| ZIMMER, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120136455 | PROSTHETIC HIP IMPLANTS - Prosthetic hip stems and acetabular cups for use in prosthetic hip joints. The hip stem may include a core having a stem portion and a neck portion, a polymer matrix layer substantially covering the stem portion of the core, and a porous metal layer substantially covering the polymer matrix layer. The polymer matrix layer connects the core and the porous metal layer and provides a stiffness for the hip stem which more closely mimics the stiffness of bone than do known hip stems. The hip stems and acetabular cups additionally include a number of improvements adapted for more optimized results with certain types of patient anatomy, such as the anatomy of female patients, for example. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120125896 | RESISTANCE WELDING A POROUS METAL LAYER TO A METAL SUBSTRATE - 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. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120123423 | PATIENT-SPECIFIC INSTRUMENTS FOR TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY - Patient-specific instruments for preparing bones, such as a proximal femur and an acetabulum in a total hip arthroplasty, to receive respective orthopedic prostheses. The guides include a femoral resection guide and a bone canal preparation guide, each having a surface conforming to at least one of a metaphysis and a femoral neck of a femur. The femoral resection guide includes a cut referencing surface to guide a cutting instrument, and the bone canal preparation guide includes a guide aperture sized to guide a rasping instrument. An acetabular guide includes a surface conforming to an acetabulum and a guide aperture for guiding a surgical instrument such as a reaming instrument. The patient-specific, conforming surfaces of each of the guides may be designed based on patient-specific anatomical data obtained from the use of imaging technology. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120116407 | APPARATUS FOR KNEE SURGERY AND METHOD OF 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 a minimally invasive knee surgery in which a smaller than normal incision is made and oriented to preserve the quadriceps mechanism and protect the suprapatellar pouch. The instruments permit switching from a minimally invasive technique to a standard open technique at any point in the procedure. An illustrative set of instruments for total knee arthroplasty and an associated minimally invasive technique are described. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120109301 | Modified Polymeric Materials And Methods Of Modifying Polymeric Materials - Methods of forming polymeric articles using plasma treated polymer resins, and orthopedic implants comprising a polymeric article wherein the polymeric article has reactive groups bonded to polymer molecules in an interior region of the polymeric article. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109141 | ONE-WAY BEARING CABLE TENSIONING TOOL - An orthopedic tool having a one-way lock bearing and a one-way actuator bearing for tensioning surgical cables around a bone and a method for using the same. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109135 | COMPOSITE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A surgical instrument and method are provided for guiding a cutting tool to resect an anatomical structure. The surgical instrument includes a guide body formed of a guide body material having a guide body material hardness, and a first bearing and a second bearing formed of a bearing material having a bearing material hardness. The bearing material hardness is greater than the guide body material hardness. The first bearing and the second bearing are secured to the guide body with at least a portion of the first bearing and at least a portion of the second bearing exposed from the guide body. Also, the second bearing is spaced a distance from the first bearing. By arranging the first bearing and the second bearing in this manner, the first bearing and the second bearing provide a discontinuous bearing surface for a cutting tool to contact when moving within the guide body. Additionally, the first bearing and the second bearing are each sized and arranged so that with the cutting tool positioned for guiding by the surgical instrument, the first bearing and the second bearing prevent contact between the cutting tool and the guide body. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107384 | APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN IMPLANT - Implants for repairing tissue defects, such as cartilage tissue defects, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. A mold of a tissue defect is prepared by pressing upon the defect a substrate having shape memory, such as aluminum foil. The mold, which has contours substantially conforming to those of the defect, is removed from the defect, and tissue particles are added to the mold ex vivo. A biological carrier such as biocompatible glue is also added to the mold. The combination of tissue particles and the biological carrier thereby form an implant, which retains its shape after separation from the mold. The implant can be transferred to the tissue defect, with contours of the mold matching corresponding contours of the defect. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101592 | Pyrolytic Carbon Implants With Porous Fixation Component And Methods Of Making The Same - 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. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101585 | MOTION FACILITATING TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate sized and shaped to cover substantially all of a resected proximal tibial surface, and a tibial bearing component sized to leave a posteromedial portion of the tibial baseplate exposed when the tibial bearing component is mounted to the baseplate. The exposed posteromedial portion of the tibial baseplate includes a chamfered profile which cooperates with a correspondingly chamfered profile at a posteromedial edge of the tibial bearing component to create a substantially continuous chamfer extending from the resected tibial surface to the medial articular surface of the tibial bearing component. Advantageously, this chamfer leaves an absence of material (i.e., a relief or void) at the posteromedial edge of the tibial prosthesis, thereby enabling deep flexion of the prosthesis without impingement between the tibial prosthesis and adjacent anatomic tissues or prosthetic structures. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101505 | PATELLAR RESECTION INSTRUMENT WITH VARIABLE DEPTH GUIDE - A patellar resection instrument has an integral depth adjustment assembly that is easily, intuitively, and intra-operatively adjustable between a plurality of discrete positions. Each position corresponds to a particular, known depth of resection, and this depth may optionally be inscribed on the depth adjustment knob for easy visual selection and/or confirmation of the resection depth. The depth adjustment assembly provides positive tactile feedback as the stylus is moved between positions. The unique configuration of the depth adjustment assembly maintains the resection depth stylus in a chosen position throughout the patellar resection procedure, even if the procedure causes vibration or other forces to be transmitted to the patellar resection instrument. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101504 | FLEXIBLE ATTACHMENT FOR AN EXTRAMEDULLARY SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - An extramedullary cut guide alignment assembly allows various adjustments to the cut guide without introducing bending stresses in the rest of the assembly. More particularly, the angular orientation of the cut guide with respect to the tibia may be freely changed during use, while maintaining the angular orientation of the proximal fixation arm of the alignment assembly with respect to the proximal tibial surface to which the arm is affixed. To achieve this decoupling of the angular orientations of the fixation arm and cut guide, the proximal fixation arm is pivotably mounted to the cut guide alignment assembly. Thus, the alignment assembly may be adjusted as necessary to achieve a desired angular orientation of the cut guide mounted thereto, while the pivotable junction between the alignment assembly and the proximal fixation arm automatically adjusts to accommodate the changing angular arrangement. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120095563 | ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT SUBSTITUTING KNEE IMPLANTS - The present disclosure provides knee prostheses that replicate at least a portion of the function of an individual patient's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). An exemplary knee prosthesis includes a femoral component configured to be implanted on the distal end of the patient's femur and a tibial component configured to be implanted on the proximal end of the patient's tibia. In extension, the femoral component and the tibial component may cooperate to limit anterior movement of the tibial component relative to the femoral component. In flexion, the femoral component may be free to rotate relative to the tibial component. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120083893 | KNEE ARTHROPLASTY PROSTHESIS AND METHOD - A knee arthroplasty prosthesis includes a femoral component having multiple pieces with engagement means provided for engaging various pieces of the femoral component to one another following their insertion in the incised area of the femur. A tibial component includes multiple pieces designed for assembly following positioning in the incision. The tibial component includes a Morse taper cavity on one piece of the tibial component and a Morse taper extension on another member of the component for receipt therein. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120078263 | BONE PRESERVING INTRAOPERATIVE DOWNSIZING SYSTEM FOR ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS - An orthopaedic implant system includes a set of provisional orthopaedic implants having different implant sizes. Each provisional implant facilitates an intraoperative selection of the next-smallest implant size without removing the provisional implant from the bone. All of the implant sizes share a common sagittal configuration of distal and anterior bone contacting surfaces, but have variable sagittal configurations only in the posterior bone contacting surfaces. Thus, where a relatively larger femoral provisional component is mounted to a femur, changing to a smaller provisional component (i.e., “downsizing”) can be accomplished by recutting only two of five original femoral cuts. Cut slots provided in each provisional implant are sized and positioned to correspond to the posterior bone contacting surface geometry of the next-smallest provisional implant size, so that the cut slots can be used to further resect posterior femoral surfaces to accept the next-smallest implant component size. