Patents by Inventor Aaron Hofmann
Aaron Hofmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240081473Abstract: A method for forming a molded article having an insert includes temporarily protecting features of the insert during a molding process using a malleable plugging material. In one step, the method includes disposing a plug including the plugging material within a receptacle of the insert, where each receptacle includes an engagement feature. The insert and the plugging material are placed into a mold, and a liquid molding material is applied to an exterior surface of the insert. The liquid molding material is solidified, forming the molded article including the insert embedded in the solidified molding material. The molded article is removed from the mold, and the plugging material is removed from the receptacle of the insert that is embedded in the molded article to expose the engagement feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Michael A. Hofmann, Sam Lacey, Geun Rok Park, ManKi Park
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Patent number: 10433966Abstract: A set of distal femoral knee prostheses which are designed to be more narrow in medial/lateral dimensions with increasing anterior/posterior size than existing prostheses to more closely correspond to the physical anatomy of female patients. The prostheses are designed to have a substantially trapezoidal shape or profile when viewed distally which features a more pronounced narrowing of the medial/lateral dimensions beginning at the posterior end of the prostheses and progressing anteriorly to the anterior end of the prostheses. Additionally, the prostheses each include a reduced profile patellar sulcus and reduced profile anterior condyles to more closely conform to the anatomy of a resected femur, and also include sulcus tracking optimized to conform to female anatomy.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Abraham P Habegger, Aaron Hofmann, Kim Bertin, Lawrence Dorr, Robert E Booth, Jr., Aaron Rosenberg, Sergio Romagnoli
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Publication number: 20170156872Abstract: A set of distal femoral knee prostheses which are designed to be more narrow in medial/lateral dimensions with increasing anterior/posterior size than existing prostheses to more closely correspond to the physical anatomy of female patients. The prostheses are designed to have a substantially trapezoidal shape or profile when viewed distally which features a more pronounced narrowing of the medial/lateral dimensions beginning at the posterior end of the prostheses and progressing anteriorly to the anterior end of the prostheses. Additionally, the prostheses each include a reduced profile patellar sulcus and reduced profile anterior condyles to more closely conform to the anatomy of a resected femur, and also include sulcus tracking optimized to conform to female anatomy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Abraham P. Habegger, Aaron Hofmann, Kim Bertin, Lawrence Dorr, Robert E. Booth, JR., Aaron Rosenberg, Sergio Romagnoli
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Patent number: 9060864Abstract: The improved joint prosthesis includes a metal-based substrate forming an articulatory surface for the joint prosthesis, wherein the metal-based substrate is coated with a ceramic or ceramic-based surface coating of a thin film doped silicon nitride (Si3N4) layer thereon, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,229. The ceramic coating provides improvements in ultra-low wear over an extended service life, with dramatically reduced risk of brittle fracture when articulated or moved against articulation surfaces such as an acetabular cup in a hip prosthesis. In one preferred formation process, the ceramic coating is applied to the metal substrate by vapor deposition to mirror the surface finish of the substrate, and then polished to a smoother surface finish.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Hofmann Management CorporationInventor: Aaron A. Hofmann
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Publication number: 20120136454Abstract: An improved hlp prosthesis includes an acetabular cup bearing component constructed from a relatively hard and high strength ceramic material for articulation with a ball-shaped femoral head component which may be constructed from a compatible ceramic or metal material. In one form, the acetabular cup further includes a ceramic porous bone ingrowth surface adhered thereto for secure ingrowth attachment to natural patient bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Amedica CorporationInventors: K. Scott Ely, Ashok C. Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Aaron A. Hofmann
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Patent number: 8133284Abstract: An improved hip prosthesis includes an acetabular cup bearing component constructed from a relatively hard and high strength ceramic material for articulation with a ball-shaped femoral head component which may be constructed from a compatible ceramic or metal material. In one form, the acetabular cup further includes a ceramic porous bone ingrowth surface adhered thereto for secure ingrowth attachment to natural patient bone.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Amedica CorporationInventors: K. Scott Ely, Ashok C. Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Aaron A. Hofmann
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Patent number: 8105386Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotating/non-rotating tibia base plate/insert system. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a tibia base plate, an insert adapted to be positioned above the base plate, and at least one removable pin that, when installed, engages at least a portion of the insert and the base plate to thereby prevent relative rotation between the insert and the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Charles H. Perrone, Jr., Aaron A. Hofmann, James William Burrows
