Patents Assigned to Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9364263
    Abstract: Anchor for attachment to a bony structure, comprising a hook, an anchor body with a distal wall facing the hook, and a fastening system for fastening a connection member to the anchor body. A slot is defined between the hook and the distal wall, for receiving a bony structure such as a vertebra portion. The anchor further comprises a retention member having a distal end with teeth, passing through the distal wall and being movable relative to the anchor body, from a retracted position to a protracted position where the distal end protrudes from the distal wall, inside the slot. The proximal end of the retention member defines a seat for the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Georges Legallois, Gilles Larroque-Lahitette
  • Patent number: 9358060
    Abstract: A driver instrument for engaging and transferring rotational torque to a bone anchor already screwed into a bony structure. The driver instrument may be advanced through an incision while disengaged from the bone anchor and thereafter engaged in a driver socket of the bone anchor. The driver instrument includes an elongate shaft extending distally from a handle, a tapered distal tip, and a driver engagement feature located proximally of the tapered distal tip. The tapered distal tip and the driver engagement feature are configured such that the longitudinal rotational axis of the driver instrument automatically moves into parallel alignment with the longitudinal rotational axis of the bone anchor as the driver engagement feature of the driver instrument is advanced into the driver socket of the bone anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Jerke
  • Patent number: 9351746
    Abstract: A coordinate mapping system is provided for locating a defect in a bone. The system comprises a positioning instrument for controlled delivery of a device to a target site, the instrument comprising a main body and a rail extending from the main body, the rail including a series of indicia corresponding to predefined grid lines, and a template configured to overlay an image of a bone having a defect at the target site, the template including a predefined grid for determining a set of coordinates to locate the target site using the positioning instrument. A method of accessing a target site near a defect in a bone using the radial coordinate mapping system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shaun B. Hanson, Christopher D. Mandeen, Thomas A. Russell
  • Patent number: 9351835
    Abstract: The embodiments provide provides devices, instruments, and associated methods for treating joint pain. A joint is evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging to detect any defects in the subchondral bone. For example, using T2-weighted MRI images, bone marrow lesions or edemas can be identified, and using T1-weighted MRI images, associated regions of sclerotic bone adjacent to the bone marrow lesion can be identified. The treatment method may involve introducing a bone void filler material at the site to address the bone marrow lesion or edema, and/or drilling and inserting an implant to address the sclerotic bone, bone marrow lesion or edema, and insufficiency or stress fractures. An access path is mapped to a location in the subchondral region where the insufficiency fracture resides. The access path attempts to preserve an articular surface of the joint. A reinforcing member that stabilizes the insufficiency fracture is then implanted via the access path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Sharkey, Charles F. Leinberry, Steven B. Cohen, Charanpreet S. Bagga, Erik M. Erbe
  • Patent number: 9351841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a straight stem (10) for the implantation into a proximal femur, the stem (10) comprising a proximal stem section (12) and a distal stem section (14), the distal stem section (14) having a distal end (24) and a distal tip (26) arranged directly adjacent to the distal end (24) and defining a distalmost point of the distal end (24), the stem (10) having, in an anterior-posterior view, a medial contour and a lateral contour, and the stem (10) having a straight stem center axis (20) between the medial contour and the lateral contour, wherein the distal end (24), in an anterior-posterior view, has a convexly curved contour, and wherein the convexly curved contour of the distal end (24) merges with straight sections (46, 48) of the medial contour and of the lateral contour at a medial merging point (22) and a lateral merging point (28), respectively, wherein the medial merging point (22) and the lateral merging point (28) are offset with respect to each other in a direction parallel
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Meier, Roland Baege
  • Patent number: 9351842
    Abstract: Knee implant systems and methods for implantation or use in a knee joint, are disclosed. A knee implant system can include at femoral component having a femur-contacting surface and an opposing articulation surface, and proximal, distal, anterior and posterior portion. The femoral component can include a medial condyle and a lateral condyle, where each of the condyles define respective distal-most points and have substantially equal widths. The width of each of the condyles can define respective condyle midpoints, where the distal-most points can be located laterally from the midpoints. The femoral component can include a trochlear groove that can define a distal-most sulcus point located halfway between the distal-most point of the medial condyle and the distal-most point of the lateral condyle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight Todd, Alex Stoller, Aravinda Bobba, Harish Kumar
