Patents by Inventor Brian D. Earl
Brian D. Earl 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: 20240000576Abstract: A tibial spacer paddle comprises a spacer block comprising opposing bearing surfaces, an alignment slot extending into the spacer block; and a handle extending from the spacer block. The spacer block can include feet for passively engaging the femur or pegs for actively engaging a femoral component so that the spacer block is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. A tibial spacer system comprises a provisional component having an alignment tab extending from a body and an alignment indicator located on the body, a femoral component and a pin extending from the femoral component. The pin can engage the alignment tab so that the provisional component is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. In addition to or alternatively to the alignment tab and pin, the provisional component can include a tibial plate that can be rotationally connected to the provisional component.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Alexander P. Wolfe
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Patent number: 11793650Abstract: A tibial spacer paddle comprises a spacer block comprising opposing bearing surfaces, an alignment slot extending into the spacer block; and a handle extending from the spacer block. The spacer block can include feet for passively engaging the femur or pegs for actively engaging a femoral component so that the spacer block is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. A tibial spacer system comprises a provisional component having an alignment tab extending from a body and an alignment indicator located on the body, a femoral component and a pin extending from the femoral component. The pin can engage the alignment tab so that the provisional component is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. In addition to or alternatively to the alignment tab and pin, the provisional component can include a tibial plate that can be rotationally connected to the provisional component.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Alexander P. Wolfe
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Patent number: 11547570Abstract: According to one example, a system for a knee arthroplasty that can optionally comprise: a femoral prosthesis having a joint facing surface and an opposing bone facing surface, wherein the femoral prosthesis has one or more attachment elements at or adjacent the bone facing surface; and one or more features selectively attachable with the femoral prosthesis via the one or more attachment elements, wherein the one or more features comprise one of a box, a stem, or a combination of the box and the stem.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Raymond C. Parisi, Abraham P. Habegger, Nick Drury, Brian D. Earl, Charles A. Baldridge, James C. Harris, Scott Dykema
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Publication number: 20220330956Abstract: Methods and apparatuses including apparatuses that can be used in a unicompartmental knee replacement procedure, a bicompartmental knee replacement procedure comprised of two unicompartmental knee replacements, a knee replacement procedure that utilizes a single femoral component and two unicompartmental tibial components, and other types of knee replacement procedures are disclosed. According to one example, an apparatus for guiding a tibial bone cut during knee replacement surgery is disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a mounting portion and a cutting portion. The mounting portion can be configured to couple with an alignment mechanism. The cutting portion can be connected to the mounting portion and can define a capture for a proximal cut. The cutting portion can have an aperture disposed adjacent a first end of the capture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Nolan C. Jones, Lindsey R. Rolston, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos, Brian D. Earl, Anthony Romano, Andrew Freiberg
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Patent number: 11406400Abstract: Methods and apparatuses including apparatuses that can be used in a unicompartmental knee replacement procedure, a bicompartmental knee replacement procedure comprised of two unicompartmental knee replacements, a knee replacement procedure that utilizes a single femoral component and two unicompartmental tibial components, and other types of knee replacement procedures are disclosed. According to one example, an apparatus for guiding a tibial bone cut during knee replacement surgery is disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a mounting portion and a cutting portion. The mounting portion can be configured to couple with an alignment mechanism. The cutting portion can be connected to the mounting portion and can define a capture for a proximal cut. The cutting portion can have an aperture disposed adjacent a first end of the capture.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Nolan C. Jones, Lindsey R. Rolston, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos, Brian D. Earl, Anthony Romano, Andrew Freiberg
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Publication number: 20210113341Abstract: A tibial spacer paddle comprises a spacer block comprising opposing bearing surfaces, an alignment slot extending into the spacer block; and a handle extending from the spacer block. The spacer block can include feet for passively engaging the femur or pegs for actively engaging a femoral component so that the spacer block is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. A tibial spacer system comprises a provisional component having an alignment tab extending from a body and an alignment indicator located on the body, a femoral component and a pin extending from the femoral component. The pin can engage the alignment tab so that the provisional component is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. In addition to or alternatively to the alignment tab and pin, the provisional component can include a tibial plate that can be rotationally connected to the provisional component.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Alexander P. Wolfe
