Michael S Schular

US Patent:

7959677, Jun 14, 2011

Filed:

Jan 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/655790

Inventors:

Michael E. Landry - Austin TX, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US
Michael S. Schular - Pittsburgh PA, US
Jeffrey C. Wang - Sherman Oaks CA, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburg PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1711

Abstract:

Insertion methods for placing dynamic interbody devices between a first vertebra and a second vertebra using a posterior approach are provided. In an embodiment, the insertion method may be based on the first vertebra. A bridge assembly may be attached to tap shafts positioned in the first vertebra. The bridge assembly may establish an insertion angle of implants into a disc space between the vertebrae. In an embodiment, the insertion method may be based on the position of expandable trials positioned between the vertebrae. The trials may be positioned and a bridge assembly may be coupled to the expandable trials and taps positioned in the first vertebra. One or more posterior stabilization systems may be coupled to the vertebrae after insertion of the dynamic interbody devices between the vertebrae.

US Patent:

8157844, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Oct 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/975921

Inventors:

Jonathan A. Gimbel - Murrysville PA, US
Michael S. Schular - Pittsburgh PA, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606257, 606246, 606264

Abstract:

Dynamic posterior stabilization systems are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include bone fasteners and a dampener system. The dampener system may include a first elongated member and a second elongated member that couple together to form a variable length elongated member. The dampener system may also include one or more dampener sets. The dampener sets may provide resistance to movement of vertebrae coupled to the dynamic posterior stabilization system.

US Patent:

8162994, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Oct 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/975920

Inventors:

Jonathan A. Gimbel - Murrysville PA, US
Michael S. Schular - Pittsburgh PA, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/88

US Classification:

606279, 606246, 606257

Abstract:

Dynamic posterior stabilization systems and methods of stabilizing vertebrae are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include bone fasteners and a dampener system. The bone fasteners may be secured to the vertebrae, and the dampener system may be attached to the bone fasteners. The dampener system may include a first dampener set and a second dampener set positioned on an elongated member. The first dampener set may be compressed and provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener towards the second bone fastener. The second dampener set may be compressed and provide resistance to movement of the first bone fastener away from the second bone fastener.

US Patent:

8182514, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Oct 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/975918

Inventors:

Jonathan A. Gimbel - Murrysville PA, US
Michael S. Schular - Pittsburgh PA, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606257

Abstract:

Dynamic posterior stabilization systems are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include bone fasteners and a dampener system. The dampener system may include a fixed length elongated member. The dampener system may also include one or more dampener sets. The dampener sets may provide resistance to movement of vertebrae coupled to the dynamic posterior stabilization system. In some embodiments, the elongated member has at least two portions having different diameters. The different portions interact with other portions of the dampener system to allow for compression of a dampener set. In some embodiments, the dampener system includes a sleeve coupled to the elongated member. In some embodiments, the dampener system includes a pair of washers coupled to the elongated member. The sleeve or the pair of washers allow the dampener system to be secured to a bone fastener.

US Patent:

8187330, May 29, 2012

Filed:

Oct 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/975917

Inventors:

Jonathan A. Gimbel - Murrysville PA, US
Michael S. Schular - Pittsburgh PA, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1715

Abstract:

Dynamic posterior stabilization systems and methods of stabilizing vertebrae are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include a first bone fastener configured to couple to a first vertebra, a second bone fastener configured to couple to a second vertebra, and a dampener system attached to the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener. The dampener system may include a single dampener set. Compression of the single dampener set provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener towards the second bone fastener. Compression of the first dampener set and the second dampener set provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener away from the second bone fastener.

US Patent:

8267965, Sep 18, 2012

Filed:

Oct 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/975919

Inventors:

Jonathan A. Gimbel - Murrysville PA, US
Michael S. Schular - Pittsburgh PA, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/70
A61F 2/44

US Classification:

606246, 623 1711

Abstract:

A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include one or more dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may allow for coupled axial rotation and lateral bending of vertebrae adjacent to the dynamic interbody devices. In an embodiment, the dynamic interbody device includes a keel having a neck and a cylindrical base. The cylindrical base is wider than the neck. In an embodiment, portions of the dynamic interbody device that allow for flexion and/or extension of vertebra coupled to the dynamic interbody device are coupled together by ball bearings.

US Patent:

8377098, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Jan 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/655724

Inventors:

Michael E. Landry - Austin TX, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US
Michael S. Schular - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606257, 623 1715, 623 1716

Abstract:

A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include one or more dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may allow for coupled axial rotation and lateral bending of vertebrae adjacent to the dynamic interbody devices. The dynamic posterior stabilization systems may provide resistance to movement that mimics the resistance provided by a normal functional spinal unit.

US Patent:

8388687, Mar 5, 2013

Filed:

Mar 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/072511

Inventors:

Jonathan A. Gimbel - Murrysville PA, US
Michael S. Schular - Pittsburgh PA, US
Erik J. Wagner - Austin TX, US
Scott Koysh - Carnegie PA, US

Assignee:

Flexuspine, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1716, 606 99

Abstract:

Provided is a system for implanting an interbody device into a disc space located between a first and second vertebra includes a guide frame including a guide member having an opening. The system further includes an implant trial including an elongated body and a base plate coupled to the elongated body. The elongated body of the implant trial is releasably coupled to the guide member of the guide frame during use such that the opening guides longitudinal movement of the implant trial relative to the guide frame. The system still further includes a dilator operatively coupled to the elongated body during use for distracting the disc space. The system still further includes an insertion instrument including an elongated body and an insertion member coupled to the elongated body. The elongated body of the insertion instrument is releasably coupled to the guide member of the guide frame during use such that the opening guides longitudinal movement of the insertion instrument relative to the guide frame. The insertion member is releasably coupled to at least a portion of the interbody device during use.