ZIMMER TECHNOLOGY, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120234461 | METHOD FOR ATTACHING A POROUS METAL LAYER TO A METAL SUBSTRATE - A method for attaching a porous metal layer to a dense metal substrate, wherein the method is particularly useful in forming orthopedic implants such as femoral knee components, femoral hip components, and/or acetabular cups. The method, in one embodiment thereof, comprises providing a solid metal substrate; providing a porous metal structure; contouring a surface of the porous metal structure; placing the porous structure against the substrate such that the contoured surface of the porous metal structure is disposed against the substrate, thereby forming an assembly; applying heat and pressure to the assembly in conjunction with thermal expansion of the substrate in order to metallurgically bond the porous structure and the substrate; and removing mass from the substrate after the porous structure is bonded to the substrate, thereby finish processing the assembly. | 09-20-2012 |
20120116525 | FEMORAL TROCHLEA PROSTHESES - Various embodiments of femoral trochlea prostheses useable in a knee joint. The knee joint includes a patella and a distal femur with a femoral trochlea, or patello-femoral groove. In one embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a nonarticulating surface including contoured surfaces and/or planar surfaces. The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a bone surface for receiving the prostheses described herein. | 05-10-2012 |
20120059484 | MODULAR BONE IMPLANT, TOOLS, AND METHOD - Modular bone implants, means of assembly, and their method of use are presented. | 03-08-2012 |
20110224791 | Orthopedic implant with bone interface anchoring - A cartilage resurfacing implant is provided for replacing cartilage of an articulating portion of a bone at a skeletal joint having opposed joint surfaces. The cartilage resurfacing implant includes a body having a bearing surface and a bone interface. The bearing surface is able to support articulation with an opposing joint surface. | 09-15-2011 |
20110172665 | ADJUSTABLE BONE STABILIZING FRAME SYSTEM - By providing components securable to anchor pins or screws of different diameters as well as providing clamps which hold associated pins in any position during adjustments, an external fixation or adjustable frame structure is provided which is capable of being quickly and easily assembled in any desired configuration. In the present invention, the frame structure is retained in any assembled configuration in order to allow final adjustments to be made, prior to the final securement of the frame assembly in the precisely desired configuration by closure of each clamp member. In this way, an entire frame assembly is capable of being constructed, adjusted, and readjusted in order to assure each component is oriented in the precisely desired position prior to final closure of the clamping members. In one preferred embodiment, the clamping members employed in the frame structure of the present invention incorporate friction pins internally mounted in each clamp which engages the rod member once this rod is inserted into the jaws of the clamp. In this way, any rod member inserted into the clamping jaws contacts the surface of the jaws and the friction pin, preventing the rod member from sliding or moving relative to the clamp. In addition, by incorporating a uniquely constructed, moving wedge plate that is adjustably engageable with any cooperating anchor pin, secure affixation of the mounting member with the anchor pins of any diameter is easily achieved, regardless of the orientation configuration, or diameter of the anchor pin. | 07-14-2011 |
20110066249 | MODULAR BONE IMPLANT, TOOL, AND METHOD - Modular bone implants, means of assembly, and their method of use are presented. | 03-17-2011 |
20110009974 | TIBIAL AUGMENTS FOR USE WITH KNEE JOINT PROSTHESES, METHOD OF IMPLANTING THE TIBIAL AUGMENT, AND ASSOCIATED TOOLS - A tibial augment for use with a knee joint prosthesis, composed of annular members of different stock sizes, each size being configured to fit within a cavity formed in a human tibia. The augment may include a stepped distal surface. A provisional (temporary) tibial augment used to ensure a proper fit for the permanent augment is also provided. The provisional may include grooves configured to cooperate with a set of ribs on a tong-like holder used for removing the provisional from the cavity. A pusher for use implanting the tibial augment is also provided. In addition, a system for creating a cavity in a human tibia is also described. The system preferably includes a guide with a slot therein and a set of osteotomes that are inserted within different portions of the slot. Methods for using the tools and/or implanting the prosthetic devices discussed above are also described. | 01-13-2011 |
20100286699 | BONE RESECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR KNEE SURGERY - A bone resection apparatus and its method of use for knee surgery are presented. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a spacer and a tibial cut guide. The spacer has a first surface engageable with the cut distal femoral bone and a second surface opposite the first surface engageable with the uncut proximal tibial bone in joint articulating relationship. The spacer further includes a cut guide support. The tibial cut guide has a cutter guide defining a cut plane and a support engaging element engageable with the cut guide support. The cut guide support and support engaging element cooperate to position the cut plane in relative to the first surface. | 11-11-2010 |
