Patents Examined by Marcia L Watkins
  • Patent number: 11666462
    Abstract: A control system for control of a prosthetic device having a plurality of actuators receives an orientation signal indicative of a desired movement. The control system evaluates whether the prosthetic device may move as desired with a current angle of rotation and commands at least one actuator to move the prosthetic device as desired by maintaining the current angle of rotation or by adjusting the angle of rotation if the prosthetic device cannot move as desired with the current angle. The control system may alternate between commanding a first subset of actuators and a second subset of actuators each time the orientation signal is indicative of a neutral position. The control system may include a position sensor and a compliance sensor and may command at least one actuator based on a combination of positional control using the position sensor and force control using the compliance sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Gregory R. Lanier, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, N. Christopher Perry, Susan D. Dastous
  • Patent number: 11654034
    Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus comprising a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a harness mount that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Christopher O. Evans, Stanley B. Smith, III, Alexander H. Muller, John M. Kerwin, Thomas S. Schnellinger, G. Michael Guay, Dirk A. van der Merwe
  • Patent number: 11583406
    Abstract: A femoral hip implant includes a first end, a second end, and a collar with a porous surface, all fabricated from a single piece of material. The entire area of the collar is porous, and the collar elastically deflects under load to promote bone ingrowth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: BioMedtrix, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher G. Sidebotham
  • Patent number: 11576795
    Abstract: Prosthetic devices and methods of controlling the same are provided. A prosthetic ankle device includes a foot unit and lower limb member moveable relative to one another and defining an ankle angle therebetween. The prosthetic ankle device further includes a controller to operate the device based on detecting a decreased load. Methods of controlling the prosthetic ankle device include operating the device at different ankle angles depending on detecting a decreased load on the prosthetic ankle device while standing or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Össur hf
    Inventor: Arinbjörn Clausen
  • Patent number: 11564802
    Abstract: An implant is disclosed that has a base member, an articulating member, and a coupling portion that secures the base member to the articulating member. The implant can be a shoulder implant (100, 200, 300) that has a baseplate (102, 230, 310), an articulating component (104, 210), and a fixation component (106, 270, 342). The baseplate includes a first side (110, 234, 314) with a projection (108, 240, 320) that has a first Morse taper and may be offset from a center line of the baseplate and a second side (116, 236, 316) that has a post or stem (114, 250, 330) that is offset from the center line of the baseplate. The articulating component includes a cavity (122, 220) with a second Morse taper that is offset from a center line of the articulating component. The articulating component is attachable to the baseplate when the projection is received in the cavity of the articulation component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: IMASCAP SAS
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, William J. Slone
  • Patent number: 11564801
    Abstract: A method for removing a stem portion of an orthopedic implant from a bone comprises exposing an implanted orthopedic implant having a body portion, a stem portion interconnected to the body and a porous metal section forming an interconnection between the body and the stem portion. A cutting tool is mounted on a holder connected to an exposed surface of the orthopedic implant. The porous section is aligned with the cutting tool mounted on the holder. The entire porous section is cut by moving the cutting tool therethrough in a direction transverse to the stem portion axis. The implant body portion is then removed and then the stem portion is removed from the bone. The cutting tool may be a saw or chisel which may be mounted on a guide fixed to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Aiguo Wang, Matthew P. Poggie, Nicholas Nai Guang Dong
  • Patent number: 11523917
    Abstract: A suspension liner has a liner body portion, a textile material, and a plurality of seals formed along a length of the suspension liner toward a closed distal end and protruding circumferentially about a liner profile. Each seal has a same shape including a peak having a rounded profile and a width narrowing toward the peak and defines a sealing surface arranged to form a secure interface with an interior wall of the socket that retains the suspension liner within the prosthetic socket. The textile material is located intermediate interior and exterior surfaces of the suspension liner that formed of one or more silicone materials in the area of the seals and the textile material defines the exterior surface of the suspension liner proximal and distal to the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: OSSUR HF
