Patents Assigned to Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20140135770
    Abstract: A femur fixation device including an elongated nail configured for insertion into the medullary canal of the femur and a buttress element extending from the elongated nail. The buttress element is configured to reinforce the lesser trochanter region of the femur and assist in stabilizing the head portion of the femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventor: Kyu Hyun Yang
  • Patent number: 8721645
    Abstract: A bone fixing system useful for holding bone in position, and a method for installing the same are disclosed. The ends of a conformable ligature are passed around bones, bone grafts, tendons, plates, rods, fasteners, or other anatomical or implanted structures, and the like to form a loop extending from a first portion of a body. The ends of the conformable ligature are passed through the body and extend out a second portion of the body. The ends may be attached to a tensioning tool and a selected tension may be applied. A closure member may engage an engagement portion of the body to create a friction force to hold the conformable ligature in place without significant movement relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventor: Karl Pierre Belliard
  • Publication number: 20140127640
    Abstract: A dental drill is disclosed which allows for an osteotomy to be formed in a shape which closely matches the cylindrical shape of many dental implants. In so doing, the implant engages more tissue of the resulting osteotomy, thus resulting in greater ability for the tissue to penetrate and fuse with the implant while also reducing the chances of infection and reducing the overall recovery time. In addition, by forming the dental drill with a relatively obtuse angulation between the termini of the drill flutes, the cutting forces are spread across a larger cutting area thus reducing wear on the drill itself. Moreover, by spreading the cutting force over a larger area, the heat generated by the drill is reduced and thus the discomfort afforded to the patient is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: John Zacharia, Kim Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8716204
    Abstract: Artificial or synthetic synovial fluids and methods for making such fluids are disclosed. The fluid includes selected proteins, phospholipids and hyaluronic acid and mimics the properties of human synovial fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Stark, Maria S. Streckenbach, Seth Gilchrist, Thorsten Schwenke, Brian Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140121713
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in certain aspects, unique methods and systems for connecting orthopedic components. In some forms, a male-type projection of a first orthopedic component is securely lodged within a female-type aperture in a second orthopedic component. In one embodiment, the projection, while received through a proximal entryway in the aperture, includes a first longitudinal region with deformed surface elements that provide a first securing zone within the aperture and a second longitudinal region with deformed surface elements that provide a second securing zone within the aperture. The first securing zone is located proximate the distal end of the projection, and the second securing zone is located proximate the proximal entryway of the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Paul J. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20140121708
    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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. SHARKEY, Charles F. LEINBERRY, David L. NICHOLS, Marc R. VISCOGLIOSI, Hallett MATHEWS
  • Publication number: 20140121650
    Abstract: A surgical tool handle assembly can include a handle body and a tool locking mechanism. The handle body can have a tool receiving end for receiving a mating end of a surgical tool. The tool locking mechanism can be configured to securely engage the surgical tool mating end, thereby locking the surgical tool to the handle. The locking mechanism can include a ramp feature, a locking cam, and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism can be configured to actuate the cam to engage the ramp feature as the cam engages the tool mating end to lock the tool to the handle. A surgical kit and a method of locking a surgical tool to a tool handle are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Thomsen, Walter W. Thomas, Andrew J. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8709050
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member (12) to the bone portion. A housing (40) has a first passage (42) configured to receive the longitudinal member (12) and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). A longitudinal axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to a longitudinal axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) of the housing (40) is engageable with the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A member (70) applies a force to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing (40) and permit manual movement of the fastener (16) relative to the housing (40) against the force when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan E. Shluzas
  • Patent number: 8709047
    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: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret E. Mitchell, Michael E. Landry, Stephen H. Hochschuler, Richard D. Guyer
  • Publication number: 20140114369
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun B. Hanson, Christopher D. Mandeen, David L. Nichols, Thomas A. Russell
  • Patent number: 8702717
