Heather Dawn Hanson

US Patent:

6925888, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

Feb 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/782011

Inventors:

Christopher S. Brossia - San Antonio TX, US
Heather S. Hanson - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Southwest Research Institute - San Antonio TX

International Classification:

G01N019/08

US Classification:

73799, 73777

Abstract:

A sensor for measuring stress corrosion cracking and methods of using the sensor. The sensor is a MEMS device and has a cantilevered beam made from a material of interest. The sensor has on-chip electrical connections for measuring electrical characteristics that indicate cracking of the beam. The sensor may further have on-chip actuators for applying stress to the beam.

US Patent:

7708778, May 4, 2010

Filed:

May 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/134066

Inventors:

Charles R. Gordon - Tyler TX, US
Corey T. Harbold - Tyler TX, US
Heather S. Hanson - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1715

Abstract:

An articulating expandable intervertebral implant for insertion between vertebrae of a human spine is described. The articulating expandable intervertebral implant includes an upper body that engages a first vertebra of the human spine, a lower body that engages a second vertebra of the human spine, and an elongated member. The superior surface of the lower body includes a channel. A portion of the inferior surface of the upper body may be substantially concave. The elongated member may include a cam portion along a length of the elongated member. The elongated member may be positioned in the channel of the lower body. The substantially concave portion of the upper body may contact the elongated member, such that rotation of the elongated member about a longitudinal axis of the elongated member increases a height and/or increases articulation of the intervertebral implant after insertion of the intervertebral implant.

US Patent:

7753958, Jul 13, 2010

Filed:

Feb 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/050632

Inventors:

Charles R. Gordon - Tyler TX, US
Corey T. Harbold - Tyler TX, US
Heather S. Hanson - San Antonio TX, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1715

Abstract:

An expandable intervertebral implant for insertion between vertebrae of a human spine is described. The intervertebral implant includes an upper body that engages a first vertebra of the human spine, a lower body that engages a second vertebra of the human spine, an insert, and an advancing element. The advancing element may engage the insert such that advancement of the advancing element causes the insert to at least partially rotate between the upper body and the lower body. Rotation of the insert may cause the insert to interact with at least a portion of the upper body or at least a portion of the lower body to increase a separation distance between the upper body and the lower body, thereby increasing a height of the intervertebral implant after insertion of the implant between the first vertebra and the second vertebra of the human spine.

US Patent:

7785351, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Mar 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/371190

Inventors:

Charles R. Gordon - Tyler TX, US
Corey T. Harbold - Tyler TX, US
Heather S. Hanson - San Antonio TX, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606259, 606258, 606260, 623 1714

Abstract:

A stabilization system for a human spine is provided comprising at least one dynamic interbody device and at least two dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic posterior stabilization system may be coupled on contralateral sides of vertebrae. In some embodiments, a bridge may couple a dynamic interbody device to a dynamic posterior stabilization system.

US Patent:

7794480, Sep 14, 2010

Filed:

Mar 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/371182

Inventors:

Charles R. Gordon - Tyler TX, US
Corey T. Harbold - Tyler TX, US
Heather S. Hanson - San Antonio TX, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/56

US Classification:

606257

Abstract:

A stabilization system for a human spine is provided comprising at least one dynamic interbody device and at least one dynamic posterior stabilization system. In some embodiments the stabilization system comprises a pair of dynamic interbody devices and a pair of dynamic posterior stabilization systems. In some embodiments, a bridge may couple a dynamic interbody device to a dynamic posterior stabilization system. In some embodiments, an elongated member of the dynamic posterior stabilization system may be curved.

US Patent:

7799082, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Mar 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/371188

Inventors:

Charles R. Gordon - Tyler TX, US
Corey T. Harbold - Tyler TX, US
Heather S. Hanson - San Antonio TX, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1716, 623 1711, 606248

Abstract:

A stabilization system for a human spine is provided comprising at least two dynamic interbody device and at least one dynamic posterior stabilization system. In some embodiments the stabilization system comprises a pair of dynamic interbody devices and a pair of dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may work in conjunction with the dynamic posterior stabilization systems to allow for movement of vertebrae coupled to the stabilization system. The dynamic posterior stabilization systems may provide resistance to movement that mimics the resistance provided by a normal functional spinal unit. In some embodiments, a bridge may couple a dynamic interbody device to a dynamic posterior stabilization system.

US Patent:

7909869, Mar 22, 2011

Filed:

Feb 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/777411

Inventors:

Charles R. Gordon - Tyler TX, US
Corey T. Harbold - Tyler TX, US
Heather S. Hanson - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburg PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1711

Abstract:

An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.

US Patent:

8052723, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Mar 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/371328

Inventors:

Charles R. Gordon - Tyler TX, US
Corey T. Harbold - Tyler TX, US
Heather S. Hanson - San Antonio TX, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606257, 606259, 606246, 623 1711, 623 1716

Abstract:

A dynamic posterior stabilization system is provided to stabilize a human spine. In some embodiments, the dynamic posterior stabilization system includes a first bone fastener, a second bone fastener, and an elongated member coupled to the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener. The longitudinal position of the elongated member relative to the first bone fastener may be fixed. The longitudinal position of the second bone fastener relative to the elongated member may vary so that the dynamic posterior stabilization system can accommodate flexion/extension and/or lateral bending. The dynamic posterior stabilization system may also be able to accommodate axial rotation. Bias members may be coupled to the elongated member. The bias members may allow the dynamic posterior stabilization system to mimic the resistance behavior of a normal functional spinal unit.