Patents by Inventor Kenneth D. Johannaber

Kenneth D. Johannaber has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10378865
    Abstract: A disc launching device includes a long handle and a disc holder at one end of the handle. The handle may include a grip end for holding the handle, an attachment end opposite the grip end, and a shaft extending from the grip end to the attachment end. The disc holder is attached to the attachment end of the handle. It includes a front rail for holding one side of a disc, a back rail for holding an opposite side of the disc, and at least one support member extending between the front rail and the back rail. The front rail and the back rail form an opening on one side of the disc holder, configured to allow the disc to launch out of the disc holder through the opening when sufficient forward momentum is applied to the disc holder via the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CONSORTIA DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Johannaber, Michael G. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20190136550
    Abstract: A drywall repair and texturing system includes a holder, a putty knife coupled with the holder, and a texture pad coupled with the holder. In some embodiments, the putty knife and/or the texture pad are removably coupled with the holder. The holder has a main body with a first end and a second end, and a texture pad connector disposed between the first and second ends. The putty knife has a handle, a first connector for attaching to the first end of the main body, a second connector for attaching to the second end of the main body, and a first knife end having a first width. The texture pad has a textured surface and connectors for coupling the texture pad with the texture pad connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Consortia Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Fisher, Kenneth D. Johannaber, Patrick M. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20190021894
    Abstract: A stabilization device can determine a condition of a human foot and can include a body, a pad, and a sensor. The body can be coupleable to a human foot. The pad can be coupleable to a distal portion of the body, and the pad can be configured to interface with a walking surface. The sensor can be securable to one of the body and the pad and the sensor can be configured to produce a sensor signal as a function of a sensed condition of the stabilization device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Charles M. Zelen, Orsa Britton, Kenneth D. Johannaber, David A. Nolan, Derek Dalbey
  • Publication number: 20180214283
    Abstract: A force and rotation sensing device can be suitable for measuring a force within a knee joint. A force sensor can measure a force exerted between opposing surfaces of a housing. A force display positioned on the housing can visually represent a value of the measured force, such as with a dual-sided light-emitting diode display that is visible from opposing sides of the housing. A first rotation sensor can measure a flexion/extension position of the housing. A flexion/extension display can visually represent a value of the measured flexion/extension position. In some examples, a zero button can set a reference orientation of the housing, so that the first rotation sensor can measure the flexion/extension position as a relative rotation with respect to the reference orientation. In some examples, circuitry can wirelessly transmit data corresponding to the value of the measured flexion/extension position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Johannaber, Rida Hariri, Derek Dalbey, John Minck, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180185166
    Abstract: A arthroplasty trial tool for a human shoulder can include a handle, a first sensor, and a user interface. The handle can include a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first sensor can produce a first sensor signal as a function of a sensed shoulder condition. The user interface can be configured to display a first value as a function of the first sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Johannaber
  • Patent number: 10004516
    Abstract: A bone cut positioning system and associated method are disclosed. The bone cut positioning system can include a positioning assembly. The positioning assembly can include a femoral attachment member configured to be fixed to a distal end of a femur, a light emitter mounting member configured to receive a light emitter, and a channel configured to receive a depth selector slide. Further, the positioning assembly can include a varus-valgus adjustment member configured to adjust a position of the positioning assembly relative to the femur to achieve a desired varus-valgus angle and a guide member removably coupled to the depth selector slide and configured to extend from the depth selector slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D Johannaber
  • Publication number: 20180161168
    Abstract: An arthroplasty trial assembly for a human shoulder can include a first implant securable to a first bone and a second implant securable to a second bone. The second implant can include a body, a stem, an articulation component, and a sensor. The stem can extend from the body, and the stem can be insertable into the second bone. The articulation component can be coupled to the body opposite the stem, and the articulation component can be articulable with the first implant. The sensor can be connected to the articulation component and can be configured to monitor a condition of the second implant and can produce a sensor signal as a function of the condition that is indicative of stability of the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Johannaber, John Minck, Rida Hariri, Derek Dalbey
  • Publication number: 20180116805
