Patents by Inventor Sarah L. Thelen

Sarah L. Thelen 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: 7488329
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. An alignment guide in accordance with the present invention is provided to facilitate alignment of instruments used to create a cavity in the bone for reception of the femoral implant and to facilitate size selection of the femoral implant. The alignment guide of the present invention includes a reference element and pattern arms having geometries which track an anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Zimmer Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah L Thelen, Antony J Lozier, Nicolas J Pacelli
  • Patent number: 7485119
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure. A femoral implant achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head. To optimally position the femoral implant, a minimally invasive incision is aligned with the greater trochanter and the wound is developed to expose the greater trochanter. Various reamers are utilized to prepare a cavity in the femur extending from the greater trochanter into the femoral head and further extending from the greater trochanter into the intramedullary canal of the femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Zimmer Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah L. Thelen, Antony J. Lozier, Nicolas J. Pacelli
  • Patent number: 7258692
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. To position the femoral implant of the present invention, an incision is made along the greater trochanter. Because the greater trochanter is not circumferentially covered with muscles, the incision can be made and the wound developed through the skin and fascia to expose the greater trochanter, without incising muscle, including, e.g., the quadriceps. After exposing the greater trochanter, novel instruments of the present invention are utilized to prepare a cavity in the femur extending from the greater trochanter into the femoral head and further extending from the greater trochanter into the intramedullary canal of the femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah L. Thelen, Antony J. Lozier, Steven E. Dietzel, Billy N. Sisk, Rick Miller, Gregory C. Stalcup
  • Publication number: 20030220644
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. To position the femoral implant of the present invention, an incision is made along the greater trochanter. Because the greater trochanter is not circumferentially covered with muscles, the incision can be made and the wound developed through the skin and fascia to expose the greater trochanter, without incising muscle, including, e.g., the quadriceps. After exposing the greater trochanter, novel instruments of the present invention are utilized to prepare a cavity in the femur extending from the greater trochanter into the femoral head and further extending from the greater trochanter into the intramedullary canal of the femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Sarah L. Thelen, Antony J. Lozier, Nicolas J. Pacelli, Michael A. Liberti, Mark A. Bryant, Billy N. Sisk, Jack D. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20030220646
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. To position the femoral implant of the present invention, an incision is made along the greater trochanter. Because the greater trochanter is not circumferentially covered with muscles, the incision can be made and the wound developed through the skin and fascia to expose the greater trochanter, without incising muscle, including, e.g., the quadriceps. After exposing the greater trochanter, novel instruments of the present invention are utilized to prepare a cavity in the femur extending from the greater trochanter into the femoral head and further extending from the greater trochanter into the intramedullary canal of the femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Sarah L. Thelen, Antony J. Lozier, Nicolas J. Pacelli, Michael Andrew Liberti, Michael E. Hawkins, Billy N. Sisk, Rick Miller
  • Publication number: 20030220641
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. To position the femoral implant of the present invention, an incision is made along the greater trochanter. Because the greater trochanter is not circumferentially covered with muscles, the incision can be made and the wound developed through the skin and fascia to expose the greater trochanter, without incising muscle, including, e.g., the quadriceps. After exposing the greater trochanter, novel instruments of the present invention are utilized to prepare a cavity in the femur extending from the greater trochanter into the femoral head and further extending from the greater trochanter into the intramedullary canal of the femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Sarah L. Thelen, Antony J. Lozier, Steven E. Dietzel, Billy N. Sisk, Rick Miller