    Inventors: Egill Sveinbjorn Egilsson, Sigurdur Asgeirsson
  • Patent number: 11510793
    Abstract: An adjustable seal system includes a seal component having a body having an outer surface defining a socket sealing portion arranged to engage and form an airtight seal with an interior surface of a prosthetic socket. The inner surface of the body defines a liner sealing portion arranged to frictionally engage and seal with an outer surface of a prosthetic liner. The liner sealing portion defines a sealing length extending in a proximal direction from an end of the socket sealing portion and terminating at a proximal edge on the body. The length of the liner sealing portion is between about 25 mm and about 35 mm and is selected in relation to the socket sealing portion to vary tractions at the inner and outer surfaces of the seal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: OSSUR ICELAND EHF
    Inventors: Linda Ros Birgisdottir, Martin Lund Storup, Hogna Hringsdottir, Rowan Cain
  • Patent number: 11497613
    Abstract: An implant for a human includes a body having a superior surface, an inferior surface, a distal surface, and a proximal surface. The proximal surface is configured to engage the talus and the calcaneus of an adult human, and the distal surface configured to engage at least the first and fourth metatarsals of the adult human. The distal surface has a largest distal height and a largest distal width that is greater than the largest distal height, and the proximal surface has a largest proximal height and a largest proximal width that is greater than the largest proximal height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TMR Orthopedics, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Rader, D. Matthew Michael
  • Patent number: 11491032
    Abstract: Artificial limbs and joints that behave like biological limbs and joints employ a synthetic actuator which consumes negligible power when exerting zero force, consumes negligible power when outputting force at constant length (isometric) and while performing dissipative, nonconservative work, is capable of independently engaging flexion and extension tendon-like, series springs, is capable of independently varying joint position and stiffness, and exploits series elasticity for mechanical power amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hugh M. Herr, Lee Harris Magnusson, Ken Endo
  • Patent number: 11484459
    Abstract: An elbow joint boost device has first and second frames to be attached to the forearm and lower arm of a patient. A guide mounted on the first frame extends generally along the respective one of the forearm and upper arm. A link is mounted on the guide for sliding movement along the guide, and a spring acts in tension between the sliding link and a point on the second frame remote from the patient's elbow. As the patient straightens and bends the elbow, the link can slide along the guide, varying the leverage of the tension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: THE NEMOURS FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Tariq Rahman, Jinyong Wee
  • Patent number: 11464644
    Abstract: A reverse shoulder replacement system including a humeral liner defining a split curvature bearing surface that includes a plurality of curvature regions. The plurality of curvature regions are configured to engage a glenosphere of a glenoid implant individually or in combination to provide an improved fit between the glenosphere and the humeral liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Hopkins
  • Patent number: 11426293
    Abstract: A medical having a proximal and a distal end, that is preformed to assume a superimposed structure at an implantation site but can be made to take on a volume-reduced form making it possible to introduce it by means of a micro-catheter and a guide wire arranged at the proximal end, with the implant in its superimposed structure assuming the form of a longitudinally open tube and having a mesh structure of interconnected strings or filaments. The implant has a tapering structure at its proximal end where the strings or filaments converge at a connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: USSC MEDICAL GMBH
    Inventors: Hans Henkes, Achim Flesser, Ronald Kontek, Jürgen Speder, Ralph Bodenburg
  • Patent number: 11426282
    Abstract: According to one example, a bearing component for a knee arthroplasty is disclosed. The bearing component can optionally comprise any one or combination of: a medial compartment having an medial articular surface with a medial articular track and having a first thickness as measured at the medial articular track between the medial articular surface a medial distal surface; and a lateral compartment having a lateral articular surface with a lateral articular track and having a second thickness as measured at the lateral articular track between the lateral articular surface a lateral distal surface; wherein the medial articular surface at the medial articular track and the lateral articular surface at the lateral articular track each have an inclination so as to form an acute angle with respect to a resected proximal surface of a tibia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward R. Yager