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for assessing hip arthroplasty component movement are generally described herein. A method may include receiving data from a sensor embedded in a femoral head component, the femoral head component configured to fit in an acetabular component, determining information about a magnetic field from the data, and outputting an indication of an orientation, coverage, or a force of the femoral head component relative to the acetabular component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Johannaber, John Minck, JR., Rida Hariri, Derek Dalbey
  • Publication number: 20180116821
    Abstract: Systems and methods may display an indication of an impact force from a driving device. A method may include displaying the indication of the impact force with a light. The light may be located on the driving device, a component attached to the driving device, a user interface, or the like. Different colors may be used to indicate different impact forces. For example, a first light color may correspond to an impact force below a first threshold, a second light color may correspond to an impact force above a second threshold, and a third light color may correspond to an impact force between the thresholds. The impact force may be detected using a sensor, which may output a voltage to cause the illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Johannaber, John Minck, JR., Rida Hariri, Derek Dalbey
  • Publication number: 20180116823
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for assessing hip arthroplasty component movement are generally described herein. A method may include receiving data from a sensor embedded in a femoral head component, the femoral head component configured to fit in an acetabular component, determining information about a magnetic field from the data, and outputting an indication of an orientation, coverage, or a force of the femoral head component relative to the acetabular component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Johannaber, John Minck, JR., Rida Hariri, Derek Dalbey
  • Patent number: 9955979
    Abstract: A bone cut positioning system and associated method are disclosed. The bone cut positioning system can include a positioning assembly, including a femoral attachment member, including a tongue with at least one fixation aperture configured to be fixed to a distal end of a femur. The positioning assembly can further include a light emitter mounting member configured to receive a light emitter, a channel configured to receive a depth selector slide, and a varus-valgus adjustment member configured to adjust a position of the positioning assembly relative to the femur to achieve a desired varus-valgus angle. A flexion-extension adjustment member can be configured to adjust a flexion-extension position of the positioning assembly relative to a flexion-extension of a knee joint and a guide member can be configured to extend from the depth selector slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D Johannaber
  • Publication number: 20180049895
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for facilitating knee balancing during a knee replacement surgery. A system can include a force sensor, a main body, a moveable sensor platform, and an adjustment mechanism. The force sensor can sense one or more forces applied within a knee joint, including forces applied on a medial side and a lateral side. The movable sensor platform can be coupled between the force sensor and the main body. The adjustment mechanism can adjust the moveable sensor platform, relative to the main body, thereby adjusting a collective height of the system. A method can include inserting portions of a knee balancing system into a gap formed between a cut distal end of a femur and a cut proximal end of a tibia, adjusting an adjustable mechanism of the system to increase or decrease a collective system height, and sensing and displaying the medial and lateral forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Haight, Kenneth D. Johannaber
  • Patent number: 9808356
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for facilitating knee balancing during a knee replacement surgery. A system can include a force sensor, a main body, a moveable sensor platform, and an adjustment mechanism. The force sensor can sense one or more forces applied within a knee joint, including forces applied on a medial side and a lateral side. The movable sensor platform can be coupled between the force sensor and the main body. The adjustment mechanism can adjust the moveable sensor platform, relative to the main body, thereby adjusting a collective height of the system. A method can include inserting portions of a knee balancing system into a gap formed between a cut distal end of a femur and a cut proximal end of a tibia, adjusting an adjustable mechanism of the system to increase or decrease a collective system height, and sensing and displaying the medial and lateral forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Synvasive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Haight, Kenneth D Johannaber
  • Patent number: 9693783
    Abstract: A method for positioning a bone cutting guide on a tibia may begin with coupling a bone cut positioning apparatus with a tibia. The method may also include adjusting the positioning apparatus in a varus/valgus orientation to shine a light emitted by a light emitter approximately along a midline of an anterior surface of the tibia, swinging a pivoting arm about a pivot joint to direct the emitted light along a medial surface of the tibia, adjusting the positioning apparatus in an anterior/posterior orientation to shine the light approximately along a midline of the medial surface, contacting a stylus with a proximal end of the tibia to select a cutting depth for a bone cut to be made on the tibia, and attaching the bone cutting guide to the tibia in a position determined by the positioning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Synvasive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Fisher, Anthony K Hedley, Russell T Nevins, Kenneth D Johannaber
