Patents by Inventor Richard Van Zile

Richard Van Zile 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).

  • Publication number: 20080114366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for resectioning a patella without everting it includes a resection guide which grips the patella with gripping members, one of which can also function as an alignment guide for a surgeon using a saw for the resectioning. Means engageable with the resection guide are provided for aligning drills and/or reamers used in resectioning. Under one embodiment, a pair of reamers are provided for reaming the patella in two reaming operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Smucker, Richard Van Zile
  • Publication number: 20050283253
    Abstract: A knee arthroplasty prosthesis includes a femoral component having multiple pieces with engagement means provided for engaging various pieces of the femoral component to one another following their insertion in the incised area of the femur. A tibial component includes multiple pieces designed for assembly following positioning in the incision. The tibial component includes a Morse taper cavity on one piece of the tibial component and a Morse taper extension on another member of the component for receipt therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Coon, Alfred Tria, Donald Smucker, Richard Van Zile
  • Publication number: 20050283251
    Abstract: A knee arthroplasty prosthesis includes a femoral component having multiple pieces with engagement means provided for engaging various pieces of the femoral component to one another following their insertion in the incised area of the femur. A tibial component includes multiple pieces designed for assembly following positioning in the incision. The tibial component includes a Morse taper cavity on one piece of the tibial component and a Morse taper extension on another member of the component for receipt therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Coon, Alfred Tria, Donald Smucker, Richard Van Zile
  • Publication number: 20050283252
    Abstract: A knee arthroplasty prosthesis includes a femoral component having multiple pieces with engagement means provided for engaging various pieces of the femoral component to one another following their insertion in the incised area of the femur. A tibial component includes multiple pieces designed for assembly following positioning in the incision. The tibial component includes a Morse taper cavity on one piece of the tibial component and a Morse taper extension on another member of the component for receipt therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Coon, Alfred Tria, Donald Smucker, Richard Van zile
  • Publication number: 20050273115
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing total knee arthroplasty which is minimally invasive includes components with guide surfaces and slots for controlling the path of a cutting saw. The instrumentation permits resection of the proximal end of the tibia and distal end of the femur to be performed either medially or laterally with minimal cutting of soft tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Coon, Alfred Tria, Donald Smucker, Richard Van Zile
  • Patent number: 5147405
    Abstract: A knee prosthesis is provided including a tibial component having first and second generally concave bearing surfaces and a stabilizing post extending upwardly between the first and second bearing surfaces. The knee prosthesis also includes a femoral component having first and second spaced apart, convexly curved condyle bearing surfaces and a cam surface extending between the first and second bearing surfaces. The femoral component is articulatable with the tibial component between an extended position and a flexed position. The first and second femoral bearing surfaces engage the first and second tibial bearing surfaces, respectively, at first and second contact points. Between the extended position and about a 25.degree. flexion angle, the cam surface is spaced apart from a posterior side wall of the stabilizing post to permit movement of the femoral and tibial component as natural physiology dictates. As the knee prosthesis is flexed at about a 25.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Van Zile, Donald McNulty, James Caywood