Patents Examined by Bruce E Snow
  • Patent number: 11660206
    Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surf aces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Fausto Olmos, Brad Culbert, Bob Flower
  • Patent number: 11648133
    Abstract: Embodiments include a cooling device for a medical device. The cooling device including a controller configured to receive data from one or more temperature sensors and a pump, configured to be operated by the controller, to circulate a cooling fluid through a cooling system and through fluid channels in the medical device. The cooling device is configured to be worn by a user and to be selectively coupled to the medical device by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Budy Notohardjono, Milnes P. David, Roger R. Schmidt, Xiangfei Yu, Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 11642229
    Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surf aces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Fausto Olmos, Brad S. Culbert, Bob Flower
  • Patent number: 11617666
    Abstract: A joint for a prosthesis comprises a prosthesis part and a body part. The two parts are connected by a connection part. A first pair of engaging sets of abutments is provided on the connection part and the prosthesis part and a second pair of engaging sets of abutments is provided on the connection art and the body part. By adjusting position of the connection part, the first pair of sets are disengageable and by further adjusting the position, the second pair of sets are also disengageable. This allows for adjustment of the joint at two levels. A prosthesis includes two stripes of resilient material of which at least one has a curved part and a straight part. The joint is provided at a distal end, at the concave part of the strips. At straight parts, the strips cross and one strip extends beyond the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: GYROMOTICS HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Guido Jérôme Hendriks, Jacob Leonard Roggeveen, Iris Eline Ritsma, Thomas Sebastiaan Zwart, Francis Folkers, Stijn Jagers Op Akkerhuis, Clément Aart Ijje Heinen, Donovan Dane Lester Lewis
  • Patent number: 11612489
    Abstract: Stemless components and fracture stems for joint arthroplasty, such as shoulder arthroplasty, are disclosed. Also, methods and devices are disclosed for the optimization of shoulder arthroplasty component design through the use of medical imaging data, such as computed tomography scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventor: John W. Sperling
  • Patent number: 11602435
    Abstract: A medullary rod has a peripheral wall defining the outer shape of the medullary rod, and inwardly delimiting a hollow space. The medullary rod also has a plurality of first partitions. The first partitions are generally parallel to one another, extend between the inner side of the medullary rod located along the inner edge of the long bone after implantation, and the outer side of the medullary rod located along the outer edge of the long bone after implantation. Each of the first partitions is integral with the peripheral wall at these inner and outer sides of the medullary rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: FX Shoulder USA Inc.
    Inventors: Baptiste Martin, Geoffroy Nourissat, John Costouros, Jörg Jerosch, Todd Christopher Moen, Wayne Zealous Burkhead
  • Patent number: 11602444
    Abstract: A joint device with an upper part and a lower part which are mounted on each other so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, a hydraulic unit secured on the upper part and the lower part, and a housing in which a cylinder is arranged. A working piston is arranged in the cylinder and is coupled to at least one spring mechanism which transmits tensile forces and compressive forces and which engages on at least one abutment arranged displaceably inside the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Seyr, Harald Sima, Roland Auberger
  • Patent number: 11596529
    Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a biomechanical finger brace assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling tip, a proximal ring configured to concentrically receive a user's finger, a distal ring configured to concentrically receive the finger, and a rocker formed in an H-shape. The distal ring and the rocker are pivotally suspended between a proximal coordinated pivot point anchored on the proximal ring and a distal coordinated pivot point anchored on the coupling tip, such that movements of the finger within the proximal ring articulate the distal ring together with the rocker to articulate the coupling tip. The coupling tip may include an open end or an enclosed recess to accept a minimally-amputated or non-amputated finger. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: RCM Enterprise LLC
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, Jr., Jon Bengtsson, Anthony Charles Peto, Charles Colin Macduff, Sydney Tye Minnis, Eric Dennis Klumper, Bradley Arthur Crittenden
  • Patent number: 11596530
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a prosthetic leg including a modular knee element coupled to a modular ankle element. The modular knee element includes a knee motor rotatable about an axis of a shaft in the knee motor. The modular ankle element includes a drive portion coupled to a surface-contacting portion via a pylon having a top and bottom end. The top end is coupled to the drive portion and the bottom end is coupled to the surface-contacting portion. The drive portion includes an ankle motor coupled to a rotary series elastic actuator (RSEA) and a first pulley coupled to the RSEA. The surface-contacting portion includes a hinge and a second pulley with a belt engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first and second pulley, and a modular foot element coupled to the bottom of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Daniel McGowan, Pilwon Hur
  • Patent number: 11590006
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Jianliang Xiao, Zhanan Zou
  • Patent number: 11571309
    Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument system includes a hinged tibial insert trial and a tibial base trial. A post adapter is sized to be positioned over a post of the tibial base trial and to be positioned in a central opening defined in the hinged tibial insert trial. The hinged tibial insert trial includes a housing configured to be received in a femoral component and a button mechanism to selectively secure the hinged tibial insert trial to the femoral component. The system may include a shim trial sized to be attached to an inferior surface of the hinged tibial insert trial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Nathan C. Reeder, Aaron J. Matyas, Lauren A. Ferris
  • Patent number: 11571316
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a passive prosthetic knee joint with adjustable damping in the direction of flexion such that a prosthetic unit attached to the knee joint can be adapted for climbing stairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: OTTOBOCK SE & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Martin Pusch, Sven Zarling, Herman Boiten
