Patents Examined by Marcia Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8864845
    Abstract: A system for control of a prosthetic device includes at least one Inertial Measurement Unit detecting orientation of a user's foot. The at least one Inertial Measurement Unit is in communication with a device module configured to command at least one actuator of a prosthetic device. The at least one Inertial Measurement unit sends output signals related to orientation of the user's foot to the device module and the device module controls the at least one actuator of the prosthetic device based on the signals from the at least one Inertial Measurement Unit. The device module controls movement of an endpoint of the device within a movement envelope. The device module commanding movement of the end point within the movement envelope through at least simultaneous and/or independent actuation of the plurality of actuators based on the at least one body input signal in accordance with a movement function to achieve the desired directional movement of the endpoint within the movement envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Gregory Randall Lanier, Jr., John Matthew Kerwin, Gerald Michael Guay, N. Christopher Perry, Susan D. Dastous
  • Patent number: 8858643
    Abstract: An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing component with surface features which operate to protect adjacent soft tissues of the natural knee throughout a wide range of flexion. More particularly, the tibial bearing component provides an anterior relief space disposed between the dished lateral and medial articular compartments, in which the relief space is convex as viewed from a sagittal perspective across the medial/lateral extent of the relief space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Parisi, Abraham P. Habegger, Peter S. Walker, Jeff C. Blaylock, Kathleen P. Macke
  • Patent number: 8858648
    Abstract: Disclosed are adjustable powered rehabilitation devices and methods for using the same to rehabilitate and/or train a user. The rehabilitation devices preferably have a plurality of selectable power settings that correspond to one or more rehabilitation-oriented actions or functions of the rehabilitation devices. For example, the power of the rehabilitation device may be selected based on a need, ability, muscle-power and/or physiological characteristics of the user. For instance, a rehabilitation device may be operated at a relatively low power setting to allow a patient to use his or her own muscle power when moving with the rehabilitation device. The rehabilitation device may also include an adjustable sensitivity level that corresponds to a user difficulty in triggering a particular rehabilitation-oriented action. The powered rehabilitation device may also temporarily be used to train a user in interacting with a passive or more conventional prosthetic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Össur hf
    Inventor: Kim De Roy
  • Patent number: 8828095
    Abstract: The invention relates to a passive orthopedic aid in the form of a foot prosthesis or foot orthosis, with a first part which is connected to a second part in a rotatable manner via a swivel joint, with a sensor arrangement for measuring parameters that provide indications of instantaneous operation requirements of the aid, with a control means which is connected to the control arrangement and is used to determine operation requirements and to generate corresponding control signals, with a controllable hydraulic damping arrangement with which a movement resistance acting on the rotation movement between the first part and the second part can be modified, and with a control means which converts the control signals of the processor arrangement and is used to control the damping arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH
    Inventors: Luder Mosler, Roland Pawlik, Joachim Schorg, Sven Kaltenborn, Sven Zarling, Greg Schneider
  • Patent number: 8821587
    Abstract: A prosthetic device control apparatus includes at least one sensor worn by a user. The sensor(s) determines a user's movement. A control module is in communication with the sensor(s). The control module communicates movement information to a prosthetic. A method for controlling a prosthetic device includes sensing a user's movement, communicating the movement through a control module to a prosthetic device; and controlling the movement of a prosthetic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Gregory R. Lanier, N. Christopher Perry, Andrew P. Pascoe, Dirk A. Van der Merwe
  • Patent number: 8821588
    Abstract: Anchoring system for a prosthetic or orthotic device includes a fastener comprising a base and a clasp-engaging member, wherein the fastener further comprises an adhesive to secure the base directly to skin of a wearer; and a clasp comprising a first end configured to engage and rotate about the clasp-engaging member and a second end configured to engage the activation cable of a prosthetic or orthotic device. Also included is a prosthetic or orthotic system that includes the anchoring system in combination with a prosthetic or orthotic device, as well as a method of securing a prosthetic or orthotic device on a wearer using the anchoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shriners Hospitals for Children
    Inventor: Debra Ann Latour
  • Patent number: 8821579
    Abstract: A tibial prosthesis including an articulating component and a tray component with a rim that extends proximally to support the articulating component, the tray component enabling flexion of the rim relative to a bone-contacting surface of the tray component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew J. Jukes, Rosemary E. Thompson, Jörg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8801800
    Abstract: Implantable devices for the surgical treatment of bone, and particularly to a bone defect at a joint region, and even more particularly at the subchondral bone level of the joint region, are disclosed. The implantable devices may be formed of a bone material, and configured to serve the dual functions of providing mechanical strength and structural integrity to the area to be treated, while also facilitating the dispersal of a flowable material in the same area. Associated delivery tools are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc.