  • Patent number: 9351843
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the treatment of a joint are provided. These systems and methods may also include a subchondral treatment of bone of the same joint. These joint treatment methods may be non-surgical or surgical. Also provided are devices and instruments associated with the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Marc R. Viscogliosi, Shaun B. Hanson, David L. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9345586
    Abstract: An instrument for use in a procedure for inserting a spinal implant between human vertebrae may include a shaft and an end member. The end member may rotate with respect to the shaft. An angle of the end member with respect to the shaft may be varied when the end member is in a disc space between the human vertebrae. The instrument may include a slide for securing the end member at selected angles relative to the shaft. The end member may be separable from the shaft when the end member is in a selected orientation with the shaft. An instrument kit may include a shaft assembly and modular end members for various steps in a surgical procedure, such as disc space preparation, disc space evaluation, and spinal implant insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret M. Hunt, Anthony P. Moreno, Scott A. Webb
  • Patent number: 9345525
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a shaping instrument for shaping a bone as well as an impaction/extraction device for use with the shaping instrument is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Yoko, Brian E. Roach, Vijayraj G. Nangli, Brian D. Earl
  • Patent number: 9345518
    Abstract: A bone holding device comprising: at least one conformable elongated member (7) having a first portion (7a), a second portion (7b) and an intermediate portion (7c) therebetween; a rod (5) with at least one transverse passage (8) which opens into at least one of two opposite side faces of the rod, said passage (8) being delimited by inner surfaces (9) of the rod, and at least one compression member (14), the compression member and said inner surfaces (9) both defining clamping surfaces (14a, 9a) and cooperating so that the first and second portions (7a, 7b) of the elongated member (7) can be inserted and clamped between said clamping surfaces (14a, 9a). A method using such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Gilles Larroque-Lahitette, Richard Minfelde
  • Patent number: 9345551
    Abstract: A method for anatomical analysis and joint implant design. Embodiments provide users with the ability to anatomically analyze a single bone or a series of bones that exist in a database, evaluate surgical landmarks and axes, identify differences among specific characteristics of a given population, and modify existing implants or create new implant designs based on anatomical analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER INC.
    Inventor: Mohamed Rashwan Mahfouz
  • Patent number: 9339393
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed that facilitates the implantation of one of a number of differently sized or differently configured hip stem prostheses into a proximal end of a femur while also providing a surgeon with a substantial amount of rotational control over the prosthesis during the implantation. A suitable hip stem prosthesis is selected from a family of hip stem prostheses of varying sizes and dimensions. The surgical instrument attaches to the selected hip stem prosthesis via first and second spaced engagement portions such that the instrument is operable to exert rotational control over the selected hip stem prosthesis. The first engagement portion is an impaction portion configured to engage a corresponding impaction feature on a proximal body portion of the hip stem prosthesis. The second engagement portion is an adjustable clamping portion configured to clampingly receive the neck of the hip stem prosthesis, regardless of the prosthesis size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: James S. Collins
  • Patent number: 9339587
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for repairing a ruptured connective tissue are disclosed. The composition may include a first biocompatible material to provide a scaffold for connective tissue cell growth and tissue repair. This first biocompatible material may withstand a tensile load of up to 250 N. The composition may also include a second biocompatible material including at least one bioactive agent that can stimulate connective tissue cell growth and tissue repair. The method may include positioning a first end of the first biocompatible material adjacent a first end of a ruptured connective tissue, positioning a second end of the first biocompatible material adjacent a second end of the ruptured connective tissue, and anchoring the first biocompatible material to the first and second tendon ends. The method may alternatively comprise or further include positioning a second biocompatible material between the first and second ends of the ruptured connective tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Orthobiologics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hali Wang, Jian Q. Yao
