Patents by Inventor Ralph Howald

Ralph Howald 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: 8632601
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for relieving damaged areas of the surfaces of hip or shoulder joints from stress. Said implant can be introduced into the space between the joint surfaces of the condyle and the socket cooperating in the natural joint. The inventive implant is cup-shaped or cap-shaped, rests in the socket by a convex external face, and sits on the condyle by a concave internal face in the implanted state. The implant comprises at least two articulation layers which are movable relative to each other and encompass articulation surfaces that face one another in the implanted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Howald, Peter Heuberger, Ulrike Trommsdorff
  • Patent number: 8394149
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cap-shaped implant for implanting on a prepared stump of a femoral head. The implant is in the form of a ball section, having a flat base surface and a polar axis which is arranged in a perpendicular in relation to the base surface. According to the invention, a cavity is arranged in ball section which protrudes from the base surface, said cavity is rotationally symmetrical and comprises a hollow spatial axis which is arranged below an angle (a) which is different form zero in relation to the polar axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Howald, Peter Heuberger, Daniel Hertig, Job-Jan Greeve
  • Publication number: 20100312353
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cap-shaped implant for implanting on a prepared stump of a femoral head. The implant is in the form of a ball section, having a flat base surface and a polar axis which is arranged in a perpendicular in relation to the base surface. According to the invention, a cavity is arranged in ball section which protrudes from the base surface, said cavity is rotationally symmetrical and comprises a hollow spatial axis which is arranged below an angle (a) which is different form zero in relation to the polar axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: ZIMMER, GMBH
    Inventors: Ralph HOWALD, Peter HEUBERGER, Daniel HERTIG, Job-Jan GREEVE
  • Patent number: 7799087
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cap-shaped implant for implanting on a prepared stump of a femoral head. The implant is in the form of a ball section (11), having a flat base surface (13) and a polar axis (15) which is arranged in a perpendicular in relation to the base surface (13). According to the invention, a cavity (17) is arranged in ball section (11) which protrudes from the base surface (13), said cavity (17) is rotationally symmetrical and comprises a hollow spatial axis (19) which is arranged below an angle (a) which is different form zero in relation to the polar axis (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Howald, Peter Heuberger, Daniel Hertig, Job-Jan Greeve
  • Publication number: 20100191246
    Abstract: A tool and method for implanting an acetabular cup having screw retention features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: ZIMMER, GMBH
    Inventors: Ralph Howald, Hermann Breimesser
  • Publication number: 20090187252
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for relieving damaged areas of the surfaces of hip or shoulder joints from stress. Said implant can be introduced into the space between the joint surfaces of the condyle (11) and the socket (13) cooperating in the natural joint. The inventive implant is cup-shaped or cap-shaped, rests in the socket (13) by means of a convex external face, and sits on the condyle (11) by means of a concave internal face in the implanted state. The implant comprises at least two articulation layers (15, 17) which are movable relative to each other and encompass articulation surfaces that face one another in the implanted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Ralph Howald, Peter Heuberger, Ulrike Trommsdorff
  • Publication number: 20090048679
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for the relief of damaged regions of the joint surfaces of hip or shoulder joints which may be introduced into the gap between the joint surfaces of the joint head and the joint socket in the natural joint, the implant being embodied as a shell or cap which is laid in the implanted state with a convex outer surface in the joint socket and a convex inner surface sitting on the joint head. The implant has a body section forming the shell or cap with an opening and a boundary section defining the opening and the implant is made from a flexible material which may be deformed for introduction of the implant into the gap between the joint surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Ralph Howald, Peter Heuberger, Ulrike Trommsdorff
  • Publication number: 20080221700
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cap-shaped implant for implanting on a prepared stump of a femoral head. The implant is in the form of a ball section (11), having a flat base surface (13) and a polar axis (15) which is arranged in a perpendicular in relation to the base surface (13). According to the invention, a cavity (17) is arranged in ball section (11) which protrudes from the base surface (13), said cavity (17) is rotationally symmetrical and comprises a hollow spatial axis (19) which is arranged below an angle (a) which is different form zero in relation to the polar axis (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: ZIMMER, GMBH
    Inventors: Ralph Howald, Peter Heuberger, Daniel Hertig, Job-Jan Greeve
  • Publication number: 20080195221
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant for the partial replacement of joint surfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, the orthopedic implant includes an articular portion having a concave articular surface and a base body. The orthopedic implant may be sized to replace a small portion of the patient's natural acetabulum. In this manner, the orthopedic implant allows for the repair and/or replacement of a small portion of the articular cartilage of the acetabulum. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of different sized orthopedic implants may be connected together to replace a larger portion articular cartilage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Ralph Howald, Markus Frohlich, Christian Bruderer