Patents by Inventor Robin L. Ritter

Robin L. Ritter 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).

  • Implantable prosthesis having interference-locked hole plugs
    Patent number: 5876456
    Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis includes a prosthetic component, such as an acetabular shell or tibial baseplate, having a wall. The wall has a first surface for engaging bone and a second surface. The wall defines a hole therethrough extending from the second surface to the first surface. A portion of the hole is oval cylindrical. A plug is provide having a portion that is also oval cylindrical. Each of the oval portions of the hole and plug have respective major and minor transverse axes. The oval cylindrical portion of the plug is sized to fit without interference within the oval portion of the hole if the respective major and minor axes of plug and hole are substantially aligned. The oval portion of the plug fits in locked interference within the oval portion of the hole if the respective major and minor axes of the plug and hole are substantially misaligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Sederholm, Eric N. Bachmayer, Mack D. Morgan, Robin L. Ritter