Patents Examined by Christie Bahena
  • Patent number: 9572689
    Abstract: A prosthetic adapter including a lower connector, an upper connector rotatably coupled to the lower connector, and a locking mechanism for preventing the upper connector from rotating relative to the lower connector. The locking mechanism is arranged to generally automatically retain a locked position when the lower connector is rotated to an original, predetermined alignment. An activation member is connected to and arranged for operating the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: OSSUR hf
    Inventors: Sigurdur Olafsson, Gudni Ingimarsson, David Landry
  • Patent number: 9561118
    Abstract: A prosthetic foot comprises an attachment member and two or more flexible members. The attachment member can include a connector configured to connect the attachment member to a user or another prosthetic device. The two or more flexible members can be rotatably attached to the attachment member by rotatable joints such that the flexible members can both rotate and flex relative to the attachment member when the prosthetic foot contacts the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ă–ssur hf
    Inventors: Arinbjorn Viggo Clausen, Bjarni Andresson, Vilhjalmur Freyr Jonsson, Christophe Lecomte
  • Patent number: 9549827
    Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis includes a foot plate, an ankle frame attached to the foot plate, a yoke pivotally connected to the ankle frame and including a member for attaching to a leg, a damper having a first end connected to the yoke and a second end connected to the ankle frame, and a control mechanism for switching the damper between low and high settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, REGENTS OF THE UNIVERISTY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Eric A. Nickel
  • Patent number: 9539095
    Abstract: An orthopaedic implant for filling a bone void and a method of using the same. The orthopaedic implant comprises an open porous metal portion and a bone cement portion. At a first surface region, the open porous metal portion facilitates bone and/or soft tissue ingrowth into the pores of the first surface region of the open porous metal. At a second surface region, the open porous metal facilitates reception of the bone cement into the pores of the second surface region of the open porous metal. The open porous metal portion of the orthopaedic implant may also be formed of a plurality of porous metal fragments aggregated together with the cement portion of the orthopaedic implant. Additionally, the orthopaedic implant may be pliable and thereby capable of being molded to the shape of a void in a bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Monaghan, Timothy A. Hoeman
  • Patent number: 9532879
    Abstract: A modular knee prosthesis system includes a femoral component having a stem, a plurality of different sizes of sleeves mountable on the stem, and a plurality of different sizes of augments mountable on the femoral component. The system is modular, and provides the surgeon with the option of distally offsetting the joint line by selecting the size of sleeve that will provide the desired joint line. The different sizes of sleeves have different axial lengths but share a common geometry along a substantial part of their lengths so that the same bone cavity will accept multiple sizes of sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DEPUY IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Jay R. Lieberman, Benjamin J. Sordelet, Richard Spencer Jones, Timothy G. Vendrely, Stephanie M. Wainscott, Michael A. Cook, Rebecca L. Chaney, Joseph G. Wyss, Stephen A. Hazebrouck, Aaron J. Matyas
  • Patent number: 9532886
    Abstract: A prosthetic foot structure includes a primary foot member and a heel member. The primary foot member has a heel portion, a toe portion with a pair of toe sections separated by a gap, and an elongated intermediate portion configured as an arch extending downward from the heel portion toward the toe portion. The heel member includes a hollow cylindrical spring wall extending downward from the heel portion of the primary foot member. The primary foot member and the heel member are portions of a unitary body of material formed by additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: THE OHIO WILLOW WOOD COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Colvin, Jeffrey A. Denune, James W. Capper, Michael L. Haynes
  • Patent number: 9510958
    Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of providing an electrically powered artificial hand that can be constructed with a simple configuration, the operation of which is easy to master and the control of which is highly reproducible. The electrically powered artificial hand (1) is provided with: a shape-detecting sensor (2) for detecting the shape of the forearm of an upper limb amputee; a hand section (6) having a pair of arms (7a, 7b) that are capable of opening and closing movements; and a main control unit body (8) having a sensor signal-receiving circuit for receiving the sensor signal output from the shape-detecting sensor (2) according to the shape of the forearm, and a control signal-generating and -sending circuit for generating a control signal on the basis of the sensor signal and sending the control signal to the hand section (6) to control the opening and closing movements of the arms (7a, 7b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Insitute of National Colleges of Technology
    Inventor: Takahiko Mori
  • Patent number: 9510951
    Abstract: A humerus implant includes a cup shaped body and a locking adapter. The cup shaped body has a center portion and a plurality of flexible first sidewall segments and second sidewall segments, with gaps between neighbored sidewall segments. The first sidewall segments have a plurality of locking fins while the second sidewall segments having a plurality of recesses and holes. The locking adapter has means for fixing the locking adapter to the cup shaped body and a locking ring for locking the sidewall segments into their final positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ARTHREX, INC.
