Patents by Inventor Roland Willi

Roland Willi 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: 9763790
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft for a femoral neck prosthesis, which comprises an anchoring area (27, 29) which is arranged inside the femur in order to anchor the prosthesis into bone, a head area which is axially adjacent to the anchoring area (27, 29) on the proximal side, said head area comprising a device (13) which is connected to the prosthesis head (15), in addition to a distal end which is arranged opposite the head area in the axial direction of the anchoring area (27, 29). The invention is characterised in that the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the head area is at the most equal and, in particular, smaller than the maximum diameter of the anchoring area (27, 29), in such a manner that the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the shaft (11) is in the anchoring area (27, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Grappiolo, Roland Willi
  • Patent number: 9763677
    Abstract: Rasps for preparing bones of various patients to receive a prosthetic implant and a method for using the same. Multiple rasps may be provided as a set. Within the set, the rasps generally correspond to the size and shape of a single prosthetic implant, such as a prosthetic femoral hip stem, and have a range of bone removal and bone compression capabilities to account for unique bone characteristics of the various patients. A surgeon may select a desired rasp from the set provided depending on the patient's unique bone characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Sergio Romagnoli, Roland Willi
  • Publication number: 20150025536
    Abstract: Rasps for preparing bones of various patients to receive a prosthetic implant and a method for using the same. Multiple rasps may be provided as a set. Within the set, the rasps generally correspond to the size and shape of a single prosthetic implant, such as a prosthetic femoral hip stem, and have a range of bone removal and bone compression capabilities to account for unique bone characteristics of the various patients. A surgeon may select a desired rasp from the set provided depending on the patient's unique bone characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Sergio Romagnoli, Roland Willi
  • Patent number: 8900241
    Abstract: In some examples, a method for at least one of preparation or machining of a femoral head formed on a neck of a femur includes selecting an instrument including probing forceps and a guide element including a centering axis. The guide element is coupled to the probing forceps at first and second coupling points disposed along the centering axis such that the centering axis is disposed in a central plane of the probing forceps independent of an opening angle of the probing forceps. The probing forceps are closed with probing jaws symmetrically contacting the neck of the femur at opposite sides with respect to an axis of the neck of the femur. The guide element self-adjusts with closing of the probing forceps so that the centering axis is automatically aligned in the middle with respect to the two oppositely disposed sides of the neck of the femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Willi, Marcel Hinder, Andreas Marchione
  • Patent number: 8870875
    Abstract: Rasps for preparing bones of various patients to receive a prosthetic implant and a method for using the same. Multiple rasps may be provided as a set. Within the set, the rasps generally correspond to the size and shape of a single prosthetic implant, such as a prosthetic femoral hip stem, and have a range of bone removal and bone compression capabilities to account for unique bone characteristics of the various patients. A surgeon may select a desired rasp from the set provided depending on the patient's unique bone characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Sergio Romagnoli, Roland Willi
  • Patent number: 8377376
    Abstract: An implant is set forth having at least one first element and a second element, wherein the first element is provided in a pre-determined relative location to the second element, in particular at least partly in a recess of the second element. The first element has a pre-positioning location having play with respect to the second element and allowing a fully area gas sterilization of both elements and can be displaced from this pre-positioning location into an end positioning location corresponding to a fixed connection of both elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Baege, Hermann Breimesser, Roland Willi
  • Publication number: 20120289967
    Abstract: In some examples, a method for at least one of preparation or machining of a femoral head formed on a neck of a femur includes selecting an instrument including probing forceps and a guide element including a centering axis. The guide element is coupled to the probing forceps at first and second coupling points disposed along the centering axis such that the centering axis is disposed in a central plane of the probing forceps independent of an opening angle of the probing forceps. The probing forceps are closed with probing jaws symmetrically contacting the neck of the femur at opposite sides with respect to an axis of the neck of the femur. The guide element self-adjusts with closing of the probing forceps so that the centering axis is automatically aligned in the middle with respect to the two oppositely disposed sides of the neck of the femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Willi, Marcel Hinder, Andreas Marchione
  • Patent number: 8236001
    Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head (11) embodied on a femoral neck (19). Said instrument comprises tactile forceps (91) that are provided with two forked levers (13, 15) and two tactile jaws (23, 25), each of which is assigned to one of the forked levers (13, 15). The forked levers are interconnected at a fulcrum (93). The inventive instrument features a manipulating end and a working end. The tactile jaws are located at the working end of the instrument. A guiding element (28) is provided which encompasses a centering pin (21) and is mounted and/or guided at least at two points (105, 107) spaced apart from each other in the direction of the centering pin (21) in such a way that the centering pin (21) always lies on a central plane (12) of the tactile forceps (91) regardless of an opening angle of the tactile forceps (91), said central plane (12) containing the fulcrum (93).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Willi, Marcel Hinder, Andreas Marchione
  • Patent number: 7857859
    Abstract: The specified implant for use as a femur component in a hip joint prosthesis comprises a shaft, being intended for the implantation in a cavity of a proximal femur, a head section, for fastening a femoral head prosthesis and a femoral neck section, being arranged between the shaft and the head section. The femoral neck section comprises a femoral head axis and a contour in a cross-section perpendicular to the femoral neck axis, tapering in a V-shape or wedge-shape to medial and at least an anterior straight section and at least a posterior straight section, wherein the straight sections define the tapering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer, GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Willi, Aude Leroy Gallissot, Hermann Breimesser
  • Publication number: 20100023014
    Abstract: Rasps for preparing bones of various patients to receive a prosthetic implant and a method for using the same. Multiple rasps may be provided as a set. Within the set, the rasps generally correspond to the size and shape of a single prosthetic implant, such as a prosthetic femoral hip stem, and have a range of bone removal and bone compression capabilities to account for unique bone characteristics of the various patients. A surgeon may select a desired rasp from the set provided depending on the patient's unique bone characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Sergio Romagnoli, Roland Willi
  • Publication number: 20090105842
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implant system having at least one shaft of a prosthesis, in particular a hip joint prosthesis, which can be anchored without cement, and a set of instruments for the preparation of the bone in which the shaft is to be anchored, wherein the shaft has an arcuate base body with a trapezoidal or rectangular cross-section and the set of instruments includes a first instrument which is shaped in accordance with the arcuate shape of the shaft and with which a recess serving for the reception of the base body can be established in the bone; and wherein the shaft is provided with ribs in the proximal region and the set of instruments includes a guide body shaped in accordance with the arcuate shape of the shaft for a second instrument with which structures can be manufactured in the bone serving to fix a path for the shaft ribs when the guide body is located in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER, GMBH
    Inventors: Hubert Noetzli, Roland Willi
  • Publication number: 20090081076
    Abstract: An implant is set forth having at least one first element and a second element, wherein the first element is provided in a pre-determined relative location to the second element, in particular at least partly in a recess of the second element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER, GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Baege, Hermann Breimesser, Roland Willi
  • Publication number: 20090076619
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft for a femoral neck prosthesis, which comprises an anchoring area (27, 29) which is arranged inside the femur in order to anchor the prosthesis into bone, a head area which is axially adjacent to the anchoring area (27, 29) on the proximal side, said head area comprising a device (13) which is connected to the prosthesis head (15), in addition to a distal end which is arranged opposite the head area in the axial direction of the anchoring area (27, 29). The invention is characterised in that the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the head area is at the most equal and, in particular, smaller than the maximum diameter of the anchoring area (27, 29), in such a manner that the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the shaft (11) is in the anchoring area (27, 29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Guido Grappiolo, Roland Willi
  • Patent number: 7481842
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implant system having at least one shaft of a prosthesis, in particular a hip joint prosthesis, which can be anchored without cement, and a set of instruments for the preparation of the bone in which the shaft is to be anchored, wherein the shaft has an arcuate base body with a trapezoidal or rectangular cross-section and the set of instruments includes a first instrument which is shaped in accordance with the arcuate shape of the shaft and with which a recess serving for the reception of the base body can be established in the bone; and wherein the shaft is provided with ribs in the proximal region and the set of instruments includes a guide body shaped in accordance with the arcuate shape of the shaft for a second instrument with which structures can be manufactured in the bone serving to fix a path for the shaft ribs when the guide body is located in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Zimmer, GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Noetzli, Roland Willi
