Patents by Inventor Robert J. Ball

Robert J. Ball 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: 6945976
    Abstract: A bone resection guide, particularly for an ulna, utilizes anatomical reference points of the ulna to establish an optimal position for a prosthesis. The bone resection guide provides a guiding instrument that allows a surgeon to remove only bone that needs to be removed for precise placement of the end prosthesis. A method of resecting bone from the ulna in preparation of prosthetic implantation using the bone resection guide matches an elbow axis finder with a particular size of an ulna fossa of the patient. Once matched, a sized resection template, directly related to the shape of the prosthesis, is used as a resection guide. Incorporated into the bone resection guide are known anthropometric qualities when providing resection surfaces. This enhances the probable position of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Depuy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Ian A. Trail, John K. Stanley
  • Patent number: 6890358
    Abstract: A distal component for a wrist prosthesis that utilizes fixation within the carpus complex, incorporates features that improve the probability of intercarpal fusion and allows modularity of articulating components. In one form, the subject invention includes an ovoid fixation plate having three holes and a boss. The three holes allow attachment of stems and/or screws distally for fixation in the carpus. The boss projects proximally from the plate, and serves as an attachment point for the articulating head. Modularity of the fixation and articulating components allow a surgeon many options for optimizing fixation distally, and articulation proximally. The proximal head of the distal component is designed to articulate with existing radial components. Since the proximal head of the distal component is modular, however, the head can be redesigned to accommodate later design changes in proximal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: DePuy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Ian A. Trail, Raphael Pascaud, Robert Beckenbaugh, William Geissler
  • Patent number: 6869449
    Abstract: A joint prosthetic component that includes first and second arms, and a joint member interposed therebetween. The joint member is configured to permit flexion motion between the first and second arms, and includes a first concave surface and a second concave surface. The first concave surface has a plurality of arcuate portions defined therein. The first and second concave surfaces are located on opposing sides of the joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Bruce Khalili, Arnold-Peter C. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6863690
    Abstract: The humeral portion of a shoulder prosthesis includes a diaphyseal component configured for fixation within the humerus, a metaphyseal component, configured for removable implantation within the metaphysis of the humerus, and an engagement mechanism for removably engaging the two components. The metaphyseal component can initially include a convex articulating surface that can be replaced with a concave surface during the shoulder arthroplasty procedure or in a subsequent revision surgery. The metaphyseal component can also include a feature to facilitate removal of the component from the bone once it has been disengaged from the diaphyseal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: DePuy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Jeffrey M. Ondrla, Laurent LaFosse, Anne-CĂ©line Godest
  • Patent number: 6776799
    Abstract: A jig for trialing a head and conjoining portion of a humeral (shoulder) prosthesis and transferring the spatial positioning to a final implant allows a surgeon to adjust humeral head position thereof in three-dimensional space with respect to a humeral component of the humeral prosthesis that has been either previously implanted into a humerus of a patient or not. The jig utilizes a rotatable body such as a sphere that is non-translatable relative to a jig body. A trial implant construct, having a head and neck that is fixed relative to one another (is spatially positioned), is placed in the jig with the neck thereof in contact with the rotatable sphere. As the head is caused to align with markings on the jig and situated flush with the jig, the rotatable sphere replicates the angular position of the neck with respect to a fixed position head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: DePuy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Jennifer M. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20040064187
    Abstract: The humeral portion of a shoulder prosthesis includes a diaphyseal component configured for fixation within the humerus, a metaphyseal component, configured for removable implantation within the metaphysis of the humerus, and an engagement mechanism for removably engaging the two components. The metaphyseal component can initially include a convex articulating surface that can be replaced with a concave surface during the shoulder arthroplasty procedure or in a subsequent revision surgery. The metaphyseal component can also include a feature to facilitate removal of the component from the bone once it has been disengaged from the diaphyseal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Jeffrey M. Ondrla, Laurent LaFosse, Anne-Celine Godest