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120059383 | INSTRUMENT FOR PLACEMENT AND IMPLANTATION OF A PROSTHETIC COMPONENT - The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument that creates a vacuum seal between a prosthetic component and a surgical instrument to grasp the prosthetic component so that the surgical instrument may be utilized to manipulate the prosthetic component relative to an anatomical structure. The surgical instrument is further designed to be used as an impactor capable of receiving and transferring an impaction force for seating the prosthetic component relative to the anatomical structure without the surgical instrument losing its grasp on the prosthetic component. The surgical instrument of the present disclosure includes a suction device which may be selectively released once the prosthetic component is appropriately positioned and seated relative to the anatomical structure. Such selective release prevents disruption of the positioning of the prosthetic component and facilitates proper placement and implantation of the prosthetic component. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120046752 | Unitary Orthopedic Implant - The present disclosure relates to an orthopedic implant that may be used to repair and/or replace focal defects in an individual's articular cartilage. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a unitary orthopedic implant that includes a bone contacting layer and an articulating layer. In exemplary embodiments, the bone contacting layer may have a thickness of between about 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters. In exemplary embodiments, the articulating layer may have a thickness of between about 1 millimeter and 2 millimeters. As a result, the orthopedic implant may have an overall thickness of between about 2 millimeters and about 5 millimeters. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120035737 | TIBIAL PROSTHESIS - A tibial prosthesis has a bearing component configured for an anterior-medial insertion, which advantageously avoids the extensor mechanism of the knee. A tibial tray may include a banana-shaped boss that corresponds to a notch formed in the bearing component. After the bearing component is inserted along the anterior-medial path, the boss is received within the notch by rotating the bearing component with respect to the tibial tray. This rotation seat the bearing component upon the tibial tray in the manner of a fixed-bearing prosthesis. Alternatively, the boss and notch may define angled central axes which allow straight anterior-medial insertion of the bearing component and locking engagement to the tibial tray. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035735 | TIBIAL PROSTHESIS - A tibial prosthesis, and, particularly, a fixed bearing tibial prosthesis has a two-pronged securement mechanism. The securement mechanism may or may not be angled. Advantageously, the securement mechanism, working alone or in cooperation with other securement features, minimizes micromotion between the tibial tray and tibial bearing component. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120022660 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022659 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022658 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120010720 | SLEEVE FOR MODULAR REVISION HIP STEM - The present disclosure provides a femoral prosthesis for use during a revision procedure. The femoral prosthesis includes a body, a neck, a stem, and a sleeve. The sleeve facilitates reattachment of an osteotomized proximal femur, specifically the greater trochanter, following a revision femoral prosthesis surgery involving an extended trochanteric osteotomy. Additionally, the sleeve promotes ingrowth of the osteotomized proximal femur with the sleeve. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110307060 | IMPLANT SENSORS - Exemplary orthopedic implants are disclosed. The orthopedic implants may include one or more sensors. Exemplary sensors include sensors to monitor bone growth, changes to the implant over time, and proper placement of the implant. The orthopedic implants may include a woven material. Sensor arrangements to detect a state of an item are disclosed. Exemplary states include folded, unfolded, and inflated. Exemplary items include an orthopedic implant and a parachute. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110301655 | BONE FRACTURE FIXATION SYSTEM - A bone fracture fixation system including a bone plate having a contour that substantially matches the contour of an underlying bone. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a jig that can be moved relative to non-parallel cannulas guided by the jig into operative position relative to a bone plate. In one embodiment, the jig includes grooves which do not completely surround the perimeter of the cannulas guided by the jig. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a jig including guides having a position and orientation which is adjustable relative to other ones of the guides. In one embodiment, the jig includes two portions that can articulate with respect to each other. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a wire bender that can bend a wire greater than 180 degrees so that both ends of the wire can be inserted into a fractured bone. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110295382 | PROSTHETIC IMPLANT SUPPORT STRUCTURE - A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of the cavity in the end of the bone is disclosed. The support structure defines a channel that extends through the length of the support structure. The prosthetic implant is received in the channel, and a portion of the prosthetic implant is secured to an inner surface of the channel by an adhesive. The stem of the prosthesis beyond the channel may be cemented or uncemented. The support structure may have an approximately funnel shape. The support structure may be a hollow porous cylindrical sleeve. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining a channel between the pair of components. The support structure may comprise a plurality of pedestals secured to the inner surface of the cavity of the bone. