Patents Examined by Gina M. Gualtieri
  • Patent number: 5108435
    Abstract: A prosthetic part for use as an orthopaedic implant has a cast metal base member and a tissue ingrowth surface spaced outwardly therefrom. The tissue ingrowth surface is in the form of a cast metal lattice element which covers at least a part of the outer surface of the base member. The cast metal lattice element is cast simultaneously and integrally with the base member from the same metal. This metal may be any well known castable material for orthopaedic implants such as Vitallium or titanium. The lattice element is in the form of a grid-like mesh which includes spaced members cast integrally with the wire mesh and the base member to space the lattice element a predetermined distance above the prosthesis surface. An investment casting technique wherein a meltable material is coated with a ceramic casting shell is utilized to produce the integrally cast orthopaedic implant and tissue ingrowth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Gustavson, Melvin M. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5104410
    Abstract: A surgical prosthetic device for implant in a patient and method for making said device, the device comprising a composite structure having a solid metal substrate and a porous coating with multiple sintered layers. The porous coating has an external layer to accept bone ingrowth. An intermediate layer bonds the external porous layer to the substrate. The layers are applied in a process of multiple sintering, whereby each successive layer is individually sintered to the substrate or to the proceeding layer, as applicable. This process provides a porous area having increased strength of attachment between the substrate and the external porous layer. An acid etch solution promotes adhesion between the substrate and the intermediate layer thus increasing the consistency of the process. The initial sintering is held at elevated temperature for less time than the sintering of the external layer. At the end of each sintering step, the prosthesis is quick cooled using an inert gas, preferably helium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Intermedics Orthopedics, Inc
    Inventor: Prataprai R. Chowdhary
  • Patent number: 5088992
    Abstract: In the first embodiment, the faceplate coupling ring is of conventional design and includes an axially extending rib with a radially outwardly extending rim and a radially inwardly extending deflectable sealing strip. The pouch coupling ring includes inner and outer spaced walls, forming a channel for receiving the rib. First and second protrusions extend inwardly from points on the interior surfaces of the walls proximate the ends thereof. The first protrusion cooperates with the rim and the second protrusion cooperates with the tip of the sealing strip, to securely retain the rib within the channel. The walls of the channel have reduced thickness and are easily deflectable as the rib is inserted into the channel, such that coupling of the rings is facilitated but decoupling requires the conventional amount of force due to the second protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventors: John V. Edwards, Walter F. Leise, Jr., John B. Cline
  • Patent number: 5053028
    Abstract: A disposable garment or diaper including a laminate and a hook and loop fastener for fastening together portions of the laminate to secure the diaper to an individual. The fastener includes a loop fastener portion adjacent a first end of the laminate comprising a multiplicity of loops, a pair of flexible elongate polymeric tab assemblies having first end portions attached at opposite sides to the laminate adjacent a second end of the laminate and having distal end portions unattached to the laminate, and hook fastener portions at the distal end portions of the tab assemblies comprising a plurality of projecting hook members adapted to make releasable engagement with the loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Anthony J. Zoia, Roland R. Midgley, Donald L. Plaschko, William L. Melbye, Leigh E. Wood, Susan K. Nestegard, John A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5047058
    Abstract: A plurality of various shaped wedges, each wedge having an upper and lower face, each face including a plurality of spaced aligned protrusions adapted to engage a plurality of channels formed in the under surface of the tibial base, the protrusions registering with the channels to allow positioning of the wedge relative to the shape of the tibial component in various positions along the edge of the component, so that the plurality of wedges may be positioned to align themselves with the edge of the tibial component, and therefore in addition to providing a spacer between the bone and the undersurface of the component, to be secured within the same confined area as the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignees: Smith & Nephew Richards, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & Research
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Roberts, James A. Rand, Thomas Buford, III, Jennifer J. Lackey
  • Patent number: 5037412
    Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing and retaining human exudate. The article includes an absorbent having a first surface facing the body of a user and a second surface aligned approximately opposite to the first surface. A liquid-impermeable baffle is positioned adjacent to at least the second surface of the absorbent while a fluid permeable cover is positioned adjacent to at least the first surface of the absorbent. A deodorizing mixture is positioned within the article and is positioned to remain dry for a substantial period of time. The mixture is an anhydrous, non-buffer blend of acidic, basic and pH neutral odor absorbing particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Tanzer, Mary A. Bruemmer, Anthonette A. Gossens
  • Patent number: 4986824
    Abstract: A bagside coupling for an ostomy bag is intended to cooperate with a filter cartridge. Inserting the filter cartridge in a suitable recess results in establishing connection between the interior of the bag and the exterior. Escaping gases are constrained to pass through filter material in the filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: E. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Steer, Neil P. Wiltshire, David J. Auld
  • Patent number: 4981480
    Abstract: An adjustable child garment, specifically a diaper or a diaper wrap, can be used by a child from birth until diapers are no longer required. The garment comprises a substantially rectangular panel having a back with back side tabs extending from the top on each side, the back side tabs each having a first hook strip pad on the inside surface, the panel having a front with front side tabs extending from the top on each side, a loop strip ribbon extending across the top on the outside of the front of the panel from one front side tab to the other, the first hook strip pads detachably engageable with the loop strip ribbon. Elastic is sewn along the back of the panel and along each side of the panel between the back side tabs and the front side tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Inventors: Melody L. Gaudet, Annette C. Beauregard, Teresa L. Topping