  • Patent number: 9339294
    Abstract: Instruments for treating bone defects of the joint, particularly at the subchondral level, such as bone marrow lesions or bone marrow edema, are provided. In particular, these instruments may be delivery instruments that comprise features to control the location to which they deliver injectable materials or other tools to the bone to be treated. Also provided is an injection instrument that delivers a treatment material to the bone defect and stimulates a natural healing response in the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Mandeen, Shaun B. Hanson, David L. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9339299
    Abstract: A vertebral column correction system for correcting a spinal deformity without fusing the joint segments is disclosed. The vertebral column correction system may have first and second vertebral anchors secured to first and second vertebrae. The vertebral column correction system may further comprise one or more intermediate vertebral anchors secured to vertebrae between the first and second vertebrae. A connection member may be disposed within a head portion of the vertebral anchors. At least a portion of the connection member may be a flexible member, such as a flexible cord, configured for tensioning between at least two vertebral anchors for providing a desired amount of tension to apply a correctional force to the spinal column. A spring member, or other tensioning member, may maintain the tension of the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh D. Hestad
  • Patent number: 9339321
    Abstract: An angled instrument assembly includes an angled sleeve, a driver shaft, and a tool bit. The angled sleeve includes a straight passage segment that meets an angled passage segment at a junction. The junction includes an inner elbow and an outer elbow. Material is removed from the inner surface of the inner elbow in order to improve the ease with which the driver shaft can be moved in and out of the angled sleeve. The assembly can also include drafted female or male engagement bodies for facilitating the engagement and disengagement of the tool bit with a tool bit engagement assembly located at the distal end of the driver shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ZIMMER BIOMET SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Caleb Stoll, Allison Capote, Corneliu Vlad
  • Patent number: 9320529
    Abstract: Orthopedic procedures can involve tools or other instruments that assist a surgeon. The surgical instrument including a cutting instrument configured to shape bone, including an impaction/extraction device, is disclosed. Methods of shaping a bone including the surgical instrument with the cutting instrument including an impaction/extract device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Yoko, Brian E. Roach, Vijayraj G. Nangli
  • Patent number: 9314280
    Abstract: A minimally invasive tool to facilitate implanting a pedicle screw and housing is provided. The minimally invasive tool includes a first sleeve having flexible tabs that couple to a housing and a second sleeve slidably engaged in the first sleeve. The second sleeve provides reinforcing such that the first and second sleeve provide counter torque for driving the pedicle screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: James Corin
  • Patent number: 9314343
    Abstract: An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate sized and shaped to cover substantially all of a resected proximal tibial surface, and a tibial bearing component sized to leave a posteromedial portion of the tibial baseplate exposed when the tibial bearing component is mounted to the baseplate. The exposed posteromedial portion of the tibial baseplate includes a chamfered profile which cooperates with a correspondingly chamfered profile at a posteromedial edge of the tibial bearing component to create a substantially continuous chamfer extending from the resected tibial surface to the medial articular surface of the tibial bearing component. Advantageously, this chamfer leaves an absence of material (i.e., a relief or void) at the posteromedial edge of the tibial prosthesis, thereby enabling deep flexion of the prosthesis without impingement between the tibial prosthesis and adjacent anatomic tissues or prosthetic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Parisi, Katherine M. Rettig, Jeff Blaylock
  • Patent number: 9314286
    Abstract: Osteosynthesis constructs for treating bone fractures and bone screws for use in such systems are disclosed. The bone screws include a threaded front section configured for engagement with cortical bone, a threaded mid-section and an unthreaded neck section configured for limited movement within the near cortex of the bone. Osteosynthesis constructs of the type disclosed promote secondary healing by allowing for substantially parallel motion at the near and far cortex within the effective motion range for callus formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bottlang, Michael K. Keith, Josef Doornink, Anthony Lee Koser