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Patent number: 10905560Abstract: A tibial spacer paddle comprises a spacer block comprising opposing bearing surfaces, an alignment slot extending into the spacer block; and a handle extending from the spacer block. The spacer block can include feet for passively engaging the femur or pegs for actively engaging a femoral component so that the spacer block is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. A tibial spacer system comprises a provisional component having an alignment tab extending from a body and an alignment indicator located on the body, a femoral component and a pin extending from the femoral component. The pin can engage the alignment tab so that the provisional component is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. In addition to or alternatively to the alignment tab and pin, the provisional component can include a tibial plate that can be rotationally connected to the provisional component.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Alexander P. Wolfe
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Publication number: 20200085451Abstract: Methods and apparatuses including apparatuses that can he used in a unicompartmental knee replacement procedure, a bicompartmental knee replacement procedure comprised of two unicompartmental knee replacements, a knee replacement procedure that utilizes a single femoral component and two unicompartmental tibial components, and other types of knee replacement procedures are disclosed. According to one example, an apparatus for guiding a tibial bone cut during knee replacement surgery is disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a mounting portion and a cutting portion. The mounting portion can be configured to couple with an alignment mechanism. The cutting portion can be connected to the mounting portion and can define a capture for a proximal cut. The cutting portion can have an aperture disposed adjacent a first end of the capture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Nolan C. Jones, Lindsey R. Rolston, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos, Brian D. Earl, Anthony Romano, Andrew Freiberg
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Publication number: 20200046508Abstract: According to one example, a system for a knee arthroplasty that can optionally comprise: a femoral prosthesis having a joint facing surface and an opposing bone facing surface, wherein the femoral prosthesis has one or more attachment elements at or adjacent the bone facing surface; and one or more features selectively attachable with the femoral prosthesis via the one or more attachment elements, wherein the one or more features comprise one of a box, a stem, or a combination of the box and the stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Raymond C. Parisi, Abraham P. Habegger, Nick Drury, Brian D. Earl, Charles A. Baldridge, James C. Harris, Scott Dykema
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Patent number: 10517614Abstract: Methods and apparatuses including apparatuses that can be used in a unicompartmental knee replacement procedure, a bicompartmental knee replacement procedure comprised of two unicompartmental knee replacements, a knee replacement procedure that utilizes a single femoral component and two unicompartmental tibial components, and other types of knee replacement procedures are disclosed. According to one example, an apparatus for guiding a tibial bone cut during knee replacement surgery is disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a mounting portion and a cutting portion. The mounting portion can be configured to couple with an alignment mechanism. The cutting portion can be connected to the mounting portion and can define a capture for a proximal cut. The cutting portion can have an aperture disposed adjacent a first end of the capture.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Nolan C. Jones, Lindsey R. Rolston, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos, Brian D. Earl, Anthony Romano, Andrew Freiberg
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Patent number: 10448960Abstract: Methods and apparatuses including an apparatus for guiding a femoral bone cut during knee replacement surgery are disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a cut guide having a first side, a second side, a third side, and one or more slots. The first side can be configured to interface with a resected surface of a femur. The second side can be spaced from the first side. The one or more slots can be defined by the apparatus and extend from the first side to the second side. The third side can be disposed between the first side and the second side and can have at least one projection extending therefrom. The at least one projection can be configured to guide a cutting tool into the one or more slots.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Freiberg, Lindsey R. Rolston, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos, Anthony Romano, Nolan C. Jones, Jason S. Toler, Brian D. Earl
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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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Patent number: 10391593Abstract: A plurality of individual medical devices is created that define a medical device family. Within the family of medical devices, each of the plurality of medical devices has at least one dimension that, within an acceptable tolerance, is substantially equal to the same dimension of another of the plurality of medical devices. Thus, for each medical device in the family, another, corresponding medical device has at least one substantially similar dimension. For example, a first medical device may have a first value for a dimension and a second medical device may have a second value for the same dimension that is equal to one of the sum of the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance or the difference between the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance. Thus, each of the plurality of medical devices varies from another of the plurality of medical devices by the acceptable tolerance.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Dean M. Acker, Jeffrey D. Brown, Brian D. Earl, John E. Pendleton
