Patents Assigned to Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
  • Patent number: 6468280
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for establishing and verifying cutting depth and alignment includes a distal saw drill guide, a rod adaptor removably mounted on the distal saw drill guide and a modular alignment rod removably mounted on the rod adaptor. The distal saw drill guide includes pin apertures for receiving a plurality of pins for locating the distal saw drill guide on the distal end of a femur. A distal saw block is mounted on the pins in replacement of the distal saw drill guide the rod adaptor and the alignment rod. A stylus is adjustably attached to a stylus block which is movably mounted on the distal saw block. The rod adaptor and modular alignment rod are movably mounted on the distal saw block in replacement of the stylus and stylus block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Saenger, Richard J. Kana, Charles H. Perrone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6447549
    Abstract: A modular knee system includes a hinged femoral component and a distal femoral component. A plurality of first stem components are selectively compatible with the hinged femoral component. A plurality of first adaptors are selectively compatible with the first stem components and the distal femoral component. A hinge component is connected to a tibial insert. The hinge component and the tibial insert are selectively compatible with the hinged femoral component and the distal femoral component. A hinged tibial component and a proximal tibial component are selectively compatible with the tibial insert. A plurality of second stem components are selectively compatible with the hinged tibial component. Alternately, a plug component is compatible with the hinged tibial component. A plurality of second adaptors are selectively compatible with the second stem components and the proximal tibial component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Taft
  • Patent number: 6395004
    Abstract: A trial prosthesis and saw guide system for use in orthopedic surgery to implant an orthopedic calcar-replacing femoral hip prosthesis. A trial femoral hip stem includes a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a neck portion for temporarily receiving a trial femoral head. The proximal portion includes an elongate saw guide slot substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A trial femoral hip flange is provided for temporary insertion within the saw guide slot. An elongate rotary reamer is provided for reaming a socket in the medullary canal to receive the hip prosthesis. An elongate driver adapter has means at a proximal end for connection to a powered rotary driver and has means at a distal end for connection to the elongate rotary reamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Dye, Stephen W. Haecker, Adriana de la Barcena
  • Patent number: 6361506
    Abstract: A surgical measuring instrument includes a caliper having pin apertures formed therein for mounting on surgical pins in a first skeletal member. An adaptor includes pin apertures on a first portion for mounting on the surgical pins when the caliper is removed, and includes adaptor pins extending from a second portion for engagement with the caliper. A rod is connected to the caliper for indicating alignment and flexibility of a second skeletal member relative to the first skeletal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Saenger, Richard J. Kana, Charles H. Perrone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6290704
    Abstract: Apparatus for distal femur sizing and resection includes a sizer member and a platform pivotably connected to the sizer member. An anterior femoral cut guide is movably engaged with the sizer member and includes a first retainer for retaining a removable reference device for referencing, and a second retainer for retaining a removable distal cut guide subsequent to removal of the reference device to position the distal cut guide on the femur. Retaining guides extend from the femoral cut guide. A slide member is movably mounted on the retaining guides. The slide member includes a carriage member, and a plunger resiliently mounted in the carriage, and movable for retaining the slide member on the retaining guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Burkinshaw, Donald W. Dye
  • Patent number: 6214052
    Abstract: A tibial prosthetic implant with a reversible offset stem includes a base and a boss extending from the base. A reversible keel member includes a first end attached to the boss and a second end including an offset stem receiver. A stem includes a stem attachment extending at an angle from a first end thereof and connected to the offset stem receiver such that attaching the angled end of the stem to the offset stem receiver when the keel is in a first position, offsets the stem in a first direction, whereas, attaching the angled end of the stem to the offset stem receiver when the keel is in a second position, reversed from the first position, offsets the stem in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Burkinshaw
  • Patent number: 6210437
    Abstract: Herein are disclosed devices, particularly medical devices, more particularly implantable medical devices, comprising a first layer of a metal and a short chain silicone terminating with silicon hydride, and a second layer of a silicone polymer. The short chain silicone is bound to the metal, and the silicone polymer is covalently bound via the vinyl group to the silicon hydride group of the short chain silicone. Also disclosed herein is a method for making such devices, involving providing the metal, depositing the short chain silicone, molding the silicone polymer as a silicone prepolymer, and polymerizing the silicone prepolymer to yield silicone polymer covalently bonded to the short chain silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventor: Jack R. Frautschi
  • Patent number: 6183475
    Abstract: A distal femoral osteotomy system and method according to which an end segment is cut from the bone to be realigned and a wedge-shaped segment is cut from between the end segment and the remaining portion of the bone. The wedge-shaped segment is cut so that it has an angled surface substantially corresponding to the angle of malalignment. The wedge-shaped segment is discarded and the severed end segment is repositioned relative to the remaining portion of the bone at an angle corresponding to the angle of malalignment to realign the end segment and the remaining bone portion and correct for the malalignment. A compressive load is then established across the remaining bone portion and the end segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lester, Sam Morgan, Mark T. Dahl
  • Patent number: 6183516
    Abstract: The surface molecules of a modified polymeric prosthetic device participate in the free radical polymerization reaction of a bone cement such as polymethylmethacrylate, thereby providing improved bonding between the prosthesis and the bone to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Burkinshaw, Jack R. Frautschi
  • Patent number: 6159216
    Abstract: A tibial preparation instrument including a baseplate trial having an opening formed therein. A removable handle is attached to the baseplate trial. A keel broach trial is shaped for insertion into the opening. A broach guide is provided for mounting on the baseplate trial. The broach guide includes an attachment member for attachment to the keel broach trial for angularly guiding the keel broach trial through the opening to a seated position on the baseplate trial, whereby the keel broach trial secures the baseplate trial on a tibial plateau.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Burkinshaw, Richard J. Kana
  • Patent number: 6149687
    Abstract: An offset trial stem system includes a baseplate and a trial stem. The trial stem has a main body portion and a baseplate connection portion. The baseplate connection portion is threadably attached to the baseplate, and is offset from, and connected to, the main body portion by a transition portion. A threaded member is provided for attaching the trial stem to the baseplate. The threaded member is mounted for reciprocating and rotating movement in the trial stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne P. Gray, Jr., Dennis L. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6146424
    Abstract: An offset, press-fit tibial stem system includes a baseplate, a main body portion, a baseplate connection portion attached to the baseplate and being offset from, and connected to, the main body portion by a transition portion. The main body portion has a first centroidal axis passing therethrough and the baseplate connection portion has a second centroidal axis passing therethrough. The offset is such that the first centroidal axis and the second centroidal axis are slightly spaced apart and substantially parallel so as to each pass through the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne P. Gray, Jr., Dennis L. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6143034
    Abstract: An implantable orthopedic knee joint prosthesis. A femoral component has a first body including a surface for engaging femoral bone and a second body including a surface for engaging another component. Means are provided for hingedly connecting the first and second bodies together for relative pivoting motion about a fixed pivot axis. A tibial component has a baseplate that includes a surface for engaging tibial bone and a surface for engaging another component. An adapter bearing is disposed intermediate the second body and the baseplate and includes means for engagement with and affixation to the baseplate, and means for engagement with and affixation to the second body. A keel depends from the tibial bone engaging surface of the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Burrows
  • Patent number: 6129765
    Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis is provided that includes a shell having a substantially concave inner surface defining a cavity and a substantially annular groove formed therein. The prosthesis further includes a polymeric insert that is positionable within the cavity of the shell, and that has a substantially convex outer surface and a circumferential protrusion projecting therefrom. The protrusion has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section wherein at least one of the sides of the trapezoid is substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry of the insert. The cross-section of the protrusion is substantially congruent to the cross-section of the groove of the shell, and the inner surface of the shell is substantially congruent with a corresponding portion of the outer surface of the insert when the insert is properly positioned within the cavity of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge Lopez, Steve Van der meulen
  • Patent number: 6127596
    Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis has a macro/micro-textured bone and soft tissue attachment surface to which a spiked washer is clamped by a threaded bolt received through said washer and threaded into said prosthesis. Soft tissue is secured to the prosthesis by clamping between said washer and said soft tissue attachment surface. The tissue attachment surface is arranged as a regular grid of depressions separated by orthogonal ridges formed by electrodischarge machining of the prosthesis using a machining electrode having a mold-opposite surface texture with a micro-textured roughened surface finish. The spacing of the spikes is and integer multiple of the spacing of the depressions to assure registry of the spikes with the depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Brown, John Wheeler, Mark Lester, James Burrows
  • Patent number: 6126694
    Abstract: A combination stem trial and broach includes a broach having a first attachment device at one end thereof. The first attachment device includes a first threaded member and a first orientation member. An elongated stem trial has a second attachment device at a first end thereof for engagement with the first attachment device. The second attachment device includes a second threaded member for connection with the first threaded member and a second orientation member for connection with the first orientation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne P. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6120546
    Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis. A prosthetic component includes a wall having a first surface for engaging bone and a second surface. The wall defines a hole therethrough extending from the second surface to the first surface. A plug is removably disposed in the hole. The plug includes a peripheral rim spring-biased radially outwardly in frictional engagement with the sidewall of the hole. The plug is useful for occluding the hole to alleviate the risk of polyethylene wear particles migrating through an unused hole into contact with bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Dye, Gary Sederholm
  • Patent number: 6120509
    Abstract: An intramedullary reference instrument is provided for aligning a cutting instrument in connection with surgical implantation of an orthopedic prosthesis having a stem component. The intramedullary reference instrument includes a stem trial having a length and diameter corresponding to that of the stem component of the prosthesis, and also includes a first connector. The instrument further includes a shaft adapter having a first end portion including a second connector. The second connector is configured for mating with the first connector of the stem trial to removably connect the shaft adapter to the stem trial. The shaft adapter is engageable with the cutting instrument to properly align the cutting instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6117138
    Abstract: A variety of surgical instruments facilitate implantation of a femoral stem component of an implantable prosthesis. A skeletal member is prepared by securing a reamer in the member. A broach is mounted on the reamer for broaching the member. A variety of adapters are selectively used with a head trial to check for location of the head trial. After trial placement is satisfactory, the instruments are removed so that the prosthesis can be implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Burrows, Erin M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6086614
    Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis includes a screw having a threaded shank and a head. The head includes a plurality of splines extending outwardly of the diametrical extent of the head. A first implantable prosthetic element has a threaded bore for receiving the threaded shank of the screw in threaded engagement. A second implantable prosthetic element has a shoulder-stepped bore for receiving the threaded shank therethrough and for engaging the head. The bore includes an annular groove for receiving the splines of the head and defines a shoulder for engaging the splines to prevent backout of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Mumme