Patents Assigned to Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8241546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous method for the direct production of multilayer mold bodies from a highly condensed polyester melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lurgi Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Brigitta Otto, Stefan Deiss
  • Patent number: 8241367
    Abstract: Modular bone implants, modes of assembly, and their method of use are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Zimmer, Inc., Zimmer Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, E. Marlowe Goble, Thomas Wade Fallin, Nathan A. Hammond, Daniel J. Triplett, Robert A. Hodorek, Daniel Gerbec, Gordon Baker
  • Patent number: 8241296
    Abstract: A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray C. Wasielewski
  • Patent number: 8241340
    Abstract: A bone anchor system anchors a support member to a bone. The bone anchor system comprises a body having a shank adapted for insertion into a hole in the bone. A head is formed on the shank. The head has a support engagement portion adapted to secure the support member to the body. A passage extends from an entry point to an exit point formed in the body. An expandable member has a flexible wall at least partially enclosing an anchoring chamber. The expandable member has an expanded state configured to conform to a cavity in the bone. The anchoring chamber is in fluid communication with the exit point. The expandable member is adapted to expand when a filler material is provided into the anchoring chamber. A portion of the expandable member conforms to the cavity and the body and the support member are substantially anchored to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Froehlich
  • Patent number: 8236060
    Abstract: An implant for resurfacing at least a portion of an articulation surface of a bone includes a body having a first side with a top articular surface and an opposing second side with a bone apposition surface. The bone apposition surface is adapted to bias against a natural or resected articulation surface of a bone. An elongated flexible first line is coupled to and extends from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, E. Marlowe Goble, Robert A. Hodorek, Joel Dever, Daniel J. Triplett, Gordon J. Baker
  • Patent number: 8236056
    Abstract: The invention provides an intervertebral implant for the lumbo-sacral joint, the implant consisting in a spacer suitable for being placed between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the sacral vertebra articulated thereto, the body of said spacer presenting in its top face a groove extending in the midplane of the spacer and suitable for receiving the spinous process of said lumbar vertebra. A longitudinal housing oriented orthogonally to said groove is formed in the bottom face and is suitable for receiving the top portion of the sacral vertebra. The longitudinal housing is defined by an extension and by a tab of width narrower than the width of the body of the spacer. The section of the housing in the midplane of the space is generally U-shaped, being inclined relative to the bottom of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Denis Pasquet, Regis Le Couedic, Jacques Senegas, Christian Renaud
  • Patent number: 8236001
    Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head (11) embodied on a femoral neck (19). Said instrument comprises tactile forceps (91) that are provided with two forked levers (13, 15) and two tactile jaws (23, 25), each of which is assigned to one of the forked levers (13, 15). The forked levers are interconnected at a fulcrum (93). The inventive instrument features a manipulating end and a working end. The tactile jaws are located at the working end of the instrument. A guiding element (28) is provided which encompasses a centering pin (21) and is mounted and/or guided at least at two points (105, 107) spaced apart from each other in the direction of the centering pin (21) in such a way that the centering pin (21) always lies on a central plane (12) of the tactile forceps (91) regardless of an opening angle of the tactile forceps (91), said central plane (12) containing the fulcrum (93).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Willi, Marcel Hinder, Andreas Marchione
  • Patent number: 8236342
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-polymer hydrogel article having a first polymeric, water-swellable material and a second polymeric material, organized such that a first region substantially comprises the first polymeric, water-swellable material, a second region adjacent the first region comprises a mixture of the first polymeric, water-swellable material and the second polymeric material, and a third region adjacent the second region substantially comprises the second polymeric material. The article exhibits an increasing concentration gradient of the second polymeric material moving from the first region, through the second region, to the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Thomas, Kai Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120197298
    Abstract: A vertebral fixing system suitable for being mounted on a vertebra of the spine for connecting it to a rod. The system includes: a connecting part suitable for being connected to the rod, a flexible ligature of elongate shape having two free ends suitable for connecting together the connecting part and at least a portion of a vertebra and/or a rib, and an adjustable locking member mounted on the connecting part. The connecting part defines at least one passageway for passing the ligature in such a manner that two distinct strands of the ligature can be engaged in the passageway so that the two strands of the ligature define a first ligature portion forming a loop extending from one side of the connecting part, and second and third ligature portions extending from the other side of the connecting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christian Baccelli, Karl P. Belliard, Keyvan Mazda
  • Patent number: 8231634
    Abstract: Methods for predetermining a contour of a resected bone surface and assessing a fit of a prosthesis on the resected bone surface, for designing prostheses to fit discrete patient populations, and for designing customized prostheses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Mahfouz, Brian D. Earl
  • Patent number: 8231387
    Abstract: An implant which includes a shaft made of a first material and having an exterior surface, and at least one thread made of a second material different from the first material, engaging the exterior surface, and extending outwardly from the exterior surface for engaging bone. After implantation of the implant, bone tissue may osseointegrate into the porous shaft to anchor the implant within the surrounding bone. The first material may be a porous metal and include tantalum while the second material is non-porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Salvi, Shahram Zamani, Mojtaba Esfahani
  • Publication number: 20120191212
    Abstract: A shroud for protecting exterior portions of a prosthetic implant from adhesive and a method for utilizing the same. The shroud includes a hub, a rim, and at least one bridge connecting the hub and the rim. The rim of the shroud may be sized to cover substantially the same area as a guard of the implant. The method of utilizing the shroud involves securing the shroud to the prosthetic implant. A quantity of adhesive is provided, and the prosthetic implant is secured thereto. The shroud is removed from the implant, and then the guard is secured to the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan T. Ward, Mark A. Wise
  • Publication number: 20120191207
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: 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: 8226721
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method of implanting an intervertebral disk prosthesis that can be assembled and disassembled in a minimally invasive fashion. The prosthesis comprises a first fixing element having an anchoring first face and a cooperation second face; a second fixing element having an anchoring first face and a cooperation second face; a first prosthesis element having an active first face and a cooperation second face, the cooperation faces of the first fixing element and the first prosthesis element serving to fasten the two elements together; a second prosthesis element having an active first face and a cooperation second face, the cooperation faces of the second fixing element and the second prosthesis element serving to fasten the two elements together; and each of the active faces of the prosthesis elements defining at least a portion of a spherical cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine S.A.S.
