Eaton Corporation

Titan Spine, LLC

Charles J Turner

Eric Kennedy

Peter F Ullrich, Jr

Akbar Saffari

Eugene F Duncan

Michael G Taranowski

Gregory L Nadolski

Keith O Satula

George F Jambor

John P Groves

Peter F Ulrich, Jr

Kenneth A Langland

Francis W Camps

Frank W Camps

Jerry A Medema

Jeffrey J Wolf

Jr Peter F Ullrich

A system for use during surgical procedures. The system includes an implant and a tool. The implant combines a modular adjustable cage and a shim that locks the cage into position, after the cage has been adjusted to its final position and at its final height, in situ. The tool combines an expander and an inserter. A related method of using the system is also provided.

Modular adjustable corpectomy cage

A screwdriver for resisting premature disengagement of a screw from the screwdriver. The screwdriver includes a shaft having a central axis; a tip radially aligned with the central axis of the shaft which includes an end opposite the shaft, at least one radial protrusion extending away from the central axis, and a notch; and a screw retention mechanism including a flexible member aligned with the notch and attached to either the tip or the shaft. The flexible member has an unattached end which is separated from the second end of the tip. When the tip is inserted into a recess of a screw, the flexible member flexes toward the central axis and creates an opposing elastic force which holds the screw to the tip.

Screwdriver with screw retention mechanism

A system for affixing a stop plate to an interbody implant. The system includes a clamping device, a stop plate, and an inserter tool. The clamping device includes a body, a first clamping portion attached to the body including a stepped seat and a guide slot, and a second clamping portion attached to the body by a spring. Compressing the spring moves the second clamping portion away from the first clamping portion and expanding the spring moves the second clamping portion toward the first clamping portion.

Clamping device for affixing a stop plate to an interbody implant

An improved optical sensor includes a light source from which light is projected onto an object. A photodetector detects the light reflected from the object. A refraction element is movable relative to the photodetector to vary the range of the optical sensor. The position of the light source relative to the photodetector can be varied.

Optical sensor with movable refraction element to adjust sensor range

A low cost assembly comprising only three major components: a circuit board assembly, a molded plastic housing and a molded plastic cover. The plastic parts are transparent polycarbonate (natural 'Lexan') wherein the housing has an integrally molded optical quality lens. Mounting features are integrally molded on the housing and cover. The circuit board assembly uses a common board, trace pattern and terminals and can be either a source or detector by appropriate selection of electronic components mounted to the board. A plurality of rounded bosses on the housing and larger round recesses in edges of the circuit board provide a light interference fit between housing and board to firmly hold the board in place and provide correct orientation of the board relative to the housing. The board may be readily removed and replaced for field repair of the sensor.

Photoelectric sensor assembly with transparent housing an integrally

An improved container includes a main section and a cover section which are interconnected by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly allows the cover section to move toward and away from the main section along a linear path so that a seal is uniformly compressed completely around an opening in the main section. In addition, the hinge assembly allows the cover section to pivot relative to the main section. The hinge assembly includes a base portion which is fixedly secured to the main section of the container. A connector portion of the hinge assembly has a pair of hinge plates which are pivotally interconnected. A lower hinge plate is slidably received between the base portion of the hinge assembly and the main section of the container to accommodate linear movement of the cover section relative to the main section of the container. Stop surfaces on the lower hinge plate and the base portion of the hinge assembly limit the extent of linear movement of the cover section relative to the main section of the container. An upper hinge plate is pivotally connected to the lower hinge plate and cover section to accommodate pivotal movement of the cover section.

Container

Light emitting diodes of a through beam photoelectric detector are positioned in a door hinged to a sensor body in which the photodetector diodes are located. The light emitting diodes and photodetector diodes are aligned to establish photoelectric sensors when the door is closed upon the body. A base provides a receptacle for attachment of the sensor, the base having a plug-in electrical terminal half for receiving the connector prongs of a second half of the connector carried by the body. The connector is symmetrical so that the sensor unit may be installed to the base in either of two operating positions spaced 180 degrees apart to enable the hinge to be located at either the right-hand or left-hand side of the sensor unit and of the stations to be sensed. LED indicators for indicating the condition of the material being sensed at any of the stations are connected through printed circuitry to the connector half located within the base so that the indicators correspond to a particular sensing station regardless of the position of the sensor unit on the base.

Growing community of inventors

Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Charles J Turner