20100234962 | CONSTRAINED PROSTHETIC KNEE WITH ROTATING BEARING - A constrained prosthetic knee having a modular hinge post and a rotating bearing. A cannulated hinge post is rotatably connected to the femoral component of the knee prosthesis so that a hinge post extension may be anteriorly positioned through the hinge post and into the tibial component of the knee prosthesis, after positioning of the femoral component in the femur and the tibial component in the tibia. The hinge post is preassembled to the femoral component so that such assembly is not required during the implantation procedure. A meniscal component forming the rotating bearing of the knee prosthesis is packaged together with the hinge post extension so that the appropriate hinge post extension is readily available. The meniscal component includes a mechanism for preventing lift off of the meniscal component from the tibial component, while allowing rotation of the meniscal component relative to the tibial component. | 09-16-2010 |
20100222886 | SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY SYSTEM - An implant system for total shoulder arthroplasties, hemi shoulder arthroplasties, and “reverse” total shoulder arthroplasties including a humeral stem having an enlarged head portion with interfaces adapted to removably receive various modular interchangeable components, such as articulating liners, spacers, and adapter inserts. The humeral stem functions as a universal platform that may be used in either conventional or “reverse” total shoulder arthroplasties, as well as hemi shoulder arthroplasties, and may remain implanted in place during a revision in which the implant system is converted between the foregoing configurations, for example. | 09-02-2010 |
20100143576 | DIRECT APPLICATION OF PRESSURE FOR BONDING POROUS COATINGS TO SUBSTRATE MATERIALS USED IN ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS - A method for constantly controlling a direct application of pressure for bonding porous coatings to substrate materials used in orthopaedic implants. The direct pressure is applied to an interface between the porous coating and the substrate material via a pressure application mechanism unaffected by heat and air pressure conditions of the bonding process. The pressure application mechanism maintains a pressure on the implant which is constantly controlled throughout the bonding process. | 06-10-2010 |
20100137925 | METHOD AND INSTRUMENTS FOR POSITIONING HUMERAL COMPONENT DURING SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY - The present invention relates to a set of tools and accessories used for properly positioning a stemmed humeral component, and/or a humeral stem provisional, within a canal in the humerus. The set of tools and accessories includes one or more fin clamps that are configured to be temporarily attached to a fin on the humeral component or the provisional; a ruler that is configured to be attached to the arm of the fin clamp, a fixation pin and pin driver configured to be used with the other tools for marking a position on the humerus; and one or more sleeves that are configured to slide over the stem of the humeral stem provisional to maintain it in the desired position. | 06-03-2010 |
20100010635 | TIBIAL TRIALING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF TRIALING A TIBIAL IMPLANT - A trialing assembly for use during knee replacement procedures to determine size and position of a tibial plate implant as well as the size and thickness of the articular surface prior to implantation of the implant. The trialing assembly includes a broaching plate having a tibia engaging bottom surface adapted for placement atop a tibia and an opposite top surface, the bottom and top surfaces extending between an anterior edge and a posterior edge of the broaching plate. The broaching plate includes an anterior rail and a posterior rail protruding superiorly from the top surface and extending along the anterior and posterior edges, respectively. A trialing plate is configured to removably fit atop the broaching plate between the anterior and posterior rails. The trialing plate includes an engagement member extending from a superior surface of the trialing plate and adapted to engage with an articular surface provisional. | 01-14-2010 |
20090287312 | ACETABULAR CUP CONVERSION RING - An acetabular implant for hip replacement surgery includes a shell component and first and second alternative bearing components interchangeably engageable with the shell component to provide a choice in bearing materials. The shell component has an engagement mechanism suitable for locking engagement with the first alternative shell component. A conversion ring is lockingly engageable with the shell component to adapt the shell component to provide an engagement mechanism suitable for locking engagement with the second alternative shell component. | 11-19-2009 |
20090187251 | MODULAR BONE IMPLANT, TOOLS, AND METHOD - Modular bone implants, means of assembly, and their method of use are presented. | 07-23-2009 |