  • Publication number: 20170100133
    Abstract: A bone cut positioning system and associated method are disclosed. The bone cut positioning system can include a positioning assembly, including a femoral attachment member, including a tongue with at least one fixation aperture configured to be fixed to a distal end of a femur. The positioning assembly can further include a light emitter mounting member configured to receive a light emitter, a channel configured to receive a depth selector slide, and a varus-valgus adjustment member configured to adjust a position of the positioning assembly relative to the femur to achieve a desired varus-valgus angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Johannaber
  • Publication number: 20170042554
    Abstract: A system is provided for positioning a cutting guide on a femur of a knee to make a cut along a distal end of the femur during knee surgery. The system may generally include an adjustable femoral attachment member configured to attach to a cut distal end of the femur, a cutting guide removably attachable to the femoral attachment member and configured to guide a surgical saw to make an additional cut on the distal end of the femur, and a force sensor for positioning between the femoral attachment member and a proximal end of a tibia of the knee. The force sensor may include a medial portion for sensing a medial force in the knee and a lateral portion for sensing a lateral force in the knee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Barjinder S. Chana, Michael G. Fisher, Michael Haight, Leo Beckers, Kenneth D. Johannaber
  • Patent number: 9492290
    Abstract: Systems for determining force balance on a knee joint during a surgical procedure are disclosed. A system can include a tibial prosthesis. The tibial prosthesis can include a bearing component, a base component, and a shim component. The bearing component can have a superior articulating surface and an inferior surface. The bearing component can include a top portion, a bottom portion, a frame disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a plurality of sensors disposed between the frame and the bottom portion. The frame can have a plurality of apertures corresponding in size or shape to the plurality of sensors. The base component can have a superior surface and an inferior surface. The shim component can be configured to be slidable between the inferior surface of the bearing component and the superior surface of the base component in an anterior to posterior direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: Zimmer, Inc., Synvasive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Claypool, Wayne Paprosky, David Lewallen, Steven Stump, Barjinder S. Chana, Michael G. Fisher, Kenneth D Johannaber, Andrew P. Sizelove, Stephen E. White
  • Publication number: 20160310297
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided to delivery force sensing within provisional prosthesis and surgical instruments. A system can include a universal force sensor module and a trial prosthesis. The universal force sensor module can include an upper module cover, a module base, a force sensor, a circuit board, and a battery. The upper module cover can include a cover flex section surrounding a cover instrument contact surface. The module base can include a sensor support structure and be configured to receive a cover perimeter section of the upper module cover. The force sensor can be disposed within the module base and supported by the sensor support structure. The circuit board can be electrically coupled to the force sensor and the battery. The trial prosthesis can include a sensor module cavity adapted to securely retain the universal force sensor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: John Anes, Nicholas Stephen Baker, Scott Decker, Rida Hariri, Kenneth D. Johannaber, Steven King, Andrew P. Sizelove
  • Patent number: 9439656
    Abstract: A system is provided for positioning a cutting guide on a femur of a knee to make a cut along a distal end of the femur during knee surgery. The system may generally include an adjustable femoral attachment member configured to attach to a cut distal end of the femur, a cutting guide removably attachable to the femoral attachment member and configured to guide a surgical saw to make an additional cut on the distal end of the femur, and a force sensor for positioning between the femoral attachment member and a proximal end of a tibia of the knee. The force sensor may include a medial portion for sensing a medial force in the knee and a lateral portion for sensing a lateral force in the knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Synvasive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Barjinder S. Chana, Michael G. Fisher, Michael Haight, Leo Beckers, Kenneth D Johannaber
  • Publication number: 20150289884
    Abstract: A method for positioning a bone cutting guide on a tibia may begin with coupling a bone cut positioning apparatus with a tibia. The method may also include adjusting the positioning apparatus in a varus/valgus orientation to shine a light emitted by a light emitter approximately along a midline of an anterior surface of the tibia, swinging a pivoting arm about a pivot joint to direct the emitted light along a medial surface of the tibia, adjusting the positioning apparatus in an anterior/posterior orientation to shine the light approximately along a midline of the medial surface, contacting a stylus with a proximal end of the tibia to select a cutting depth for a bone cut to be made on the tibia, and attaching the bone cutting guide to the tibia in a position determined by the positioning apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Michael G. Fisher, Anthony K. Hedley, Russell T. Nevins, Kenneth D. Johannaber