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110288669 | MASS PRODUCTION OF INDIVIDUALIZED MEDICAL DEVICES - A plurality of individual medical devices is created that define a medical device family. Within the family of medical devices, each of the plurality of medical devices has at least one dimension that, within an acceptable tolerance, is substantially equal to the same dimension of another of the plurality of medical devices. Thus, for each medical device in the family, another, corresponding medical device has at least one substantially similar dimension. For example, a first medical device may have a first value for a dimension and a second medical device may have a second value for the same dimension that is equal to one of the sum of the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance or the difference between the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance. Thus, each of the plurality of medical devices varies from another of the plurality of medical devices by the acceptable tolerance. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110288649 | INTRODUCTION INSTRUMENT - An introduction instrument for inserting a liner into an acetabular shell is disclosed. The instrument includes a suction device which may be selectively released once the liner is appropriately situated in the acetabular shell. Such selective release prevents disruption of the positioning of the liner and/or the acetabular shell. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110276088 | Synthetic Polymer Adhesives And Methods For Making, Using And Delivering The Same - A synthetic polymer based adhesive formulation that has properties substantially simulating selected properties of fibrin glue, and methods of making and using the same. The adhesive formulation includes a discrete acid solution and discrete base solution that when combined form a synthetic polymer based adhesive that substantially simulates selected properties of fibrin glue. The discrete acid solution includes a polymer and a cross-linking agent precursor. The discrete base solution includes a polymer and a base. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110264154 | EXPANDABLE ARTHROPLASTY PLATES | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264097 | ACL ACCOMMODATING TIBIAL DESIGN - Surgical methods and tibial implants ( | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110257757 | BI-MATERIAL PROSTHESIS COMPONENT - A prosthesis has prosthetic components principally comprising metallic materials, in which a portion of an articular interface between respective components is a metallic-nonmetallic interface. At least a portion of the articular surface of a femoral head may include a ceramic material defining an articulation zone, such as at a polar region of the femoral head, so that the ceramic articulates with a metallic acetabular liner. The area covered by the ceramic may be engineered to optimize the contact conditions between the femoral head and the acetabular liner, such as by providing two clearances therebetween. A relatively smaller, polar articulation clearance is defined by the gap between the ceramic coating and the metallic acetabular liner. A relatively larger, equatorial non-articulation clearance between the femoral head and the acetabular liner is defined by the gap between the portion of the femoral head not covered by the ceramic coating. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110245839 | LOCKING SCREW DRIVER WITH INCREASED TORSIONAL STRENGTH - An orthopedic tool for implanting a bone screw and a method of manufacturing the same. The orthopedic tool includes a head that is shaped to lock onto the bone screw and that has improved torsional strength. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110233263 | METHOD FOR BONDING A TANTALUM STRUCTURE TO A COBALT-ALLOY SUBSTRATE - A method for bonding a porous tantalum structure to a substrate is provided. The method comprises providing a substrate comprising cobalt or a cobalt-chromium alloy; an interlayer consisting essentially of at least one of hafnium, manganese, niobium, palladium, zirconium, titanium, or alloys or combinations thereof; and a porous tantalum structure. Heat and pressure are applied to the substrate, the interlayer, and the porous tantalum structure to achieve solid-state diffusion between the substrate and the interlayer and between the interlayer and the porous tantalum structure. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110230973 | METHOD FOR BONDING A TANTALUM STRUCTURE TO A COBALT-ALLOY SUBSTRATE - Methods for bonding a porous tantalum structure to a substrate are provided. The method includes placing a compressible or porous interlayer between a porous tantalum structure and a cobalt or cobalt-chromium substrate to form an assembly. The interlayer comprising a metal or metal alloy that has solid state solubility with both the substrate and the porous tantalum structure. Heat and pressure are applied to the assembly to achieve solid state diffusion between the substrate and the interlayer and the between the porous tantalum structure and the interlayer. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110218541 | FEMORAL CUT GUIDE - The present disclosure provides a femoral cut guide for preparing a distal femur to receive a prosthetic femoral component of a knee implant. The prosthetic femoral component includes a central box. The femoral cut guide replicates the size and shape of the prosthetic femoral component, such that the femoral cut guide may serve as a trial or provisional component used to reduce and test the prepared knee joint before implanting the final prosthetic femoral component. The femoral cut guide includes a detachable box cut guide for preparing the distal femur to receive the central box of the prosthetic femoral component. