Patents Examined by Alvin Stewart
  • Patent number: 9999512
    Abstract: The present invention provides a uni-compartmental knee joint prosthesis (1) which includes a tibial component (2) and a femoral component (3). The tibial component (2) has a fixation portion (10) adapted to be fixed to an upper end of a prepared tibia (T) in a patient, and a bearing portion (30) presenting an articulation surface (32) formed from a ceramic material, wherein the bearing portion (30) is adapted for movement relative to the fixation portion (10). The femoral component (3) is adapted to be fixed to a lower end of a prepared femur (F) in a patient, and comprises a body portion (50) presenting an articulation surface (56) formed from a ceramic material for engagement with the articulation surface (32) of the tibial component (2). The articulation surfaces (32, 56) of the tibial and femoral components are adapted for essentially congruent engagement over a full range of movement of the prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Berna Richter, Christof Hurschler, Sven Ostermeier
  • Patent number: 9993341
    Abstract: An additively manufactured medical implant, comprising a metallic body having at least one porous surface configured to promote bony on-growth or in-growth of tissue, the porous surface being replicated from a high resolution scan of bone, and a biological surface coating configured to create a barrier to particulate debris, the biological surface coating being produced from a titanium porous plasma spray surface coating or a biomimetic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Vanasse, Gautam Gupta, Jason Meridew
  • Patent number: 9993346
    Abstract: This application describes an implantable device for tissue repair comprising at least two fabrics with interconnecting spacer elements transversing, connecting, and separating the fabrics, forming the device. Some embodiments have fixation points which can be an extension of at least one of the fabrics. The implantable device allows modification of the two fabrics having varying constructions, chemistries, and physical properties. The spacer elements create a space between the two fabrics, which can be used for the loading of biological materials (peptides, proteins, cells, tissues), offer compression resistance (i.e. stiffness), and compression recovery (i.e., return to original dimensions) following deformation and removal of deforming load. The inclusive fixation points of the fabrics are designed to allow for fine adjustment of the sizing and tension of the device to promote integration with the surrounding tissues as well as maximize the compressive resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Seth McCullen
  • Patent number: 9980806
    Abstract: An implantable, radially distensible stent includes a tubular structure having opposed open ends. The wall of the stent is made from a shape memory polymeric material. Grooves may be disposed within an outer surface of stent wall to improve flexibility and drainage of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Francisca Tan-Malecki, Claude O. Clerc
  • Patent number: 9974665
    Abstract: A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In the preferred embodiment, the position of each tab is related to a positioning element and extending blocks. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Neuropro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. McLuen, Benjamin J. Remington, Daniel R. Baker, Joseph N. Logan, Gregory C. Stalcup
  • Patent number: 9968447
    Abstract: Methods of preparing a sheet of bioprosthetic tissue for use as a prosthetic valve leaflet are disclosed. A method includes positioning a sheet of bioprosthetic tissue across an engagement face of a first patterned substrate. The engagement face defines a pattern having at least one raised region and areas of relief adjacent the at least one raised region. The tissue is compressed against the engagement face to deform the tissue to a deformed state corresponding with the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura McKinley, Benjamin Wong, Wei Wang, Elliot Howard, Tracey Tien, Karl Olney, Joshua Dudney
  • Patent number: 9956069
    Abstract: A prosthesis including a support structure for enhancing kink and/or crush resistance. The support structure is connected to an outer surface of the prosthesis and includes at least two components, one of which has a lower melting point than the other. The component with the lower melting point is used to connect the support structure to the outer surface of the prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MAQUET CARDIOVASCULAR LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Noesner, Jerry Dong
  • Patent number: 9956075
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. One aspect of the invention provides a method including the steps of endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; and applying an external non-hydraulically expanding or non-pneumatically expanding actuation force on the anchor to change the shape of the anchor, such as by applying proximally and/or distally directed force on the anchor using a releasable deployment tool to expand and contract the anchor or parts of the anchor. Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus including a replacement valve; an anchor; and a deployment tool comprising a plurality of anchor actuation elements adapted to apply a non-hydraulically expanding or non-pneumatically expanding actuation force on the anchor to reshape the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Jean-Pierre Dueri, Hans F. Valencia, Brian D. Brandt, Dwight P. Morejohn, Claudio Argento, Tom Saul, Ulrich R. Haug
