Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090036895 | Spinal distractor, compressor, and rod engaging system and method - Apparatus and methods for distracting or compressing distance between a first and second boney structure and for engaging a connecting element. | 02-05-2009 |
20090062852 | ANNULAR REPAIR DEVICE AND METHODS - Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods to repair, bridge and protect defects in an annular ligament, such as an annulotomy site or other defect in the annulus fibrosis, wherein loops of suture are placed through the adjacent walls of the defect forming an “annular net” to prevent recurrent disc herniation. The devices and systems include a first and second suture and first and second suture delivery elements that are operatively associated with the first and second sutures and arranged to pass distal regions of the first and second sutures through an annular fibrosis adjacent the annular defect. The devices and systems also include a suture grasping member that grasps the distal regions of the sutures and retracts to pull the distal regions of the first and second sutures through the annular defect. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062914 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INTERVERTEBRAL THERAPY - Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for treating vertebral diseases and injuries, and more particularly to devices, systems and methods of delivering therapy to the spine within or in close proximity to the intervertebral disc space or vertebral endplate. The method involves positioning an implant having an internal passageway with a proximal and distal opening into a vertebra such that the distal opening is adjacent a delivery site such as an intervertebral disc space or a vertebral endplate. The method also involves delivery a therapeutic substance through the proximal opening and through the internal passageway to the delivery site while the implant is positioned in the vertebra. The devices, systems and methods can be performed with and without spinal fixation. | 03-05-2009 |
20090157120 | SPINAL TRANSVERSE CONNECTOR - Disclosed is a spinal transconnector device for coupling longitudinal spinal rods on either side of the mid-sagittal plane. The device includes two interconnected rod engagement elements, a first rod engagement elements having a vaulted surface adapted to secure to a first longitudinal spinal rod via an interference fit comprising compression of the first longitudinal spinal rod against the generally vaulted surface; and an interference pin that advances into a bore of the first rod engagement element forming an interference fit between the interference pin and the rod engagement element. The interference fit can be associated with elastic deformation of the first rod engagement element occurring as a consequence of the interference pin being advanced through the bore in the engagement element and contacting a surface of the first longitudinal spinal rod. | 06-18-2009 |
20090299412 | PERCUTANEOUS FACET JOINT FUSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Apparatus and methods for percutaneously fusing or stabilizing a bony surface. | 12-03-2009 |
20090312764 | INTRAOSSEOUS TRANSPEDICULAR METHODS AND DEVICES - This disclosure is directed to minimally-invasive devices, methods and systems for treating vertebral diseases and injuries using multiple therapeutic procedures through small access portals of sufficient dimension that minimize trauma to the patient. More particularly, disclosed herein are devices, methods and systems for an intraosseous transpedicular surgical approach that can be used for a variety of surgical spine procedures. | 12-17-2009 |
20100036226 | NERVE SURVEILLANCE CANNULAE SYSTEMS - An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein. | 02-11-2010 |
20100111267 | IMAGER BASED OBJECT POSITIONER SYSTEM AND METHOD - An apparatus and a method for guiding the placement of an object to a desired location based on an image generated by an image intensifier where the apparatus includes a first coupling mechanism that is configured to be releasably attachable to one of the transmitter and receiver of the image intensifier and a second coupling mechanism that is coupled to the first coupling mechanism and includes an object holding mechanism, the object holding mechanism is configured to releasably hold the object and where at least a portion of the second coupling mechanism is visible in the image generated by the image intensifier when the apparatus is attached to the image intensifier. | 05-06-2010 |
20100137875 | INSERTION AND REDUCTION TOOL FOR PEDICLE SCREW ASSEMBLY - Disclosed are devices, methods and systems for manipulating a pedicle screw assembly and for inserting and reducing a rod relative to the pedicle screw assembly. The system can include a cannula assembly having a reduction cannula with an internal bore extending between a proximal region and a distal region and an insertion cannula co-axially positioned within the internal bore of the reduction cannula. The insertion cannula includes a pair of opposed prongs extending distally from a distal region of the insertion cannula, wherein each prong is interposed between a pair of flexible projecting elements. The pair of opposed prongs of the insertion cannula and the distal region of the reduction cannula are aligned to collectively define an opening that is sized and shaped for receiving a spinal rod. The device also can include an annular collar mounted on the proximal region of the reduction cannula and rotatably coupled to a proximal region of the insertion cannula. The cannula assembly can also be a pivoting cannula assembly. | 06-03-2010 |
20100145348 | SPINAL DISTRACTOR, COMPRESSOR, AND ROD ENGAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Apparatus and methods for distracting or compressing distance between a first and second honey structure and for engaging a connecting element. | 06-10-2010 |
