Patents by Inventor Rainer Kotz

Rainer Kotz 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: 6296647
    Abstract: An instrument for the positioning of an implant into the human spine, as a replacement for one or more diseased vertebra bodies has vertebra body plates attachable to the healthy vertebra bodies. Distraction rods are provided which at one end are attachable to a vertebra body plate. Two U-shaped parts having limbs which telescopically cooperate and form a tubular housing around the attached distraction rods. The U-shaped parts comprise inner sections which are supported on the distraction rods. A distraction instrument which is connectable to the other ends of the distraction rods is used for exerting a force onto the rods transversely to their longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Robioneck, Christian Lutz, Reinhard Windhager, Rainer Kotz, Richard Vlasak, Paul Wuisman
  • Patent number: 6106557
    Abstract: A reconstruction system for vertebra, with at least one annular middle body and two annular end bodies. The end surfaces of the middle body and of the end bodies are formed such that the bodies may be stacked over one another and one end surface of the end bodies comprises a receiving section. The system includes two approximately right-angled vertebra body plates having a pair of limbs. One limb is formed such that in a direction perpendicular to the axis of an end body, it is insertable into the receiving section in a manner such that the one limb is prevented from moving away from the end body in the direction of the axis. The other limb comprises at least one bore for a bone screw and at least one threaded bore. A connection plate is provided, which at the ends comprises openings for connection to the other limb of each vertebra body plate via a screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Howmedica GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Robioneck, Richard G. Vlasak, Rainer Kotz, Reinhard Windhager, Paul Wuisman
  • Patent number: 5326360
    Abstract: An expandable endoprosthesis for a joint and adjacent bone parts has first and second joint component parts. The second component has a part at one end thereof for a portion of a joint. The second component has a telescoping stem coupled to its joint part for attachment to a long bone. The telescoping stem has an inner and an outer member axially adjustable with respect to one another by means of a threaded spindle and a threaded spindle nut attached respectively to either the inner or outer member. A pinion gear is attached to either the spindle or spindle nut for rotation therewith. An indexing system is provided to rotate the pinion a predetermined amount upon movement of the first and second joint components towards one another after implantation and thereby lengthen the second joint component stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Howmedica GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Kotz, Reinhard Windhager
  • Patent number: 5108453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bone implant for joint endoprostheses with a collarless, truncated-cone-shaped shaft (3) which can be inserted into a recess (1) of a bone (2) and which supports a joint piece (7), which shaft (3) has a surface area (8) with a plurality of protrusions (9). It is provided by the invention that the protrusions (9) are formed by local teeth rising from the surface area (8), the distal areas of which have at least one cutting or abrading edge or surface (10) for abrading the bone (2) during insertion or for creating a space for the protrusions (9) so that they can be placed into the bone (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Boehler GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Kotz, Werner Kaltenbrunner
  • Patent number: 4790854
    Abstract: A bone prosthesis comprising at least one joint component replacing a natural joint half, which is provided with a shank adapted to be connected to the bone, wherein a set of joint components is provided, and the shank is designed as a bone replacement member, with a connection portion provided adapted to be connected to the bone at one end and at the other end to the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Howmedica International Inc.
    Inventors: Hans E. Harder, Klaus Behrens, Rainer Kotz
  • Patent number: 4784124
    Abstract: The bone implant for prostheses, particularly joints or joint members, preferably joints of the human locomotor system and especially the walking system, contains a shaft insertable into a cavity in a bone. The shaft has a total cross-section increasing from its diaphysis-associated distal end to its metaphysis-associated proximal end. Preferably, The shaft possesses in the region of the metaphysis-associated proximal end an integrally formed or separate intermediate piece at which the joint or joint member can be arranged. The shaft is preferably immediately and securely anchored in the bone and particularly is made of a metallic material. The shaft possesses an oblong rotationally symmetrical shaft body having an outer surface generated by, if desired, a longitudinally curved or preferably a substantially straight generatrix. The shaft body substantially has the shape of a truncated cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke Aktiengesellschaft (VEW)
    Inventors: Werner Kaltenbrunner, Rainer Kotz
  • Patent number: 4764171
    Abstract: A bone prosthesis comprising at least one joint component replacing a natural joint half, which is provided with a shank adapted to be connected to the bone, wherein a set of joint components is provided, and the shank is designed as a bone replacement member, with a connection portion provided adapted to be connected to the bone at one end and at the other end to the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Howmedica International Inc.
    Inventors: Hans E. Harder, Klaus Behrens, Rainer Kotz
  • Patent number: 4578081
    Abstract: A bone prosthesis comprising at least one joint component replacing a natural joint half, which is provided with a shank adapted to be connected to the bone, wherein a set of joint components is provided, and the shank is designed as a bone replacement member, with a connection portion provided adapted to be connected to the bone at one end and at the other end to the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Howmedica International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans E. Harder, Klaus Behrens, Rainer Kotz