Robert Edward Farris

US Patent:

6485491, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

Sep 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/663638

Inventors:

Robert A. Farris - Cordova TN
Kevin T. Foley - Germantown TN
Stephen M. Papadopoulos - Ann Arbor MI
Jeffrey Wade Poyner - Atoka TN
Ricardo Sasso - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

SDGI Holdings, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A61B 1770

US Classification:

606 61, 606 72

Abstract:

A posterior fixation system includes a saddle member, an anchoring member, an occipital plate, an occipital rod, and a cross-link connector. The anchoring member anchors the saddle member to bone. The saddle member includes a pair of upright portions that define a channel. The channel is adapted to receive an orthopedic rod, and the saddle member can include a hole to receive the anchoring member. The saddle member and the anchoring member can be coupled so as to allow multi-axial movement of the members. The anchoring member in one embodiment is a screw coupled to the hole of the saddle, and in another embodiment, the anchoring member is a hook. The offset member may be coupled to the saddle member to allow for offset connection of rods. Connection of individual rods can be accomplished by connecting the rods with the cross-link connector. The cross-link connector has an integrally formed cylindrical member that couples a pair of coupling portions together.

US Patent:

6669700, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Nov 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/723317

Inventors:

Robert A. Farris - Memphis TN
Jeffrey Wade Poyner - Atoka TN
Volker K. H. Sonntag - Phoenix AZ
Stephen M. Papadopoulos - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

SDGI Holdings, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A61B 1780

US Classification:

606 69, 606 61, 606 70, 606 73

Abstract:

In one embodiment of the invention, an anterior fixation system includes a plate defining a plurality of screw holes, a number of screws and a number of locking assemblies for fixing the screws to the plate. The system includes two bone screws, a fixed angle screw and a variable angle screw, that are configured to extend through the same screw openings in the fixation plate. The surgeon can select either the fixed or variable angled screws to be implanted with a single plate and can place either type of screw into any of the screw holes along the plate. The fixation plate according to the invention can include several screw holes in various patterns that provide the surgeon with great flexibility in the placement of bone screws depending upon the spinal anatomy and pathology. The invention further contemplates a locking assembly to lock one or more bone screws within a respective screw hole. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is held to the plate by a staked locking screw.

US Patent:

7001387, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Nov 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/713949

Inventors:

Robert A. Farris - Memphis TN, US
Jeffrey Wade Poyner - Atoka TN, US
Volker K. H. Sonntag - Phoenix AZ, US
Stephen M. Papadopoulos - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

SDGI Holdings, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A61B 17/80

US Classification:

606 69, 606 61, 606 70, 606 73

Abstract:

In one embodiment of the invention, an anterior fixation system includes a plate defining a plurality of screw holes, a number of screws and a number of locking assemblies for fixing the screws to the plate. The system includes two bone screws a fixed angle screw and a variable angle screw, that are configured to extend through the same screw openings in the fixation plate. The surgeon can select either the fixed or variable angled screws to be implanted with a single plate and can place either type of screw into any of the screw holes along the plate. The fixation plate according to the invention can include several screw holes in various patterns that provide the surgeon with great flexibility in the placement of bone screws depending upon the spinal anatomy and pathology. The invention further contemplates a locking assembly to lock one or more bone screws within a respective screw hole. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is held to the plate by a staked locking screw.

US Patent:

7175622, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Apr 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/109882

Inventors:

Robert A. Farris - Cordova TN, US

Assignee:

Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61B 17/56

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

A spinal rod system includes a first rod and a second rod engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion. A coupling mechanism allows the spinal rod system to be assembled with rod portions having the desired characteristics while minimizing the footprint of the coupling arrangement between the first and second rods.

US Patent:

7303563, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Jun 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/870504

Inventors:

Jeffrey W. Poyner - Bartlett TN, US
Robert A. Farris - Cordova TN, US

Assignee:

SDGI Holdings, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A61B 17/56
A61B 17/58
A61F 2/30

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

A orthopedic fixation system comprising a plate with an outwardly-extending member. A saddle may be mounted on the member and includes spaced-apart arms that form a channel to receive a rod. An engagement member may be mounted within the saddle to prevent escape of the rod. In one embodiment, the engagement member is attached to the saddle to apply a downward force on the rod and an upward force on the saddle to lift the saddle relative to the plate. A method of attaching an orthopedic rod is also included. In one embodiment, a rod is positioned within a channel in the saddle and a downward force is applied against the anchor which results in an upward force on the saddle to lift the saddle relative to the anchor.

US Patent:

7699872, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Aug 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/230781

Inventors:

Robert A. Farris - Cordova TN, US
Kevin T. Foley - Germantown TN, US
Stephen M. Papadopoulos - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeffrey Wade Poyner - Atoka TN, US
Ricardo Sasso - Indianapolis IN, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606250

Abstract:

A posterior fixation system includes a saddle member, an anchoring member, an occipital plate, an occipital rod, and a cross-link connector. The anchoring member anchors the saddle member to bone. The saddle member includes a pair of upright portions that define a channel. The channel is adapted to receive an orthopedic rod, and the saddle member can include a hole to receive the anchoring member. The saddle member and the anchoring member can be coupled so as to allow multi-axial movement of the members. The anchoring member in one embodiment is a screw coupled to the hole of the saddle, and in another embodiment, the anchoring member is a hook. The offset member may be coupled to the saddle member to allow for offset connection of rods. Connection of individual rods can be accomplished by connecting the rods with the cross-link connector. The cross-link connector has an integrally formed cylindrical member that couples a pair of coupling portions together.

US Patent:

7727266, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Jun 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/870026

Inventors:

Gary S. Lindemann - Collierville TN, US
Larry Gause - Memphis TN, US
Robert A. Farris - Cordova TN, US
Stephen Papadopoulos - Paradise Valley AZ, US
Rick Sasso - Carmel IN, US
Volker Sonntag - Phoenix AZ, US
Vince Traynelis - Iowa City IA, US
Iain Kalfas - Beachwood OH, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/80

US Classification:

606289

Abstract:

A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture. A method of using the system is also included and comprises positioning the ring within a cavity in the plate, maintaining the position of the ring to the plate by attaching a cap, inserting a screw through the aperture and attaching the plate to a vertebral member, and positioning the ring over the screw head and preventing the screw from backing-out.

US Patent:

7744634, Jun 29, 2010

Filed:

Jun 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/868073

Inventors:

Robert A. Farris - Cordova TN, US

Assignee:

Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606260

Abstract:

A spinal rod system includes a first rod and a second rod engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion. The first and second rods include rod portions with differing characteristics, and a coupling mechanism allows the spinal rod system to be assembled with rod portions having the desired characteristics while minimizing the footprint of the coupling arrangement between the first and second rods.