David A Gerber

US Patent:

6974480, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

Nov 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/293997

Inventors:

Dominique Messerli - West Chester PA, US
David Gerber - Exton PA, US
David Paul - Phoenixville PA, US
Kenneth Isamu Kobayashi - Exton PA, US

Assignee:

Synthes (USA) - West Chester PA

International Classification:

A61F002/44

US Classification:

623 1716, 623 1711

Abstract:

An intervertebral implant for fusing vertebrae is disclosed. The implant has a body with curved, substantially parallel posterior and anterior faces separated by two narrow implant ends, superior and inferior faces having a plurality of undulating surfaces for contacting upper and lower vertebral endplates, and at least one depression in the anterior or posterior face for engagement by an insertion tool, at least two vertical through-channels extending through the implant from the superior face to the inferior face, a chamfer on the superior and inferior surfaces at one of the narrow implant ends, and a beveled edge along a perimeter of the superior and inferior faces. The arcuate implant configuration and the chamfers on the superior and inferior faces at the narrow end facilitate insertion of the implant from a transforaminal approach into a symmetric position about the midline of the spine so that a single implant provides balanced support to the spinal column. The implant may include radiopaque markers extending through the thickness of the implant to indicate the location and size of the implant. The implant may be formed of a plurality of interconnecting bodies assembled to form a single unit.

US Patent:

7223292, May 29, 2007

Filed:

Dec 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/301759

Inventors:

Dominique Messerli - West Chester PA, US
David Gerber - Exton PA, US
David Paul - Phoenixville PA, US
Kenneth Isamu Kobayashi - Exton PA, US

Assignee:

SYNTHES (U.S.A.) - West Chester PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1716, 623 1711

Abstract:

An intervertebral implant for fusing vertebrae is disclosed. The implant has a body with curved, substantially parallel posterior and anterior faces separated by, two narrow implant ends, superior and inferior faces having a plurality of undulating surfaces for contacting vertebral endplates, and at least one depression in the anterior or posterior face for engagement by an insertion tool, at least two vertical through-channels extending through the implant, a chamfer on the superior and inferior surfaces at one of the narrow implant ends, and a beveled edge along a perimeter of the superior and inferior faces. The implant configuration facilitates transforaminal insertion of the implant into a symmetric position about the midline of the spine so that a single implant provides balanced support to the spinal column. The implant may be formed of a plurality of interconnecting bodies forming a single unit. An implantation kit and method are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7481766, Jan 27, 2009

Filed:

Aug 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/917560

Inventors:

Andrew Lee - Orland PA, US
David Gerber - West Chester PA, US

Assignee:

Synthes (U.S.A.) - West Chester PA

International Classification:

A61B 1/32

US Classification:

600214

Abstract:

A retractor with multiple blades for use in surgery. The retractor may comprise first and second elongated portions which are pivotally connected to each other. A first blade may be connected to the first elongated portion and a second blade may be connected to the second elongated portion. The retractor may also comprise a sliding bar having a third blade. The sliding bar may be associated with the first and second elongated portions such that movement of the elongated portions relative to each other may result in movement of the sliding bar and, consequently, movement of the third blade relative to the first and second blades. In one embodiment, the retractor may comprise a tension limiting device so that the third blade may remain relatively stationary as the first and second blades are moved. The retractor may also comprise a fourth blade operatively connected to the first and second elongated portions. The fourth blade may be moved independently of the other blades or may move with the other blades.

US Patent:

7563284, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

Feb 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/056034

Inventors:

Justin K. Coppes - West Chester PA, US
David Gerber - West Chester PA, US
David C. Paul - Phoenixville PA, US
Andrew Lee - Orland PA, US

Assignee:

Synthes USA, LLC - West Chester PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1712

Abstract:

The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and lordosis, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumber regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior at least partially filled with a fluid; a valve for injecting fluid into the interior of the disk; a central region having a stiffness that is preferably greater than the stiffness of the outer regions thus enabling the disc to pivot about the central region. The central pivot may be formed by a center opening, a central chamber, an inner core or a central cable.

US Patent:

7563286, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

Feb 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/056010

Inventors:

David Gerber - West Chester PA, US
Justin K. Coppes - West Chester PA, US
Christopher Angelucci - Schwenksville PA, US
David C. Paul - Phoenixville PA, US
Pascal Stihl - West Chester PA, US
Michael L. Boyer - Paoli PA, US

Assignee:

Synthes USA, LLC - West Chester PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1714, 623 1715

Abstract:

The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and natural disc curvature, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumbar regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior including at least one spring member preferably incorporating a arcuate surface member, a flexible core, the flexible core preferably being a slotted core, a ring spring, a winged leaf spring, or a leaf spring, or The articulating member preferably being attached to one of the endplate by an intermediate shock absorbing element.

US Patent:

7666189, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Sep 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/957888

Inventors:

David Gerber - West Chester PA, US
Shaun Hanson - West Chester PA, US
Xiaoping Hu - Oreland PA, US
Douglas Scott Kephart - Glen Mills PA, US
Kyle Kuntz - West Chester PA, US
Andrew Max Lee - Oreland PA, US

Assignee:

Synthes USA, LLC - West Chester PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/58

US Classification:

606104, 606 99, 606 86 A, 81453

Abstract:

A system for performing a less invasive surgical procedure and, in particular, devices and methods for spinal fixation. The system comprises dilation tool(s), at least one working/insertion cannula, a plurality of screws, at least one fixation rod for connecting the screws, and a rod inserter. The dilation tool(s) may be used to dilate an incision made in a patient to form an opening. An insertion cannula may be attached to a screw and inserted into the opening. The screws may be polyaxial screws and may be inserted into the vertebrae using a screwdriver. An operator may then move the insertion cannula to manipulate a head portion of the screws such that the head portions may be aligned to receive a fixation rod. A rod inserter may be used to insert a fixation rod into the head portions.

US Patent:

7763024, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Sep 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/947661

Inventors:

Rudi Bertagnoli - Vienna, AT
David Gerber - West Chester PA, US

Assignee:

Spine Solutions, Inc. - West Chester PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/00

US Classification:

606 79, 606 86 A, 606 86 R

Abstract:

An instrument, instrument system and method for cutting a cutout in a vertebral bone adjacent an intervertebral space are provided which make use of a cutting blade. The cutting blade is mounted on a support structure for movement toward and cutting into the vertebral bone. A stop arrangement is also mounted on the support structure and is movable relative to the cutting blade to a position to limit movement of the cutting blade into the vertebral bone. Typically, the limited movement cutting is made after two cutouts are provided in adjacent vertebral bones using a trial implant.

US Patent:

7780731, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Nov 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/996797

Inventors:

Theirry Marnay - Castelnau le Lez, FR
John Paul Furda - Hamilton NJ, US
David Gerber - West Chester PA, US

Assignee:

Spine Solutions, Inc. - West Chester PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1711

Abstract:

An intervertebral implant device includes an upper part, a lower part and a core element. The upper part includes an upper surface for engaging a vertebrae and a lower surface which includes a convex portion. The lower part includes a lower surface for engaging a vertebrae and an upper surface having a convex portion. The core element has an upper concave portion to operatively engage with the convex portion on the upper part and a lower concave portion to operatively engage with the convex portion of the lower part. Limited universal movement and translational movement is provided between the upper part and lower part.