Patents by Inventor Ralf Klabunde

Ralf Klabunde 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: 10238441
    Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies and methods are provided having a multi-component bone anchor that is configured to allow the shank of the bone anchor to be bottom loaded into a receiver member. In one embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided having a shank with a distal threaded portion and a proximal head portion, a ball having a spherical exterior surface and a central lumen sized to receive the head portion of the shank, and a clip configured to be engaged between the head portion and the ball such that the clip is effective to lock the ball in engagement with the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Medos International Sàrl
    Inventors: Frank Spratt, Thibault Chandanson, Ernest Quintanilha, Shawn D. Stad, Ralf Klabunde
  • Publication number: 20170360491
    Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies and methods are provided having a multi-component bone anchor that is configured to allow the shank of the bone anchor to be bottom loaded into a receiver member. In one embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided having a shank with a distal threaded portion and a proximal head portion, a ball having a spherical exterior surface and a central lumen sized to receive the head portion of the shank, and a clip configured to be engaged between the head portion and the ball such that the clip is effective to lock the ball in engagement with the shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Spratt, Thibault Chandanson, Ernest Quintanilha, Shawn D. Stad, Ralf Klabunde
  • Patent number: 9775660
    Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies and methods are provided having a multi-component bone anchor that is configured to allow the shank of the bone anchor to be bottom loaded into a receiver member. In one embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided having a shank with a distal threaded portion and a proximal head portion, a ball having a spherical exterior surface and a central lumen sized to receive the head portion of the shank, and a clip configured to be engaged between the head portion and the ball such that the clip is effective to lock the ball in engagement with the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Spratt, Thibault Chandanson, Ernest Quintanilha, Shawn D. Stad, Ralf Klabunde
  • Patent number: 9498254
    Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein and include bone anchors, receiver members, and closure mechanisms. In one embodiment, a receiver member can be configured to seat a portion of a bone anchor and to receive a spinal fixation element, such as a rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiver member is bottom-loading and can include a seat having an opening that can be selectively increased and decreased in size so as to allow a bone anchor to be bottom-loaded. A force can be applied to the receiver member to increase a size of the opening, allowing a portion of the anchor to pass through the opening and into the seat. A closure element can be coupled to the receiver member and can apply a force to decrease a size of the seat and a size of the opening, angularly fixing the receiver member relative to the bone anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: Frank Spratt, Ralf Klabunde, Thibault Chandanson, Richard W. Fournier
  • Publication number: 20150272626
    Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein and include bone anchors, receiver members, and closure mechanisms. In one embodiment, a receiver member can be configured to seat a portion of a bone anchor and to receive a spinal fixation element, such as a rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiver member is bottom-loading and can include a seat having an opening that can be selectively increased and decreased in size so as to allow a bone anchor to be bottom-loaded. A force can be applied to the receiver member to increase a size of the opening, allowing a portion of the anchor to pass through the opening and into the seat. A closure element can be coupled to the receiver member and can apply a force to decrease a size of the seat and a size of the opening, angularly fixing the receiver member relative to the bone anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Spratt, Ralf Klabunde, Thibault Chandanson, Richard W. Fournier
  • Publication number: 20140277158
    Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies and methods are provided having a multi-component bone anchor that is configured to allow the shank of the bone anchor to be bottom loaded into a receiver member. In one embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided having a shank with a distal threaded portion and a proximal head portion, a ball having a spherical exterior surface and a central lumen sized to receive the head portion of the shank, and a clip configured to be engaged between the head portion and the ball such that the clip is effective to lock the ball in engagement with the shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Spratt, Thibault Chandanson, Ernest Quintanilha, Shawn D. Stad, Ralf Klabunde
  • Publication number: 20140277159
    Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein and include bone anchors, receiver members, and closure mechanisms. In one embodiment, a receiver member can be configured to seat a portion of a bone anchor and to receive a spinal fixation element, such as a rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiver member is bottom-loading and can include a seat having an opening that can be selectively increased and decreased in size so as to allow a bone anchor to be bottom-loaded. A force can be applied to the receiver member to increase a size of the opening, allowing a portion of the anchor to pass through the opening and into the seat. A closure element can be coupled to the receiver member and can apply a force to decrease a size of the seat and a size of the opening, angularly fixing the receiver member relative to the bone anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Spratt, Ralf Klabunde, Thibault Chandanson, Richard W. Fournier
  • Publication number: 20130096618
    Abstract: A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, and a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism is positionable between the arms of the receiver member to capture a spinal fixation element within the receiver member and fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member. The closure mechanism includes an outer thread engageable with an inner thread on the arms of the receiver member. The inner thread and the outer thread have a thread angle between 5° and 25°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Thibault Chandanson, Henri Defossez, Frank Spratt, Ralf Klabunde, Thomas Lochon
  • Patent number: 8309521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spacer, such as a polymeric spacer, for use with an implant device, e.g., a bone plate, for splinting a fracture of a bone. The spacer includes a body defining a bone healing surface, wherein at least a portion of the bone healing surface has a coating which includes a therapeutic agent, a polymeric carrier, and a buffer medium to stimulate bone growth and/or promote fracture healing. A kit is also disclosed which includes one or more of the spacers, at least one bone plate, and optionally one or more bone screws for securing the bone plate to bone. A method for promoting fracture healing in bone is further disclosed which includes securely situating a coated portion of the spacer adjacent bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, Daniel Buehler, Hallie E. Brinkerhuff, Michael E. Hawkins, Ralf Klabunde
  • Publication number: 20090192609
    Abstract: An implant device 10, 10a including a hollow or planar body 14 or 14a defining a mesh covering. A bioactive agent(s) is incorporated into or onto the body 14. The body 14 can include a woven, knitted, and/or nonwoven fabric 30, 36, 37 and/or a polymeric film 38, each having a plurality of desirably sized openings 18. The implant device 10, 10a is used in combination with a bone implant 16 to define an implant system 12. In one embodiment, the bone implant 16 includes an outer surface 44 that is generally covered by the implant device 10, 10a so that the hollow or planar body 14, 14a covers and conforms to at least a portion of the outer surface 44 of the bone implant 16. After implantation of the implant system 12, a desirable area of the outer surface 44 of the bone implant 16 is in direct contact with bone tissue. This secures primary stability and subsequent bone on- and in-growth for secondary stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Ralf Klabunde, Patrik Luscher
  • Publication number: 20090053673
    Abstract: A method for localized treatment using a microneedle array to controllably administer a dose of a bone anabolic drug localized at a dental implant site. The bone anabolic drug enhances alveolar bone growth at the dental implant site. Examples of drugs that may be used include, but are not limited to, bone anabolic drugs (e.g., bone morphogenetic proteins, fibroblast growth factor 2, statins parathyroid hormone), and/or drugs that target cell signalling pathways involved in the regulation of the osteoblastic lineage and function. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring the dental implant site for periodontal tissue generation sufficient to support a dental implant. When sufficient tissue is generated, the dental implant is surgically inserted in the dental implant site. Additional doses of the bone anabolic drug may be delivered prior to detecting tissue generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Ralf Klabunde, Patrik Luscher
  • Publication number: 20080317812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spacer, such as a polymeric spacer, for use with an implant device, e.g., a bone plate, for splinting a fracture of a bone. The spacer includes a body defining a bone healing surface, wherein at least a portion of the bone healing surface has a coating which includes a therapeutic agent, a polymeric carrier, and a buffer medium to stimulate bone growth and/or promote fracture healing. A kit is also disclosed which includes one or more of the spacers, at least one bone plate, and optionally one or more bone screws for securing he bone plate to bone. A method for promoting fracture healing in bone is further disclosed which includes securely situating a coated portion of the spacer adjacent bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, Daniel Buehler, Hallie E. Brinkerhuff, Michael E. Hawkins, Ralf Klabunde