Patents Assigned to Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20130261504
    Abstract: Systems for determining force balance on a knee joint during a surgical procedure are disclosed. A system can include a tibial prosthesis. The tibial prosthesis can include a bearing component, a base component, and a shim component. The bearing component can have a superior articulating surface and an inferior surface. The bearing component can include a top portion, a bottom portion, a frame disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a plurality of sensors disposed between the frame and the bottom portion. The frame can have a plurality of apertures corresponding in size or shape to the plurality of sensors. The base component can have a superior surface and an inferior surface. The shim component can be configured to be slidable between the inferior surface of the bearing component and the superior surface of the base component in an anterior to posterior direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Claypool, Wayne Paprosky, David Lewallen, Steven Stump, Barjinder S. Chana, Michael G. Fisher, Kenneth D. Johannaber, Andrew P. Sizelove
  • Patent number: 8545504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of tools and accessories used for properly positioning a stemmed humeral component, and/or a humeral stem provisional, within a canal in the humerus. The set of tools and accessories includes one or more fin clamps that are configured to be temporarily attached to a fin on the humeral component or the provisional; a ruler that is configured to be attached to the arm of the fin clamp, a fixation pin and pin driver configured to be used with the other tools for marking a position on the humerus; and one or more sleeves that are configured to slide over the stem of the humeral stem provisional to maintain it in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Anitra Durand-Allen, Roy C. Wiley, Louis Bigliani, Evan Flatow, Ian Kelly, George McCluskey, Anthony Miniaci, Gregory Nicholson, Michael Pearl, Ken Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8545499
    Abstract: An expandable rod is provided that is sized for insertion into a patient's bone. A method for using the expandable rod to prepare the patient's bone to receive an orthopedic implant is also provided. The expandable rod is adjustable between a first, contracted state and a second, expanded state, the expansion member expanding radially outwardly from the contracted state to the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony J. Lozier, Daniel P. Murphy, Justin J. May, Shanon N. Roberts, Andrew L. Gray, Nicolas J. Pacelli
  • Publication number: 20130253378
    Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting force information related to a provisional is disclosed. A user interface may be provided for presenting objects on a display related to a knee joint, the user interface including a representation of an area of the knee joint for presentment on the display and a force center indicator for presentment on the display. The user interface providing an indication of when a position of the force center indicator corresponds to a desired position of the force center indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Claypool, Joel Zuhars, Stuart Sullivan, David B. Rich
  • Patent number: 8540746
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Patent number: 8541540
    Abstract: A continuous process is disclosed for the extraction of monomeric caprolactam and its oligomers as the raw polymer product obtained in the polymerization of polyamide-6 in which no fresh water, but processing water or previously used extraction water is used for the granulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Lurgi Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Kirsten, Manfred Albrecht, Franz Samlitschka
  • Patent number: 8535385
    Abstract: A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of the cavity in the end of the bone is disclosed. The support structure defines a channel that extends through the length of the support structure. The prosthetic implant is received in the channel, and a portion of the prosthetic implant is secured to an inner surface of the channel by an adhesive. The stem of the prosthesis beyond the channel may be cemented or uncemented. The support structure may have an approximately funnel shape. The support structure may be a hollow porous cylindrical sleeve. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining a channel between the pair of components. The support structure may comprise a plurality of pedestals secured to the inner surface of the cavity of the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Arlen D. Hanssen, David G. Lewallen
  • Patent number: 8529631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a base component for a tibial implant, comprising a lateral compartment (14), a medial compartment (12) and an anterior connection portion (16) which connects the lateral compartment (14) and the medial compartment (12) to one another at anterior. A portion (18) open to posterior is provided between the lateral compartment (14) and the medial compartment (12). The lateral component (14) and the medial component (12) each have a lower side and an upper side, with at least one of the lower sides being configured for the fastening of the base component to the tibia. A marginal web (22, 22?) is formed at at least one of the compartments (12, 14), starting from the upper side, said marginal web forming a receiving shell for a meniscus component (30, 32) of the tibial implant together with the upper side of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, GmbH
    Inventors: Cosimo Donno, Roger Scherrer
  • Publication number: 20130231704
    Abstract: A bone anchor including a first fastening system for fastening a support member to the anchor, and a second fastening system for fastening the anchor to a bone. The second fastening system includes first and second clamping jaws defining between them a slot for receiving a bony part of the bone. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw so as to clamp the bony part between the first and second jaws. A locking mechanism is provided for maintaining the second jaw in a fixed clamping position with respect to the first jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine
    Inventor: Gilles Larroque-Lahitette
  • Publication number: 20130231745
