Patents by Inventor Jeffery C. Higgins

Jeffery C. Higgins 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: 5554158
    Abstract: An intercondylar notch cutter using a plunge milling bit and bit guide which engages parallel tracks in a trial prosthesis. The intercondylar notch cutter comprises a cutting bit and a guide sleeve. The cutting bit can be thrust into the femur and then translated through the femur cutting a notch without removing the trial prosthesis. The bit is supported by a guide or housing with a guide platform which extends medially and laterally from the guide. Two condyle articulating surfaces on the platform slidingly engage a condyle surface on a trial prosthesis. Along the condyle surfaces on the trial prosthesis are two parallel grooves. Posts on the notch cutter are slidingly received within the grooves. A surgeon first places the trial implant on the femur without cutting an intercondylar notch. The surgeon can proceed immediately to cut an intercondyle notch without removing the femoral trial prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Intermedics Orthopedics, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Vinciguerra, Charles H. Perrone, Jr., Charles W. Mumme, Jeffery C. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5423827
    Abstract: A surgical jig for orienting a femoral component of a prosthetic knee prosthesis angularly with respect to the axis of the patient's femur which jig utilizes a single drill plate or guide for condylar pins, but permits variation in the placement of those pins. The jig comprises a distal plate which is placed against the distal end of the femur. The distal plate has two condyle fingers for grasping the posterior side of the femoral condyles. Gage means are provided to measure the size of the distal end of the femur. A rotatable drill guide permits the surgeon to adjust the placement of two drill bores for receiving condyle pins on a femoral component of a knee prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Intermedics Orthopedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Mumme, Jeffery C. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5405398
    Abstract: A posterior stabilized knee prosthesis with removable pin in the femoral component. The removable pin has a tapered split ring lock which prevents the pin from backing out. A split ring is provided on the pin which rides in a groove on the pin. When the pin is properly seated, the split ring engages a corresponding groove within the femoral prosthesis, locking the pin in place. Chamfers are provided on both the front and back of the split ring so that the split ring will compress as the pin is being screwed into the femoral component and also so that the pin can be removed if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Intermedics Orthopedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Buford, III, Charles H. Perrone, Jr., Jeffery C. Higgins