Patents by Inventor Paul L. Saenger

Paul L. Saenger 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: 7285122
    Abstract: A method of resecting a proximal tibia and distal femur for implanting a partial knee prosthesis uses a resecting kit which includes multiple spacers, each of which has a different spacing dimension. A surgeon selects the appropriate spacer with the amount of correction desired to align the patient's leg and installs the spacer with the spacing dimension between the distal femur and proximal tibia which is to receive the partial knee prosthesis. The spacers have projecting stems, upon which a resector is installed. The resector is then aligned with the axis selected by the surgeon according to known methods, and is pinned to the femur and proximal tibia. A distal femoral cut is then made in the femur after which the resector is removed while leaving at least two of the pins in place, the pins being headless pins. A second resector is then installed on the pins to effect the required cut of the tibia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Toby N. Farling, Robert A. Hodorek, Mark A. Price, Paul L. Saenger, Richard V. Williamson
  • Patent number: 7094241
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting limb alignment in a unicondylar knee arthroplasty and linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut. Alignment rods are connected to a spacing apparatus to facilitate correction of limb alignment. The alignment rods are positioned along the mechanical axis of the femur and the tibia and the knee joint is positioned to correct alignment. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Zimmer Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A Hodorek, Adam H Sanford, Richard V Williamson, Paul L Saenger, Toby N Farling
  • Publication number: 20040102785
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting limb alignment in a unicondylar knee arthroplasty and linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut. Alignment rods are connected to a spacing apparatus to facilitate correction of limb alignment. The alignment rods are positioned along the mechanical axis of the femur and the tibia and the knee joint is positioned to correct alignment. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. Hodorek, Adam H. Sanford, Richard V. Williamson, Paul L. Saenger, Toby N. Farling
  • Publication number: 20030216741
    Abstract: A method of resecting a proximal tibia and distal femur for implanting a partial knee prosthesis uses a resecting kit which includes multiple spacers, each of which has a different spacing dimension. A surgeon selects the appropriate spacer with the amount of correction desired to align the patient's leg and installs the spacer with the spacing dimension between the distal femur and proximal tibia which is to receive the partial knee prosthesis. The spacers have projecting stems, upon which a resector is installed. The resector is then aligned with the axis selected by the surgeon according to known methods, and is pinned to the femur and proximal tibia. A distal femoral cut is then made in the femur after which the resector is removed while leaving at least two of the pins in place, the pins being headless pins. A second resector is then installed on the pins to effect the required cut of the tibia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Toby N. Farling, Robert A. Hodorek, Mark A. Price, Paul L. Saenger, Richard V. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6632225
    Abstract: A method of resecting a proximal tibia and distal femur for implanting a partial knee prosthesis uses a resecting kit which includes multiple spacers, each of which has a different spacing dimension. A surgeon selects the appropriate spacer with the amount of correction desired to align the patient's leg and installs the spacer with the spacing dimension between the distal femur and proximal tibia which is to receive the partial knee prosthesis. The spacers have projecting stems, upon which a resector is installed. The resector is then aligned with the axis selected by the surgeon according to known methods, and is pinned to the femur and proximal tibia. A distal femoral cut is then made in the femur after which the resector is removed while leaving at least two of the pins in place, the pins being headless pins. A second resector is then installed on the pins to effect the required cut of the tibia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Toby N. Farling, Robert A. Hodorek, Mark A. Price, Paul L. Saenger, Richard V. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20020198530
    Abstract: A method of resecting a proximal tibia and distal femur for implanting a partial knee prosthesis uses a resecting kit which includes multiple spacers, each of which has a different spacing dimension. A surgeon selects the appropriate spacer with the amount of correction desired to align the patient's leg and installs the spacer with the spacing dimension between the distal femur and proximal tibia which is to receive the partial knee prosthesis. The spacers have projecting stems, upon which a resector is installed. The resector is then aligned with the axis selected by the surgeon according to known methods, and is pinned to the femur and proximal tibia. A distal femoral cut is then made in the femur after which the resector is removed while leaving at least two of the pins in place, the pins being headless pins. A second resector is then installed on the pins to effect the required cut of the tibia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Toby N. Farling, Robert A. Hodorek, Mark A. Price, Paul L. Saenger, Richard V. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6468280
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for establishing and verifying cutting depth and alignment includes a distal saw drill guide, a rod adaptor removably mounted on the distal saw drill guide and a modular alignment rod removably mounted on the rod adaptor. The distal saw drill guide includes pin apertures for receiving a plurality of pins for locating the distal saw drill guide on the distal end of a femur. A distal saw block is mounted on the pins in replacement of the distal saw drill guide the rod adaptor and the alignment rod. A stylus is adjustably attached to a stylus block which is movably mounted on the distal saw block. The rod adaptor and modular alignment rod are movably mounted on the distal saw block in replacement of the stylus and stylus block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Saenger, Richard J. Kana, Charles H. Perrone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6361506
    Abstract: A surgical measuring instrument includes a caliper having pin apertures formed therein for mounting on surgical pins in a first skeletal member. An adaptor includes pin apertures on a first portion for mounting on the surgical pins when the caliper is removed, and includes adaptor pins extending from a second portion for engagement with the caliper. A rod is connected to the caliper for indicating alignment and flexibility of a second skeletal member relative to the first skeletal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Saenger, Richard J. Kana, Charles H. Perrone, Jr.