    Inventors: Charanpreet S. Bagga, Shaun B. Hanson
  • Patent number: 8801797
    Abstract: A joint socket of a hip endoprosthesis includes a socket shell implantable in the pelvic bone and a socket insert for providing a bearing for the joint head. The socket shell has an accommodating space having a conical inner surface in which the spherical outer surface of the socket insert is inserted. As a result, the socket insert can be clamped in a self-locking manner in any desired position of rotation and tilt in the accommodating space of the socket shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics AG
    Inventor: Martin Imhof
  • Patent number: 8771372
    Abstract: A prosthetic device including an upper member having an upper end and a lower end, a wave member having a toe end and a heel end, and a third member having a proximal end and a distal end. In the preferred prosthetic device, the toe end of the wave member is fixedly attached to the upper member and the heel end of wave member is adapted to be deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Stealth Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, John S. Stites
  • Patent number: 8771371
    Abstract: A prosthetic device comprises a connecting portion for connecting to a person using vacuum; and a control structure for controlling an amount of vacuum used to connect the connecting portion to the person, wherein the control structure includes: a vacuum pump (502) in fluid communication with the connecting portion for controlling an amount of vacuum used to connect the connecting portion to the person, a vacuum sensing mechanism (506) configured to provide signals indicating the amount of vacuum in the connecting portion, a movement sensing mechanism (509) configured to provide signals indicating at least one of acceleration of the prosthetic device, orientation of the prosthetic device, force experienced by the prosthetic device, and a direction of force experienced by the prosthetic device, and a controller configured to receive signals from the vacuum sensing mechanism (506) and the movement sensing mechanism (509), and to control the vacuum pump (502).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Tompkins
  • Patent number: 8764849
    Abstract: A prosthetic knee provides security and stability, particularly to low activity users, household and limited community ambulators, single and/or slow speed ambulators, and those with little voluntary control, while also balancing walking (dynamic) performance for low activity users. The prosthetic knee includes a housing, parallel anterior links, a posterior link, and a chassis. The geometry of the links and their relationship to one another allow for low voluntary control, shortening of mid-swing, which reduces stumbling risk, and geometric stability in stance. The anterior links are particularly oriented, sized and located to provide for stability. The anterior links both extend above the posterior link and substantially below the posterior link. The prosthetic knee includes a friction adjustment mechanism, a stability adjustment mechanism, and an adjustable extension assist mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: OSSUR HF
    Inventors: Bjorn Omarsson, Sigurdur Gisli Karlsson, Sigurdur Olafsson, Gudlaugur Olafsson, David Landry
  • Patent number: 8764840
    Abstract: A tibial prosthesis has a bearing component configured for an anterior-medial insertion, which advantageously avoids the extensor mechanism of the knee. A tibial tray may include a banana-shaped boss that corresponds to a notch formed in the bearing component. After the bearing component is inserted along the anterior-medial path, the boss is received within the notch by rotating the bearing component with respect to the tibial tray. This rotation seat the bearing component upon the tibial tray in the manner of a fixed-bearing prosthesis. Alternatively, the boss and notch may define angled central axes which allow straight anterior-medial insertion of the bearing component and locking engagement to the tibial tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Brian D. Byrd, Ramesh Annayappa, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos
  • Patent number: 8764844
    Abstract: An implant stem (1, 2) for implantation in a femur, comprising: a base portion (3) disposed at the proximal end (4) of the stem and a stem portion (5) extending to the distal end (6) of the stem, wherein the base portion (3) has an engagement means (7) for engaging, in use, with the resected end of the femur. An implant comprising such a stem (1, 2) and a head. A method for implanting such implants in a femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: T.J. Smith & Nephew, Limited
    Inventors: Derek James Wallace McMinn, Thomas Burton Pynsent
  • Patent number: 8764836
    Abstract: A method of shoulder arthroplasty in one embodiment includes accessing a scapula, identifying an inferior glenoid circle center of the scapula, preparing a glenoid fossa of the scapula to receive a prosthesis, selecting a glenoid component, and implanting the selected glenoid component based upon the identified inferior glenoid circle center in the prepared glenoid fossa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Lieven De Wilde, Kyle Lappin
