Patents by Inventor Steven L. Meulink

Steven L. Meulink 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: 10136933
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in certain aspects, unique methods and systems for connecting orthopedic components. In some forms, a male-type projection of a first orthopedic component is securely lodged within a female-type aperture in a second orthopedic component. In one embodiment, the projection, while received through a proximal entryway in the aperture, includes a first longitudinal region with deformed surface elements that provide a first securing zone within the aperture and a second longitudinal region with deformed surface elements that provide a second securing zone within the aperture. The first securing zone is located proximate the distal end of the projection, and the second securing zone is located proximate the proximal entryway of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Paul J. Conrad
  • Patent number: 9987147
    Abstract: A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Patent number: 9980828
    Abstract: Modular neck components for hip implants having independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present disclosure allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Stephen J. Vankoski
  • Patent number: 8845749
    Abstract: A case for modular neck components for hip implants. The case may include indicators based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The case allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. A method described herein may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used, which advantageously provides an intuitive system for the surgeon both preoperatively and during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Steven J. Vankoski
  • Patent number: 8790413
    Abstract: A protective sleeve is provided that is useful during minimally invasive surgery to facilitate assembly of modular components. The sleeve prevents contamination of a second component as it is engaged with a previously inserted component. The sleeve may also serve to guide insertion of the second component to facilitate aligning it with the previously inserted component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Publication number: 20140121713
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in certain aspects, unique methods and systems for connecting orthopedic components. In some forms, a male-type projection of a first orthopedic component is securely lodged within a female-type aperture in a second orthopedic component. In one embodiment, the projection, while received through a proximal entryway in the aperture, includes a first longitudinal region with deformed surface elements that provide a first securing zone within the aperture and a second longitudinal region with deformed surface elements that provide a second securing zone within the aperture. The first securing zone is located proximate the distal end of the projection, and the second securing zone is located proximate the proximal entryway of the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Paul J. Conrad
  • Patent number: 8428693
    Abstract: A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Publication number: 20130079888
    Abstract: A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Publication number: 20120221114
    Abstract: A case for modular neck components for hip implants. The case may include indicators based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The case allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. A method described herein may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used, which advantageously provides an intuitive system for the surgeon both preoperatively and during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Steven J. Vankoski
  • Patent number: 8202324
    Abstract: A case for modular neck components for hip implants. The case may include indicators based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The case allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. A method described herein may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used, which advantageously provides an intuitive system for the surgeon both preoperatively and during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Steven J. Vankoski
  • Publication number: 20110166666
    Abstract: A case for modular neck components for hip implants. The case may include indicators based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The case allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. A method described herein may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used, which advantageously provides an intuitive system for the surgeon both preoperatively and during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Stephen J. Vankoski
  • Publication number: 20100198351
    Abstract: A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Publication number: 20100185296
    Abstract: A case for modular neck components for hip implants. The case may include indicators based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The case allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. A method described herein may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used, which advantageously provides an intuitive system for the surgeon both preoperatively and during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Stephen J. Vankoski
  • Publication number: 20090270996
    Abstract: Modular neck components for hip implants having independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present disclosure allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Stephen J. Vankoski
  • Publication number: 20080021299
    Abstract: A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Publication number: 20080021567
    Abstract: A case for modular neck components for hip implants. The case may include indicators based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The case allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. A method described herein may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used, which advantageously provides an intuitive system for the surgeon both preoperatively and during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: ZIMMER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Ryan D. Schlotterback, Barish Banerjee, Stephen J. Vankoski
  • Patent number: 6863692
    Abstract: Several embodiments of an implant sleeve are shown for use with implants inserted through a wound into a surgical site. In some embodiments, the sleeve is useful to protect mating implant components from contamination during insertion through the wound. In other embodiments, the sleeve is useful to clean components that have become contaminated during insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Publication number: 20040098134
    Abstract: Several embodiments of an implant sleeve are shown for use with implants inserted through a wound into a surgical site. In some embodiments, the sleeve is useful to protect mating implant components from contamination during insertion through the wound. In other embodiments, the sleeve is useful to clean components that have become contaminated during insertion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Patent number: 6514288
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved prosthetic stem for implantation in a bone. Specifically, the present invention provides a prosthetic femoral stem having a strengthening rib protruding from the substrate thereof and being flush with a porous coating formed thereon. The strengthening rib is advantageously positioned so as to increase the cross-sectional moment of inertia of the prosthetic femoral stem and thereby decrease the stress on the anterio-lateral surface of the femoral stem. A protrusion in accordance with the present invention may also be utilized with a prosthetic femoral stem absent a porous coating. In such an embodiment, the height of the protrusion is such that the protrusion will be surrounded by the cement mantle formed when the prosthetic femoral component is cemented in a femoral canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Jack D. Jennings, James L. Crumley, II, Tracy R. Gilliland
  • Publication number: 20020120344
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved prosthetic stem for implantation in a bone. Specifically, the present invention provides a prosthetic femoral stem having a strengthening rib protruding from the substrate thereof and being flush with a porous coating formed thereon. The strengthening rib is advantageously positioned so as to increase the cross-sectional moment of inertia of the prosthetic femoral stem and thereby decrease the stress on the anterio-lateral surface of the femoral stem. A protrusion in accordance with the present invention may also be utilized with a prosthetic femoral stem absent a porous coating. In such an embodiment, the height of the protrusion is such that the protrusion will be surrounded by the cement mantle formed when the prosthetic femoral component is cemented in a femoral canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Steven L. Meulink, Jack D. Jennings, James L. Crumley, Tracy R. Gilliland