Patents by Inventor Kenton A. Walz

Kenton A. Walz 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: 11969353
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prosthesis systems having trays and liners having an asymmetrical locking mechanism to bias the strength of the liner to resist loading forces and associated methods. The tray has a lateral groove disposed in an inner surface of a lateral circumferential portion of the tray and a medial groove disposed in an inner surface of a medial circumferential portion of the tray. The liner has an upper segment and a lower segment. The liner has a locking portion for lockingly engaging the tray that includes the lower segment. The locking portion has a lateral toe positioned generally diametrically opposite a plurality of resiliently deformable medial fingers defined therein. The liner and the tray are engageable in a lateral-to-medial direction so that the plurality of medial fingers can resiliently deform to engage the medial groove subsequent to engagement of the lateral toe within the lateral groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Humphrey, James D. Wernle, Joanna Surma, Stephen H. Hoag, Donald W. Dye, Kenton A. Walz, Terry W. Wagner, Kathleen Macke, Duane Gillard, Brian D. Byrd, Ken Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20200289278
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prosthesis systems having trays and liners having an asymmetrical locking mechanism to bias the strength of the liner to resist loading forces and associated methods. The tray has a lateral groove disposed in an inner surface of a lateral circumferential portion of the tray and a medial groove disposed in an inner surface of a medial circumferential portion of the tray. The liner has an upper segment and a lower segment. The liner has a locking portion for lockingly engaging the tray that includes the lower segment. The locking portion has a lateral toe positioned generally diametrically opposite a plurality of resiliently deformable medial fingers defined therein. The liner and the tray are engageable in a lateral-to-medial direction so that the plurality of medial fingers can resiliently deform to engage the medial groove subsequent to engagement of the lateral toe within the lateral groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Humphrey, James D. Wernle, Joanna Surma, Stephen H. Hoag, Donald W. Dye, Kenton A. Walz, Terry W. Wagner, Kathleen Macke, Duane Gillard, Brian D. Byrd, Ken Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10709565
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prosthesis systems having trays and liners having an asymmetrical locking mechanism to bias the strength of the liner to resist loading forces and associated methods. The tray has a lateral groove disposed in an inner surface of a lateral circumferential portion of the tray and a medial groove disposed in an inner surface of a medial circumferential portion of the tray. The liner has an upper segment and a lower segment. The liner has a locking portion for lockingly engaging the tray that includes the lower segment. The locking portion has a lateral toe positioned generally diametrically opposite a plurality of resiliently deformable medial fingers defined therein. The liner and the tray are engageable in a lateral-to-medial direction so that the plurality of medial fingers can resiliently deform to engage the medial groove subsequent to engagement of the lateral toe within the lateral groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Humphrey, James D. Wernle, Joanna Surma, Stephen H. Hoag, Donald W. Dye, Kenton A. Walz, Terry W. Wagner, Kathleen Macke, Duane Gillard, Brian D. Byrd, Ken Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10231741
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism designed to removably attach a reamer to the distal end of a spindle or shaft is disclosed. The coupling comprises a collar having an annular sidewall that defines a collar throughbore, the collar annular sidewall comprising a plurality of spaced part first slots that at least partially extend through the sidewall and a shank disposed within the collar throughbore. The shank is constructed with a shank annular sidewall in which a plurality of spaced apart second slots at least partially extend therethrough. A bias member that provides a bias force in a distal direction that acts on the collar is incorporated within the mechanism. The collar is capable of sliding in an axial direction such that the first and second slots become aligned to secure the cross bar of a reamer therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Viant AS&O Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Crandall, Jia Li, Kenton A. Walz, Paul Alejandro
  • Patent number: 10226294
    Abstract: An orthopedic impactor device for positioning an orthopedic prosthetic cup implant during a hip replacement surgery is described. The impactor comprises a distal prosthetic cup engagement portion which is separated from a proximal strike plate by an elongated housing and handle. The housing has a length that extends from a proximal housing portion to a distal housing end with an intermediate housing section therebetween. The intermediate housing section comprises spaced right and left side walls that extend upwardly from a bottom wall to an upper opening. A drive train, comprising a connection rod connectable to an orthopedic prosthetic cup, at least partially resides within the elongated housing. The drive train comprises a linkage sub-assembly that transfers rotational movement of a shaft located at the drive shaft proximal end to the connection rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Viant AS&O Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jia Li, Kenton A. Walz, Jonathan P. Crandall, Matthew L. Mroczkowski
  • Patent number: 10195040
    Abstract: An elbow prosthesis can include a humeral component having a yoke, an ulnar component having a head, a humeral bearing positionable in a base of the humeral component, an ulnar bearing assembly configured to engage with the head, and a pin extendable through the bearing assembly and the head. The pin can be extendable into first and second ears of the yoke to enable pivotable movement of the ulnar component relative to the humeral component. The elbow prosthesis can include a first fastener insertable through the first ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin, and a second fastener insertable through the second ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry W. Wagner, Brian L. Kincaid, Kenton A. Walz, Stephen H. Hoag, Mark Reed Marqueling, Brian C. Hodorek
  • Publication number: 20170056187