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110213467 | ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANT WITH WOVEN INGROWTH MATERIAL - Methods and apparatuses for attaching soft tissue and bone to orthopaedic implants. The orthopaedic implants are provided with a woven ingrowth material to facilitate attachment of soft tissue and bone thereto. In one embodiment, the woven ingrowth material is formed as a patch or region of woven material attached to the implant. In another embodiment, a sleeve formed of woven ingrowth material encompasses the majority of the implant. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110208256 | TRACKED CARTILAGE REPAIR SYSTEM - A system and method for repairing an area of defective tissue reduces the removal of healthy tissue at the margins of the defect. During excision of diseased or damaged tissue, the system tracks the movement and function of a tissue resection tool within a monitored surgical space. This movement is continuously recorded to create a three-dimensional set of data points representative of the excised volume of tissue. This data set is then communicated to a custom implant forming device which creates a custom implant sized to fit the void created by the excision. The system and method of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to exercise intraoperative control over the specific shape, volume and geometry of the excised area. Moreover, the surgeon may utilize a “freehand” resection method to excise only that tissue deemed to be diseased and/or damaged, because the custom-formed implant will accommodate an irregularly-shaped resection volume. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110196815 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING, INVENTORYING, AND SUPPLYING MEDICAL COMPONENTS - The present invention relates to methods for the manufacturing, inventorying, and supplying of medical components. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes fabricating individual subcomponents of a modular medical device system as finished goods. The finished subcomponents may then be sterilized, stocked, and inventoried and, upon request from a consumer, the individual subcomponents may be supplied to the consumer. For example, the consumer may be a hospital, a surgeon, or a sales representative. Once the individual subcomponents are received by the consumer, the individual subcomponents may then be assembled by the consumer to form a final, implantable medical device. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110196377 | VIRTUAL IMPLANT PLACEMENT IN THE OR - A virtual implant placement method and system comprising models of implants and/or bones linked to tracking assemblies mounted onto the bones. A joint model is constructed intraoperatively based on the positions of the tracking assemblies to determine the positions of cut planes. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110184417 | DISTAL RELIEF FOR A SURGICAL DEVICE - A distal tip wire relief section may be applied to any cannulated instrument or implant requiring the use of a guidewire with an enlarged head, such as a ball tip guidewire used in conjunction with an intramedullary nail. The implant incorporates an enlarged opening at the leading or distal portion of the cannula. The enlarged opening is selectively placed about the periphery of the distal portion to allow opening relief in areas where guidewire removal will be facilitated. Thus, a surgeon can reliably and repeatedly remove the guidewire after implantation of the implant by pulling the enlarged head of the guidewire proximally into and through the cannula. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110166668 | PROSTHETIC HIP IMPLANTS - Prosthetic hip stems for use in prosthetic hip joints and, in particular, provides prosthetic hip stems that are designed to achieve more optimized outcomes with certain types of patient anatomy, such as the anatomy of female patients and/or patients having osteoporosis. Each hip stem in a family or set of hip stems has diaphyseal width, metaphyseal width, offset, and head height dimensions. In a set of hip stems of increasing nominal size, the diaphyseal width dimension increases substantially non-proportionally to the corresponding increase of the metaphyseal width, offset, and head height dimensions, thereby providing a family or set of hip stems that is particularly adapted for patients having osteoporosis, in which the cortical bone of the diaphysis of the femur becomes thinner with progression of the osteoporosis. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110166666 | MODULAR ORTHOPAEDIC COMPONENT CASE - 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. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110153024 | MODULAR ELBOW PROSTHESIS - A modular elbow prosthesis including an ulnar component and a humeral component. The ulnar component includes an ulnar head and an ulnar stem. The humeral component includes a humeral head and a humeral stem. The humeral component also includes a locking system for securing the humeral head onto the humeral stem. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110133371 | ANTIOXIDANT STABILIZED CROSSLINKED ULTRA-HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE FOR MEDICAL DEVICE APPLICATIONS - An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110132974 | METHOD FOR ATTACHING 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. