Michael Castro

US Patent:

6783547, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Apr 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/118205

Inventors:

Michael Castro - Seymour CT

Assignee:

Howmedica Corp. - Allendale NJ

International Classification:

A61F 244

US Classification:

623 1716

Abstract:

An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebral portions includes an implant member dimensioned for positioning between adjacent vertebral portions and defining a longitudinal axis. The implant member includes an outer member having an exterior wall defining an internal cavity and a clip receiving opening subtending a peripheral portion of the exterior wall, an inner member telescopically received within the internal cavity of the outer member to permit relative movement of the outer and inner members and a locking clip dimensioned for at least partial reception within the clip receiving opening of the outer member. The inner member includes an exterior wall defining an internal cavity and having a plurality of locking slots spaced along the longitudinal axis. The locking clip includes a clip base and locking clip legs depending from opposed ends of the clip base. The locking clip legs are dimensioned for reception within corresponding locking slots of the inner member to selectively secure a relative position of the outer and inner members to establish a predetermined height of the implant member.

US Patent:

6899734, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Mar 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/815504

Inventors:

Michael Castro - Seymour CT, US
Herb Cohen - Shelton CT, US
David Nichols - Trumbull CT, US
Scott R. Graham - Richmond VA, US

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Mahwah NJ

International Classification:

A61F002/44

US Classification:

623 1716

Abstract:

A fusion implant apparatus for facilitating fusion of bone structures includes an implant member for positioning between opposed bone structures having a first ring-like segment and a second ring-like segment which engage one another in an end-to-end manner. Each ring-like segment includes an outer wall which defines an internal cavity for the reception of bone growth inducing substances. Each ring-like segment also includes a plurality of apertures which extend through the outer wall of the ring-like segments in communication with the internal cavity to permit fusion of vertebral bone tissue. The first ring-like segment includes first and second mechanical interfaces. The first mechanical interface is dimensioned to engage a corresponding mechanical interface disposed on the second ring-like segment and the second mechanical interface is dimensioned to mechanically engage an end cap.

US Patent:

7303584, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Apr 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/112476

Inventors:

Michael Castro - Seymour CT, US
Herb Cohen - Boynton Beach FL, US
David Nichols - Trumbell CT, US
R. Scott Graham - Richmond VA, US

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Mahwah NJ

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1716

Abstract:

A method for facilitating fusion of bone structures includes providing an implant member for positioning between opposed bone structures, the implant member having a first end and a second end, and a segmentable portion having an outer wall defining an internal cavity for reception of bone growth inducing substances. The outer wall has at least one groove which extends substantially continuously about the outer wall to define a plurality of discrete ring-like segments. Each ring-like segment includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough in communication with the internal cavity to permit fusion of vertebral bone tissue. The vertebral space defined between adjacent vertebral bodies is accessed, and the desired implant member length for insertion into the space between adjacent vertebral bodies is determined. The implant member is cut to the desired length and advanced within the vertebral space between the adjacent vertebral bodies.

US Patent:

55207049, May 28, 1996

Filed:

Oct 9, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/958633

Inventors:

Michael Castro - Seymour CT
Kenneth E. Toso - Portchester NY

Assignee:

United States Surgical Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1742

US Classification:

606208

Abstract:

An everting forceps comprising first and second outer resilient legs rigidly interconnected at one end thereof, and a third leg intermediate the pair of legs. Each of the outer legs terminating at a tip provided with an arcuate jaw. A moving device positions the intermediate leg with respect to one of the first and second legs. A locking mechanism for locking the intermediate leg and at least one of the outer legs is also provided.

US Patent:

54703387, Nov 28, 1995

Filed:

Oct 8, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/134144

Inventors:

Kenneth H. Whitfield - New Haven CT
Ian M. Scott - Ridgefield CT
Michael Castro - Seymour CT

Assignee:

United States Surgical Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

606144

Abstract:

A novel surgical instrument for applying sutures through body tissue including an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, at least one needle carrier member operatively mounted in the distal end portion and movable between at least a retracted position and a deployed position, a needle releasably retained in the at least one needle carrier member, a predetermined length of suture material having one end affixed to the needle, and a suture material tensioning member disposed within the elongated body for maintaining the suture material in tension during movement of the at least one needle carrier member from the retracted position to the deployed position the suture material. The instrument may also include a retaining mechanism adapted to retain the at least one needle carrier in the partially deployed position, and a needle skewing mechanism operatively associated with an actuator member to change the alignment thereof relative to the retaining member. A deployment indicator may be provided to indicate to an operator of the instrument When the at least one needle carrier member is in the second position.