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prosthesis systems having trays and liners having an asymmetrical locking mechanism to bias the strength of the liner to resist loading forces and associated methods. The tray has a lateral groove disposed in an inner surface of a lateral circumferential portion of the tray and a medial groove disposed in an inner surface of a medial circumferential portion of the tray. The liner has an upper segment and a lower segment. The liner has a locking portion for lockingly engaging the tray that includes the lower segment. The locking portion has a lateral toe positioned generally diametrically opposite a plurality of resiliently deformable medial fingers defined therein. The liner and the tray are engageable in a lateral-to-medial direction so that the plurality of medial fingers can resiliently deform to engage the medial groove subsequent to engagement of the lateral toe within the lateral groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Humphrey, James D. Wernle, Joanna Surma, Stephen H. Hoag, Donald W. Dye, Kenton A. Walz, Terry W. Wagner, Kathleen Macke, Duane Gillard, Brian D. Byrd, Ken Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20170014236
    Abstract: An elbow prosthesis can include a humeral component having a yoke, an ulnar component having a head, a humeral bearing positionable in a base of the humeral component, an ulnar bearing assembly configured to engage with the head, and a pin extendable through the bearing assembly and the head. The pin can be extendable into first and second ears of the yoke to enable pivotable movement of the ulnar component relative to the humeral component. The elbow prosthesis can include a first fastener insertable through the first ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin, and a second fastener insertable through the second ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Terry W. Wagner, Brian L. Kincaid, Kenton A. Walz, Stephen H. Hoag, Mark Reed Marqueling, Brian C. Hodorek
  • Publication number: 20170000499
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism designed to removably attach a reamer to the distal end of a spindle or shaft is disclosed. The coupling comprises a collar having an annular sidewall that defines a collar throughbore, the collar annular sidewall comprising a plurality of spaced part first slots that at least partially extend through the sidewall and a shank disposed within the collar throughbore. The shank is constructed with a shank annular sidewall in which a plurality of spaced apart second slots at least partially extend therethrough. A bias member that provides a bias force in a distal direction that acts on the collar is incorporated within the mechanism. The collar is capable of sliding in an axial direction such that the first and second slots become aligned to secure the cross bar of a reamer therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Crandall, Jia Li, Kenton A. Walz, Paul Alejandro
  • Publication number: 20170000540
    Abstract: An orthopedic impactor device for positioning an orthopedic prosthetic cup implant during a hip replacement surgery is described. The impactor comprises a distal prosthetic cup engagement portion which is separated from a proximal strike plate by an elongated housing and handle. The housing has a length that extends from a proximal housing portion to a distal housing end with an intermediate housing section therebetween. The intermediate housing section comprises spaced right and left side walls that extend upwardly from a bottom wall to an upper opening. A drive train, comprising a connection rod connectable to an orthopedic prosthetic cup, at least partially resides within the elongated housing. The drive train comprises a linkage sub-assembly that transfers rotational movement of a shaft located at the drive shaft proximal end to the connection rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jia Li, Kenton A. Walz, Jonathan P. Crandall, Matthew L. Mroczkowski
  • Patent number: 9474616
    Abstract: An elbow prosthesis can include a humeral component having a yoke, an ulnar component having a head, a humeral bearing positionable in a base of the humeral component, an ulnar bearing assembly configured to engage with the head, and a pin extendable through the bearing assembly and the head. The pin can be extendable into first and second ears of the yoke to enable pivotable movement of the ulnar component relative to the humeral component. The elbow prosthesis can include a first fastener insertable through the first ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin, and a second fastener insertable through the second ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry W. Wagner, Brian L. Kincaid, Kenton A. Walz, Stephen H. Hoag, Mark Reed Marqueling, Brian C. Hodorek
  • Publication number: 20150088263
    Abstract: An elbow prosthesis can include a humeral component having a yoke, an ulnar component having a head, a humeral bearing positionable in a base of the humeral component, an ulnar bearing assembly configured to engage with the head, and a pin extendable through the bearing assembly and the head. The pin can be extendable into first and second ears of the yoke to enable pivotable movement of the ulnar component relative to the humeral component. The elbow prosthesis can include a first fastener insertable through the first ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin, and a second fastener insertable through the second ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Terry W. Wagner, Brian L. Kincaid, Kenton A. Walz, Stephen H. Hoag, Mark Reed Marqueling
  • Patent number: 8936647
    Abstract: An elbow prosthesis can include a humeral component having a yoke, an ulnar component having a head, a humeral bearing positionable in a base of the humeral component, an ulnar bearing assembly configured to engage with the head, and a pin extendable through the bearing assembly and the head. The pin can be extendable into first and second ears of the yoke to enable pivotable movement of the ulnar component relative to the humeral component. The elbow prosthesis can include a first fastener insertable through the first ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin, and a second fastener insertable through the second ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry W. Wagner, Brian L. Kincaid, Kenton A. Walz, Stephen H. Hoag, Mark Reed Marqueling
  • Publication number: 20130345818
    Abstract: An elbow prosthesis can include a humeral component having a yoke, an ulnar component having a head, a humeral bearing positionable in a base of the humeral component, an ulnar bearing assembly configured to engage with the head, and a pin extendable through the bearing assembly and the head. The pin can be extendable into first and second ears of the yoke to enable pivotable movement of the ulnar component relative to the humeral component. The elbow prosthesis can include a first fastener insertable through the first ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin, and a second fastener insertable through the second ear of the yoke and configured to engage with the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Terry W. Wagner, Brian L. Kincaid, Kenton A. Walz, Stephen H. Hoag, Mark Reed Marqueling