20100241231 | INTERVERTEBRAL FIXATION DEVICE - Described herein are low profile, vertebral body fixation systems that join together adjacent vertebrae to stabilize a portion of a spine and provide anterior to posterior, inferior to superior and side to side rotational control. An embodiment of the intervertebral fixation device includes an interbody element sized to be positioned between first and second adjacent vertebrae, an intravertebral body element that comprises a portion that extends into a vertebral body of the first vertebra; and a fixation element that engages the vertebral body of the first vertebra and that also engages the portion of the intravertebral body element that extends into the vertebral body of the first vertebra. | 09-23-2010 |
20100290598 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GUIDANCE SYSTEM POSITIONER - Apparatus and methods for incrementally positioning at least one adjustable axis of a guidance system where the guidance system may be an image based guidance system. | 11-18-2010 |
20110004308 | EXPANDING INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE - Disclosed is a spinal stabilization device having a plurality of elongate arms having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, wherein the elongate arms define an interior volume between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion; at least one limit band coupled circumferentially to one or more of the plurality of elongate arms; and a tensioning element positioned within the interior volume. The plurality of elongate arms can transition from a constrained, delivery configuration that is radially contracted and axially elongated to a relaxed, deployment configuration that is radially expanded and axially shortened. | 01-06-2011 |
20110009869 | TRANSILIAC-TRANSSACRAL METHOD OF PERFORMING LUMBAR SPINAL INTERVENTIONS - This disclosure is directed to minimally-invasive devices, methods and systems for treating vertebral diseases and injuries using multiple therapeutic procedures through small access portals of sufficient dimension that minimize trauma to the patient. More particularly, disclosed herein are devices, methods and systems for an intraosseous transiliac-transsacral surgical approach through the iliac ala and sacral ala that can be used for a variety of surgical procedures within the lumbar spine. | 01-13-2011 |
20110028791 | ARCUATE SURGICAL GUIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHODS - This disclosure is directed to minimally-invasive devices, methods and systems used through small access portals to minimize trauma to structures adjacent the treatment site. The access device includes a guide frame and a cannula support washer movebly coupled to the guide frame. The washer has a cannula port aperture extending therethrough and a surface geometry complementary to the surface geometry of the guide frame. The complementary surface geometries limit movement of the cannula port aperture to arcuate movement along a surface segment of a sphere. | 02-03-2011 |
20110245838 | PERCUTANEOUS TRANSPEDICULAR ACCESS, FUSION, DISCECTOMY, AND STABILIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Apparatus and methods for accessing an inferior vertebra, a superior vertebra, and a disc space therebetween via a transpedicular approach in the inferior vertebra that may include creating a channel normal to the pedicle and using an offset guide to create a second transpedicular channel at an angle to the first, normal pedicle channel where the second transpedicular channel passes into the inferior vertebra, superior vertebra, or the disc space therebetween. | 10-06-2011 |
20110245843 | Nerve Surveillance Cannulae Systems - An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein. | 10-06-2011 |
20110288433 | Electromyography System - Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response. | 11-24-2011 |
20120004688 | SPINAL TRANSVERSE CONNECTOR - Disclosed is a spinal transconnector device for coupling longitudinal spinal rods on either side of the mid-sagittal plane. The device includes two interconnected rod engagement elements, a first rod engagement elements having a vaulted surface adapted to secure to a first longitudinal spinal rod via an interference fit comprising compression of the first longitudinal spinal rod against the generally vaulted surface; and an interference pin that advances into a bore of the first rod engagement element forming an interference fit between the interference pin and the rod engagement element. The interference fit can be associated with elastic deformation of the first rod engagement element occurring as a consequence of the interference pin being advanced through the bore in the engagement element and contacting a surface of the first longitudinal spinal rod. | 01-05-2012 |
20120029382 | Electromyography System - Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response. | 02-02-2012 |
20120253223 | Surgical Access and Nerve Surveillance - An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein. | 10-04-2012 |
20130178758 | Electromyography System - Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response. | 07-11-2013 |
20140024963 | Surgical Access and Nerve Surveillance - An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein. | 01-23-2014 |
20140141100 | Compounds and Methods for Appetite Suppression and Weight Control - Disclosed is a method of treating obesity, reducing weight, preventing weight gain, and/or suppressing appetite in a subject in need thereof by administering topically a pharmaceutical compound having a chemotherapeutic agent to at least a surface of the subject's mouth. The method includes inhibiting taste cell reproduction on the surface of the subject's mouth with the compound and reducing sense of taste, appetite for food in the subject, or a combination thereof. | 05-22-2014 |