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Innovative Spinal Technologies

Theken Spine, LLC

Diederich, Jennifer a.

Jennifer A Diederich

Dennis P Colleran

Noelle Dye

James Spitler

Rob Brown

Systems and methods for displacing bony structures relative to each other using a single device is disclosed. Displacement includes distraction and compression. Bony structures are engaged with displacement arms. The user selects one of a plurality of manners in which to manipulate a user interface, where a first manner results in compression and a second manner results in distraction. The user interface is manipulated in the selected manner until a desired amount of displacement has been reached. This displacement is performed in a manner that is minimally invasive to the patient.

System and method for displacement of bony structures

An extension for use in a procedure to implant a stabilization system for bony structures such as vertebrae is described. The extension is formed by a tubular body with an engagement mechanism at one end to removably engage with a poly-axial head of a bone anchor assembly. A locking ring working with a slide are used to temporarily lock the poly-axial head and extension in the desired relationship for performing the procedure. The locking ring includes a slot in which resides a pin on the slider. Twisting the locking ring causes the pin to move in the slot and thereby move the slider either up or down. In one position a locking body on the slider engages with the poly-axial assembly locking the extension in place. In the other position, the locking body is disengaged from the poly-axial head allowing the extension to be decoupled from the bone anchor assembly.

Extension for use with stabilization systems for internal structures

A method for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth. A receptor positioning device is provided which includes a receptor holding member and an arm including a biting surface for engaging the patient's teeth. The device includes a collimation plate with a cross-shaped opening for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine. A pair of handles extends away from the plate for positioning the device, with one of the handles being radially aligned and the other of the handles being non-radially aligned. Each handle includes a polymeric grip incorporating an arm holder adjacent a base of the handle and having a rectangular opening for slidably receiving the arm and removably securing the collimation plate to the receptor holding member. One rectangular opening is radially aligned and the other rectangular opening is non-radially aligned. The method then includes aligning an x-ray machine with the collimation plate and passing radiation from the x-ray machine through the opening of the collimation plate to expose the receptor, while the patient's hand grasps the collimation plate handle.

Intraoral dental radiology positioning device for use with x-ray receptor

Rod length indicator

A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth comprises a receptor holding member adapted to receive a receptor for exposing x-radiation from the x-ray machine and a collimation plate having a substantially flat surface for aligning with an x-ray machine. The collimation plate has a rectangular opening in its surface for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to expose a receptor in the receptor holding member and a pair of handles extending away from the plate for positioning the device. The collimation plate is constructed of metal having a thickness of at least 0.075 in., preferably at least 0.100 in., to reduce the passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to the patient except at the plate opening. The device also includes an arm between the collimation plate and the receptor holding member, the arm including a biting surface for engaging the patient's teeth to secure the device in the patient's mouth, and an aiming ring secured to the arm at a position distal from the receptor holding member, with the collimation plate being secured to the aiming ring. The aiming ring may also include notches and the collimation plate preferably includes clips for removably securing the plate to the aiming ring and tabs for locating the plate relative to the aiming ring notches.

Intraoral dental radiology positioning device for use with aiming ring

A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of teeth inside a patient's mouth includes a rigid, fixed structure having a collimation plate defining a substantially rectangular opening. A receptor holding member is adapted to receive a receptor, and an elongated arm is adapted to receive and couple to the collimation plate. The elongated arm extends towards and couples with a rear portion of the receptor holding member, opposite the collimation plate, such that an unobstructed path is defined between the substantially rectangular opening of the collimation plate and the receptor. A biting surface is fixedly attached to a distal end of the elongated arm and adjacent to the receptor holding member such that the receptor is positioned behind the teeth on which the radiographs are being taken while the biting surface is gripped by the teeth on the opposite side of the patient's mouth.

Growing community of inventors

Unionville, CT, United States of America

Jennifer A Diederich