Patents by Inventor Dirk Pletcher
Dirk Pletcher 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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Patent number: 10556998Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Werner Schneider, Hallie E Brinkerhuff
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Patent number: 10265891Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to antioxidant-stabilized materials including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), methods of making the same, and medical implants including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of adding antioxidant to UHMWPE. The method includes obtaining or providing a porous solid material including UHMWPE. The method includes coating the porous solid material with a liquid composition including at least one antioxidant such that at least some of the liquid composition enters void space of the porous solid material, to provide an antioxidant-infused solid material. The method also includes melt-consolidating the antioxidant-infused solid material, to provide a melt-consolidated material.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventor: Dirk Pletcher
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Patent number: 10184031Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to melt-stabilized materials including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), methods of making the same, and medical implants including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of melt-stabilizing a material including UHMWPE. The method includes obtaining or providing a solid material including UHMWPE including a first concentration of free-radicals. The method includes coating at least part of the solid material with a liquid composition including at least one antioxidant, to provide a coated solid material. The method includes heating the coated solid material in an environment including oxygen, the heating being sufficient to melt at least part of the UHMWPE, to provide a heated material.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventor: Dirk Pletcher
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Patent number: 9926432Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Hallie E Brinkerhuff, Werner Schneider
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Publication number: 20180051141Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Werner Schneider, Hallie E. Brinkerhuff
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Patent number: 9822224Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Werner Schneider, Hallie E Brinkerhuff
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Patent number: 9718241Abstract: An orthopedic component having multiple layers that are selected to provide an overall modulus that is substantially lower than the modulus of known orthopedic components to more closely approximate the modulus of the bone into which the orthopedic component is implanted. In one exemplary embodiment, the orthopedic component is an acetabular shell. For example, the acetabular shell may include an outer layer configured for securement to the natural acetabulum of a patient and an inner layer configured to receive an acetabular liner. The head of a femoral prosthesis articulates against the acetabular liner to replicate the function of a natural hip joint. Alternatively, the inner layer of the acetabular shell may act as an integral acetabular liner against which the head of the femoral prosthesis articulates.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Kirt Case, Oludele O. Popoola, Robby Kissling, Brion R. Mimnaugh, Archie Newsome, Clarence M. Panchison, Dirk Pletcher, Randy Schlemmer, Zhibin Fang, Juan Vivanco, Alicia Rufner, John Knight
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Patent number: 9708467Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to polymer compositions including a protected antioxidant. In some examples, the compositions can also include a deprotected antioxidant, an unprotected antioxidant or both. Methods of producing compositions including a protected antioxidant and articles including a protected antioxidant are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: ZIMMER, INC.Inventor: Dirk Pletcher
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Publication number: 20170015794Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to melt-stabilized materials including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), methods of making the same, and medical implants including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of melt-stabilizing a material including UHMWPE. The method includes obtaining or providing a solid material including UHMWPE including a first concentration of free-radicals. The method includes coating at least part of the solid material with a liquid composition including at least one antioxidant, to provide a coated solid material. The method includes heating the coated solid material in an environment including oxygen, the heating being sufficient to melt at least part of the UHMWPE, to provide a heated material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventor: Dirk Pletcher
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Publication number: 20160280863Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to melt-stabilized ultra high molecular weight antioxidant, methods of making the same, and medical implants made from the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of melt-stabilizing ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The method can include coating a solid material including LIMA/PE with an antioxidant, to provide an antioxidant-coated solid material. The method can include pre-irradiatively heating the antioxidant-coated solid material to diffuse the antioxidant therein, to provide an antioxidant-diffused solid material. The method can include irradiating the antioxidant-diffused solid material, to provide an irradiated solid material. The method can include post-irradiatively heating the irradiated solid material, the heating sufficient to melt at least part of the UHMWPE, to provide a heated material. The method can also include solidifying the heated material, to provide a melt-stabilized material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventor: Dirk Pletcher
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Publication number: 20160222190Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to polymer compositions including a protected antioxidant. In some examples, the compositions can also include a deprotected antioxidant, an unprotected antioxidant or both. Methods of producing compositions including a protected antioxidant and articles including a protected antioxidant are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventor: Dirk Pletcher
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Publication number: 20160158976Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to antioxidant-stabilized materials including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), methods of making the same, and medical implants including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of adding antioxidant to UHMWPE. The method includes obtaining or providing a porous solid material including UHMWPE. The method includes coating the porous solid material with a liquid composition including at least one antioxidant such that at least some of the liquid composition enters void space of the porous solid material, to provide an antioxidant-infused solid material. The method also includes melt-consolidating the antioxidant-infused solid material, to provide a melt-consolidated material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventor: Dirk Pletcher
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Publication number: 20160145416Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Hallie E. Brinkerhuff, Werner Schneider
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Publication number: 20160108184Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation, In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Werner Schneider, Hallie E. Brinkerhuff
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Patent number: 9277949Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Werner Schneider, Hallie E Brinkerhuff
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Patent number: 9265545Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Hallie E Brinkerhuff, Werner Schneider
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Patent number: 9107755Abstract: A femoral prosthesis may be formed as a femoral component incorporating a base material and an articulating material. In one exemplary embodiment, the base material is a metal and the articulating material is a polymer. Specifically, the base material provides strength and rigidity to the femoral component, while the articulating material contacts a tibial prosthesis or natural tibia during joint articulation. In one exemplary embodiment, the articulating material forms the articulating surface of one or more condyle portions of the femoral component.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Oludele O. Popoola, Joel G. Scrafton, David M. Miller, Dirk Pletcher
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Publication number: 20140194935Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Hallie E. Brinkerhuff, Werner Schneider
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Publication number: 20140194934Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Alicia Rufner, John Knight, Toni Rowe, Dirk Pletcher, Ray Gsell, Werner Schneider, Hallie E. Brinkerhuff
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Publication number: 20140131925Abstract: An orthopedic component having multiple layers that are selected to provide an overall modulus that is substantially lower than the modulus of known orthopedic components to more closely approximate the modulus of the bone into which the orthopedic component is implanted. In one exemplary embodiment, the orthopedic component is an acetabular shell. For example, the acetabular shell may include an outer layer configured for securement to the natural acetabulum of a patient and an inner layer configured to receive an acetabular liner. The head of a femoral prosthesis articulates against the acetabular liner to replicate the function of a natural hip joint. Alternatively, the inner layer of the acetabular shell may act as an integral acetabular liner against which the head of the femoral prosthesis articulates.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Kirt Case, Oludele O. Popoola, Robby Kissling, Brion R. Mimnaugh, Archie Newsome, Clarence M. Panchison, Dirk Pletcher, Randy Schlemmer, Zhibin Fang, Juan Vivanco, Alicia Rufner