    Abstract: An orthopaedic alignment guide component is provided for preparing a patient's bone socket, such as the glenoid of the patient's scapula, to receive a prosthetic glenoid component. The orthopaedic alignment guide component includes a guide body for inserting a guide pin into the patient's scapula and an inferior referencing arm for referencing an inferior surface of the patient's scapula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Rauscher, Michele Amiri
  • Patent number: 8702630
    Abstract: In a method for driving an injection device for injecting ultrasound into a tissue, the ultrasound has a predetermined thermal effect and a predetermined mechanical effect in the tissue. Ultrasound pulses are successively injected utilizing the injection device. Each ultrasound pulse comprises a pulse width and a duty ratio of the ultrasound pulses is set as a function of the thermal and mechanical effects of the ultrasound pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer Medizinsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20140107781
    Abstract: Devices and associated methods are disclosed for treating bone, and particularly bone tissue at the joints. Disclosed are implantable devices that can be used either alone or in combination with this augmentation or hardening material for the repair of bone defects and which are particularly suited for use at the joints, and even more particularly suited for use at the subchondral bone level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Charanpreet S. BAGGA, Shaun B. HANSON, Christopher D. MANDEEN, Michael J. SIMPSON, Steven B. COHEN, Charles F. LEINBERRY, Peter F. SHARKEY
  • Publication number: 20140107795
    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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. SHARKEY, Charles F. Leinberry
  • Publication number: 20140107668
    Abstract: A skin graft mesher including a cutting roller and a guide roller rotatably mounted to a fixture. A skin graft may be advanced through the mesher between the rollers to form a pattern of perforations in the skin graft. The cutting roller includes cutting rings disposed on an axle and rotatable therewith. The cutting roller further includes a tissue clearing structure positioned between adjacent cutting rings with the axle extending through the tissue clearing structure and rotatable relative to the tissue clearing structure. The tissue clearing structure may clear tissue from between adjacent cutting rings during operation of the skin graft mesher. The tissue clearing structure may be eccentrically rotated about the axle between adjacent cutting rings with the tissue clearing structure extending radially outward beyond the outer diameter of the cutting ring around less than the entire outer circumference of the cutting ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer Surgical, Inc.
    Inventor: Aleksandr Zolotov
  • Publication number: 20140107792
    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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Andrew Hopkins, Levent Kusogullari
  • Patent number: 8696668
    Abstract: By providing components securable to anchor pins or screws of different diameters as well as providing clamps which hold associated pins in any position during adjustments, an external fixation or adjustable frame structure is provided which is capable of being quickly and easily assembled in any desired configuration. In the present invention, the frame structure is retained in any assembled configuration in order to allow final adjustments to be made, prior to the final securement of the frame assembly in the precisely desired configuration by closure of each clamp member. In this way, an entire frame assembly is capable of being constructed, adjusted, and readjusted in order to assure each component is oriented in the precisely desired position prior to final closure of the clamping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Winquist, Roy Bogert, Charles Hummel, James Seaton, James Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140099601
    Abstract: A regenerative device can include a first side section, a second side section, and a top section extending between and connecting the first side section and the second side section. The top section and the first and second side sections can each be formed from a porous material that retains its structure after implantation in the patient. The regenerative device can be used for ridge augmentation of a maxilla or a mandible. The top section can include an opening configured for receiving an implant. The porous material can be permanently implanted in the mouth and promote bone regeneration or ridge augmentation. One or both of the first and second side sections of the device can include one or more openings or apertures for receiving a fastener to secure the device to the alveolar ridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer Trabecular Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bassett, Len Conner, Edward M. Willis, Ken Varner, Michael Scott Collins, Liis Underwood
  • Patent number: 8690954
    Abstract: An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing component with articular features which operate to protect adjacent soft tissues of the natural knee, promote and/or accommodate desired articulation with an abutting femoral component, and facilitate expedient and effective implantation by a surgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Parisi, Abraham P. Habegger, Jeff C. Blaylock
  • Patent number: 8690874
    Abstract: A composition for the induction of bone growth is disclosed. The composition includes a substrate, bone growth protein, and sources of calcium and phosphate. The composition is acidic which promotes high activity of the bone growth protein. The calcium and phosphate sources can be provided as an acidic calcium phosphate salt. Also disclosed are methods of the making the composition and methods of using it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer Orthobiologics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Thorne