Patents by Inventor Dale F. Swarts

Dale F. Swarts 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).

  • Method for crosslinking UHMWPE in an orthopaedic implant
    Patent number: 6365089
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bearing for use in an orthopaedic implant, comprises the steps of: providing a radiation source; positioning a bearing material at a distance away from the radiation source; installing a shield over at least a portion of the bearing material; irradiating the bearing material through the shield using the radiation source; and forming a bearing surface on the bearing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Krebs, Dirk L. Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Dale F. Swarts, Gregory S. Meadows, Gregory K. Taylor
  • Acetabular cup
    Patent number: 5879398
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an acetabular cup prosthesis for implantation into a pelvic bone. A cup having a cavity for receiving a femoral head is formed of a polymeric material having a predetermined tensile strength. A backing is disposed about and attached to the polymeric cup. The backing has a porous construction defining interstitial pores, with the pores being sized to receive a portion of the polymeric cup therein and adapted for allowing ingrowth of the bone therein. The portion of the polymeric cup received within the pores results in an interface strength between the polymeric cup and the backing which is substantially equal to the tensile strength of the polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale F. Swarts, William L. Rohr, Jr., Steve T. Lin, Thirumalai Devanathan, Steven L. Krebs, Paul D. Schoenle
  • Disposable provisional instrument component for evaluating the fit of an orthopaedic implant
    Patent number: 5522897
    Abstract: A provisional instrument component 1 for evaluating the fit of a corresponding orthopaedic implant. The component 1 is intended and designed to be a disposable, single use provisional instrument component. The provisional instrument component 1 is made of a material which can be sterilized by gamma irradiation, but which provides a visible indicator, such as visible deformation 10, upon resterilization by exposure to a heated environment, thereby discouraging or preventing re-use of the component 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. King, Thirumalai N. C. Devanathan, Steve T. Lin, William L. Rohr, Dale F. Swarts
  • Disposable provisional instrument component for evaluating the fit of an orthopaedic implant
    Patent number: 5472415
    Abstract: A provisional instrument component 1 for evaluating the fit of a corresponding orthopaedic implant. The component 1 is intended and designed to be a disposable, single use provisional instrument component. The provisional instrument component 1 is made of a material which can be sterilized by gamma irradiation, but which provides a visible indicator, such as visible deformation 10, upon resterilization by exposure to a heated environment, thereby discouraging or preventing re-use of the component 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. King, Thirumalai N. C. Devanathan, Steve T. Lin, William L. Rohr, Dale F. Swarts