Patents Assigned to Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9439687
    Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for mechanically fixating a region of a skull to a portion of a spine. A plate is provided to contact a region of a skull and be secured thereto. A spinal rod is configured to extend from a location adjacent the plate to a location adjacent at least one vertebra. An adjustable housing is provided to secure the rod to the plate, and has a first position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate can be adjusted and a second position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Lemoine
  • Patent number: 9439779
    Abstract: A composite interbody vertebral implant for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae. The implant includes a first endplate of a porous metal material and a second endplate of a porous metal material which are configured to allow bone in-growth. The implant also includes a polymeric body positioned between and bonded to the first and second endplates such that polymeric material of the polymeric body is impregnated into pores of the first and second endplates to bond the components together. The implant may include a cavity extending through the composite implant configured to receive bone growth material to facilitate fusion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, Christopher J. Valois, Zhibin Fang, Jeffrey A. Bassett, Steven A. Zawadzki, David C. Kirt, Steven E. Spangle
  • Patent number: 9433471
    Abstract: A system and method for repairing an area of defective tissue reduces the removal of healthy tissue at the margins of the defect. During excision of diseased or damaged tissue, the system tracks the movement and function of a tissue resection tool within a monitored surgical space. This movement is continuously recorded to create a three-dimensional set of data points representative of the excised volume of tissue. This data set is then communicated to a custom implant forming device which creates a custom implant sized to fit the void created by the excision. The system and method of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to exercise intraoperative control over the specific shape, volume and geometry of the excised area. Moreover, the surgeon may utilize a “freehand” resection method to excise only that tissue deemed to be diseased and/or damaged, because the custom-formed implant will accommodate an irregularly-shaped resection volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Zuhars
  • Patent number: 9433480
    Abstract: A modular dental implant including a body portion, a sleeve, and an end cap. The sleeve may be formed of porous material, such as a porous metal material to promote bone ingrowth. The sleeve is positionable around a core of the body portion and the end cap is attached to the core of the body portion such that the sleeve is positioned between the head of the body portion and the end cap. The sleeve includes one or more anti-rotation features formed in the upper surface and/or lower surface of the sleeve configured to interact with one or more anti-rotation features formed in the lower surface of the head of the body portion and/or the upper surface of the end cap which prevent rotation of the sleeve relative to the core of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Dental, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Pelote
  • Patent number: 9433508
    Abstract: Art apparatus can include a humeral stem. A glenosphere can be configured to be mountable to the humeral stem. The glenosphere can be adapted to operate with a complementary glenoid component. The humeral stem can include a removable taper member on a side of the humeral stem facing the glenosphere. The taper member can be configured to mount the glenosphere to the humeral stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Phipps
  • Patent number: 9433506
    Abstract: A prosthetic mold for forming a prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis can include a bone mating surface, an articulating surface, and an intermedullary post. The prosthetic mold can include a first portion, a second portion engageable with the first portion, and an injection portion. The first portion can be configured to form the articulating surface. The second portion can be configured to form the bone mating surface and define an intermedullary post cavity. Engagement between the first and second portions can define a mold cavity. The injection port can be axially aligned, and in communication, with the intermedullary post cavity. The injection port can engage an injection assembly. In one embodiment, the prosthetic mold is configured to form a tibial prosthesis. In another embodiment, the prosthetic mold is configured to form a femoral prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lomicka, Charlie Barfield, Michael Cordonnier, Dimitri Protopsaltis, Stephen Lingeman, William Daniel, Terrance Strohkirch, Amber Lenz
  • Patent number: 9427263
    Abstract: A device for fixing a bony structure to a support member. The device includes a main body with first and second members, the second member being movable in rotation with respect to the first member, around a first axis. A flexible member passes between the members and forms a loop around a bony structure. A clamping mechanism moves the first and second members into a clamping position. A support member and the flexible member are secured between the members in the clamping position. The first axis is movable in translation along a first direction and the second member is movable in translation along the first direction. The clamping mechanism cooperates with the first and second members to move the second member in translation in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Gilles Larroque-Lahitette, Georges Legallois
  • Patent number: 9427337
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a provisional tibial prosthesis system for a set of prosthetic knee joints for implantation in a natural knee, the provisional tibial prosthesis system including a bearing component and a bearing support, the spacing of the bearing component from the bearing support is adjustable to allow for representation of a variety of different sized final tibial prostheses. In this system, only one provisional bearing component corresponding to each level of constraint is needed and shims are used to adjust the spacing of the bearing component from the bearing support. The shims are slidably insertable between the bearing component and the bearing support in an anterior/posterior direction to allow for adjustment of the spacing of the bearing component from the bearing support. The number of provisional components needed during knee surgery is reduced and adjustment of the system only requires the knee joint to be distracted by a distance equal to the height of a particular shim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody L. Claypool, Steven E. Stump
  • Patent number: 9414937
    Abstract: A spinal implant for stabilizing first and second vertebrae. The spinal implant includes an intervertebral spacer and a bone stabilization member configured to be coupled to the intervertebral spacer. The bone stabilization member includes a plurality of bone screw openings and a plurality of bone screws extendable through the bone screw openings to secure the bone stabilization member to the vertebrae. A retention member, which is slidably coupled to the bone stabilization member, is linearly slidable between a first position and a second position while coupled to the bone stabilization member. In the first position, each of the bone screws is permitted to be inserted into the bone screw openings, and in the second position the retention member at least partially covers each of the bone screw openings to prevent a bone screw from backing out of the respective bone screw opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Carlson, Gregory A. Mednikov, Eric W. Morris
