Eric S Branch

US Patent:

20070055176, Mar 8, 2007

Filed:

Jul 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/457443

Inventors:

Thomas Branch - Atlanta GA, US
Alexander Sattler - Marietta GA, US
Eric Branch - Alexander City AL, US

International Classification:

A61B 5/103

US Classification:

600587000

Abstract:

The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.

US Patent:

20090124936, May 14, 2009

Filed:

Nov 7, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/267109

Inventors:

Thomas P. Branch - Atlanta GA, US
Alexander Sattler, JR. - Marietta GA, US
Eric Kenneth Branch - Weston FL, US
Cale Andrew Jacobs - Suwanee GA, US

International Classification:

A61B 5/103
A63B 23/08

US Classification:

600587, 482 79, 482 80

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for reliably positioning a 3-segment limb, such as a leg or arm for imaging and medical analysis, which can accommodate for the patient's “natural alignment”. The apparatus positions the limb in such a way that the position of the proximal segment is controlled while an known external torque is applied at a known rate to the distal segment. The location of each of the limb's three segments is recorded using either external or internal measurement techniques, and the relative motions between the proximal and intermediate segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the proximal joint. Furthermore, the relative motions between the intermediate and distal segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the distal joint. By applying a known torque at a known rate, clinicians will be provided with valuable information related to joint range of motion, stability, laxity, and compliance.

US Patent:

20090137369, May 28, 2009

Filed:

Aug 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/193610

Inventors:

Thomas P. Branch - , US
Alex Sattler - , US
Eric Kenneth Branch - Weston FL, US

International Classification:

A61F 5/00
A63B 21/008

US Classification:

482112, 602 32

Abstract:

An orthotic apparatus for use in providing improved range of motion is provided which allows the amount of stretch to be hydraulically powered and measured by the device, but controlled by the user. Because the apparatus accurately calculates the amount of stretch, the user, together with the user's physician and therapist, can develop a rehabilitation plan based on accurate measurements. Progress is based on tangible results rather than the user's ability to tolerate pain. This knowledge provides the incentive the user needs to work toward and achieve the user's goal.

US Patent:

20100249666, Sep 30, 2010

Filed:

Jun 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/797324

Inventors:

Thomas P. Branch - Atlanta GA, US
Alexander Sattler, JR. - Marietta GA, US
Eric Branch - Alexander City AL, US

International Classification:

A61B 5/103

US Classification:

600595

Abstract:

The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.

US Patent:

20200383803, Dec 10, 2020

Filed:

Feb 26, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/970493

Inventors:

- Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Sunil Gupta - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Ta-Cheng Chang - Weston FL, US
Zenan Zhang - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Kevin Bechtold - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Matt Thompson - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Eric Branch - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Varun Chandra - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Ahmet Bagci - Fort Lauderdale FL, US

Assignee:

MAKO Surgical Corp. - Fort Lauderdale FL

International Classification:

A61F 2/46
A61B 17/88
A61B 6/00
G06T 7/33

Abstract:

A registration system including a bone pin guide and a bone pin clamp. The bone pin guide may include a guide body, a first guide including a first guide through-hole having a first longitudinal axis, and a second guide including a second guide through-hole having a second longitudinal axis. The bone pin guide may guide first and second bone pins into a bone via the first and second guides. The bone pin clamp may include a clamp body, first, second, and third clamp through-holes extending through the clamp body, a plurality of registration indents defined on the clamp body, and a clamping mechanism including at least one adjustable fastener. The bone pin clamp may receive the first and second bone pins in the first and third clamp through-holes and guide a third bone pin into the bone via the second clamp through-hole.

US Patent:

20200054247, Feb 20, 2020

Filed:

Oct 15, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/653207

Inventors:

- Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Ta-Cheng Chang - Weston FL, US
Zenan Zhang - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Kevin Bechtold - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Matt Thompson - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Eric Branch - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Varun Chandra - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Zhu Wu - Fort Lauderdale FL, US

Assignee:

MAKO Surgical Corp. - Fort Lauderdale FL

International Classification:

A61B 5/107
A61B 34/20
A61B 5/06
A61B 34/30
A61B 5/055
A61B 5/11
A61B 5/00
G06T 7/33
G06T 7/73

Abstract:

A system for intra-operatively registering a pelvis comprising an acetabulum with a computer model of the pelvis in a coordinate system. The system may include: a) a surgical navigation system including a tracking device; and b) at least one computing device in communication with the surgical navigation system. The at least one computing device: i) receiving first data points from first intra-operatively collected points on an articular surface of the acetabulum, the first data points collected with the tracking device; ii) receiving a second data point from a second intra-operatively collected point on the pelvis, the second data point collected with the tracking device, the second data point corresponding in location to a second virtual data point on the computer model; and iii) determining an intra-operative center of rotation of the femur relative to the pelvis from the first data points.

US Patent:

20190201155, Jul 4, 2019

Filed:

Aug 30, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/329157

Inventors:

- Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Ta-Cheng Chang - Weston FL, US
Zenan Zhang - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Kevin Bechtold - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Matt Thompson - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Eric Branch - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Varun Chandra - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Zhu Wu - Fort Lauderdale FL, US

Assignee:

MAKO Surgical Corp. - Fort Lauderdale FL

International Classification:

A61B 90/00
A61B 34/20
A61F 2/46
A61F 2/36

Abstract:

A system for intra-operatively registering a pelvis comprising an acetabulum with a computer model of the pelvis in a coordinate system. The system may include: a) a surgical navigation system including a tracking device; and b) at least one computing device in communication with the surgical navigation system. The at least one computing device: i) receiving first data points from first intra-operatively collected points on an articular surface of the acetabulum, the first data points collected with the tracking device; ii) receiving a second data point from a second intra-operatively collected point on the pelvis, the second data point collected with the tracking device, the second data point corresponding in location to a second virtual data point on the computer model; and iii) determining an intra-operative center of rotation of the femur relative to the pelvis from the first data points.

US Patent:

20140358042, Dec 4, 2014

Filed:

Aug 19, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/462634

Inventors:

- Atlanta GA, US
ALEXANDER SATTLER, JR. - MARIETTA GA, US
ERIC KENNETH BRANCH - WESTON FL, US
CALE ANDREW JACOBS - SUWANEE GA, US

Assignee:

ERMI, INC. - ATLANTA GA

International Classification:

A61B 5/11
A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600595

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for reliably positioning a 3-segment limb, such as a leg or arm for imaging and medical analysis, which can accommodate for the patient's “natural alignment”. The apparatus positions the limb in such a way that the position of the proximal segment is controlled while an known external torque is applied at a known rate to the distal segment. The location of each of the limb's three segments is recorded using either external or internal measurement techniques, and the relative motions between the proximal and intermediate segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the proximal joint. Furthermore, the relative motions between the intermediate and distal segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the distal joint. By applying a known torque at a known rate, clinicians will be provided with valuable information related to joint range of motion, stability, laxity, and compliance.