Patents Assigned to Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9033987
    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: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun B. Hanson, Christopher D. Mandeen, David L. Nichols, Thomas A. Russell
  • Patent number: 9028497
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including cable button threads, a plurality of cable button apertures, a hex socket, and a hex opening. The present disclosure also includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including a plurality of legs, where a leg includes a protrusion, where the protrusion engages the bone plate, and the cable button defines at least one cable button aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Larabeth G. Ryan, Michael J. LaLonde, Michael K. Keith
  • Patent number: 9023051
    Abstract: A system and associated instruments for locating, and accurately and controllably delivering, a device to an area sufficiently near a bone defect using anatomical landmarks is provided. The instruments allow the surgeon to navigate to the area around the bone defect quickly and easily, while also facilitating proper insertion of the device. In some embodiments, the defect is located on a femur. Guide instruments having a plurality of device portals are also provided for use as standalone instruments or as accessories to the system. In addition, a protective guide sleeve is provided for the insertion of small diameter devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun B. Hanson, Christopher D. Mandeen, Jamie A. Carroll, David L. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9023046
    Abstract: An implant is described for fracture treatment, comprising an elongate and in particular substantially rotationally symmetrical base body (20), in particular an implant shaft, and an anchoring section (10), wherein the anchorage section has an outer surface of a porous biocompatible material at least in part, and wherein the anchorage section is arranged in an axial end region of the implant and is releasably connectable to the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Samuel Keller, Miodrag Garic, Hermann Stricker, Reto Senger, Daniel Bühler, Andreas E. Schwammberger, Serene H. Longsworth
  • Publication number: 20150112353
    Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for guiding medical instruments used in attaching bone plates. The apparatus has a handle assembly, guide member, a spacer, and an actuation member. The actuation member extends from the handle assembly and actuates the spacer between a position adjacent the guide member and a position spaced from the guide member. The spacer has a through hole that may axially align with a lumen extending through the guide member when in the first position and which is moved out of axial alignment with the lumen in the second position. The spacer may function as a depth stop to control the maximum depth a drill bit can extend from the guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Jerke, Peter G. Schulte, David W. Castleman, Andrew Olson, Jack A. Dant, Eric J. Lundequam, Hugh D. Hestad
  • Patent number: 9011453
    Abstract: An orthopaedic implant system includes a set of provisional orthopaedic implants having different implant sizes. Each provisional implant facilitates an intraoperative selection of the next-smallest implant size without removing the provisional implant from the bone. All of the implant sizes share a common sagittal configuration of distal and anterior bone contacting surfaces, but have variable sagittal configurations only in the posterior bone contacting surfaces. Thus, where a relatively larger femoral provisional component is mounted to a femur, changing to a smaller provisional component (i.e., “downsizing”) can be accomplished by recutting only two of five original femoral cuts. Cut slots provided in each provisional implant are sized and positioned to correspond to the posterior bone contacting surface geometry of the next-smallest provisional implant size, so that the cut slots can be used to further resect posterior femoral surfaces to accept the next-smallest implant component size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Parisi, Charles A. Baldridge
  • Patent number: 9011459
    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 join to be distracted by a distance equal to the height of a particular shim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Claypool, Steven Stump
  • Patent number: 9005305
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for attaching tissue structures to orthopaedic implants. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal tibial implant. In another exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal femoral implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Meyers, Robert E. Montgomery, Dennis R. Aquilo, Douglas G. Branscome, Kelly A. Timmons, Kimberly Les, Peter F. Choong, Peter E. Darrigan, Luke Vaughan, Ernest U. Conrad, Jay S. Wunder, David H. Anderson, Kevin S. Cook, G. Douglas Letson, Gary D. Bos
  • Patent number: 8998987
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to orthopedic implants including a porous, non-metallic, bone interface or outer bone contacting surface adapted for promoting bone ingrowth into the pores of such surface. The present disclosure also relates to orthopedic implants having a porous, non-metallic and/or polymeric bone interface or outer bone contacting surface wherein the implant has a stiffness that approaches or substantially matches the stiffness of the surrounding bone and thereby reduces the effects of stress shielding. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making such implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wallick
  • Patent number: 8999000
    Abstract: A cartilage resurfacing implant is provided for replacing cartilage of an articulating portion of a bone at a skeletal joint having opposed joint surfaces. The cartilage resurfacing implant includes a body having a bearing surface and a bone interface. The bearing surface is able to support articulation with an opposing joint surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Hodorek, Antony J. Lozier, Cheryl R. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8998998
    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: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Sharkey, Charles F. Leinberry
  • Publication number: 20150090254
    Abstract: A surgical helmet assembly including a ventilation system for circulating air around the head of a user. The surgical helmet assembly includes a surgical helmet including a brow bar to be positioned around the head of the user and a chin bar extending from the surgical helmet to be positioned in front of the chin of the user. The chin bar and brow bar include an airflow channel in fluid communication with a fan at the rear of the surgical helmet. The fan generates a flow of air from an airflow inlet at the rear of the surgical helmet through the airflow channel in the chin bar to an airflow outlet in the chin bar and past a user's face in an upward direction and through the airflow channel in the brow bar to an airflow outlet in the brow bar and upward over the user's head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Zimmer Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Ganesh B. Pavalarajan, Christopher Fedele, Brian S. Schumacher, Sarah L. Lancianese
