DR. SALVADOR A. BRAU, M.D.
Radiology at Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

8157819, Apr 17, 2012

Jul 19, 2007

11/880294

Salvador A. Brau - Los Angeles CA, US

A61B 17/08, A61B 17/56, A61F 5/04

606151, 606 53

A flexible piece of barrier material for use in preventing or minimizing adhesions and fibrous attachments following anterior lumbar surgery. In one embodiment, the barrier structure comprises a multiple level device shaped as a generally wider tongue to function as a barrier at or above the L4-5 level, and a generally narrower lower section to function as a barrier at or below the L5-S1 level. The structure also can include a recessed waist section along an edge opposite the tongue to allow for easier placement in the L4-5 area. In another embodiment, a single level barrier for use at or above L4-5 is shaped as a tongue with a tapered outer extension to allow the barrier to extend laterally onto the psoas muscle to provide for identification of the barrier upon reoperation.

6416465, Jul 9, 2002

Sep 28, 2001

09/966394

Salvador A. Brau - Los Angeles CA 90049

A61B 132

600210

An instrument and method for exposing a selected area of the anterior lumbar region for a surgical procedure on the spine comprising making an incision on a human or animal body that exposes the anterior rectus sheath of the left rectus muscle, cutting the anterior rectus sheath to expose the body of the rectus muscle, and mobilizing the rectus muscle along its length by at least 3 cm in both directions from the site of the sheath incision. The rectus is then retracted medially, and the posterior rectus sheath is incised to expose the peritoneum. The peritoneum is pushed aside and tissues between the surgeon and the psoas muscle are dissected away. The ureter and the left iliac vessels are mobilized so that they are retractable from the dissected field, then the rectus muscle is moved laterally and a retractor is inserted into the dissected field. The retractor comprises a handle portion and an elongated blade portion having a first end connected to the handle portion, and having a substantially flat configuration which generally extends at an angle relative to the handle and below an axis aligned with the handle when the retractor is in use in surgery. The blade portion also has a second end spaced from the handle portion and shaped as a lip which curves in a direction away from the handle portion.

6296609, Oct 2, 2001

Apr 14, 2000

9/549973

Salvador A. Brau - Los Angeles CA

A61B 132

600210

An instrument and method for exposing a selected area of the anterior lumbar region for a surgical procedure on the spine comprising making an incision on a human or animal body that exposes the anterior rectus sheath of the left rectus muscle, cutting the anterior rectus sheath to expose the body of the rectus muscle, and mobilizing the rectus muscle along its length by at least 3 cm in both directions from the site of the sheath incision. The rectus is then retracted medially, and the posterior rectus sheath is incised to expose the peritoneum. The peritoneum is pushed aside and tissues between the surgeon and the psoas muscle are dissected away. The ureter and the left iliac vessels are mobilized so that they are retractable from the dissected field, then the rectus muscle is moved laterally and a retractor is inserted into the dissected field. The retractor comprises a handle portion and an elongated blade portion having a first end connected to the handle portion, and having a substantially flat configuration which generally extends at an angle relative to the handle and below an axis aligned with the handle when the retractor is in use in surgery. The blade portion also has a second end spaced from the handle portion and shaped as a lip which curves in a direction away from the handle portion.

7018414, Mar 28, 2006

Jul 29, 2003

10/630198

Salvador A. Brau - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael L. Schiffman - Los Angeles CA, US

A61F 2/44

623 1711, 623 1611

A support for vertebral fusion prevents subsidence and eliminates the need for posterior surgery and instrumentation. The support is constructed from cadaveric vertebrae or an implantable man-made material. One embodiment is a U-shaped metal support that rests on the apophyseal ring of the vertebrae, with the open portion of the U facing the patient's posterior. The metal support is then connected to a previously placed threaded cage or bone dowel such as that used in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).

2006017, Aug 3, 2006

Mar 7, 2006

11/369703

Salvador Brau - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael Schiffman - Los Angeles CA, US

A61F 2/44

623017110

A support for vertebral fusion prevents subsidence and eliminates the need for posterior surgery and instrumentation. The support is constructed of an implantable man-made material. One embodiment is generally a U-shaped metal support that rests on the apophyseal ring of a patient's vertebrae, with the open portion of the U facing the patient's posterior. The metal support is connected to a previously placed threaded cage or bone dowel such as that used in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). The U-shaped support is preferably comprised of a trabecular metal such as tantalum.