Patents Assigned to DePuy Du Pont Orthopaedics
  • Patent number: 5112337
    Abstract: A drill guide for drilling a tunnel in a tibia for anterior cruciate ligament replacement comprises a target hook having a point for engaging and determining the exit of the tunnel in the tibial plateau, and a handle carrying a drill guide sleeve holder and selectively variable means for adjusting and rigidly fixing the angular position of the holder relative to the plateau. The drill guide also comprises a drill sleeve longitudinally selectively adjustably received in the holder for axial movement toward and away from the point, the drill sleeve having a proximal end extending toward the point. The drill sleeve is cannulated to receive a guide wire with a sharpened point headed toward the point. Engagement means for holding the drill sleeve in a selected position is provided, thereby preselecting the desired tunnel length defined between the proximal end of said drill sleeve and the point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: DePuy Du Pont Orthopaedics
    Inventors: Lonnie E. Paulos, E. Paul France, Richard L. Ellingson
  • Patent number: 5071420
    Abstract: A device for determining the isometric point of a knee cruciate ligament replacement in a femur after a tibial tunnel has been prepared by attaching a screw to an estimated placement point on the femur with a strand attached to the screw and extending away therefrom. The device comprises a holder, a driver disposed in the holder to engage and drive the screw into the femur, a fitting for positioning the holder to the mouth of the tunnel on the outer anterior tibial surface, a gauge calibrated to provide a selected tension on the strand, and means for attaching the gauge to the holder. The gauge comprises an excursion scale to indicate the movement of the strand when the knee is flexed, a spring for applying a selected tension to the strand, and a gripper for the strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: DePuy Du Pont Orthopaedics
    Inventors: Lonnie E. Paulos, E. Paul France, Richard L. Ellingson