    Abstract: A delivery device for an osteochondral graft comprising a tube, a plunger and a graft retention assembly is disclosed. The tube has a bore having an inside diameter and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The inside diameter of the bore is sufficient to accept an osteochondral graft of a desired diameter. The tube has a set of apertures located adjacent the distal end of the tube. The plunger is slidably disposed within the bore of the tube. The graft retention assembly comprises a collar and a set of tabs. The graft retention assembly is attached to the tube such that the tabs are disposed within the apertures of the tube. The tabs are biased towards each other but are capable of being displaced away from each other to receive or release the osteochondral graft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony J. Lozier, Daniel P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8524268
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions having at least one neocartilage particle, juvenile cartilage particle or a combination thereof and a matrix, and methods and devices that include the compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Kizer, Robert Spiro, Jian Yao, Cheryl Renee Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8523905
    Abstract: An intervertebral stabilization system for at least three vertebrae comprising pedicle screws attachable to the vertebrae; at least one rod for the connection of at least two pedicle screws to form a rigid stiffening system; and at least one band which is capable of being pre-stressed in tension and which is surrounded in the implanted state of the stabilization system by at least one compressible pressure member arranged between two adjacent pedicle screws for the connection of the pedicle screws to form an elastic support system, wherein a common pedicle screw is associated both with the stiffening system and with the support system and the band can be connected or is connected to the rod by means of a band attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Egli, Emmanuel Zylber, Michael E. Lancial
  • Patent number: 8523867
    Abstract: An orthopaedic reamer is provided for preparing a bone socket, such as the glenoid of the scapula, to receive a prosthetic glenoid component. The orthopaedic reamer includes an elongate shaft and an oblong cutting head, such as a cutting head having an oval or elliptical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Rauscher, Urs Gersbach
  • Publication number: 20130224683
    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: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER DENTAL, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Zacharia, Kim Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20130226246
    Abstract: A system for installing a vertebral stabilization system. The system includes an installation tool including a handle portion and a shaft extending distally from the handle portion. The shaft includes a conduit and a staple mechanism. The system also includes a flexible implant member extending along the conduit configured to be advanced out from a distal end of the shaft, and a staple housed in the staple mechanism. The staple is configured to secure the flexible implant member to a vertebra. The handle portion is configured to selectively advance the flexible implant member from the shaft and to selectively actuate the staple mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Zimmer Spine, Inc
  • Publication number: 20130219685
    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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Zimmer, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130226305
    Abstract: A prosthetic femoral component (10) for an orthopaedic prosthesis has a canted patellar groove adapted for optimal patella/component interaction, with the component configured to have a medial or lateral cant depending upon the method of implantation. The femoral component defines a distal “component transverse plane,” which is a plane tangent to the distal-most points of the component condyles (12,14). In a “mechanical” implantation, the component transverse plane is substantially normal to the mechanical femoral axis of the femur after the component has been implanted. Where the femoral component is configured to be “mechanically oriented” in this manner, the component has a medially canted patellar groove. On the other hand, an “anatomic” implantation is one in which, after the component has been implanted, the component transverse plane is substantially parallel to an “anatomic” transverse plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Cosimo Donno, Adam D. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8518433
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions having at least one neocartilage particle, juvenile cartilage particle or a combination thereof and a matrix, and methods and devices that include the compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Kizer, Robert Spiro, Jian Yao, Cheryl Renee Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8518080
    Abstract: An intervertebral stabilization system for at least three vertebrae comprising pedicle screws attachable to the vertebrae; at least one rod for the connection of at least two pedicle screws to form a rigid stiffening system; and at least one band which is capable of being pre-stressed in tension and which is surrounded in the implanted state of the stabilization system by at least one compressible pressure member arranged between two adjacent pedicle screws for the connection of the pedicle screws to form an elastic support system, wherein a common pedicle screw is associated both with the stiffening system and with the support system and the band is can be connected or is connected to the rod by means of a band attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Egli, Emmanuel Zylber, Michael E. Lancial
  • Patent number: RE44476
    Abstract: A constrained prosthetic knee having a modular hinge post and a rotating bearing. A cannulated hinge post is rotatably connected to the femoral component of the knee prosthesis so that a hinge post extension may be anteriorly positioned through the hinge post and into the tibial component of the knee prosthesis, after positioning of the femoral component in the femur and the tibial component in the tibia. The hinge post is preassembled to the femoral component so that such assembly is not required during the implantation procedure. A meniscal component forming the rotating bearing of the knee prosthesis is packaged together with the hinge post extension so that the appropriate hinge post extension is readily available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Meyers, Jerry L. Aikins, Rodney L. Bays, Michael Cook, Marvin Figueroa, Adam M. Griner, Bill H. Haywood, Bill N. Sisk, Vincent A. Webster, George D Letson, Peter S. Walker, Russell Windsor