The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 20, 2016
Filed:
Dec. 08, 2014
Applicant:
Ex Technology, Llc, Gering, NE (US);
Inventors:
Omar F. Jimenez, Gering, NE (US);
Nicholas Ransom Powley, St. Paul, MN (US);
Assignee:
Ex Technology, LLC, Gering, NE (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61F 2/44 (2006.01); F16F 1/02 (2006.01); A61F 2/46 (2006.01); F16C 11/12 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01); A61F 2/48 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
A61F 2/4425 (2013.01); A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/447 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); F16C 11/12 (2013.01); F16F 1/025 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30485 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30509 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30523 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30538 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30556 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30601 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30904 (2013.01); A61F 2002/443 (2013.01); A61F 2002/448 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4475 (2013.01); A61F 2002/482 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0025 (2013.01); Y10T 403/45 (2015.01); Y10T 403/54 (2015.01);
Abstract
Improved methods and apparatuses for expandable medical devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention employ flexure members. Flexure members connect a plurality of structural members to end plates on one end and blocks on another end. A drive screw or similar mechanism can be actuated to drive expansion blocks closer together, which causes flexure members to deflect, resulting in expansion of the structural members and distraction of the end plates.