Patents by Inventor Ben Walthall

Ben Walthall 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).

  • Patent number: 9138318
    Abstract: Implants for repairing tissue defects, such as cartilage tissue defects, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. A mold of a tissue defect is prepared by pressing upon the defect a substrate having shape memory, such as aluminum foil. The mold, which has contours substantially conforming to those of the defect, is removed from the defect, and tissue particles are added to the mold ex vivo. A biological carrier such as biocompatible glue is also added to the mold. The combination of tissue particles and the biological carrier thereby form an implant, which retains its shape after separation from the mold. The implant can be transferred to the tissue defect, with contours of the mold matching corresponding contours of the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Q. Yao, Ben Walthall, Jizong Gao, Victor Zaporojan
  • Publication number: 20120107384
    Abstract: Implants for repairing tissue defects, such as cartilage tissue defects, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. A mold of a tissue defect is prepared by pressing upon the defect a substrate having shape memory, such as aluminum foil. The mold, which has contours substantially conforming to those of the defect, is removed from the defect, and tissue particles are added to the mold ex vivo. A biological carrier such as biocompatible glue is also added to the mold. The combination of tissue particles and the biological carrier thereby form an implant, which retains its shape after separation from the mold. The implant can be transferred to the tissue defect, with contours of the mold matching corresponding contours of the defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicants: ZIMMER, INC., ISTO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jian Q. Yao, Ben Walthall, Jizong Gao, Victor Zaporojan
  • Publication number: 20090054906
    Abstract: A medical device and method for providing an implant to an anatomical site are disclosed. The medical device generally comprises a sleeve having first and second ends, a cutting frame coupled to the second end, and a rod received in an inner bore of the sleeve. The cutting frame defines a guide configured to direct a cutting tool for reciprocal motion along a cutting plane. When the implant is positioned within the inner bore, the rod and sleeve are used to gauge a depth of the anatomical site and to advance a portion of the implant beyond the cutting plane. The implant may then be cut to an appropriate size to fit the anatomical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER ORTHOBIOLOGICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Walthall, Rodney E. Bristol, AnneMarie Gonin
  • Publication number: 20090012629
    Abstract: Implants for repairing tissue defects, such as cartilage tissue defects, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. A mold of a tissue defect is prepared by pressing upon the defect a substrate having shape memory, such as aluminum foil. The mold, which has contours substantially conforming to those of the defect, is removed from the defect, and tissue particles are added to the mold ex vivo. A biological carrier such as biocompatible glue is also added to the mold. The combination of tissue particles and the biological carrier thereby form an implant, which retains its shape after separation from the mold. The implant can be transferred to the tissue defect, with contours of the mold matching corresponding contours of the defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicants: ISTO TECHNOLOGIES, INC., ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Jian Q. Yao, Ben Walthall, Jizong Gao, Victor Zaporojan
  • Publication number: 20050142161
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and materials for soft tissue implant formed from biologically-compatible polymeric matrixes. The matrixes may have pores sized for in-growth of soft tissue. The material may be utilized with collagen or other matrix materials. This material may be used in a method of reforming soft tissues by implanting the material within soft body tissues to modify soft tissue defects such as wrinkles or biopsy tissue defects and to reshape soft tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Lynetta Freeman, Susan Roweton, Ben Walthall, Kien Nguyen