  • Patent number: 11559411
    Abstract: A prosthesis having a prosthetic foot with a forefoot area and a heel area, a prosthetic lower leg, and a prosthetic foot adapter for arranging the prosthetic foot on the prosthetic lower leg. The prosthetic foot adapter includes an upper part for fixing it to the prosthetic lower leg such that it is torque-proof in relation to a sagittal plane, a lower part for fixing it to the prosthetic foot such that it is torque-proof in relation to a sagittal plane, and a resistance element. The upper part can be swivelled on the lower part about a swivel axis against a restoring force exerted by the restoring element, the swivel axis extending from the heel area to the forefoot area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ottobock SE & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Sven Kaltenborn, Miclas Schwartz, Ralf Allermann, Sandra Vossler, Sven Kubitz
  • Patent number: 11554031
    Abstract: The attachment plate for a prosthetic socket is fabricated into the distal end of a prosthetic socket. The attachment plate comprises a body with a peripheral seal, a valve, an air tunnel, and an exhaust port. When fastened in the distal end of a prosthetic socket, the peripheral seal creates a secure seal to the inner wall of the prosthetic socket and the exhaust port remains exposed to atmosphere. The valve is open to the cavity of the prosthetic socket for air to be removed to secure a prosthetic via vacuum or suction. Air from the cavity moves through the valve, through an air tunnel machined into the cylindrical body, and is expelled out of the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ANCLOTE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin McLoone
  • Patent number: 11547551
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to tissue engineering, and more particularly to a method for treating or repairing rotator cuff or other tendon tears or damage using scaffold-free 3-dimensional engineered tendon constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Lisa M. Larkin, Ellen M. Arruda, Michael Smietana, Asheesh Bedi, Stoyna Novakova
  • Patent number: 11540929
    Abstract: Prosthetic feet that provide improved rollover and performance are provided. A prosthetic foot can include a lower foot member extending from a heel end to a toe end, a second foot member disposed above the lower foot member, and an optional third foot member disposed above the second foot member. The second foot member is tapered such that its thickness decreases toward the proximal end. Optionally, the second foot member can taper toward its distal end as well as toward its proximal end from an intermediate location on the second foot member. The third foot member can be tapered such that its thickness decreases toward the distal end. There can be a gap between a distal end of the third foot member and the second foot member that closes during dorsiflexion of the prosthetic foot during use and provides dynamic stiffness control to the prosthetic foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Össur Iceland ehf
    Inventors: Orn Ingvi Jonsson, Aron Kristbjorn Albertsson
  • Patent number: 11529246
    Abstract: A prosthetic ankle and foot combination has an ankle joint mechanism constructed to allow damped rotational movement of a foot component relative to a shin component. The mechanism provides a continuous hydraulically damped range of ankle motion during walking with dynamically variable damping resistances, and with independent variation of damping resistances in the plantar-flexion and dorsi-flexion directions. An electronic control system coupled to the ankle joint mechanism includes at least one sensor for generating signals indicative of a kinetic or kinematic parameter of locomotion, the mechanism and the control system being arranged such that the damping resistances effective over the range of motion of the ankle are adapted automatically in response to such signals. Single and dual piston hydraulic damping arrangements are disclosed, including arrangements allowing independent heel-height adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Blatchford Products Limited
    Inventors: David Moser, Andrew John Sykes, Graham Harris, Stephen Terry Lang, Fadi Abimosleh, Mir Saeed Zahedi
  • Patent number: 11523907
    Abstract: This glenoidal component for a shoulder prosthesis comprises a base which may be immobilized on the glenoid cavity of a shoulder, and an element provided to be mounted on this base and forming a convex surface of articulation centred on an axis of symmetry. This axis of symmetry is non perpendicular to a rear face of the base intended to abut against the glenoid cavity, this making it possible to compensate a defect in parallelism between the resectioned surface of the glenoid cavity and the axis of the patient's spinal column. A surgeon can select the component in which the axes of symmetry of the components are oriented differently with respect to their rear faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TORNIER SAS
    Inventors: Alain Tornier, Francois Sirveaux, Gilles Walch, Daniel Mole, Christophe Levigne, Pascal Boileau, Luc Favard
  • Patent number: 11517439
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bone implant (1) for correcting an incorrect position of a bone, the bone implant (1) having a first portion (2) for attachment to a first bone portion (3) and a second portion (4) for attachment to a second bone portion (5), the bone implant (1) being prepared so that, when fixed to the bone, it orients the first bone portion (3) and the second bone portion (5) with respect to one another and keeps said portions at a distance from one another, the bone implant (1) having such a geometry and being adapted so as to force a predetermined orientation of the second bone portion (5) relative to the first bone portion (3). The invention also relates to a method for producing such a bone implant (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gwenn Swennen, Frank Reinauer, Tobias Wolfram, Adem Aksu
  • Patent number: 11517455
    Abstract: An apparatus for suspending a prosthesis from a residual limb comprises a tubular liner adapted to receive the residual limb. A lanyard is secured at one end to the distal end of the liner. A hollow prosthetic socket defines a well configured to receive the residual limb and includes a socket seal disposed at the distal end of the socket. An upper surface of the socket seal defines a recess opening to the exterior of the socket through a side wall. A sealing element disposed along the length of the lanyard is configured to engage within the passage. The free end of the lanyard is pulled through passage such that the sealing element sealingly engages within the passage for preventing fluid communication through the passage. The liner at least partially contacts the interior surface of the socket for providing a fluid seal and creating negative pressure within the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Astilla, Brian Gold