Michael S Brace

US Patent:

6342057, Jan 29, 2002

Filed:

Apr 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/560896

Inventors:

Michael Brace - Lansdale PA
Roger Berger - Wayne PA
Hansjuerg W. Emch - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

Synthes (USA) - Paoli PA

International Classification:

A61B 1756

US Classification:

606 96

Abstract:

A surgical drill guide assembly for demountable attachment to a slotted bone plate is provided. The drill guide assembly includes one or more alignment drill tubes that are remotely aligned with corresponding fastener holes in the bone plate, and an expandable bushing that is configured and dimensioned to engage a slot in the bone plate. A variable angle block permits angulation of the alignment drill tubes about a central axis of the surgical drill guide assembly. The alignment drill tubes are releasably lockable at a surgeon-selected angle.

US Patent:

6379364, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Apr 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/560897

Inventors:

Michael Brace - Lansdale PA
Roger Berger - Wayne PA
Hansjuerg W. Emch - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

Synthes (USA) - Paoli PA

International Classification:

A61B 1790

US Classification:

606 96, 606 86

Abstract:

A surgical drill guide assembly for demountable attachment to the fastener holes of a bone plate is provided. The drill guide assembly includes a pair of alignment drill tubes that are aligned with corresponding fastener holes in the bone plate, and a pair of expandable bushings that are configured and dimensioned to engage the fastener holes. The surgical drill guide assembly is releasably lockable to the bone plate.

US Patent:

6575975, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

May 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/848251

Inventors:

Michael Brace - Lansdale PA
Hansjuerg Emch - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

Synthes (U.S.A.) - Paoli PA

International Classification:

A61B 1758

US Classification:

606 69, 606 60

Abstract:

A bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device such as a bone plate, to bone includes a fixation device including a through hole; a bushing having a sidewall with a bore and a slot; a fastening screw with a threaded shaft and a head including a recess; and a locking screw with a body capable of being threaded into the head of the fastening screw to expand its radial wall. In use, the bushing is seated within the through hole of the fixation device at a selected angle and the fastening screw is inserted through the bore of the bushing such that its head fits in the bushing and its shaft is threaded into bone. The locking screw may then be threaded into the head of the fastening screw to expand the radial wall of its head resulting in the locking of the fastening screw, and bushing at a selected orientation within the through hole.

US Patent:

6890334, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Jun 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/457355

Inventors:

Michael Brace - Lansdale PA, US
Hansjuerg Emch - Philadelphia PA, US

Assignee:

Synthes (U.S.A.) - Paoli PA

International Classification:

A61B017/80

US Classification:

606 69

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device, such as a bone plate, to bone. The assembly includes the fixation device, a bushing, a fastening screw, and a locking screw. The bushing is seated within a through hole in the fixation device and can rotate within the through hole and has a sidewall with a bore. The sidewall has at least one slot for allowing outward expansion of the sidewall against the through hole to thereby lock the bushing at a selected angle relative to the axis of the through hole. The fastening screw has a threaded shaft for insertion through the bore of the bushing and threads into bone to secure the bushing and fixation device to bone. The head of the fastening screw fits in the bushing and includes a radial wall and open end defining a recess. The radial side wall has at least one slit for allowing outward expansion of the radial wall thereby outwardly expanding the sidewall of the bushing.

US Patent:

6902565, Jun 7, 2005

Filed:

Feb 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/788639

Inventors:

Roger Berger - Bueren, CH
David Gerber - Arborn, CH
Hansjuerg W. Emch - Philadelphia PA, US
Michael Brace - Lansdale PA, US

Assignee:

Synthes (U.S.A.) - Paoli PA

International Classification:

A61B017/56
A61B017/58
A61F002/30

US Classification:

606 61, 606 69, 606 70, 606 71, 606 73

Abstract:

An occipitocervical fixation system includes a plate for securing to the occiput and at least one pre-bent rod. The plate includes holes for receiving bone fasteners, and at least one clamping assembly for retaining a portion of a rod. The clamping assembly is selectively pivotable and lockable in place to fix the position of the rod.

US Patent:

20050124994, Jun 9, 2005

Filed:

Jan 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/039676

Inventors:

Roger Berger - Bueren, CH
David Gerber - Arbon, CH
Hansjuerg Emch - Philadelphia PA, US
Michael Brace - Lansdale PA, US

International Classification:

A61B017/58

US Classification:

606061000

Abstract:

An occipitocervical fixation system includes a plate for securing to the occiput and at least one pre-bent rod. The plate includes holes for receiving bone fasteners, and at least one clamping assembly for retaining a portion of a rod. The clamping assembly is selectively pivotable and lockable in place to fix the position of the rod.

US Patent:

61870056, Feb 13, 2001

Filed:

Sep 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/392483

Inventors:

Michael Brace - Lansdale PA
Eric Lange - Germantown TN

Assignee:

Synthes (USA) - Paoli PA

International Classification:

A61B 1756

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

A variable angle spinal fixation system is disclosed. The system includes a longitudinal member positionable along a spinal column, a fastener having a threaded end for engaging a vertebra, and a connector member for connecting the fastener and the longitudinal member. The connector member has a channel extending through side surfaces of the connector member for receiving the longitudinal member, an opening laterally displaced from the channel and extending through top and bottom surfaces of the connector member for receiving the fastener, and a fastener clamping element for securing the fastener in the opening at a surgeon selected angle relative to the connector member and longitudinal member. The system according to the present invention allows angulation of the fastener to accommodate complex pathologies.

US Patent:

62350331, May 22, 2001

Filed:

Apr 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/453911

Inventors:

Michael Brace - Lansdale PA
Hansjuerg Emch - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

Synthes (USA) - Paoli PA

International Classification:

A61B 1758
A61B 1770
A61B 1768

US Classification:

606 69

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device, such as a bone plate, to bone. The assembly includes the fixation device, a bushing, a fastening screw, and a locking screw. The bushing is seated within a through hole in the fixation device and can rotate within the through hole and has a sidewall with a bore. The sidewall has at least one slot for allowing outward expansion of the sidewall against the through hole to thereby lock the bushing at a selected angle relative to the axis of the through hole. The fastening screw has a threaded shaft for insertion through the bore of the bushing and threads into bone to secure the bushing and fixation device to bone. The head of the fastening screw fits in the bushing and includes a radial wall and open end defining a recess. The radial side wall has at least one slit for allowing outward expansion of the radial wall thereby outwardly expanding the sidewall of the bushing.