Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080234744 | SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEM WITH RIGID AND FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS - A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body. | 09-25-2008 |
20090112265 | FLEXIBLE MEMBER FOR USE IN A SPINAL COLUMN AND METHOD FOR MAKING - The present invention relates to flexible members for stabilizing a spinal column and methods for making the flexible members. In one embodiment, a flexible member comprises an inner elastomeric member and an outer fabric layer situated securely around the inner elastomeric member. The inner elastomeric member has a first elasticity to provide the flexible member with a desired flexibility. In another embodiment, the flexible member includes an outer covering that defines an outer elastomeric member. The outer elastomeric member may be situated securely around the outer fabric layer with the inner elastomeric member, the outer fabric layer, and the outer elastomeric member having the common lengthwise axis and defining the body including the opposing first and second ends. The outer elastomeric member may have a second elasticity that is less than the first elasticity. | 04-30-2009 |
20090248078 | SPINAL STABILIZATION DEVICE - A spinal stabilization device providing dynamic stabilization to a region of a spinal column. The spinal stabilization device is configured to be connected between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spinal segment. The spinal stabilization device includes a central region engaging the spinous process of the first vertebra, a first arcuate arm extending from the central region to a first piece of fixation hardware secured to the second vertebra along an arcuate path, and a second arcuate arm extending from the central region to a second piece of fixation hardware secured to the second vertebra along an arcuate path. In some embodiments, the first and second arms are pivotably connected to the first and second pieces of fixation hardware with pivot connections. | 10-01-2009 |
20100137911 | Adjustable Assembly for Correcting Spinal Abnormalities - An assembly for post-operatively treating an abnormal curvature of vertebrae of a spinal column. The assembly includes an elongate member extending in a generally vertical direction along a posterior side of the spinal column and a transverse member fastened to a vertebra of the spinal column with a plurality of fasteners and extending in a generally horizontal direction. The transverse member has a threaded region. The assembly further includes a coupler coupling the elongate member to the transverse member. The coupler includes a rotating member threadedly engaged with the threaded region of the transverse member. Rotation of the rotating member provides lateral movement of the transverse member relative to the elongate member, thereby moving the vertebra in a horizontal direction and applying a corrective force to the vertebra. | 06-03-2010 |
20120016421 | SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEM WITH RIGID AND FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS - A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body. | 01-19-2012 |
20120232598 | POLYAXIAL PEDICLE SCREW WITH INCREASED ANGULATION - A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state. | 09-13-2012 |
20130013004 | POLYAXIAL PEDICLE SCREW WITH INCREASED ANGULATION - A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state. | 01-10-2013 |
20130268076 | INTERBODY SPACER - An intervertebral or spinal implant having a spacer, a cage, and a locking mechanism, where the locking mechanism may be configured to facilitate a connection between the spacer and the cage. In some cases, the spacer may include a distal end wall, a proximal end wall, a first lateral wall, and a second lateral wall, where the locking mechanism may be situated at the proximal end wall adjacent a receiving opening in the proximal end wall. The implant may have one or more spikes extending from a top and/or a bottom of the spacer to facilitate stabilizing the implant between vertebrae after insertion of the implant in the spinal column | 10-10-2013 |
20140142640 | POLYAXIAL PEDICLE SCREW WITH INCREASED ANGULATION - A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state. | 05-22-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110011581 | System and Method for Servicing a Wellbore - A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising establishing a pumping profile having a performance plan, determining a remaining life estimate for a first wellbore servicing device, wherein the first wellbore servicing device is suitable for impacting conformance to the performance plan, and selecting a second wellbore servicing device in response to the remaining life value for the first wellbore servicing device, wherein the second wellbore servicing device is suitable for impacting conformance to the performance plan. A wellbore servicing system, comprising a first device suitable for impacting conformance to a performance plan, a first sensor configured to monitor an operational characteristic of the first device, and a controller in communication with the first sensor, the controller being configured to calculate at least one of a remaining life estimate of the first device and a probability of survival estimate of the first device. | 01-20-2011 |
20110272144 | System and method for remote wellbore servicing operations - A method of servicing a wellbore is provided. The method comprises establishing a communication link between a wellsite and a central control site, wherein the communication link carries sensor, audio, and video data to the central control site and carries command parameters to the wellsite to command wellbore servicing equipment on the wellsite. The data transmitted by the wellsite is analyzed at the central control site, stored in a data store at the central control site, and the results of analysis displayed on a display at the central control site. | 11-10-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090089958 | VACUUM CLEANER WITH AGITATOR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A CLUTCH MECHANISM - An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a handle assembly pivotally connected to a nozzle assembly. A suction generator and dirt collection vessel are carried on the housing. The suction generator includes a drive motor. A rotary agitator assembly and a suction inlet are carried on the nozzle assembly. The rotary agitator assembly includes an axle, a drive pulley mounted on the axle, an agitator body mounted on the axle and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly includes a first clutch element, a second clutch element, a first biasing spring, a second biasing spring and an actuator that allows the operator to selectively engage and disengage the clutch assembly. | 04-09-2009 |
20120017936 | AGITATOR BRISTLE TUFTING DESIGN - A rotary agitator is provided having a body with an exterior surface. A plurality of bristle tufts extend outwardly from the exterior surface about an arc of less than 360°. A tuftless gap on the exterior surface provides for enhanced bare floor cleaning. The tuftless gap extends through an arc of between about 20° and about 40°. In one particularly useful embodiment two tuftless gaps are provided at opposing positions on the agitator body. | 01-26-2012 |
20120054979 | COMBINED CREVICE TOOL AND DUSTING BRUSH - A combined crevice tool and dusting brush includes a main body having a first end including a first suction inlet, a side wall including a second suction inlet, a second end including a discharge outlet and an internal air path. The combined tool and brush further includes a valve body that is received in that air path. The valve body includes a closed end, a discharge end including a discharge opening and a wall including a suction opening. The discharge opening is aligned with the discharge outlet. Further, the valve body is displaceable between two different operating positions. | 03-08-2012 |
20120167332 | NOZZLE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING CORD REEL AND AGITATOR DRIVE MOTOR - A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. A cord reel is carried on the nozzle assembly in a cord reel compartment. A rotary agitator drive motor is carried on the nozzle assembly in an airflow pathway which directs cooling air toward the cord reel in the cord reel compartment. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167333 | FLOOR CARE APPARATUS WITH CORD REEL AND NOZZLE ASSMEBLY - A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. Further, the nozzle assembly includes a cord reel. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167334 | BELT SHIFTER MECHANISM - A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. Both a suction generator and dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. The suction generator includes a drive motor and a drive shaft. A rotary agitator assembly is carried on the nozzle assembly. The rotary agitator assembly includes a rotary agitator body and a pulley assembly having a drive pulley and an idler pulley. A belt connects the drive shaft with the pulley assembly. A belt shifter includes a biasing spring. The belt shifter is selectively displaceable between a first or agitator drive position and a second or agitator drive interrupt position. | 07-05-2012 |
20120324674 | NOZZLE ASSEMBLY WITH ONE PIECE BODY - A nozzle assembly for a floor care appliance includes a one-piece body. The one-piece body has a first face and a second face that is opposed to the first face. The first face forms a first cavity while the second face forms a second cavity. A rotary agitator is received in the first cavity. A drive motor is received in the second cavity. | 12-27-2012 |
20130055522 | UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER WITH AGITATOR LIFT FEATURE - A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an agitator cavity that receives a rotary agitator. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes an agitator lift assembly. The agitator lift assembly includes a sliding actuator and a fulcrum plate. | 03-07-2013 |