  • Patent number: 8992626
    Abstract: An orthopaedic knee joint prosthesis (10) provides guided motion in a wide range of motion, and in both extension and flexion. In flexion, a tibial bearing component (16) shifts to a first position in which a posterior cam (36) formed in a femoral component (12) engages a tibial spine (18) coupled to a tibial component (14). Contact between the posterior cam and the spine guides the motion profile of the knee joint prosthesis throughout a wide range of flexion movement. In extension, the bearing component shifts to a second position in which an anterior cam (34) formed in the femoral component engages the spine. Contact between the anterior cam and spine guides the motion profile of the knee joint prosthesis throughout a wide range of extension. The anterior and posterior cams, mobile bearing component, and tibial component-mounted spine cooperate to facilitate guided flexion and extension of the knee joint prosthesis throughout a wide range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Marco A. H. Heggendorn, Roger Scherrer, Matthias Schapper
  • Patent number: 8992825
    Abstract: An orthopaedic prosthesis and a method for rapidly manufacturing the same are provided. The orthopaedic prosthesis includes a solid bearing layer, a porous bone-ingrowth layer, and an interdigitating layer therebetween. A laser sintering technique is performed to manufacture the orthopaedic prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jia Li, Adam M. Griner
  • Patent number: 8992623
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stemless shoulder prosthesis comprising a fixation device for fixing the prosthesis to a resected humerus bone, the fixation device comprising a base portion (11, 31, 32) and anchoring means (12, 12?), the base portion (11, 31, 32) having a distal side adapted to contact a resection plane of the bone and a proximal side for carrying a humeral head. The anchoring means (12, 12?) are connected to the distal side of the base portion (11, 31, 32) and adapted to fix the prosthesis to the bone. The anchoring means (12, 12?) define a central axis (C), wherein the anchoring means (12, 12?) comprise a plurality of protrusions (13, 13?, 13a, 13b, 13c) projecting from the base portion (11, 31, 32), each protrusion (13, 13?, 13a, 13b, 13c) extending between an inner end (I) and an outer end (O). The protrusions (13, 13?, 13a, 13b, 13c) define a free central space (F) around the central axis (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew Hopkins, Levent Kusogullari
  • Patent number: 8992583
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for fixation of a fractured bone. In various embodiments, the systems and plates may provide elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate. This elastic suspension may promote load distribution between the screws that connect a bone segment to the plate, thereby reducing stress risers and load shielding effect. In addition, stress at the screw holes, and within the construct as a whole, is reduced by incorporation of these elastic elements in the plate. Additionally, in some embodiments, for instance if fracture healing by callus formation is desired, elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate may enable small, controlled amounts of relative motion between bone fragments connected by the plate, which may promote fracture healing by callus formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bottlang, Steven M. Madey
  • Publication number: 20150088140
    Abstract: A knee arthroplasty system for use in a patient's knee joint comprises a spacer block instrument including a base portion, a tibial component extending from the base portion and configured for placement against a tibia, and a femoral component configured for placement against a femur. The femoral component is rotatably coupled to the tibial component. The system further includes one or more spacer block shims structured for removable attachment to the tibial component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason S. Toler, Shanon N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8985430
    Abstract: A method for attaching a porous metal layer to a dense metal substrate, wherein the method is particularly useful in forming orthopedic implants such as femoral knee components, femoral hip components, and/or acetabular cups. The method, in one embodiment thereof, comprises providing a solid metal substrate; providing a porous metal structure; contouring a surface of the porous metal structure; placing the porous structure against the substrate such that the contoured surface of the porous metal structure is disposed against the substrate, thereby forming an assembly; applying heat and pressure to the assembly in conjunction with thermal expansion of the substrate in order to metallurgically bond the porous structure and the substrate; and removing mass from the substrate after the porous structure is bonded to the substrate, thereby finish processing the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Charlebois, Leslie N. Gilbertson, Michael E. Hawkins, Dana J. Medlin, H. Ravindranath Shetty, Steven A. Zawadzki
  • Patent number: 8986310
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a femoral cut guide for preparing a distal femur to receive a prosthetic femoral component of a knee implant. The prosthetic femoral component includes a central box. The femoral cut guide replicates the size and shape of the prosthetic femoral component, such that the femoral cut guide may serve as a trial or provisional component used to reduce and test the prepared knee joint before implanting the final prosthetic femoral component. The femoral cut guide includes a detachable box cut guide for preparing the distal femur to receive the central box of the prosthetic femoral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M Bailey, Kevin S. Cook, Christopher M. Byrd, Prashanth Hegde
  • Publication number: 20150075539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a child seat device for a child for aligning the spinal column of the child and for preventing and treating a spinal column curvature of the child (scoliosis), comprising an upper seat part and a lower seat part, wherein the upper seat part is provided with a supporting element on both sides, which supporting elements are designed and arranged relative to the upper seat part in such a way that, when a child is sitting on the child seat, the supporting elements surround the upper body of the child at the armpit level and thus limit lateral movements of the child, and wherein the child seat device is part of a child car seat or stroller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Zimmer MedizinSysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Valentyn Serdyuk