Patents Assigned to Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20130041410
    Abstract: A bone anchoring device including a clamping device and a flexible band configured to be secured a vertebra. The clamping device includes a base member and an upper member configured to be secured together with a fastener. The flexible band is configured to be passed around a bone portion and through a passage of the base member to position the flexible band between a clamping surface of the base member and a clamping surface of the upper member. The flexible band is tensioned to urge the clamping device against the bone portion and then clamped between the clamping surfaces of the base member and the upper member. A stabilization member of a vertebral stabilization construct may be secured to the vertebra with the bone anchoring device without invasively altering or impairing the structural integrity of the vertebra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Hestad, Kris Pauna
  • Patent number: 8372083
    Abstract: An adapter to provide moveable configurations of securing structures such as fastener apertures or throughbores for fastening a surgical instrument to an anatomical structure, such as a bone. The adapter is connectable to the surgical instrument in a plurality of discrete locations on the surgical instrument, thereby allowing a surgeon to select an optimum fixation location for fastening the surgical instrument to the anatomical structure. The adapter may be cannulated to accommodate a fastener and may be slidably affixed to the surgical instrument while simultaneously providing stable fixation between the surgical instrument and the bone. The adapter may be configured to mate with another adapter having a similar configuration such that multiple fixation locations may be provided to the surgeon. Moreover, a plurality of adapters may be connected to the surgical instrument either directly or indirectly through another adapter to select multiple optimum fixation locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody L. Claypool, Robert A. Hodorek, Adam M. Griner
  • Patent number: 8372080
    Abstract: An adjustable cut guide and a method of using the adjustable cut guide are disclosed herein. The adjustable cut guide has a guide surface disposed between an actuation mechanism and a base of the adjustable cut guide. The adjustable cut guide also has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the guide surface and the base. The actuation mechanism may comprise an adjustment member having an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the adjustment member traverses the guide surface. The adjustment member may include a drive end for mating with, and actuating, the adjustment mechanism when the adjustment member is in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin J. May, Jason Detweiler
  • Publication number: 20130035694
    Abstract: A feeler gauge and alignment device comprises a first outer shim having a first end, a second end, and an alignment aperture disposed between the first end and the second end, a second outer shim having a first end, a second end, and an alignment aperture disposed between the first end and the second end, and one or more inner shims disposed between the first outer shim and the second outer shim, each of the one or more inner shims having a first end, a second end, and an alignment aperture disposed between the first end and the second end. The first outer shim, the second outer shim, and the one or more inner shims are rotatably coupled about the first ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: James Grimm, Anthony Romano
  • Patent number: 8366747
    Abstract: A device for provides access to a surgical location within a patient. The device has an elongate body that has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first slot segment, and a second slot segment that is angled relative to said first slot segment. The elongate body defines a passage for accessing the surgical location with surgical instruments. The elongate body has a contracted configuration for insertion into the patient and an expanded configuration for providing access to the surgical location. The cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location of the elongate body is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location of the elongate body. A movable tab is configured to extend into the second slot segment when the elongate body is in the expanded configuration to retain the elongate body in the expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan E. Shluzas
  • Patent number: 8366749
    Abstract: A method of interconnecting first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal column of a patient includes inserting an access port into the body of the patient. A transverse connector is moved through the access port. A first end of the transverse connector is connected to the first longitudinal member. A second end of the transverse connector is connected to the second longitudinal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Sweeney
  • Patent number: 8361150
    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: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, Christopher J. Valois, Zhibin Fang, Jeffrey A. Bassett, Steven A. Zawadzki, David C. Kirt, Steven E. Spangle
  • Publication number: 20130023878
    Abstract: A device for fixing a rod to an osseous structure. The device is configured to receive the rod with the main axis oriented in a first direction. The device includes a main body, a first fastening member directly connected to the main body and accessible from an outer surface of the main body for fastening the rod to the main body, and a second fastening member, also directly connected to the main body, offset with respect to the first fastening member in said first direction, and separately accessible from an outer surface of the main body for fastening to the main body. A flexible elongate member is provided to attach the main body to the osseous structure. The first and second fastening members are arranged so that the flexible elongate member can be fastened adjacent to the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE
    Inventors: Karl Belliard, Gilles Larroque-Lahitette
  • Publication number: 20130022943
