Patents by Inventor Lynn A. Kirkpatrick

Lynn A. Kirkpatrick 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).

  • Surface modification of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene
    Patent number: 8771369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers and, specifically, to surface modification of polymers. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention increases the bond strength of UHMWPE components to PMMA bone cement by creating a chemical bond between the UHMWPE components and the PMMA bone cement. Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a surface of the UHMWPE component that is to be bonded to PMMA bone cement is treated with an oxidizing agent, such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE component is treated with hydrogen peroxide by swabbing the surface of the UHMWPE component with the hydrogen peroxide solution. The surface of the UHMWPE component may then be dried and PMMA bone cement applied to the surface of the UHMWPE component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Yakimicki, Brian H. Thomas, Lynn A. Kirkpatrick
  • SURFACE MODIFICATION OF ULTRAHIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE
    Publication number: 20100249945
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers and, specifically, to surface modification of polymers. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention increases the bond strength of UHMWPE components to PMMA bone cement by creating a chemical bond between the UHMWPE components and the PMMA bone cement. Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a surface of the UHMWPE component that is to be bonded to PMMA bone cement is treated with an oxidizing agent, such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE component is treated with hydrogen peroxide by swabbing the surface of the UHMWPE component with the hydrogen peroxide solution. The surface of the UHMWPE component may then be dried and PMMA bone cement applied to the surface of the UHMWPE component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Yakimicki, Brian H. Thomas, Lynn A. Kirkpatrick
  • Ligament tension gauge
    Patent number: 7442172
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assessing tension of a ligament in a patient's body with less reliance on a subjective feel of a human examiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn A. Kirkpatrick, Jacque R. Wilson
  • Ligament tension gauge
    Publication number: 20040044297
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assessing tension of a ligament in a patient's body with less reliance on a subjective feel of a human examiner are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Lynn A. Kirkpatrick, Jacque R. Wilson