Other

University of Utah Research Foundation

Morphographics, Lc

Peter Morris Stevens

Daniel F Justin

T Wade Fallin

Zackery Kent Evans

John Peter Karidis

John Colin Stevens

A tether assembly may be attached to a bone to correct a rotational deformity. The bone may have a growth plate that separates a first section of the bone from a second section of the bone. The tether assembly may have a tether member with a first end, a second end, and a central portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first end may have a closed outer wall that defines and fully bounds a first aperture. The second end may have an open outer wall that defines and partially bounds a second aperture. The open outer wall may define a slot in communication with the second aperture. The first and second ends may be securable to the first and second sections of the bone via coupling members inserted through the first and second apertures and anchored in the first and second sections, respectively.

Rotational guided growth devices, systems, and methods

A cap for a c-arm medical imaging device with an image intensifier comprises a plate sized and shaped to cover an exterior facing surface of the image intensifier. The plate is transparent to x-rays and has a planar center with a planar outer surface and a planar inner surface to face the image intensifier. A retainer is carried by the plate to retain the plate on the image intensifier.

C-arm cap

An apparatus and method for external anteversion correction of an intact bone may include a first arcuate segment, a second arcuate segment rotatably coupled to the first arcuate segment, a first pin extending from the first arcuate segment to a proximal segment of the intact bone, a second pin extending from the second arcuate segment to a distal segment of the intact bone, and a control mechanism attached to the first and second arcuate segments. The control mechanism may rotate the first arcuate segment relative to the second arcuate segment to exert torsional force on the intact bone between the proximal and distal segments of the intact bone, thereby externally reducing anteversion of the intact bone.

Coupled torsional fixator and method of use

A communication method includes providing a speech training device configured to teach a hearing impaired user how to understand spoken language. The method further includes providing a haptic output device to a hearing impaired user, the haptic output device coupled to the hearing impaired user. The haptic output device receives a speech input from a non-hearing impaired person, the speech input directed to the hearing impaired user, and the haptic output device provides a haptic sensation to the hearing impaired user. The communication method also teaches a hearing-impaired person how to speak, and can teach a non-hearing impaired user to speak a foreign language. The communication method includes comparing speech of a user to a model speech, providing feedback to the user regarding the comparison, and repeating until the speech of the user matches the model speech.

Haptic and visual communication system for the hearing impaired

A method for correcting an angular deformity in a bone includes positioning a link across a physis of the bone, the link having a first portion with a first opening, a second portion with a second opening, and a central portion extending between the first portion and the second portion, the central portion being more flexible than the first portion or the second portion. A first bone engager and second bone engager are advanced through the first opening and the second opening, respectively, and into the bone on opposing sides of the physis. The physis is allowed to generate more physeal tissue on a side of the bone opposite the link so as to reduce the angular deformity.

Methods for bone alignment

An adjustable-length orthopaedic strut apparatus having minimal x-ray absorption, the capability to produce small length adjustments with minimal axial backlash, and a body devoid of exposed threads, the apparatus having an outer telescoping strut element, an inner telescoping strut element, a threaded drive element rotationally mounted inside the outer telescoping strut element and engaging threads inside the inner telescoping strut element, and an input gear-train arranged to produce fine adjustment of the strut length by generating rotation of the threaded drive element that can be smaller than the input gear rotation. A preferred embodiment also includes compliant preload structures for reducing axial backlash between all moving elements, and one or more locking pins which can be selectively disengaged to adjust the compressive stiffness of the adjustable length strut.

Adjustable length strut apparatus for orthopaedic applications

A system is provided for stabilizing bone. The system includes a fixing block, a pin having a far end which is adapted to be fixed directly into bone and a near end which enters the fixing block, and a frame on which the fixing block is fixable. The pin enters the fixing block in a non-orthogonal manner in order to permit the pin to enter the bone with an orientation which is non-orthogonal to the bone's surface, thereby permitting the pin to engage more of the bone.

Fixing block and method for stabilizing bone

A method for correcting an angular deformity in a bone includes inserting a guide wire within a physis of a bone having an angular deformity, the physis extending between a first side the bone on which the guide wire is inserted and an opposing second side of the bone. The guide wire is used to guide a link to the physis. The link is then secured to the first side of the bone so that the link spans across the physis and restricts the growth of the physeal tissue of the physis on the first side of the bone. The physis is then allowed to generate more physeal tissue on the second side of the bone than on the first side of the bone so that the angular deformity of the bone is reduced.

Bone alignment implant and method of use

A bone alignment implant includes a first bone fastener with a first bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone and a second bone fastener with a second bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone. A link connecting the two fasteners spans across the physis. These implants act as a flexible tethers between the epiphyseal and the metaphyseal sections of bone during bone growth. These implants are designed to adjust and deform during the bone realignment process. When placed on the convex side of the deformity, the implant allows the bone on the concave side of the deformity to grow. During the growth process the bone is then realigned. A similar procedure is used to correct torsional deformities.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Peter Morris Stevens