central rod member causing the end members to move in an axial direction relative to the body member, thereby allowing the two end members to apply a force to the two vertebral bodies. A surgical instrument and method for using the device are also disclosed. | 08-07-2014 |
20150073559 | VERTEBRAL BODY REPLACEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE TO MAINTAIN A SPACE BETWEEN TWO VERTEBRAL BODIES WITHIN A SPINE - A vertebral body replacement device includes a body member and a central rod member having two threaded portions and configured to be operatively associated with the body member. The device also includes a first end member and a second end member with the end members configured to threadingly engage the threaded portions of the central rod member. The body member and the two end members are further constructed to inhibit rotational movement of the two end members when the device is positioned within a space within a spine as the two end members will engage the adjacent respective vertebral bodies following rotational actuation of the central rod member causing the end members to move in an axial direction relative to the body member, thereby allowing the two end members to apply a force to the two vertebral bodies. A surgical instrument and method for using the device are also disclosed. | 03-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090112324 | VERTEBRAL BODY REPLACEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE TO MAINTAIN A SPACE BETWEEN TWO VERTEBRAL BODIES WITHIN A SPINE - The vertebral body replacement device includes a body member and a central rod member that has two threaded portions and is configured to be operatively associated with the body member. The device also includes a first end member and a second end member with the end members being configured to threadingly engage the threaded portions of the central rod member. The body member and the two end members are further constructed to inhibit rotational movement of the two end members when the device is positioned within a space within a spine as the two end members will engage the adjacent respective vertebral bodies following rotational actuation of the central rod member causing the end members to move in an axial direction relative to the body member, thereby allowing the two end members to apply a force to the two vertebral bodies. A surgical method using the device is also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112325 | FOOTPLATE MEMBER AND A METHOD FOR USE IN A VERTEBRAL BODY REPLACEMENT DEVICE - The footplate member includes an end surface, a sidewall that is attached to the end surface, and an orientation mechanism that is designed to align the footplate member in a certain position relative to at least one of the two end members of the vertebral body replacement device. The orientation mechanism includes a plurality of tabs located on an end wall of each end member and corresponding slots located along the edge of the sidewall, with the tabs and slots being sized and positioned to mate. The footplate member also includes a locking mechanism designed to couple the footplate member to an end member prior to the implantation of the vertebral body replacement device within a space within a spinal column. A method for assembling a vertebral body replacement device and a method for using a footplate member in a vertebral body replacement device is also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20100100100 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF USE FOR INSERTING AN IMPLANT BETWEEN TWO BONES - The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an elongate body that has first and second ends with the first end being located adjacent to the handle assembly and the second end being moveably connected to an implant engagement assembly. The surgical instrument also has a length control mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a drive shaft and a gear assembly. The surgical instrument further has a locking mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a connecting rod and a coupling end. The length control mechanism functions to adjust the overall length of an implant that is held by the implant engagement assembly before being implanted in vivo. The locking mechanism operates to secure the overall length of the implant following final length adjustment and implantation. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument, a method of fabrication and a spinal implant insertion kit is also disclosed. | 04-22-2010 |
20100211119 | MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF USE FOR INSERTING AN IMPLANT BETWEEN TWO BONES - The surgical instrument includes a handle and a housing member that has a first end that is fixed to the handle and a second end that is configured to receive an engagement member. The surgical instrument also has an implant holding mechanism that is operatively associated with the housing member and the handle. The surgical instrument further includes a length control mechanism that has a knob, a rod member and a toothed member. The toothed member is fixed to one end of the rod member and the knob is attached to the other end. The surgical instrument also has a locking mechanism that includes a knob and a rod member having a proximal end to which the knob is attached and a distal end that is configured to detachably couple to a locking device. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument and a bone spacing kit is also disclosed. | 08-19-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090162071 | Auto-Tracking System for Mobile Free-Space Optical (FSO) Communications - Free-space optics (FSO) is an unlicensed line-of-sight technology that uses modulated optical lasers to transmit information through the atmosphere. By using invisible beams of light, FSO can transmit and receive voice, video, and data information. To date, the primary concentration of FSO research and development has been toward the accurate alignment between two transceivers. The invention (FSO system) provides viable optical beam steering and capturing mechanism to allow fast tracking and accurate pointing between two transceivers of free-space optic (FSO) link that required continuous alignment. This extra ordinary auto-tracking system can reduce the time needed to lock a laser beam between an aircraft and a stationery base station to exchange information in addition to its high accuracy. This invention also provides wider receiving angle compared with the conventional FSO system. | 06-25-2009 |
20120274557 | Computer System With Digital Micromirror Device - Algorithms stored on one or more computer readable medium for interfacing an imaging display with an electronic-ink generating system are described. The algorithms includes instructions for capturing an electronic-ink image, instructions for converting the electronic ink image into control instructions for controlling an electromechanical aspect of the imaging display, and, instructions for providing the control instructions to control circuitry of the imaging display. Interfacing projection systems and methods of interfacing electronic-ink images are also described. | 11-01-2012 |
20150029315 | ULTRA HIGH-RESOLUTION VOLUMETRIC THREE-DIMENSIONAL DISPLAY - An ultra high-resolution volumetric three-dimensional (3D) display system comprises an image chamber, and an addressing system to direct a beam of electromagnetic energy at a first wavelength to slice through the image chamber. The beam of electromagnetic energy slices the image chamber along a first axis to provide an image slice. The addressing system comprises a line generator to shape the beam into a line extended along a second axis. An imaging system delivers the electromagnetic energy at a second wavelength to an area within the provided image slice. The line is moved along a third axis to form a three dimensional (3D) image. | 01-29-2015 |