  • Patent number: 8728171
    Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopedic foot device with a connection part for the lower leg, a swivel joint (5) acting as an ankle joint (7) by means of which a foot part (10) is rotatably connected in the direction of dorsiflexion and the direction of plantar flexion to the connection part, with a damping arrangement (17) influencing the rotational movement about the swivel joint (5), with a sensor arrangement for detecting action states of the orthopedic foot part, and with a control unit connected to the sensor arrangement which controls the damping arrangement (17). The object is achieved by the fact that the sensor arrangement has an ankle-angle sensor which measures the angle between the connection part and the foot part (10), an absolute-angle sensor (20) relating to the plumb line and a moments sensor (21) for determining the torque on the ankle joint (7) or a force effecting a torque on the ankle joint (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Kaltenborn, Felix Reuss, Sven Zarling, Bernhard Bischof, Thomas Kraus
  • Patent number: 8727950
    Abstract: The present invention provides an armband designed for wearing by a person who uses a hand prosthesis or a person with impaired hand function. The armband both stabilizes the attachment of the prosthesis thereby allowing pulling exercises that would otherwise be impossible and provides connection to exercise machines allowing the wearer to carry out exercises that would otherwise require the wearer to grasp an operational portion of the exercise machine. The armband is constructed from a sheet of flexible material that is sized to be wrapped around a wearer's arm enclosing substantially all of the arm and the wrist or base portion of any hand prosthesis. The wrapped armband is tightened by attached cinching straps and D-rings are provided attached to the surface of the armband for attachment of portions of exercise machines. An optional shoulder harness can be attached to the armband for additional stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew C. Carter
  • Patent number: 8728167
    Abstract: A base component for a tibial implant has a lateral compartment and a medial compartment spaced from the lateral compartment defining an open central section therebetween. A connecting portion connects the medial and lateral compartments at an anterior end of the base component which anterior end is located adjacent the anterior tibia. The open central section of the base component intermediate the spaced medial and lateral compartments is open to a posterior end of the base component. The medial and lateral compartments have a bone contacting surface and a superiorly facing surface. The connecting portion has a curved anteriorly facing surface and has a first angled surface extending at an angle from adjacent the anterior end of the base component at a bone contacting surface of the connecting portion superiorly to a posterior end of the connecting portion. The first angled surface defining an anterior end of the open central section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventor: Carlos E. Collazo
  • Patent number: 8721728
    Abstract: The present teachings provide a modular glenoid prosthesis for replacing a portion of the anatomy. The prosthesis can comprise a platform having a coupling portion, a base and a central bore that extends from the coupling portion through the base. The central bore can define a tapered region, and the coupling portion can include a plurality of bores and a groove coupling feature. The prosthesis can include a glenoid component having a plurality of pegs. Each of the plurality of pegs in combination with at least one tab, the tab configured to engage the groove coupling feature of the platform can be coupled to a respective one of the plurality of bores. The prosthesis can include a glenosphere including a tapered stem couplable to the tapered region. The glenoid component and the glenosphere are selectively couplable to the platform for replacing the portion of the anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan A. Winslow, Clinton E. Kehres, Benjamin I. Joseph, Bryce A. Isch, Russell F. Warren
  • Patent number: 8702800
    Abstract: An implant assembly for re-establishing a glenohumeral joint between a scapular and humerus. A ball is adapted to being mounted to a reconditioned glenoid cavity defined in the scapula along with a receiver mounted to a reconditioned humeral head associated with the humerus. A substantially spherical shaped element is interposed between the ball and receiver and establishes first and second articulating surfaces. A concave recess is defined in an exposed face of the ball for seating in articulating fashion a portion of the spherical element. A concave recess is defined in the spherical shaped element for seating in articulating fashion an exposed portion of the scapula mounted ball. Each of the ball, spherical element and receiver is constructed of an alternating material including at least one of a polymer, polymer composite, metal, metal composite or polymer/metal admixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Miguel A. Linares, Miguel A. Linares, Jr.