  • Patent number: 11399948
    Abstract: A prosthesis assembly is provided that includes a base member that has a helical structure and a cylindrical member opposite the helical structure. The cylindrical member is configured for direct connection with a reverse insert of a reverse shoulder assembly. The cylindrical member is configured for direct connection with a reverse insert spacer in some embodiments. The reverse insert can be inserted into a space defined at least in part by a wall of the cylindrical member and an inferior wall of the of the base member. The helical structure extends between a first end and a second end. The base member also can include one or more pathways. The pathway(s) is accessible from the second end and is directed toward the first end through the helical structure. The pathway is located inward of an outer periphery of the helical structure, e.g., adjacent to an inner periphery of the helical structure. The pathway extends in a space between successive portions of the helical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Knox, Shawn M. Gargac, Austin Wyatt Mutchler, Philippe Collin, George S. Athwal
  • Patent number: 11382774
    Abstract: A method for reducing motion of a skeletal structure in a limb towards a wall of an interface is described. The interface comprises a plurality of compression areas that are longitudinally-shaped and oriented longitudinally along the length of limb. The method comprises selecting, during a process of creating the interface, a compression level for the compression areas that compresses soft tissue against the skeletal structure. The method also comprises donning the interface over the limb to apply a plurality of compressive forces that is sufficient to aid in suspension of the interface on the limb and reduce motion of the skeletal structure toward a wall of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Randall D Alley
  • Patent number: 11291562
    Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Christopher O. Evans, N. Christopher Perry, Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John Matthew Kerwin, Stewart M. Coulter, Stanley B. Smith, III, Keith David Violette, Steven W. Nickson, Thomas S. Schnellinger, Alexander H. Muller, Gerald Michael Guay
  • Patent number: 11278416
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are implants with pivots that can be rotated about these pivots to be implanted onto bone, and methods for implanting same. The implant may have a plurality of pivot pads and curved projections extending from one or more bone contacting surfaces. The pivot pads and curved projections may engage with corresponding features on bone for implantation and securement of the implant to the bone. The implant may be rotated about the plurality of pivot pads placed in corresponding recesses on bone to seat the projections into the corresponding recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Michael C. Ferko, Peter Wellings
  • Patent number: 11246720
    Abstract: An adjustable counterbalance mechanism for a prosthetic elbow includes a torsional spring disposed in a housing structure coaxially to an axis of rotation of a forearm portion and a cord and pulley arrangement which includes a first pulley, a second pulley and a link member attached to a fixed member structure. The first pulley is attached to a second portion of the spring and connected to the second pulley by a first cord. The second pulley is pivotally attached to the housing structure and connected to the link member by a second cord. The cord and pulley arrangement is configured to transfer a moment of force due to spring force to the forearm portion to counteract the torque of a forearm due to gravity as the angle of the forearm portion changes relative to the upper arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hugh Steeper Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Wahl, Aaron Taszreak
  • Patent number: 11229532
    Abstract: Prosthetic hand (1) with a wrist (13) and provided with a hand palm (2) and fingers (4) attached to the hand palm (2), wherein the hand palm (2) and fingers (4) comprise bars (5) and joints (6) connecting the bars (5) forming a construction (7) supported by the wrist (13), wherein said bars (5) occupy a position with reference to each other de-pending on an external load applied to the construction (7), wherein a reaction force for said load applied to the construction (7) is provided by or through the wrist (13), and wherein the construction (7) has an unloaded position wherein the fingers (4) are stretched and a plurality of loaded positions corresponding to loads applied to an inner side of the hand (1) wherein the construction (7) is deflected from the unloaded position wherein the fingers (4) are stretched into a series of loaded positions in which the fingers (4) are flexed into increasingly bonded positions so as to eventually close the hand (1), and that said construction (7) is provided with a lockin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT
    Inventors: Gerhardus Smit, Bartjan Maat