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Anthony J. Melkent, Memphis US

Anthony J. Melkent, Memphis, TN US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080221394TISSUE RETRACTOR - Methods and devices for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A tubular body is disclosed which includes in its side wall a plurality of longitudinal passages. Elongated blocking members are also disclosed which are inserted into the passages. The elongated blocking members block deflected interfering tissue during the surgery.09-11-2008
20080234689Vertebral Plate Measuring Device and Method of Use - The present application is directed to a surgical devices and methods to measure vertebral members for a vertebral plate. The device may include a handle with a first arm and a second arm. A trial plate may be attached to the handle. The trial plate may include a first trial plate section operatively connected to the first arm and a second trial plate section operatively connected to the second arm. Each of the first and second trial plate sections may include a distal side to contact against an outer side of the vertebral members. A scale may be operatively connected to the first and second trial plate sections and may include measurement indicia. The first and second arms may be movable to adjust a distance between the first and second sections and expose the measurement indicia to determine a size of the vertebral plate.09-25-2008
20080287937Surgical Instrument for Illuminating and Monitoring a Surgical Site - The present application discloses embodiments of a surgical instrument to monitor a surgical site within a patient. In one embodiment, the instrument includes an elongated extender including a distal end and a proximal end. A body may be attached to the distal end of the extender. A plurality of light elements may be permanently attached to the body. The light elements may be spaced around the body and form a perimeter to provide dispersed light to the surgical site. An optical input member may be permanently attached to the body. The optical input member may include a distal end that faces outward away from the extender and towards the surgical site.11-20-2008
20090156902Instruments and methods for minimally invasive tissue retraction and surgery - Methods and devices retract tissue for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from a first configuration for insertion that minimizes trauma to skin and tissue to an enlarged configuration after insertion to further retract skin and tissue in a minimally invasive manner. An optional intermediate retractor assembly is positionable between the first and second retractor portions to provide further tissue retraction capabilities.06-18-2009
20100145349Systems and Methods for Compressing and Distracting Vertebrae of the Spinal Column - Spinal surgical systems include a compressor mountable to a first vertebra and positionable relative to a fulcrum mountable to a second vertebra. The compressor and fulcrum are manipulated relative to one another to compress the first and second vertebrae. The systems further include a distractor mountable to a first vertebra and positionable relative to a fulcrum mountable to a second vertebra. The distractor and fulcrum are manipulated relative to one another to distract the first and second vertebrae.06-10-2010
20100160966Antero-lateral plating systems and methods for spinal stabilization - A plating system for stabilization of a bony segment includes a plate engageable to at least first and second bony elements. For spinal stabilization, the plate is attached to the antero-lateral portions of at least first and second vertebrae and is structured to facilitate engagement of the plate to the vertebrae from an approach extending in the anterior-posterior directions.06-24-2010
20100249934Ratcheting Expandable Corpectomy/Vertebrectomy Cage - Expandable medical implants for supporting bone structures may include a first member and a second member. The second member may be configured to receive the first member and may be moveable along the longitudinal axis relative to the first member. One of the first and second members may include a plurality of teeth and the other of the first and second members may include at least one tooth. At least a portion of one of the first and second main bodies may be elastically deformable to selectively engage and disengage the at least one tooth and the plurality of teeth. At least one tooth and the plurality of teeth may be shaped to deform the elastically deformable portion when both increasing and when decreasing the overall implant height by moving the second member relative to the first member along the longitudinal axis.09-30-2010
20100268338DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN EXPANDABLE VERTEBRAL IMPLANT - Embodiments of the invention include expandable implants incorporated into a system for deploying the expandable implants to replace skeletal structures such as one or more vertebrae or portions of the spine or vertebrae. Some embodiments include related methods of implanting devices using deployment systems.10-21-2010
20100268340Minimally Invasive Expandable Contained Vertebral Implant and Method - Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods. Devices expand linearly within the volume of a membrane and laterally to provide secure fixation between or among anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies, or portions of vertebral bodies, of the spine.10-21-2010
20100268341MINIMALLY INVASIVE EXPANDABLE VERTEBRAL IMPLANT AND METHOD - Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods. Devices expand linearly and laterally to provide secure fixation between or among anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies, or portions of vertebral bodies, of the spine.10-21-2010
20100268343VERTEBRAL ENDPLATE CONNECTION IMPLANT AND METHOD - Embodiments of the invention include implants and methods for connecting devices to bones, such as one or more endplates of vertebrae. Devices may include mechanisms for connecting to one or more vertebrae by extending portions of the devices through an aperture in a vertebral implant and expanding the implant within the one or more vertebrae. A fill material may be used to drive the expansion in some embodiments.10-21-2010
20100318132Spinal Implants and Methods With Extended Multi-Axial Anchor Assemblies - Systems and methods are provided that include a plate member engageable to the spinal column with an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a coupling member having a post extending through at least one opening of the plate member and an anchor member pivotally captured in a receiver member of the coupling member below a lower surface of the plate member. A locking member secures the plate member to the coupling member. The coupling member includes an extended post with a proximal removable portion. The extended post facilitates placement of the plate member in position relative to the anchor assembly when engaged to the patient and be employed to reduce the plate member toward the anchor assembly when engaged to a vertebra.12-16-2010
