Patents Assigned to Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9993345
    Abstract: A provisional femoral component, in one embodiment, including at least one first visual indicator and at least one second visual indicator, the first and second visual indicators providing indicating means for simultaneously visually representing a first profile of a first femoral prosthesis and a second profile of a second femoral prosthesis. In another embodiment, a provisional femoral component including a patellofemoral flange having two sulci and a central ridge between the two sulci. In this manner, the provisional femoral component can be positioned on a resected distal femur surface of both a right and left knee joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Nolan C. Jones, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos, Abraham Habegger, Brian D. Earl
  • Patent number: 9993275
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical locking screw for fastening bone parts in the event of a heel fracture, comprising a front end, a rear driving end having a drive for turning the locking screw, and an external thread, which has a constant thread pitch continuously over the axial extent of the external thread, wherein a major diameter of the external thread is constant in a first axial segment of the locking screw and increases with increasing distance from the front end in a second axial segment adjacent to the first axial segment in the direction of the rear end, wherein a minor diameter of the external thread is constant in the first and second axial segments, wherein the external thread extends, at least approximately, axially continuously over the entire axial extent of the locking screw, and wherein the minor diameter of the external thread extends over the entire axial extent of the external thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Mildner, Vladko Kotuljac
  • Patent number: 9987147
    Abstract: A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Patent number: 9987067
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a tool for stabilizing a fractured bone. The tool comprises a barrel having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the barrel includes a passageway for receiving a bone pin configured to be driven into the fractured bone to stabilize the fractured bone. The passageway is sized to accommodate axial movement of the bone pin through the passageway while limiting radial movement of the bone pin in the passageway. The tool further comprises a piston having a proximal end and a distal end and configured to translate axially relative to the barrel. The proximal end of the piston includes a head and the distal end of the piston includes a needle formation, the needle formation being sized for receipt within the passageway of the barrel to drive the bone pin axially from the barrel and into the fractured bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Giordano, Antony J. Lozier, Daniel P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9980828
    Abstract: Modular neck components for hip implants having independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present disclosure allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Stephen J. Vankoski
  • Patent number: 9974549
    Abstract: One embodiment disclosed provides a guide instrument for controlling the depth and trajectory of a surgical access device into a bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Meenal N. Lele, Christopher D. Mandeen, Shaun B. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20180133871
    Abstract: A torque limiter can include a housing and a shaft. The housing can include a housing magnet enclosed within the housing. The shaft can be at least partially surrounded by the housing and can be rotatable within the housing. The shaft can include a shaft magnet integrated with the shaft to magnetically couple with the housing magnet to transmit a torque between the housing and the shaft and configured to uncouple from the housing magnet allowing the shaft to rotate within the housing when a threshold torque is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel James Farmer
  • Patent number: 9968382
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may include a pair of structural members coupled to at least a portion of a human vertebra with connectors. Connectors may couple structural members to spinous processes. Some embodiments of a spinal stabilization system may include fasteners that couple structural members to vertebrae. In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system, provides three points of fixation for a single vertebral level. A fastener may fixate a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae and couple a stabilization structural member to a vertebra. Connectors may couple the structural members to the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Use of a spinal stabilization system may improve the stability of a weakened or damaged portion of a spine. When used in conjunction with an implant or other device, the spinal stabilization system may immobilize vertebrae and allow for fusion of the implant or other device with vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret E. Mitchell, Michael E. Landry, Stephen H Hochschuler, Richard D. Guyer
  • Patent number: 9968390
    Abstract: An implantable device is described, comprising an implant (12), wherein the implant comprises at least one opening (22), at least one anchoring element (14) for fixing the implant to at least one bone, wherein the respective anchoring element comprises a shank (20) and a head (18) and wherein at least a part of the shank can be guided through the respective opening while the head can be seated in the respective opening, and a locking mechanism with a fixation element (16) and a radially deformable annular element (26) that can be pressed against the head of the anchoring element by actuation of the fixation element, in order to fix the head in the opening of the implant. The opening of the implant has a recess (28) having a support surface (24) for the head of the anchoring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Kuster
  • Patent number: 9962195
    Abstract: A bone holding device comprising: at least one conformable elongated member having a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion therebetween; a rod with at least one transverse passage which opens into at least one of two opposite side faces of the rod, said passage being delimited by inner surfaces of the rod, and at least one compression member, the compression member and said inner surfaces both defining clamping surfaces and cooperating so that the first and second portions of the elongated member can be inserted and clamped between said clamping surfaces. A method using such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Gilles Larroque-Lahitette, Richard Minfelde
  • Patent number: 9962169