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Patent number: 10076418Abstract: A provisional prosthetic system that replicates the characteristics of a corresponding, nonprovisional femoral prosthesis. The provisional prosthetic system may include a frame component and a shell component. The frame component of the provisional prosthetic system may be configured to be attached directly to a resected femur. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame component is impacted onto the resected femur to firmly seat therewith. Once the frame component is secured to the resected femur, a shell component of the provisional prosthetic system may be positioned on and secured to the frame component. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame component is made from a metallic material. This allows for the frame component to maintain the rigidity necessary to facilitate proper trialing. In another exemplary embodiment, the shell component is a plastic.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Marvin Figueroa, Travis H. Campbell
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Publication number: 20180243101Abstract: A tibial spacer paddle comprises a spacer block comprising opposing bearing surfaces, an alignment slot extending into the spacer block; and a handle extending from the spacer block. The spacer block can include feet for passively engaging the femur or pegs for actively engaging a femoral component so that the spacer block is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. A tibial spacer system comprises a provisional component having an alignment tab extending from a body and an alignment indicator located on the body, a femoral component and a pin extending from the femoral component. The pin can engage the alignment tab so that the provisional component is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. In addition to or alternatively to the alignment tab and pin, the provisional component can include a tibial plate that can be rotationally connected to the provisional component.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Brian D. Earl, Alexander P. Wolfe
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Patent number: 9993345Abstract: A provisional femoral component, in one embodiment, including at least one first visual indicator and at least one second visual indicator, the first and second visual indicators providing indicating means for simultaneously visually representing a first profile of a first femoral prosthesis and a second profile of a second femoral prosthesis. In another embodiment, a provisional femoral component including a patellofemoral flange having two sulci and a central ridge between the two sulci. In this manner, the provisional femoral component can be positioned on a resected distal femur surface of both a right and left knee joint.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Nolan C. Jones, Jeffery A. VanDiepenbos, Abraham Habegger, Brian D. Earl
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Patent number: 9802281Abstract: A plurality of individual medical devices is created that define a medical device family. Within the family of medical devices, each of the plurality of medical devices has at least one dimension that, within an acceptable tolerance, is substantially equal to the same dimension of another of the plurality of medical devices. Thus, for each medical device in the family, another, corresponding medical device has at least one substantially similar dimension. For example, a first medical device may have a first value for a dimension and a second medical device may have a second value for the same dimension that is equal to one of the sum of the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance or the difference between the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance. Thus, each of the plurality of medical devices varies from another of the plurality of medical devices by the acceptable tolerance.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Dean M. Acker, Jeffrey D. Brown, Brian D. Earl, John E. Pendleton
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Publication number: 20170252172Abstract: A knee prosthesis is provided for use in knee arthroplasty. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a tibial prosthesis having a tibial baseplate with a fixed medial bearing component and a mobile lateral bearing component. In one exemplary embodiment, the lateral bearing component is secured to the lateral portion of the tibial baseplate utilizing at least one prosthetic ligament. Additionally, in one exemplary embodiment, a stop is provided to limit anterior or posterior movement of the lateral bearing component relative to the tibial baseplate. For example, the stop may be defined by cooperating shoulders formed on the lateral bearing and the tibial baseplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Christopher M. Byrd, Adam H. Sanford, Brian D. Earl, Jody L. Claypool, Jeffrey D. Brown, John E. Pendleton
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Publication number: 20170252879Abstract: A plurality of individual medical devices is created that define a medical device family. Within the family of medical devices, each of the plurality of medical devices has at least one dimension that, within an acceptable tolerance, is substantially equal to the same dimension of another of the plurality of medical devices. Thus, for each medical device in the family, another, corresponding medical device has at least one substantially similar dimension. For example, a first medical device may have a first value for a dimension and a second medical device may have a second value for the same dimension that is equal to one of the sum of the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance or the difference between the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance. Thus, each of the plurality of medical devices varies from another of the plurality of medical devices by the acceptable tolerance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Dean M. Acker, Jeffrey D. Brown, Brian D. Earl, John E. Pendleton
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Patent number: 9687349Abstract: A knee prosthesis is provided for use in knee arthroplasty. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a tibial prosthesis having a tibial baseplate with a fixed medial bearing component and a mobile lateral bearing component. In one exemplary embodiment, the lateral bearing component is secured to the lateral portion of the tibial baseplate utilizing at least one prosthetic ligament. Additionally, in one exemplary embodiment, a stop is provided to limit anterior or posterior movement of the lateral bearing component relative to the tibial baseplate. For example, the stop may be defined by cooperating shoulders formed on the lateral bearing and the tibial baseplate.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Byrd, Adam H. Sanford, Brian D. Earl, Jody L. Claypool, Jeffrey D. Brown, John E. Pendleton