Patents by Inventor James H. Howell

James H. Howell 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).

  • Natural alignment knee instruments
    Patent number: 9855057
    Abstract: A method for aligning an orthopedic implant in a joint replacement includes determining the bone and cartilage deficiency from an undegenerated state caused by wear of a joint. Then a resection of a bone in the joint is made based on the deficiency of bone and cartilage from the undegenerated state and the size of a joint implant so as to locate the joint surface of the implant in the undegenerated cartilage location. The condylar wear from the undegenerated states may be assessed at a distal and posterior location on each of a medial and a lateral femoral condyle. A distal cut is made on the femur at a location adjusting for the condylar wear from the undegenerated state. The distal cut varus-valgus angle is oriented parallel to a plane across the distal femur after adjusting for wear in the distal location on the medial and lateral condyle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Axelson, Jr., Mohamed Soliman, Michael C. Ferko, Robert Frederick Simes, Jr., James H. Howell
  • NATURAL ALIGNMENT KNEE INSTRUMENTS
    Publication number: 20150289883
    Abstract: A method for aligning an orthopedic implant in a joint replacement includes determining the bone and cartilage deficiency from an undegenerated state caused by wear of a joint. Then a resection of a bone in the joint is made based on the deficiency of bone and cartilage from the undegenerated state and the size of a joint implant so as to locate the joint surface of the implant in the undegenerated cartilage location. The condylar wear from the undegenerated states may be assessed at a distal and posterior location on each of a medial and a lateral femoral condyle. A distal cut is made on the femur at a location adjusting for the condylar wear from the undegenerated state. The distal cut varus-valgus angle is oriented parallel to a plane across the distal femur after adjusting for wear in the distal location on the medial and lateral condyle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart L. Axelson, JR., Mohamed Soliman, Michael C. Ferko, Robert Frederick Simes, JR., James H. Howell
  • Natural alignment knee instruments
    Patent number: 9113957
    Abstract: A method for aligning an orthopedic implant in a joint replacement includes determining the bone and cartilage deficiency from an undegenerated state caused by wear of a joint. Then a resection of a bone in the joint is made based on the deficiency of bone and cartilage from the undegenerated state and the size of a joint implant so as to locate the joint surface of the implant in the undegenerated cartilage location. The condylar wear from the undegenerated states may be assessed at a distal and posterior location on each of a medial and a lateral femoral condyle. A distal cut is made on the femur at a location adjusting for the condylar wear from the undegenerated state. The distal cut varus-valgus angle is oriented parallel to a plane across the distal femur after adjusting for wear in the distal location on the medial and lateral condyle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Axelson, Jr., Mohamed Soliman, Michael C. Ferko, Robert F. Simes, Jr., James H. Howell
  • Natural alignment knee instruments
    Patent number: 8974459
    Abstract: A method for aligning an orthopedic implant in a joint replacement includes determining the bone and cartilage deficiency from an undegenerated state caused by wear of a joint. Then a resection of a bone in the joint is made based on the deficiency of bone and cartilage from the undegenerated state and the size of a joint implant so as to locate the joint surface of the implant in the undegenerated cartilage location. The condylar wear from the undegenerated states may be assessed at a distal and posterior location on each of a medial and a lateral femoral condyle. A distal cut is made on the femur at a location adjusting for the condylar wear from the undegenerated state. The distal cut varus-valgus angle is oriented parallel to a plane across the distal femur after adjusting for wear in the distal location on the medial and lateral condyle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Axelson, Jr., Mohamed Soliman, Michael C. Ferko, Robert F. Simes, Jr., James H. Howell
  • NATURAL ALIGNMENT KNEE INSTRUMENTS
    Publication number: 20150045801
    Abstract: A method for aligning an orthopedic implant in a joint replacement includes determining the bone and cartilage deficiency from an undegenerated state caused by wear of a joint. Then a resection of a bone in the joint is made based on the deficiency of bone and cartilage from the undegenerated state and the size of a joint implant so as to locate the joint surface of the implant in the undegenerated cartilage location. The condylar wear from the undegenerated states may be assessed at a distal and posterior location on each of a medial and a lateral femoral condyle. A distal cut is made on the femur at a location adjusting for the condylar wear from the undegenerated state. The distal cut varus-valgus angle is oriented parallel to a plane across the distal femur after adjusting for wear in the distal location on the medial and lateral condyle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart L. Axelson, JR., Mohamed Soliman, Michael C. Ferko, Robert F. Simes, JR., James H. Howell