  • Patent number: 9949838
    Abstract: A shoulder implant device includes one or more fixation features including an acromial intrusion element and an inflatable humeral balloon portion that receives a fluid through the acromial intrusion element. The intrusion element comprises a valve that can receive multiple needle sticks to add or remove fluid to or from the inflatable humeral balloon. The device is implanted in a subacromial space such that the one or more fixation features at least secure the device to the acromion and the inflatable balloon portion rests against the proximal end of the corresponding humerus. Fluid in the balloon portion maintains separation of the acromion and the humerus to reduce or prevent impingement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Microaire Surgical Instruments LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Vanleeuwen, Shannon Vaughn, Thomas Weisel
  • Patent number: 9949825
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native valve includes a stent extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including a plurality of struts forming cells, the stent having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. At least one runner is coupled a cell, the at least one runner being configured to transition from a first configuration to a second configuration when the stent moves from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition, the at least one runner projecting radially outwardly from the cell in the second configuration. A valve assembly is disposed within the stent, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets, a cuff at least partially disposed on a luminal surface of the stent, and a covering material disposed on an abluminal surface of the stent and covering the at least one runner in the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Kent J. Smith, Andrea L. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9949819
    Abstract: There is described a device (1) of the reversible type for the connection and reconstruction of a ligament, comprising a central reconstruction portion (9) and two connecting portions (10a, 10b) at the two ends of said central portion (9), characterized in that said connection device is made of silicone, said central portion covers said two connecting portions (10a, 10b), said two connecting portions (10a, 10b) being generally grid-shaped for receiving fixing means adapted to fix said device (1) to said ligament, said device (1) further comprising an outer carbon coating (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Antonio Sambusseti
  • Patent number: 9943414
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing a non-binding allograft subtalar joint implant for surgical implant into a person's foot proximate to the ankle. This system for repair includes at least one sterile non-binding allograft subtablar joint implant provided as a pre-formed allograft rod plug “ARP” having a diameter about equal to an average width of a canal between a person's talus and calcaneus bones, the ARP being resiliently compressible and flexible. When snuggly disposed between the person's talus and calcaneus bones, the ARP compresses during normal use of the person's foot and maintains the canal in an anatomically correct alignment and reduces a tendency for abnormal motion between the person's talus and calcaneus bones. An associated method of use is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventors: Bruce Werber, Terrell Suddarth, Herold Schoenhaus
  • Patent number: 9943409
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the treatment or repair of regurgitant cardiac valves, such as a mitral valve. An annuloplasty device can be placed in the coronary sinus to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral valve regurgitation. A protective device can be placed between the annuloplasty device and an underlying coronary artery to inhibit compression of the underlying coronary artery by the annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus. In addition, the protective device can inhibit compression of the coronary artery from inside the heart, such as from a prosthetic mitral valve that exerts radially outward pressure toward the coronary artery. The annuloplasty device can also create an artificial inner ridge or retaining feature projecting into the native mitral valve region to help secure a prosthetic mitral valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: June-Hong Kim, Robert J. Lederman, Ozgur Kocaturk
  • Patent number: 9943426
    Abstract: A stent (scaffold) or other luminal prosthesis comprising circumferential structural elements which provides high strength after deployment and allows for scaffold to uncage, and/or allow for scaffold or luminal expansion thereafter. The circumferential scaffold may be formed from degradable material, or may be formed from non-degradable material and will be modified to expand and/or uncage after deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Elixir Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Motasim Sirhan, John Yan, Vinayak Bhat, Joseph Paraschac, Brett Cryer, Benjamyn S. Serna