  • Patent number: 9408720
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant inserter is provided with removable jaws. The jaws are connected to handles of the inserter by retainers. Each retainer includes a shaft and a latch. The shaft is configured to be received within mounting bores of a jaw and the associated handle. The latch is connected to the shaft and movable between a release configuration and a retaining configuration. In the release configuration, the shaft is removable from the mounting bores and the jaw is thereby removable from the associated handle. In the retaining configuration, the shaft is secured within the mounting bores and the jaw is thereby secured to the associated handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Krebs, Jody L. Claypool, John Dockstader, Jeff Blaylock
  • Patent number: 9402670
    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: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Sharkey, Charles F. Leinberry, David L. Nichols, Marc R. Viscogliosi, Hallett Mathews
  • Patent number: 9398953
    Abstract: A micro-alloyed porous metal is disclosed having an optimized chemical composition to achieve targeted mechanical properties for use as an orthopaedic implant and a cell/soft tissue receptor. The porous metal may achieve a targeted compressive strength and a targeted ductility, for example. These targeted mechanical properties may allow the porous metal to be densified to a low relative density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman
  • Patent number: 9386996
    Abstract: An instrument for controlled delivery of a device to a target area near a defect of a bone is provided. The instrument comprises a guide frame having a plurality of device portals, each portal defining a trajectory. The guide frame further includes visual markers for aligning the guide frame to an anatomical landmark on the bone to be treated. The instrument also includes a holder for releasable attachment with the guide frame. Each device portal is configured to provide accurate and controlled delivery of the device to the target area. In one example, the markers are radiopaque, and are visualized through fluoroscopy. A method of using the instrument is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shaun B. Hanson, Christopher D. Mandeen, David L. Nichols, Thomas A. Russell
  • Patent number: 9381090
    Abstract: An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with features designed for use with small-stature knee-replacement patients. The tibial prosthesis may include a shortened tibial keel, tibial keel fins which define a large angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the keel, and/or tibial keel fins which extend along less than the entire longitudinal extent of the keel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Mary S. S. Wentorf, Calie B. Grey, Shaun R. Cronin, Scott E. Dykema
  • Patent number: 9384328
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting an appropriate prosthesis for a prospective implant recipient are discussed. For example, a method for selecting an appropriate prosthesis can include, accessing anatomical image data, receiving an indication of a plurality of landmark locations within the image data, constructing a femoral canal axial indication within the image data, producing a plurality of lateral anatomic structural measurements, and selecting the appropriate prosthesis to fit the prospective implant recipient. The anatomical image data can include sufficient detail to allow measurement of internal and external geometry of a proximal femur. The plurality of lateral anatomic structural measurements can include measurements along, and perpendicular to, the femoral canal axial indication that run along a femoral canal within the anatomical image data. The prosthesis can be selected based, at least in part, on the plurality of lateral anatomic structural measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Javad Parvizi
  • Patent number: 9375303
    Abstract: Methods of ordering and manufacturing orthopedic components eliminate the need to stockpile and inventory large volumes of implants and instruments. In one exemplary embodiment, the surgeon begins by acquiring anatomical data from a patient. The anatomical data may then be loaded into a data comparison program. The data comparison program performs a best-fit analysis by comparing the patient's anatomical data to a number of predesigned, tested, and validated virtual implant models that are stored in a database. Once an implant has been identified by the data comparison program for the individual patient, the surgeon may place an order electronically with the manufacturer via the internet. In one exemplary embodiment, when placing the order, the surgeon will specify the type of implant, the surgery date, specific patient information, shipping information, and the preferred surgical technique that the surgeon anticipates using.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, James E. Grimm, Anthony P. Romano
  • Patent number: 9370383
    Abstract: The present application provides a tool for minimally invasive surgical procedures. The tool includes a first and second portion where each portion has an outer blade and an inner blade that is slidable along the outer blade. A removable connector connects the first and second portions. When removed, the first and second portions are separated by a gap extending the length of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER BIOMET SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Parker, Michael Funk, Randall G. Mast
  • Patent number: 9370435
    Abstract: A modular anchor bone fusion cage is provided. The cage includes a spacer configured to fit into a space between the faces of two bones that are to be fused together. A fusion plate having at least a main body portion is coupled to the spacer by a connector. Fasteners extend through the fusion plate to engage the bone. At least some of the fasteners also extend through the spacer to engage the opposed faces of the bone. A cover plate is coupled to the fusion plate to inhibit the fasteners from backing out prior to fusion of the bones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER BIOMET SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Walkenhorst, Andrew Lamborne
  • Patent number: 9370602
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymer compositions having one or more antioxidants providing high crosslink density and improved oxidation resistance to the polymer composition and methods for making same. Such polymer compositions can be advantageously used to make orthopedic implants. The disclosure also provides methods for selecting antioxidants providing desirable properties to the polymer composition. In one embodiment, a measure of OIT can be used to select the antioxidant and antioxidant blend. In another embodiment, measurements of OIT and OI-rate can be used to select the one or more antioxidants. In an other embodiment, the product of OIT and crosslink density can be calculated to predict wear resistance and oxidation resistance of a polymer composition including one or more antioxidants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Thomas, Dean M. Acker, Ray Gsell, Norman Stark
  • Patent number: 9364342
    Abstract: A modular anchor bone fusion cage is provided. The cage includes a spacer configured to fit into a space between the faces of two bones that are to be fused together. A fusion plate having at least a main body portion is coupled to the spacer. Fasteners extend through the fusion plate to engage the bone. At least some of the fasteners also extend through the spacer to engage the opposed faces of the bone. A cover plate is coupled to the fusion plate to inhibit the fasteners from backing out prior to fusion of the bones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER BIOMET SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Walkenhorst, Andrew Lamborne, Allison Capote