Michael R Hammer

US Patent:

6524310, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Aug 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/641211

Inventors:

Alan Lombardo - Kinnelon NJ
Michael Hammer - Pine Brook NJ

Assignee:

Blackstone Medical, Inc. - Springfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 1770

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

Surgical cross-connecting apparatuses in which the components of the apparatuses are adjustable as a result of being provided with a number of degrees of freedom. The components are movable axially and rotatably. The components are rotatable in several different ways taken from the perspective of the axially extending cross connecting member of the apparatuses. The apparatuses include a lever and set screw for locking a spinal rod in position.

US Patent:

8062339, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/388666

Inventors:

Michael A. Hammer - Pine Brook NJ, US
Alan Lombardo - Kinnelon NJ, US

Assignee:

Blackstone Medical, Inc. - Springfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606264, 606265, 606266, 606269, 606270, 606272

Abstract:

In one embodiment of the present invention a system for connecting a fastener element (e. g. , a pedicle screw) relative to a rod for the purposes of vertebral fixation is provided. The system may permit multi-axial movement between the fastener element and the rod. Further, the system may permit the angular relationship between the fastener element and the rod to be held in a desired orientation. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “rod” is intended to refer to any elongated structure. Such an elongated structure may be solid or hollow and may have any desired cross-section (e. g. , circular, oval, square, rectangular). Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “interference fit” is intended to refer to physical contact between two or more components.

US Patent:

20060058788, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Aug 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/928955

Inventors:

Michael Hammer - Pine Brook NJ, US
Alan Lombardo - Kinnelon NJ, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606061000

Abstract:

In one embodiment of the present invention a system for connecting a fastener element (e.g., a pedicle screw) relative to a rod for the purposes of vertebral fixation is provided. The system may permit multi-axial movement between the fastener element and the rod. Further, the system may permit the angular relationship between the fastener element and the rod to be held in a desired orientation. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “rod” is intended to refer to any elongated structure. Such an elongated structure may be solid or hollow and may have any desired cross-section (e.g., circular, oval, square, rectangular). Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “interference fit” is intended to refer to physical contact between two or more components.

US Patent:

20100094349, Apr 15, 2010

Filed:

Oct 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/577503

Inventors:

Michael Hammer - Pine Brook NJ, US
Stephen Termyna - Boonton NJ, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/70
A61B 17/86
A61B 17/88

US Classification:

606264, 606308, 606279

Abstract:

A system and method for a multi-axial connection of an apparatus to bone. The system may include a fastener inserted into a body and a head of the fastener held within a chamber of the body through a combination of a retention ring, a pressure cap, a rod, and a compression element. The compression element applies force to the rod which, in turn, pushed on the pressure cap. The force on the pressure cap urges it against the head of the fastener and pushed it against the retention ring. The force on the retention ring causes it to expand to the walls of the chamber. Once the ring can no longer expand within the chamber, the head of the fastener is wedged between the retention ring and the pressure cap.

US Patent:

20100256681, Oct 7, 2010

Filed:

Apr 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/752635

Inventors:

Michael A. Hammer - Pine Brook NJ, US
Alan Lambardo - Kinnelon NJ, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/70
A61B 17/86
A61B 17/84

US Classification:

606264, 606305, 606330

Abstract:

In one embodiment of the present invention a system for connecting a fastener element (e.g., a pedicle screw) relative to a rod for the purposes of vertebral fixation is provided. The system may permit multi-axial movement between the fastener element and the rod. Further, the system may permit the angular relationship between the fastener element and the rod to be held in a desired orientation. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “rod” is intended to refer to any elongated structure. Such an elongated structure may be solid or hollow and may have any desired cross-section (e.g., circular, oval, square, rectangular). Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “interference fit” is intended to refer to physical contact between two or more components.

US Patent:

20120259369, Oct 11, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/442762

Inventors:

Michael Hammer - Pine Brook NJ, US

Assignee:

BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC. - Lewisville TX

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606251

Abstract:

A clamp for attaching a cross connecting device to a spinal fixation system comprising an outer body and an inner body. The outer body defines an internally threaded bore and an outer body cavity, and the inner body defines an inner body cavity. The inner body is at least partially disposed within the outer body. A pin is provided for connecting the inner and outer bodies to each other, while allowing for a limited amount of movement therebetween. A set screw suitable for being driven into the internally threaded bore is provided for securing the inner body to the spinal fixation system.

US Patent:

20130035729, Feb 7, 2013

Filed:

Aug 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/196635

Inventors:

Michael Anthony Hammer - Pine Brook NJ, US

Assignee:

BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC. - Lewisville TX

International Classification:

A61B 17/88

US Classification:

606 86 A

Abstract:

A counter-torque wrench for use with spinal implantation systems is provided wherein the counter-torque wrench engages a spinal implant rod and a bone screw body in a manner to promote a perpendicular alignment between the longitudinal axis of the rod and the longitudinal axis of the bone screw body, and a co-linear alignment between the longitudinal axis of the bone screw body and the longitudinal axis of the wrench body. The counter-torque wrench may comprise a handle attached to a first end of the counter-torque wrench body and a rod engaging member attached to a second end of the counter-torque wrench body. The rod engaging member may comprise generally opposing slots, wherein each slot comprises a prong extending into each slot, the prong creating a generally L-shaped slot, and a pocket formed by a curved feature of each slot. The opposing slots may be sized and shaped to releasably attach to the spinal implant rod in an engaged position perpendicular to the counter-torque wrench body when the counter-torque wrench is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

US Patent:

20140052189, Feb 20, 2014

Filed:

Aug 15, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/586727

Inventors:

Michael Hammer - Pine Brook NJ, US

Assignee:

BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC. - Lewisville TX

International Classification:

A61B 17/70
A61B 17/88

US Classification:

606278, 606279

Abstract:

Disclosed embodiments relate to connector systems comprising a linking element, a rod connection element partially received in the linking element. In an embodiment, the rod connection element is operable to rotate about the first longitudinal axis relative to the linking element. A fastener is operable to be received in the rod connection element, wherein the fastener is operable to actuate a connection mechanism to substantially fix the rod connection element in a rotational orientation relative to the first longitudinal axis and substantially fix the rod in a longitudinal position relative to the rod connection element.