Patents by Inventor Todd S. Johnson

Todd S. Johnson 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: 7790216
    Abstract: A method for producing a zirconia-layered orthopedic implant component includes depositing zirconium onto the orthopedic implant component, thereby forming a zirconium-layered component, and converting at least a portion of the zirconium into a substantially monoclinic zirconia surface layer unaccompanied by a substantial underlying ?-phase. A method for producing a zirconia-layered orthopedic implant component includes depositing zirconium onto the orthopedic implant component by ion bombardment and deposition in a vacuum to form a zirconium-layered component including an intermix zone at least 1000 ? thick and a zirconium layer about 3-5 ?m thick, and heat treating the zirconium-layered component at a temperature of about 500-600° C. in an atmosphere containing oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Oludele Popoola, Jeffrey P. Anderson, Michael E. Hawkins, Todd S. Johnson, H. Ravindranath Shetty
  • Patent number: 5549686
    Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis includes femoral and tibial components. The femoral component has a cam located near the upper extreme of the posterior condyles and substantially flush with the inside surface of the posterior condyles. The prosthesis is characterized by low cam and spine contact which reduces the stress on the components and improves their subluxation resistance. The tibial component has a posteriorly located spine to engage the femoral cam and a relief groove to accommodate the femoral cam. This allows the cam to remain low on the tibial spine and even go below the edges of the tibial component. Cam chamfers, where the femoral cam attaches to the posterior condyles of the femoral component, further facilitate cam clearance. The cam chamfers and relief groove cooperate in flexion to allow at least 12 degrees of rotation, both clockwise and counterclockwise, of the femoral component with respect to the tibial component around the axis of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd S. Johnson, Kevin M. Greig
  • Patent number: 5451228
    Abstract: A tibial resector guide having an angularly adjustable head controlled by a thumb actuated slide mechanism. The head may be positioned in a plurality of predetermined angular orientations in the anterior-posterior plane. The cutting head guide includes angled side walls which permit the guide to have a narrow aperture yet allow the saw blade to completely pass through the tibia. Further, the tibial resector of this invention includes a telescoping rod and a length adjustment mechanism adjacent the head for providing small height adjustments for positioning the head. The length adjustment member includes an enlarged thumb wheel to ease operation. A pinning platform is connected to the adjustment member such that it is shiftable with the adjustment member relative to the guide head. The pinning platform permits the surgeon to pin the upper end of the instrument to the patient's leg preventing movement of the instrument during resection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd S. Johnson, Richard A. Lane, Thomas D. Petersen, Chuck Nichols, John R. Howard
  • Patent number: 5445640
    Abstract: A tibial resector guide having an angularly adjustable head controlled by a thumb actuated slide mechanism. The head may be positioned in a plurality of predetermined angular orientations in the anterior-posterior plane. The cutting head guide includes angled side walls which permit the guide to have a narrow aperture yet allow the saw blade to completely pass through the tibia. Further, the tibial resector of this invention includes a telescoping rod and a length adjustment mechanism adjacent the head for providing small height adjustments for positioning the head. The length adjustment member includes an enlarged thumb wheel to ease operation. A pinning platform is connected to the adjustment member such that it is shiftable with the adjustment member relative to the guide head. The pinning platform permits the surgeon to pin the upper end of the instrument to the patient's leg preventing movement of the instrument during resection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd S. Johnson, Richard A. Lane, Thomas D. Petersen, Chuck Nichols, John R. Howard
  • Patent number: 5306276
    Abstract: A tibial resector guide having an angularly adjustable head controlled by a thumb actuated slide mechanism. The head may be positioned in a plurality of predetermined angular orientations in the anterior-posterior plane. The cutting head guide includes angled side walls which permit the guide to have a narrow aperture yet allow the saw blade to completely pass through the tibia. Further, the tibial resector of this invention includes a telescoping rod and a length adjustment mechanism adjacent the head for providing small height adjustments for positioning the head. The length adjustment member includes an enlarged thumb wheel to ease operation. A pinning platform is connected to the adjustment member such that it is shiftable with the adjustment member relative to the guide head. The pinning platform permits the surgeon to pin the upper end of the instrument to the patient's leg preventing movement of the instrument during resection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignees: Zimmer, Inc., Thomas D. Petersen
    Inventors: Todd S. Johnson, Richard A. Lane, Thomas D. Petersen, Chuck Nichols, John R. Howard
  • Patent number: D374078
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd S. Johnson, Kevin M. Greig