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Publication number: 20110093083Abstract: A set of distal femoral knee prostheses which are designed to be more narrow in medial/lateral dimensions with increasing anterior/posterior size than existing prostheses to more closely correspond to the physical anatomy of female patients. The prostheses are designed to have a substantially trapezoidal shape or profile when viewed distally which features a more pronounced narrowing of the medial/lateral dimensions beginning at the posterior end of the prostheses and progressing anteriorly to the anterior end of the prostheses. Additionally, the prostheses each include a reduced profile patellar sulcus and reduced profile anterior condyles to more closely conform to the anatomy of a resected femur, and also include sulcus tracking optimized to conform to female anatomy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Abraham P. Habegger, Aaron A. Hofmann, Kim C. Bertin, Lawrence Dorr, Robert E. Booth, Aaron Rosenberg, Sergio Romagnoli
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Publication number: 20100228354Abstract: An improved hip prosthesis includes an acetabular cup bearing component constructed from a relatively hard and high strength ceramic material for articulation with a ball-shaped femoral head component which may be constructed from a compatible ceramic or metal material. In one form, the acetabular cup further includes a ceramic porous bone ingrowth surface adhered thereto for secure ingrowth attachment to natural patient bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: Amedica CorporationInventors: K. Scott Ely, Ashok C. Khandhar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Aaron A. Hofmann
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Patent number: 7780738Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite articulation is provided with substantial elimination of wear debris, wherein a ceramic material is provided with superior mechanical properties tailored for articulating with ceramic articulations having high flexural strength (greater than about 700 MPa), high fracture toughness (greater than about 7 MPam1/2) and a high Weibull modulus (greater than about 20), in comparison with presently available bio-ceramics such as alumina or zirconia. The mechanical property enhancement enables ceramic materials with greater reliability and significantly reduced in-vivo fracture risk to be obtained. Preliminary in-vitro wear performance, to several million cycles using established test protocols, of head/cup components in a prosthetic hip joint made from these ceramics also demonstrates the ultra low wear characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Amedica CorporationInventors: Ashok C. Khandkar, Aaron A. Hofmann, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan
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Patent number: 7776085Abstract: An improved knee prosthesis includes a ceramic tibial component for articulation with natural or prosthetic (re-surfaced) femoral surfaces. The ceramic tibial component is provided in the form of a ceramic monoblock adapted for fixation relative to the patient's tibial bone, or alternately in the form of a ceramic bearing insert component carried by a tibial baseplate member which is adapted in turn for fixation relative to tibial bone. In either form, the ceramic tibial component includes at least one upwardly concave articulation surface for movable bearing engagement by a generally convex or condylar shaped femoral articulation surface. The ceramic tibial component provides improved wear characteristics with extended service life.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Amedica CorporationInventors: John P. Bernero, Ashok C. Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Aaron A. Hofmann
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Patent number: 7695521Abstract: An improved hip prosthesis includes an acetabular cup bearing component constructed from a relatively hard and high strength ceramic material for articulation with a ball-shaped femoral head component which may be constructed from a compatible ceramic or metal material. In one form, the acetabular cup further includes a ceramic porous bone ingrowth surface adhered thereto for secure ingrowth attachment to natural patient bone.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Amedica CorporationInventors: K. Scott Ely, Ashok C. Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Aaron A. Hofmann
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Publication number: 20080058947Abstract: A set of distal femoral knee prostheses which are designed to be more narrow in medial/lateral dimensions with increasing anterior/posterior size than existing prostheses to more closely correspond to the physical anatomy of female patients. The prostheses are designed to have a substantially trapezoidal shape or profile when viewed distally which features a more pronounced narrowing of the medial/lateral dimensions beginning at the posterior end of the prostheses and progressing anteriorly to the anterior end of the prostheses. Additionally, the prostheses each include a reduced profile patellar sulcus and reduced profile anterior condyles to more closely conform to the anatomy of a resected femur, and also include sulcus tracking optimized to conform to female anatomy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.Inventors: Brian Earl, Abraham Habegger, Aaron Hofmann, Kim Bertin, Lawrence Dorr, Robert Booth, Aaron Rosenberg, Sergio Romagnoli
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Publication number: 20060052875Abstract: An improved knee prosthesis includes a ceramic tibial component for articulation with natural or prosthetic (re-surfaced) femoral surfaces. The ceramic tibial component is provided in the form of a ceramic monoblock adapted for fixation relative to the patient's tibial bone, or alternately in the form of a ceramic bearing insert component carried by a tibial baseplate member which is adapted in turn for fixation relative to tibial bone. In either form, the ceramic tibial component includes at least one upwardly concave articulation surface for movable bearing engagement by a generally convex or condylar shaped femoral articulation surface. The ceramic tibial component provides improved wear characteristics with extended service life.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Inventors: John Bernero, Ashock Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Aaron Hofmann