20090177202 | ORTHOPAEDIC CUTTING INSTRUMENT AND METHOD - An orthopaedic cutting instrument and associated methods are presented. | 07-09-2009 |
20090048603 | HIP STEM CENTRALIZER DATUM GUIDE AND METHOD - A hip stem centralizer datum guide ( | 02-19-2009 |
20090036891 | ORTHOPAEDIC FIXATION CLAMP AND METHOD - An orthopaedic fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system and its method of use are presented. | 02-05-2009 |
20080306485 | INSTRUMENTS FOR KNEE SURGERY AND METHOD UF USE - The present invention comprises a set of instruments and a method for their use in preparing a knee joint to receive knee implants. The inventive instruments and method are generally suitable for knee joint surgery. Furthermore, they include features that make them suitable for performing minimally invasive knee surgery. | 12-11-2008 |
20080255574 | INSTRUMENT FOR INSERTION OF PROSTHETIC COMPONENTS - An instrument configured to receive and retain a prosthetic component to facilitate the implantation of the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the instrument includes an actuator and holder secured to the actuator. The holder may include an elongate body and a head portion having a plurality of resiliently deformable arms sized and shaped to receive the prosthetic component therebetween. Additionally, the holder may be placed within a guide in the actuator along which the holder may be translated. By moving the actuator, the holder may be correspondingly translated and the resiliently deformable arms compressed to restrict translation and rotation of the prosthetic component relative to the holder. | 10-16-2008 |
20080234762 | SELF-TAPPING SCREW WITH RESORBABLE TIP - A fixation device for use in bone, such as a bone screw, includes a first end and a second end. The first portion may be manufactured from a short-term resorbable material, and the second portion may be manufactured from a non-resorbable or long term resorbable material. The first portion may comprise a tip capable of self-tapping a bone. The second portion may include at least one thread formed on the outer surface thereof and a head portion formed to mate with a driver. | 09-25-2008 |
20080234749 | BONE PLATE PROVIDING THREADED LOCKING HEAD SCREW CAPTURE - The present invention relates to orthopedic bone plates, and, more particularly, to orthopedic bone plates having screw receiving apertures formed therein. In one embodiment, the bone plate includes an aperture defined by an interior wall having a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the threaded portion and the non-threaded portion are configured to engage the head of a bone screw. In another exemplary embodiment, the non-threaded portion of the interior wall is cylindrical and the threaded portion of the interior wall is conical. In another exemplary embodiment, both the non-threaded portion and the threaded portion of the interior wall are conical. In each of these embodiments, a bone screw having a threaded head may be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the head of the bone screw is self-tapping. In another exemplary embodiment, the head of the bone screw is conical. | 09-25-2008 |
20080234683 | SINGLE PLANE ANATOMIC REFERENCING TISSUE PREPARATION - A system for preparing a surface of an anatomical structure, such as a bone or cartilage, for example, to receive an orthopaedic implant. The system includes a surgical instrument for preparing the surface and a guide engageable with a follower of the surgical instrument. The guide includes a track or path configured to guide the follower and prepare a desired surface on the anatomical structure. The guide facilitates guidance of the surgical instrument in two dimensions. | 09-25-2008 |
20080234664 | HANDPIECE CALIBRATION DEVICE - A calibration device for a milling instrument. The calibration device may be a burr guard which may be attached to the milling instrument. The calibration device may calibrate the milling instrument to provide a predetermined depth of alteration to an anatomical structure. | 09-25-2008 |
20080221680 | OPTIMIZED ARTICULAR GEOMETRY - Various embodiments of orthopaedic implants which optimize the articular geometries of the implants. An exemplary implant may include a plurality of protrusions which provide an articulating surface and which create paths for fluid movement relative to the implant. | 09-11-2008 |
20080215157 | MODULAR FEMORAL PROVISIONAL - A provisional prosthetic system that replicates the characteristics of a corresponding, nonprovisional femoral prosthesis. The provisional prosthetic system may include a frame component and a shell component. The frame component of the provisional prosthetic system may be configured to be attached directly to a resected femur. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame component is impacted onto the resected femur to firmly seat therewith. Once the frame component is secured to the resected femur, a shell component of the provisional prosthetic system may be positioned on and secured to the frame component. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame component is made from a metallic material. This allows for the frame component to maintain the rigidity necessary to facilitate proper trialing. In another exemplary embodiment, the shell component is a plastic. | 09-04-2008 |