  • Patent number: 7473279
    Abstract: An implant is set forth having at least one first element and a second element, wherein the first element is provided in a pre-determined relative location to the second element, in particular at least partly in a recess of the second element. The first element has a pre-positioning location having play with respect to the second element and allowing a fully area gas sterilization of both elements and can be displaced from this pre-positioning location into an end positioning location corresponding to a fixed connection of both elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Zimmer, GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Baege, Hermann Breimesser, Roland Willi
  • Publication number: 20080228283
    Abstract: The specified implant for use as a femur component in a hip joint prosthesis comprises a shaft, being intended for the implantation in a cavity of a proximal femur, a head section, for fastening a femoral head prosthesis and a femoral neck section, being arranged between the shaft and the head section. The femoral neck section comprises a femoral head axis and a contour in a cross-section perpendicular to the femoral neck axis, tapering in a V-shape or wedge-shape to medial and at least an anterior straight section and at least a posterior straight section, wherein the straight sections define the tapering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: ZIMMER GmbH
    Inventors: Roland WILLI, Aude Leroy GALLISSOT, Hermann BREIMESSER
  • Publication number: 20080215057
    Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head (11) embodied on a femoral neck (19). Said instrument comprises tactile forceps (91) that are provided with two forked levers (13, 15) and two tactile jaws (23, 25), each of which is assigned to one of the forked levers (13, 15). The forked levers are interconnected at a fulcrum (93). The inventive instrument features a manipulating end and a working end. The tactile jaws are located at the working end of the instrument. A guiding element (28) is provided which encompasses a centering pin (21) and is mounted and/or guided at least at two points (105, 107) spaced apart from each other in the direction of the centering pin (21) in such a way that the centering pin (21) always lies on a central plane (12) of the tactile forceps (91) regardless of an opening angle of the tactile forceps (91), said central plane (12) containing the fulcrum (93).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: ZIMMER GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Willi, Marcel Hinder, Andreas Marchione
  • Publication number: 20060012127
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implant system having at least one shaft of a prosthesis, in particular a hip joint prosthesis, which can be anchored without cement, and a set of instruments for the preparation of the bone in which the shaft is to be anchored, wherein the shaft has an arcuate base body with a trapezoidal or rectangular cross-section and the set of instruments includes a first instrument which is shaped in accordance with the arcuate shape of the shaft and with which a recess serving for the reception of the base body can be established in the bone; and wherein the shaft is provided with ribs in the proximal region and the set of instruments includes a guide body shaped in accordance with the arcuate shape of the shaft for a second instrument with which structures can be manufactured in the bone serving to fix a path for the shaft ribs when the guide body is located in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Noetzli, Roland Willi
  • Publication number: 20040019380
    Abstract: An implant is set forth having at least one first element and a second element, wherein the first element is provided in a pre-determined relative location to the second element, in particular at least partly in a recess of the second element. The first element has a pre-positioning location having play with respect to the second element and allowing a fully area gas sterilisation of both elements and can be displaced from this pre-positioning location into an end positioning location corresponding to a fixed connection of both elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Roland Baege, Hermann Breimesser, Roland Willi
  • Patent number: 5658345
    Abstract: The acetabulum (1) in accordance with the invention comprises a spherically formed outer shell (3) as well as a spherically formed inner shell (4) which is inserted into the outer shell (3). The inner shell (4) can, for example, consist of an oxide-ceramic material, in particular of aluminum oxide. The outer shell (4) can consist of, for example, titanium. The outer surface (4c) of the inner shell (4) is formed such that it has a first partial surface (4c) with increasing outer cross-section from the pole (2a) towards the equatorial opening (4b) to a site (4a) with a largest outer diameter, that a further partial surface (4e) with an outer cross-section decreasing towards the equatorial opening (4b) connects to the partial surface (4c), which goes into a further partial surface (4f) with increasing outer cross-section towards the equatorial opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Sulzer Medizinaltechnik AG
    Inventor: Roland Willi