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Publication number: 20050273176Abstract: An improved hip prosthesis includes an acetabular cup bearing component constructed from a relatively hard and high strength ceramic material for articulation with a ball-shaped femoral head component which may be constructed from a compatible ceramic or metal material. In one form, the acetabular cup further includes a ceramic porous bone ingrowth surface adhered thereto for secure ingrowth attachment to natural patient bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Inventors: K. Ely, Ashok Khandkar, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan, Aaron Hofmann
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Publication number: 20050107888Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite articulation is provided with substantial elimination of wear debris, wherein a ceramic material is provided with superior mechanical properties tailored for articulating with ceramic articulations having high flexural strength (greater than about 700 MPa), high fracture toughness (greater than about 7 MPam1/2) and a high Weibull modulus (greater than about 20), in comparison with presently available bio-ceramics such as alumina or zirconia. The mechanical property enhancement enables ceramic materials with greater reliability and significantly reduced in-vivo fracture risk to be obtained. Preliminary in-vitro wear performance, to several million cycles using established test protocols, of head/cup components in a prosthetic hip joint made from these ceramics also demonstrates the ultra low wear characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2004Publication date: May 19, 2005Inventors: Ashok Khandkar, Aaron Hofmann, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan
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Publication number: 20050090903Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite articulation is provided with substantial elimination of wear debris, wherein a ceramic material is provided with superior mechanical properties tailored for articulating with ceramic articulations having high flexural strength (greater than about 700 MPa), high fracture toughness (greater than about 7 MPam1/2) and a high Weibull modulus (greater than about 20), in comparison with presently available bio-ceramics such as alumina or zirconia. The mechanical property enhancement enables ceramic materials with greater reliability and significantly reduced in-vivo fracture risk to be obtained. Preliminary in-vitro wear performance, to several million cycles using established test protocols, of head/cup components in a prosthetic hip joint made from these ceramics also demonstrates the ultra low wear characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Inventors: Ashok Khandkar, Aaron Hofmann, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan
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Patent number: 6881229Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite articulation is provided with substantial elimination of wear debris, wherein a ceramic material is provided with superior mechanical properties tailored for articulating with ceramic articulations having high flexural strength (greater than about 700 MPa), high fracture toughness (greater than about 7 MPa1/2) and a high Weibull modulus (greater than about 20), in comparison with presently available bio-ceramics such as alumina or zirconia. The mechanical property enhancement enables ceramic materials with greater reliability and significantly reduced in-vivo fracture risk to be obtained. Preliminary in-vitro wear performance, to several million cycles using established test protocols, of head/cup components in a prosthetic hip joint made from these ceramics also demonstrates the ultra low wear characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Amedica CorporationInventors: Ashok C. Khandkar, Aaron A. Hofmann, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan
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Publication number: 20040215345Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotating/non-rotating tibia base plate/insert system. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a tibia base plate, an insert adapted to be positioned above the base plate, and at least one removable pin that, when installed, engages at least a portion of the insert and the base plate to thereby prevent relative rotation between the insert and the base plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: Zimmer Technology, Inc.Inventors: Charles H. Perrone, Aaron A. Hofmann, James William Burrows
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Publication number: 20030153984Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite articulation is provided with substantial elimination of wear debris, wherein a ceramic material is provided with superior mechanical properties tailored for articulating with ceramic articulations having high flexural strength (greater than about 700 MPa), high fracture toughness (greater than about 7 MPam1/2) and a high Weibull modulus (greater than about 20), in comparison with presently available bio-ceramics such as alumina or zirconia. The mechanical property enhancement enables ceramic materials with greater reliability and significantly reduced in-vivo fracture risk to be obtained. Preliminary in-vitro wear performance, to several million cycles using established test protocols, of head/cup components in a prosthetic hip joint made from these ceramics also demonstrates the ultra low wear characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Amedica CorporationInventors: Ashok C. Khandkar, Aaron A. Hofmann, Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan