Patents Assigned to WW TECHNOLOGY AG
  • Patent number: 10722369
    Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion. The anchorage portions include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions have a greater thickness and a greater depth than the stabilization portion. Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: WW TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Müller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
  • Patent number: 9757237
    Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion. The anchorage portions include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions have a greater thickness and a greater depth than the stabilization portion. Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: WW TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Mueller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
  • Patent number: 8951254
    Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions (1) and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion (2). The anchorage portions (1) include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion (2) preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions (1) have a greater thickness (T1) and a greater depth (D) than the stabilization portion (2). Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face (4) of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: WW Technology AG
    Inventors: Jorg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Mueller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
  • Patent number: 8663297
    Abstract: A method of anchoring an implant in hard tissue, and/or hard tissue replacement material, includes the steps of providing an initial opening in the hard tissue, providing a thermoplastic augmentation element, a tool and a counter element, compressing the augmentation element between the tool and the counter element while energy is coupled into the tool and while a periphery of a liquefaction interface of the tool and the augmentation element and/or of a liquefaction interface of the augmentation element and the counter element is in the opening, thereby liquefying material of the augmentation element at the liquefaction interface(s) to yield liquefied material, causing portions of the liquefied material to penetrate into structures of the hard tissue, allowing the liquefied material to harden and to thereby become augmentation material, removing the tool and the counter element, and anchoring the implant in the opening including at least some of the augmentation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: WW Technology AG
    Inventors: Jorg Mayer, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra
  • Publication number: 20120022535
    Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions (1) and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion (2). The anchorage portions (1) include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion (2) preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions (1) have a greater thickness (T1) and a greater depth (D) than the stabilization portion (2). Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face (4) of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: WW TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Jorg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andrea Mueller, Milica Berra, Urs Weber
  • Publication number: 20110257694
    Abstract: A method of anchoring an implant in hard tissue, and/or hard tissue replacement material, includes the steps of providing an initial opening in the hard tissue, providing a thermoplastic augmentation element, a tool and a counter element, compressing the augmentation element between the tool and the counter element while energy is coupled into the tool and while a periphery of a liquefaction interface of the tool and the augmentation element and/or of a liquefaction interface of the augmentation element and the counter element is in the opening, thereby liquefying material of the augmentation element at the liquefaction interface(s) to yield liquefied material, causing portions of the liquefied material to penetrate into structures of the hard tissue, allowing the liquefied material to harden and to thereby become augmentation material, removing the tool and the counter element, and anchoring the implant in the opening including at least some of the augmentation material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: WW TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Jorg Mayer, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Stephanie Mehl, Milica Berra