  • Publication number: 20040064145
    Abstract: An impacting device includes a hollow body and a movable member. The hollow body includes an inner chamber having an interior surface, the interior surface including at least one interference member extending radially inward therefrom. The hollow body also includes an impact surface at one end thereof. The movable member has a proximal impacting surface and is at least partly disposed within the hollow body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Jared Shoup
  • Publication number: 20040064188
    Abstract: A humeral prosthesis allows a surgeon to adjust humeral head position thereof in three-dimensional space with respect to a humeral component of the humeral prosthesis that has been either previously implanted into a humerus of a patient or not. The humeral prosthesis includes a conjoining component that is configured to releasably mate with the humeral component and to releasably mate with a humeral head. The conjoining component allows the humeral head to be selectively positionable from continuously infinite positions about two orthographic axes with respect to the conjoining component. The selected spatial position of the head is locked by a locking member of the conjoining component. The conjoining component allows the use of various sized heads, allow in vivo head trialing and/or exchange, and retrofit of heads for previously implanted shoulder prosthesis in need of revision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Jeffrey M. Ondrla
  • Publication number: 20040064142
    Abstract: A jig for trialing a head and conjoining portion of a humeral (shoulder) prosthesis and transferring the spatial positioning to a final implant allows a surgeon to adjust humeral head position thereof in three-dimensional space with respect to a humeral component of the humeral prosthesis that has been either previously implanted into a humerus of a patient or not. The jig utilizes a rotatable body such as a sphere that is non-translatable relative to a jig body. A trial implant construct, having a head and neck that is fixed relative to one another (is spatially positioned), is placed in the jig with the neck thereof in contact with the rotatable sphere. As the head is caused to align with markings on the jig and situated flush with the jig, the rotatable sphere replicates the angular position of the neck with respect to a fixed position head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Jennifer M. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20040064190
    Abstract: A humeral component of a shoulder prosthesis includes a stem configured for implantation within the humerus. A reverse articulating component is mounted to the stem by a connection mechanism. The reverse component defines a substantially concave bearing surface. The bearing surface is part of a bearing member that is engaged to a support member that is associated with the connection mechanism. A kit is provided which includes differently configured bearing members and support members to allow intraoperative selection and assembly of an optimum articulating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Jeffrey M. Ondrla, Anne-Celine Godest
  • Patent number: 6681402
    Abstract: A ball glove is disclosed having an open area on a dorsal side of the glove, the open area including a matrix that enhances the flexibility of the glove. The matrix may be formed of an elastomeric material having a plurality of interconnected segments that define open spaces between the segments. The matrix may also define a wrist opening that provides access for a hand of a wearer and surrounds a wrist of the wearer when the glove is worn, or the matrix may extend around the wrist. The ball glove may also include a lining formed of an air-permeable material that surrounds the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Bevier, Robert J. Ball
  • Publication number: 20030216813
    Abstract: A distal component for a wrist prosthesis that utilizes fixation within the carpus complex, incorporates features that improve the probability of intercarpal fusion and allows modularity of articulating components. In one form, the subject invention includes an ovoid fixation plate having three holes and a boss. The three holes allow attachment of stems and/or screws distally for fixation in the carpus. The boss projects proximally from the plate, and serves as an attachment point for the articulating head. Modularity of the fixation and articulating components allow a surgeon many options for optimizing fixation distally, and articulation proximally. The proximal head of the distal component is designed to articulate with existing radial components. Since the proximal head of the distal component is modular, however, the head can be redesigned to accommodate later design changes in proximal components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Ian A. Trail, Raphael Pascaud, Robert Beckenbaugh, William Geissler
  • Publication number: 20030187511