20100324687INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT WITH A PIVOTING END CAP - Implants sized to be inserted into an intervertebral space between first and second vertebral members. The implants may include a body with opposing first and second ends. An end cap may be connected to the body and include a first side with a contact surface that faces away from the body and is configured to contact against one of the first and second vertebral members when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space. The end cap may also include a second side that faces towards the body. A connection mechanism may connect the end cap and the body for the end cap to pivot to adjust an angular position of the end cap relative to the body. The body and the end cap may each include locking features that engage together to lock an angular position of the end cap. The locking features may be configured to overlap at each of the angular positions to engage together and maintain the angular position of the end cap relative to the body when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space.12-23-2010
20110015741SPINAL IMPLANT CONFIGURED TO APPLY RADIATION TREATMENT AND METHOD - Embodiments of the invention include a vertebral implant configured to replace at least a portion of a central vertebra and to direct therapeutic radiation toward at least a treatable portion of tissue. The treatable portion of tissue may include one or more adjacent treatable vertebra.01-20-2011
20110015746Implants with Helical Supports and Methods of Use for Spacing Vertebral Members - The present application is directed to implants with inner and outer members positioned in a telescoping arrangement. The members may include helical supports to selectively adjust the height of the implant. The helical supports offer a large contact surface to prevent inadvertent reduction of the length due to application of a compressive force. In some embodiments, the helical support members may be shaped to facilitate movement of the members to increase the height. The shape may further prevent movement that would decrease the height. Some embodiments may also prevent relative rotation of the members. In use, the inner and outer members are moved apart to adjust the height of the implant to space apart the vertebral members. The members may further be constructed to prevent the members from moving together after insertion between the vertebral members.01-20-2011
20110022173IMPLANT WITH AN INTERFERENCE FIT FASTENER - An implant with an interference fit fastener for attaching the implant to a bone. The interference fit prevents backout of the fastener after the attachment. The implant may include a passage with a first end and second end. The passage may include a first interference section between the first and second ends. A fastener with an elongated shape may be sized to extend through the passage to attach the implant to the bone. The fastener may include a second interference section. During insertion of the fastener through the passage and into the bone, the second interference section of the fastener may contact against and modify or be modified by the first interference section of the passage. This modification may create the interference fit between the implant and the fastener that prevents backout. The interference sections may remain in contact or may move apart once the fastener is fully attached to the bone.01-27-2011
20110022180IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Implantable medical devices are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a body having an external surface defining an outer profile of the device. The body includes a porous matrix including a series of interconnected macropores defined by a plurality of interconnected struts each including a hollow interior. A filler material substantially fills at least a portion of the series of interconnected macropores. The external surface of the body includes a plurality of openings communicating with the hollow interior of at least a portion of the plurality of interconnected struts. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the external surface includes exposed areas of the filler material and porous matrix in addition to the exposed openings. In another aspect, the porous matrix is formed from a bioresorbable ceramic and the filler material is a biologically stable polymeric material. Still, other aspects related to this and other embodiments are also disclosed.01-27-2011
20110087330Vertebral Implant Containment Device and Methods of Use - A containment device is inserted between vertebral members in a patient and provides a rapid implant solution adapted for use in different applications. The device includes an interior volume to contain a curable substance at substantially atmospheric pressure. Upon filling the enclosure member with a curable substance, the enclosure member is able to conform to and maintain a space between vertebral members. The containment device may include an enclosure member constructed of an impermeable material adapted to constrain migration of the curable substance. The enclosure member may include an exterior wall surrounding the interior volume and an opening in the exterior wall that exposes the interior volume. The containment device may include end members that may be distracted to establish a desired vertebral spacing. Spacer members may be included to further maintain the desired spacing. Upon hardening of the curable substance, the device is capable of maintaining the desired spacing.04-14-2011
20110106157Self-Locking Interference Bone Screw for use with Spinal Implant - The present invention is generally directed to a unique bone screw which, in one form, may be used to engage with and attach an implant to bone or bony tissue. In one embodiment, a bone screw includes an elongate shank extending along a longitudinal axis from an enlarged proximal head portion to a distal tip. The elongate shank includes a first portion having a first non-tapered, linear external profile and a second portion having a first tapered external profile that increases toward the proximal head portion. The second portion is positioned between the first portion and the head portion and terminates distally of the proximal head portion. In one form of this embodiment, the bone screw can be advanced through a passage of an implant such that an interference fit is provided between the bone screw and the implant.05-05-2011

Patent applications by Anthony J. Melkent, Memphis, TN US