    Abstract: A dental implant can comprise a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an apical end, a coronal end, and an exterior surface. A portion of the exterior surface can include a porous material. The dental implant can comprise at least one thread, including a non-porous material, having an interior surface and a bone-engaging surface. The interior surface can engage and wind around the exterior surface of the shaft and the bone-engaging surface can extend outwardly from the exterior surface of the shaft. The shaft can include one or more channels configured to communicate a flowable material, stored within the shaft, to the exterior surface. Each channel can include an opening at the exterior surface to release the flowable material. At least one channel can extend between a cavity of the shaft and the exterior surface and can optionally be angled toward the apical end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Collins, Jeffrey Bassett, Steven Pelote, Joseph A. Salvi, Shahram Zamani, Mojtaba Esfahani
  • Publication number: 20130024001
    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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Mary S.S. Wentorf, Calie B. Grey, Shaun R. Cronin, Scott E. Dykema
  • Patent number: 8357202
    Abstract: One or both of the condyles in a femoral component for a partial or total knee prosthesis includes a J-curve with a plurality of distinct radii, such as 5 or more radii. The centers of the radii are arranged along an arcuate path extending anteroposteriorly so that successively larger radii are serially arranged along the arcuate path from the posterior side of the femoral component to the anterior side. The femoral component provides a high degree of stability throughout the range of motion of the knee prosthesis, and facilitates a close approximation to the motion of a natural knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, GmbH
    Inventors: Marco A. H. Heggendorn, Roger Scherrer, Matthias Schäpper
  • Publication number: 20130018389
    Abstract: A dermatome having a blade assembly, where the blade assembly includes a blade and a blade mount. The blade may include a blade edge, a reference edge and at least one hole or receiver positioned between the blade edge and the reference edge. The blade mount may include a base, a blade locator extending from the base and at least one reference fence abutting the reference edge of the blade. The blade locator may include a protrusion for inserting into the hole or receiver of the blade. The blade and blade mount of the blade assembly may self align and provide for a simple and permanent connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Mahaffey, Bruce Straslicka
  • Publication number: 20130018382
    Abstract: A femoral component instrument includes a rotatable locking mechanism such as a post and is capable of interchangeable use between posterior stabilizing (“PS”) and cruciate retaining (“CR”) femoral component types via the locking mechanism. The instrument further includes a modular pad so that a pad specific to the prosthesis type may be chosen. Each pad of a particular femoral component type is useable with a variety of sizes of that femoral component type. The locking mechanism of the instrument is alternatively useable with a variety of femoral component types. The locking end of the post keys to a pad aperture to rotatably align the post to an appropriate securement position. If a femoral component is not locked to the pad, the post of the instrument moves from an exposed position proximal to the proximal pad surface to a retracted position distal to the proximal pad surface, thereby permitting impaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Nolan C. Jones, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos
  • Publication number: 20130018390
    Abstract: A dermatome having a main body, a blade assembly and a bottom member, where the main body includes a bottom surface and at least one capture extending from the bottom surface. The bottom member may be inserted into the at least one capture and fastened to the main body, where the blade assembly may be mounted between the fastened bottom member and the bottom surface of the main body. The captures of the main body may limit the movement of the inserted bottom member in at least three general directions and the fastener may limit the movement of the bottom member in at least a fourth general direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Mahaffey, Bruce Straslicka
  • Publication number: 20130018391
    Abstract: A dermatome having a main body, a blade assembly and a blade guard, where the blade assembly has a blade edge and the blade guard has a base and a fence extending from the base toward the blade assembly so as to face the blade edge. The blade guard may include at least one blade assembly locator to facilitate the alignment of the blade guard with the blade assembly. A blade guard assembled on the blade assembly may operate so as to prevent unintended contact between the blade edge and objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Mahaffey, Bruce Straslicka
  • Publication number: 20130018483
    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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Jia Li, Adam M. Griner
  • Publication number: 20130018478
    Abstract: A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of a cavity of a 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 support structure by an adhesive. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining the channel between the pair of components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Arlen D. Hanssen, David Lewallen
  • Publication number: 20130012997
    Abstract: The present invention relates to spinal support devices and, more specifically, to a flexible member having variable flexibility for use with a dynamic stabilization system or implant to provide dynamic stability to a person's spine. The flexible member generally includes a first material having a first portion including a first material having a first elasticity and a second portion including a second material having a second elasticity greater than the first to provide the flexible member with a variable flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Steven L. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20130013078
    Abstract: A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of a cavity of a 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 support structure by an adhesive. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining the channel between the pair of components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Arlen D. Hanssen, David G. Lewallen
  • Publication number: 20130013080
    Abstract: A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of a cavity of a 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 support structure by an adhesive. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining the channel between the pair of components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Arlen D. Hanssen, David G. Lewallen