    Abstract: A surgical device of a drill/driver with bit recognition to set a desired application mode and a method of utilization thereof is provided. Various operating modes of the drill/driver are automatically set by a sensor which recognizes the bit applied to the drill/driver. A method of utilizing the drill/driver allows the drill driver to apply surgical screws at very high speeds while automatically preventing excessive torque levels that would strip out the surgical screw from the patient's bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Biomet CMF and Thoracic, LLC
    Inventors: Saddy Garcia, Bradley Winterroth, Ryan Luby, Larry Miller, Christopher C. Dyer, Benjamin J. Gray, Allan J. Meredith
  • Patent number: 9962187
    Abstract: External fixation systems, and methods for immobilizing joints or fractured bones. An external fixation system may include one or more clamp assemblies connected to one or more rod assemblies at polyaxial joints. Each rod assembly may be length adjustable, and may include a one-way locking mechanism to provisionally lock the length of the rod assembly, and additional locking mechanisms to permanently lock the length of the rod assembly. The system may be deployed pre-assembled as a unit to immobilize a joint or fracture. Another external fixation system further includes a spanning member extending transverse to the rod assemblies. Two or more external fixation systems may be deployed in a stacked configuration on one set of bone pins to immobilize two joints and/or fractures. The systems may be provided in kits including guiding instrumentation, bone pins and pin clamping assemblies for connecting the bone pins to the external fixation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Erickson
  • Patent number: 9962267
    Abstract: Methods for altering the natural history of degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the spine are proposed. The methods focus on the prevention, or delayed onset or progression of, subchondral defects such as bone marrow edema or bone marrow lesion, and subchondral treatment to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease in the spine and thereby treat pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Sharkey, Charles F. Leinberry, David L. Nichols, Marc R. Viscogliosi, Hallett Mathews
  • Patent number: 9956082
    Abstract: A method for treating arthritis of a joint includes identifying a bone lesion in a bone adjacent to the joint; and implanting in the bone a reinforcing member in or adjacent to the bone lesion. A kit for conducting the method includes: (a) at least one reinforcing member having a proximal face adapted to face the joint, a distal face adapted to face away from the joint, and a wedge-shaped edge adapted to pierce bone, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is planar and sterile; and (b) a container adapted to maintain the at least one reinforcing member sterile. Another kit includes: (a) a sterile fluid; (b) a syringe for injecting the fluid into a bone; (c) a curing agent adapted to cure the fluid to polymerize and/or cross-link; and (d) a container adapted to maintain the sterility of contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Sharkey, Charles F. Leinberry
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9949755
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modular instrument system for accessing a site within a patient's body, such as for example, to inject or remove material. In one exemplary embodiment, an access device is coupled to an adapter and power drilled into a site within a patient. Once the access device is in position, the adapter may be further attached to other instruments, or to an injection or extraction system. The adapter may accommodate various other connectors to make the instrument system compatible with a variety of other surgical instruments and tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shaun B. Hanson, Christopher D. Mandeen
  • Patent number: 9949778
    Abstract: A spinal implant can be fastened on a bony element of a patient via a flexible tie. In some embodiments, the spinal implant has two jaws, each having a recess and an opening. The recess is configured to receive a portion of a rod. A portion of the flexible tie is passed through the opening and between a wall of the recess and a surface of the rod to form a loop that can be placed around the bony element. The two jaws are hinged at one end and engaged at the opposite end via a locking member. The locking member can be adjusted to simultaneously hold the jaws together in a fixed position relative to the rod and lock the flexible tie, which has been properly tensioned, in translation relative to the spinal implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christian Baccelli, Régis Le Couedic, Keyvan Mazda
  • Patent number: 9943301
    Abstract: Technology disclosed herein relates to retractors and methods of use for surgical procedures, and in particular, spinal surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical retractor includes a pair of pivotable armatures and a translatable armature. A body for supporting the armatures is provided, with a handle connected thereto. The handle includes a first rotary actuator, wherein a rotation of the first rotary actuator moves the pair of pivotable armatures in opposite arcuate directions, and a second rotary actuator, wherein a rotation of the second rotary actuator translates the translatable armature in a linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall G. Mast, Alan Burkholder, Andrew Schifle, Adam Kanter, David O. Okonkwo
  • Patent number: 9943320
    Abstract: An apparatus for removal of a femoral implant may include a handle portion and a cutting blade opposite the handle portion. The cutting blade may include a cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge includes a non-linear shape to substantially match at least a portion of a profile of the femoral implant to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg Klein, Harlan Levine, Timothy A. Hoeman, Ray Zubok, Robert G. Deluca, Natalia Fridshtand, Scott V. Cron
  • Patent number: 9937063
    Abstract: An orthopedic system according to one embodiment of the disclosure comprises a first trial member capable of forming a broach cavity in a first bone of a patient. A second trial member is removeably coupleable to the first trial member in a fixed alignment with respect to the trial member. An alignment member is removeably coupleable in a fixed alignment with respect to the first trial member. The alignment member comprises indicia configured to provide for alignment of the alignment member with respect to at least one of the first bone and a second bone of the patient. The alignment of the second trial member with respect to the first trial member when coupled to the first trial member corresponds to the alignment of the alignment member with respect to the first trial member when coupled with the first trial member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Roby, Greg Stebbins, Jorge Montoya, Ray Zubok