    Inventors: Karl Belliard, Regis Le Couedic, Jacques Senegas, Paolo Mangione
  • Patent number: 8226689
    Abstract: A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The implant can provide support in fusion situations. The spinal implant includes a pair of longitudinal rods and a transverse rod. A pair of variable cross-link devices couple the transverse rod, respectively, to the first and second longitudinal rods. Each variable cross-link device includes a body, having a curved member, a plug, and a rod engaging member. Fastening the plug into the body of the respective variable cross-link device causes application of force that couples the plug and the rod engaging member to the respective longitudinal rod. Fastening the plug also causes application of force that couples the rod engaging member to the transverse rod. Furthermore, fastening the plug causes application of force that couples the respective longitudinal rod to couple to the variable cross-link device. The surgical procedure may use minimally invasive surgery or non-minimally invasive surgery, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Jones, Charles R. Forton
  • Publication number: 20120185059
    Abstract: An acetabular cup assembly for use in the replacement of a hip joint, including a shell having a substantially hemispherical outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes a groove extending at least partially around the inner surface. A provisional liner is provided which is receivable within the shell, the liner including a hemispherical cavity and articulation surface for receipt of the femoral head of a femoral prosthesis, and at least one flexible tab portion which engages the groove of the shell in a snap-fit manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Vankoski, Charles D. Persons, Tyler Boggs
  • Publication number: 20120185045
    Abstract: An actuatable insertion instrument for inserting a spinal implant in an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The actuatable insertion instrument includes an indicator pivotably coupled to the elongate shaft of the actuatable instrument for providing visual indication of an angular orientation of a spinal implant removably coupled to the insertion instrument. The insertion instrument also includes a knob which may be rotated to adjust the angular orientation of the spinal implant, and a button mounted to the handle which may be actuated between a first position which allows rotation of the knob to articulate the spinal implant, and a second position which prevents rotation of the knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC W. MORRIS, MARK J. KROLL, CARSTEN BASTEIN
  • Publication number: 20120183586
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition including isolated small living tissue particles, a method of making the tissue particles, and a method of using the composition to ameliorate a tissue defect. The tissue particles are composed of cells and their associated extracellular molecules and are sized, in certain embodiments, to be smaller than about 1 mm. Another aspect of the inventive tissue particles is the large percentage of viable cells. In certain embodiments, the tissue particles are made from cartilage and the composition may also contain additives such as adhesives, solutions, and bioactive agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Zimmer Orthobiologics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Q. Yao, Victor Zaporojan
  • Publication number: 20120184964
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved osteotome instrument for removing an acetabular cup from an acetabulum, including an explant adapter connectable to an elongated handle shaft of the instrument. The explant adapter is sized and shaped to connect any one of a set of a plurality of different sized interchangeable pivot elements, such as spherical heads, to the osteotome instrument for use in removing the acetabular cup from the acetabulum. The pivot heads may be relatively large diameter pivot heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: John J. Hudak, JR., Sarah M. Gedney, Timothy P. Dolan
  • Patent number: 8221433
    Abstract: A tool and a method are provided for driving a bone pin into a fractured bone to stabilize the fractured bone by maintaining the fractured bone in a reduced state. The tool may be a handheld device including a cartridge having at least one passageway that receives the bone pin. The tool may also include a pneumatically-powered piston having a needle that is sized for receipt within the passageway of the cartridge, the needle applying sufficient force to the bone pin to drive the bone pin out of the cartridge and into the fractured bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony J. Lozier, Daniel P. Murphy