    Abstract: A wrist prosthesis has first, second, and third components that in one form are a radial component, a metacarpal component, and a bearing component. The bearing component is non-fixed or non-stationary relative to one of the radial component and the metacarpal component when the wrist prosthesis is assembled such as when implanted into a patient. As such, in one form a rotational joint or union is provided on the radial component and the bearing component. The bearing component is thus free to rotationally ride on the radial component, preferably 360° thereabout. Distal the radial component, the bearing component includes an articulation surface. The metacarpal component includes an articulation surface that is complementary to the articulation surface of the bearing component. In this manner, the metacarpal component correspondingly moves relative to the bearing component. The bearing component is preferably made of a polymer such as polyethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Jeffrey M. Ondrla, John F. Walters
  • Publication number: 20030187451
    Abstract: A bone resection guide, particularly for an ulna, utilizes anatomical reference points of the ulna to establish an optimal position for a prosthesis. The bone resection guide provides a guiding instrument that allows a surgeon to remove only bone that needs to be removed for precise placement of the end prosthesis. A method of resecting bone from the ulna in preparation of prosthetic implantation using the bone resection guide matches an elbow axis finder with a particular size of an ulna fossa of the patient. Once matched, a sized resection template, directly related to the shape of the prosthesis, is used as a resection guide. Incorporated into the bone resection guide are known anthropometric qualities when providing resection surfaces. This enhances the probable position of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Ian A. Trail, John K. Stanley
  • Publication number: 20030069645
    Abstract: A joint prosthetic component that includes first and second arms, and a joint member interposed therebetween. The joint member is configured to permit flexion motion between the first and second arms, and includes a first concave surface and a second concave surface. The first concave surface has a plurality of arcuate portions defined therein. The first and second concave surfaces are located on opposing sides of the joint member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Bruce Khalili, Arnold-Peter C. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5711642
    Abstract: A front-loading rotary ring cutter for face milling or face hobbing processes wherein the cutter ring is secured to the cutter head by means which eliminate the need to remove the entire cutter assembly from the spindle of a machine tool when changing cutter rings. Preferably the cutter ring includes a radially inward extending base portion through which mounting screws may pass to engage the cutter head for securing the cutter ring to the cutter head. The cutter assembly may also include an adapter plate for attaching the rotary cutter to a machine spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Martin John Lakey
  • Patent number: 5542791
    Abstract: A front-loading rotary ring cutter for face milling or face hobbing processes wherein the cutter ring is secured to the cutter head by means which eliminate the need to remove the entire cutter assembly from the spindle of a machine tool when changing cutter rings. Preferably the cutter ring includes a radially inward extending base portion through which mounting screws may pass to engage the cutter head for securing the cutter ring to the cutter head. The cutter assembly may also include an adapter plate for attaching the rotary cutter to a machine spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Martin J. Lakey
  • Patent number: 5448775
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a baseball glove having means located on a bottom palm portion for enhancing glove flexibility. The baseball glove includes a thumb stall, at least one finger stall, and a hand receiving opening. The glove includes a notch formed in a lower portion of the glove, and at least one slit formed in a web portion such that the notch and slits increase flexibility of the glove and facilitate opening and closing of the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation of America
    Inventors: Minoru Yamada, Kazuhiro Kume, Hideki Tsuruoka, Hisanobu Fugahashi, Robin Smith, John E. Schulte, Robert J. Ball, Robert J. Ready
  • Patent number: 5290135
    Abstract: A face mill type cutter, preferably a rotary ring cutter, having coolant passages located within the cutter to supply coolant to discharge outlets located between and/or in the stock removing surfaces located on the cutter. Coolant is supplied to the face mill cutter either by a coolant shroud arranged about at least a portion of the periphery of the cutter, or, by at least one coolant delivery passage arranged in the spindle of a machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Robert J. Ball, Richard C. Blakesley
  • Patent number: D376675
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation of America
    Inventors: Minoru Yamada, Kazuhiro Kume, Hideki Tsuroka, Hisanobu Funahashi, Robin Smith, John E. Schulte, Robert J. Ball, Robert J. Ready