    Inventor: Samuel Bachmaier
  • Patent number: 9480570
    Abstract: A porous metal glenoid component, comprising a thin solid nonporous region having a first side and a second side; a first porous metallic substrate formed on the first side of the nonporous region; a polymeric body fabricated onto the first porous metallic substrate, the polymeric body having an articulating surface configured to engage a humeral component to permit rotational and translational movement therewith; and a second porous metallic substrate formed on the second side of the nonporous region, the second porous metallic substrate being configured to interface with a glenoid cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Nathan A Winslow
  • Patent number: 9474630
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of prosthetics, more specifically to a pinless anthropomorphic hinge or joint, and a digit comprising one or more phalanges connected by and articulating around pinless joints, whereby the joints provide compliant movement in more than one plane. This disclosure also relates to modular prosthetic systems comprising multiple digits, in particular for partial-hand replacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Invisible Hand Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Delton Veatch
  • Patent number: 9456909
    Abstract: A joint assembly for releasably securing a first and a second segment of an associated modular limb is provided. The joint assembly includes a male connector including a base and a load bearing blade secured to the base of the male connector protruding therefrom. The male connector is adapted to be secured to one of the first and second segments of the associated modular limb. A female connector is provided and includes a base and a load bearing socket secured to the base of the female connector. The socket is configured to selectively receive the blade of the male connector. The female connector is adapted to be secured to the other of the first and second segments of the associated modular limb. A locking member selectively retains the blade of the male connector in the socket of the female connector. The male connector, the female connector, and the locking member cooperate to form a resilient and selectively releasable modular limb joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HDT Expeditionary Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ezra Johnson, W. Travis Lontz, Thomas W. Van Doren
  • Patent number: 9439797
    Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method are disclosed herein for controlling movement of an orthopedic joint prosthesis in a mammalian subject. The apparatus, system, or method includes an orthopedic brace configured to control movement of an orthopedic joint prosthesis. The apparatus, system, or method includes one or more sensors and one or more controllers in communication with the one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to be remote from the orthopedic joint prosthesis, wherein the one or more sensors in communication with the one or more controllers are configured to detect and control one or more alignment orientations of the orthopedic joint prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Baym, Roderick A. Hyde, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9427319
    Abstract: An osteoconductive vascularized porous metal implant device and method for implanting the vascularized device are described herein. The vascularized implant device comprises an implant which is porous titanium, tantalum or other metal which is biocompatible with the mammalian body and at least one vascular conduit which connects the porous implant to an animal vasculature, such as a human vascular system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Robert R. Gray
  • Patent number: 9381085
    Abstract: A prosthetic implant useful in a cementless application is disclosed. The implant may include a curved bone facing surface and one or more pegs or keels. Preferably, the implant is implanted on a bone surface that has been prepared so as to allow for a snap fit between the implant and the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart L. Axelson, Jr., Michael C. Ferko, Peter John Wellings
  • Patent number: 9358115
    Abstract: An artificial hip joint stem of the present invention includes a stem body divided into a stem proximal part, a stem distal part, and a stem intermediate part located between the stem proximal part and the stem distal part. The stem body includes a rough surface located at the stem proximal part and having a surface roughness (Ra) of 10-80 ?m, a smooth satin surface located at the stem intermediate part and having a surface roughness (Ra) of 0.1-1.0 ?m, and a shiny surface located at the stem distal part and having a surface roughness (Ra) of less than 0.1 ?m. The present invention also provides an artificial hip joint including the artificial hip joint stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Kyocera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Slater, Takatoshi Miyashita, Atsushi Kuroshima, Shion Fujimura
  • Patent number: 9320625
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a stent is provided, which contains at least one filament that has a longitudinal axis and comprises a bioabsorbable polymeric material. Polymer molecules within the bioabsorbable polymeric material are provided with a helical orientation which is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filament. The stent is at least partially bioabsorbed by a patient upon implantation or insertion of the stent into the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: F. Anthony Headley, Jr., Kurt A. Geitz
  • Patent number: 9283093
    Abstract: An adjustable socket system, method, and kit for use with prosthetic devices or orthotic, orthopedic, or exoskeletal support devices that includes a paddle and a compressing device coupled to the paddle. The paddle is chosen from a plurality of paddles of different shapes in such a way that the paddle inner surface is substantially coextensive with a soft tissue area overlying skeletal structures. The compressing device presses the paddle against the soft tissue area in order to minimize the motion of the paddle relative to the underlying skeletal structures without causing discomfort to the user or compressing areas not in contact with the paddle, allowing compressed tissue to flow into uncompressed areas. The system, method, and kit can include an external tool, sensors, actuators, and controllers, to assist fitting and for adjustment after fitting. A stabilizer can be added to resist the bending force on the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Randall D. Alley
  • Patent number: 9205017
    Abstract: A system is provided for supporting an arm of a user that includes a harness configured to be worn by the user, and an arm support coupled to the harness and including an arm rest to support an arm of the user. The arm support is configured to accommodate and follow movement of the arm without substantially interfering in such movement. The arm support may at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm as the user moves and the arm support follows the movement of the user's arm. For example, the arm support may transfer at least a portion of the weight of the user's arm to the torso or other region of the user's body and/or may apply an opposing force to at least partially offset the gravitational force acting on the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: LEVITATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark C. Doyle
  • Patent number: 9192487
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a prosthetic limb are provided. A sensor component receives input from a wearer's muscle and provides a signal to a control component. The sensor component may be a force sensing resistor placed inside a socket of a prosthetic limb between a residual limb and the hard side of the socket. The control component processes the signal and provides instructions to an actuation component. In this manner, an actuation component may move a joint, or may change the velocity of a joint, or may change other characteristics of the prosthetic limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Thierry Flaven, Thomas G. Sugar, George Wolf
  • Patent number: 9186264
    Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a heel member having a heel member shaft extending upwardly from a heel end thereof and a forefoot member having a forefoot member shaft extending upwardly from a toe end thereof. An ankle member receives the heel member shaft and forefoot member shaft so as to allow the heel member shaft and forefoot member shaft to translate in a direction of a wearer's leg in response to an upward force thereon. At least one compressible member is coupled to the ankle member and is in compressible contact with the heel member shaft and/or forefoot member shaft so as to compress in response to the translation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Tai Lore Made, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie D. Kramer, William Stanley Patterson