  • Patent number: 9937063
    Abstract: An orthopedic system according to one embodiment of the disclosure comprises a first trial member capable of forming a broach cavity in a first bone of a patient. A second trial member is removeably coupleable to the first trial member in a fixed alignment with respect to the trial member. An alignment member is removeably coupleable in a fixed alignment with respect to the first trial member. The alignment member comprises indicia configured to provide for alignment of the alignment member with respect to at least one of the first bone and a second bone of the patient. The alignment of the second trial member with respect to the first trial member when coupled to the first trial member corresponds to the alignment of the alignment member with respect to the first trial member when coupled with the first trial member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Roby, Greg Stebbins, Jorge Montoya, Ray Zubok
  • Patent number: 9931210
    Abstract: A variable angle blade augment including an augment component and a blade component. The blade component includes a buttress portion and a neck portion, with the neck portion having a body segment and a face segment that is contoured for mating engagement with an outer surface of the acetabular shell. The augment component has a first opening sized and shaped to receive insertion of the body segment, and which is also sized to accommodate selective adjustment of, when the body segment is positioned in the first opening, linear and angular orientations of the blade component relative to the augment component. Additionally, the body segment has a length that is sized to facilitate direct contact of the face segment with the acetabular shell when the variable angle blade augment is in an assembled configuration. Further, cement can be injected into the internal cavity to unitize the connection between the acetabular shell and the blade component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Kristin Anderson, Jeffrey Joel Shea, Richard Douglas Lambert, Michael Scott Bennett
  • Patent number: 9931136
    Abstract: Pathology of the human knee can arise from excessive and/or uneven loading of regions within the joint. Methods and apparatus are disclosed that enable displacement of soft tissue around the knee, without displacing or severing bone thereby altering the mechanical load distribution within the joint in a less invasive manner than previous techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The Foundry, LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Shenoy, Hanson S. Gifford, III, Mark Deem
  • Patent number: 9931196
    Abstract: A connector for attaching a connective tissue to bone includes a sling for supporting and holding the connective tissue. A trap generally cooperates with the sling. The trap includes an anchor end and a sling end and a generally tubular section configured to decrease in diameter upon application of a longitudinal tensile force. The trap is dimensioned to fit within a tunnel through bone so that the connective tissue emerges from one end of the tunnel and so that an interference screw can be inserted into the tubular section at the anchor end of the trap at the other end of the tunnel whereby a pulling force exerted on the sling causes the generally tubular section of the trap to constrict more tightly about the interference screw to prevent slippage and to deter withdrawal of the trap from the tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ALBERT EINSTEIN HEALTHCARE NETWORK
    Inventor: Minn Saing
  • Patent number: 9925053
    Abstract: The present application relates to an artificial joint implant comprising a first element with a socket and a second element with a ball head. The socket is at least hemispherical and said ball head is inserted in said socket such as to form a ball-and-socket connection between said first element and said second element. Movement of said ball head in said socket is restricted in at least one degree of freedom by means of a at least one protrusion engaged in a at least one groove, wherein said at least one protrusion is provided on said socket and said at least one groove is provided on said ball head or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: 41Hemiverse AG
    Inventors: Tom Overes, Robert Frigg
  • Patent number: 9918845
    Abstract: Augments systems and methods for attaching two or more augments to an underside (50) of a tibial baseplate (16) are disclosed. An augment system (100) can include a first augment (102) having a superior surface (106) and an inferior surface (108), the superior surface configured for attachment to the underside of the tibial baseplate. The augment system can include a second augment (104) having a superior surface (110) and an inferior surface (112), the superior surface configured for attachment to the inferior surface of the first augment. The first and second augments can be formed of different materials. One or more additional augments can be used with the first and second augments, and the augment system can be stacked on a resected surface of the tibia. In an example, the augment that directly contacts the resected surface of the tibia can be formed of a porous material, such as to facilitate bone growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Roby, Timothy A. Hoeman, John Chernosky, Ray Zubok