Patents by Inventor Steven Seelman

Steven Seelman 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: 11440118
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis by resistance welding a porous metal layer of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, Clarence M. Panchison, Emmanuel L. Uzuyem, Carlos Holguin
  • Patent number: 11419725
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an implant. The implant includes a substrate. The implant further includes a monolithic layer comprising a biocompatible metallic material, having at least one of an amorphous and a crystalline microstructure contacting the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Peter Zitelli, Robert Joseph Gill, Steven Seelman
  • Patent number: 10912650
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis. This particular method includes providing a porous metal layer (22) positioned against a metal substrate at an interface between the porous metal layer and the metal substrate. Additional steps include providing an electrode (132) and providing an intermediate element or coating positioned between and in contact with the electrode and the porous metal layer where the intermediate element includes tantalum in contact with tantalum of the porous metal layer. In a further step, an electrical current is directed to the interface between the porous metal layer and the metal substrate to bond the porous metal layer to the metal substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmanuel L. Uzuyem, Steven Seelman, Carlos Holguin, Cristina Prado Lopez
  • Patent number: 10709523
    Abstract: A method of depositing a relatively thin film of bioinert material onto a surgical implant substrate, such as a dental implant. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) may be used to deposit a layer of tantalum and/or other biocompatible materials onto a solid substrate comprised of an implantable titanium alloy, forming a biofilm-resistant textured surface on the substrate while preserving the material properties and characteristics of the substrate, such as fatigue strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman
  • Patent number: 10537961
    Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis by resistance welding a porous metal layer of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, Clarence M. Panchison
  • Publication number: 20190366462
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis by resistance welding a porous metal layer of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, Clarence M. Panchison, Emmanuel L. Uzuyem, Carlos Holguin
  • Patent number: 10427235
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis by resistance welding a porous metal layer of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, Clarence M. Panchison, Emmanuel L. Uzuyem, Carlos Holguin
  • Publication number: 20190151096
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an implant. The implant includes a substrate. The implant further includes a monolithic layer comprising a biocompatible metallic material, having at least one of an amorphous and a crystalline microstructure contacting the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Peter Zitelli, Robert Joseph Gill, Steven Seelman
  • Publication number: 20180325632
    Abstract: A method of depositing a relatively thin film of bioinert material onto a surgical implant substrate, such as a dental implant. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) may be used to deposit a layer of tantalum and/or other biocompatible materials onto a solid substrate comprised of an implantable titanium alloy, forming a biofilm-resistant textured surface on the substrate while preserving the material properties and characteristics of the substrate, such as fatigue strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman
  • Patent number: 10039619
    Abstract: A method of depositing a relatively thin film of bioinert material onto a surgical implant substrate, such as a dental implant. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) may be used to deposit a layer of tantalum and/or other biocompatible materials onto a solid substrate comprised of an implantable titanium alloy, forming a biofilm-resistant textured surface on the substrate while preserving the material properties and characteristics of the substrate, such as fatigue strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman
  • Publication number: 20180008415
    Abstract: Shapeable porous metal implants and methods for use in various procedures are disclosed. The implants can comprise a shell according to some examples. According to one example, the method can include providing a sheet of highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90%, and wrapping the sheet of highly porous metal material around at least a first bone of the patient. Further examples can form the sheet intra-operatively to a desired shape. In an example, the porous metal sheet can be formed of tantalum or tantalum alloys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Bradford J. Coale, Steven Seelman
  • Patent number: 9788951
    Abstract: Shapeable porous metal implants and methods for use in various procedures are disclosed. The implants can comprise a shell according to some examples. According to one example, the method can include providing a sheet of highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90%, and wrapping the sheet of highly porous metal material around at least a first bone of the patient. Further examples can form the sheet intra-operatively to a desired shape. In an example, the porous metal sheet can be formed of tantalum or tantalum alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford J. Coale, Steven Seelman
  • Publication number: 20170156869
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis. This particular method includes providing a porous metal layer (22) positioned against a metal substrate at an interface between the porous metal layer and the metal substrate. Additional steps include providing an electrode (132) and providing an intermediate element or coating positioned between and in contact with the electrode and the porous metal layer where the intermediate element includes tantalum in contact with tantalum of the porous metal layer. In a further step, an electrical current is directed to the interface between the porous metal layer and the metal substrate to bond the porous metal layer to the metal substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Emmanuel L. Uzuyem, Steven Seelman, Carlos Holguin, Cristina Prado Lopez
  • Patent number: 9398953
    Abstract: A micro-alloyed porous metal is disclosed having an optimized chemical composition to achieve targeted mechanical properties for use as an orthopaedic implant and a cell/soft tissue receptor. The porous metal may achieve a targeted compressive strength and a targeted ductility, for example. These targeted mechanical properties may allow the porous metal to be densified to a low relative density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman
  • Publication number: 20160074166
    Abstract: Shapeable porous metal implants and methods for use in various procedures are disclosed. The implants can comprise a shell according to some examples. According to one example, the method can include providing a sheet of highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90%, and wrapping the sheet of highly porous metal material around at least a first bone of the patient. Further examples can form the sheet intra-operatively to a desired shape. In an example, the porous metal sheet can be formed of tantalum or tantalum alloys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Bradford J. Coale, Steven Seelman
  • Patent number: 9277998
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in chemical vapor infiltration processes and devices for depositing a biocompatible material onto a porous substrate to form an orthopedic implant. The substrate may be formed of reticulated vitreous foam and coated with tantalum, niobium, tungsten, or other biocompatible materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, David B. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9192476
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant including an articulation portion having a pyrolytic carbon bearing surface and a porous bone on- or in-growth structure, and methods of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Thomas, Oludele O. Popoola, Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, Jeffrey P. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9174297
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis by resistance welding a porous metal layer of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, Clarence M. Panchison
  • Publication number: 20150150682
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in chemical vapor infiltration processes and devices for depositing a biocompatible material onto a porous substrate to form an orthopedic implant. The substrate may be formed of reticulated vitreous foam and coated with tantalum, niobium, tungsten, or other biocompatible materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, David B. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140227427
    Abstract: A micro-alloyed porous metal is disclosed having an optimized chemical composition to achieve targeted mechanical properties for use as an orthopaedic implant and a cell/soft tissue receptor. The porous metal may achieve a targeted compressive strength and a targeted ductility, for example. These targeted mechanical properties may allow the porous metal to be densified to a low relative density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven SEELMAN