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110112651 | FEMORAL AUGMENTS FOR USE WITH KNEE JOINT PROSTHESIS - A femoral augment, or set of augments, for use with a knee joint prosthesis, where the femoral augment includes a main body portion, an aperture formed within the main body portion and extending in a generally distal/proximal direction, and a pair of legs extending outwardly from said main body portion in a generally posterior direction. In the preferred embodiment, the aperture is configured to receive a stem extension implant, and to allow it to pass through. Additionally, the legs of the femoral augment are preferably configured to be seated proximal of a proximal side of a pair of condylar portions of a femoral component of a knee joint prosthesis. The present invention is intended for situations in which the distal portion of the femur is defective, and it provides a method and devices that allow for preservation of healthy peripheral bone, while still providing the necessary augmentation to the distal portion of the femur. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110106093 | PATIENT-SPECIFIC MILL GUIDE - A patient-specific surgical system, such as a patient-specific milling guide, is provided for preparing a bone to receive an orthopedic prosthesis. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110093083 | DISTAL FEMORAL KNEE PROSTHESES - A set of distal femoral knee prostheses which are designed to be more narrow in medial/lateral dimensions with increasing anterior/posterior size than existing prostheses to more closely correspond to the physical anatomy of female patients. The prostheses are designed to have a substantially trapezoidal shape or profile when viewed distally which features a more pronounced narrowing of the medial/lateral dimensions beginning at the posterior end of the prostheses and progressing anteriorly to the anterior end of the prostheses. Additionally, the prostheses each include a reduced profile patellar sulcus and reduced profile anterior condyles to more closely conform to the anatomy of a resected femur, and also include sulcus tracking optimized to conform to female anatomy. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110087335 | 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 components. The shell component has a shell component engagement mechanism suitable for engaging the first alternative bearing component. A conversion ring is also engageable with the shell component, so that a shell component/conversion ring assembly provides a second shell component engagement mechanism suitable for engagement with the second alternative bearing component. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087225 | ONE-WAY BEARING CABLE TENSIONING TOOL - An orthopedic tool having a one-way lock bearing and a one-way actuator bearing for tensioning surgical cables around a bone and a method for using the same. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110085876 | QUICK RELEASE NUT - A fastener is provided that may be readily threadingly engaged with and/or disengaged from a threaded shaft without the need to threadingly advance the fastener along substantially the entire length of the threaded shaft. In one exemplary embodiment, a quick release nut is provided that includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that are rotatably connected to one another. Each of the upper body portion and the lower body portion include central apertures extending therethrough with the walls defining the central apertures of the upper and lower body portions being at least partially threaded. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110077651 | EXPANDABLE INTRAMEDULLARY ROD - An expandable rod is provided that is sized for insertion into a patient's bone. A method for using the expandable rod to prepare the patient's bone to receive an orthopedic implant is also provided. The expandable rod is adjustable between a first, contracted state and a second, expanded state, the expansion member expanding radially outwardly from the contracted state to the expanded state. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110066252 | PROSTHETIC IMPLANT SUPPORT STRUCTURE - A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of a cavity of a bone is disclosed. The support structure defines a channel that extends through the length of the support structure. The prosthetic implant is received in the channel, and a portion of the prosthetic implant is secured to an inner surface of the support structure by an adhesive. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining the channel between the pair of components. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110028600 | ANTIOXIDANT STABILIZED CROSSLINKED ULTRA-HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE FOR MEDICAL DEVICE APPLICATIONS - An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110015750 | KNEE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A femoral prosthesis may be formed as a femoral component incorporating a base material and an articulating material. In one exemplary embodiment, the base material is a metal and the articulating material is a polymer. Specifically, the base material provides strength and rigidity to the femoral component, while the articulating material contacts a tibial prosthesis or natural tibia during joint articulation. In one exemplary embodiment, the articulating material forms the articulating surface of one or more condyle portions of the femoral component. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110009977 | HIP STEM PROSTHESIS - A hip prosthesis is provided for insertion into a femur. In one exemplary embodiment, the hip prosthesis includes a stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. This stem may include anterior and posterior locking surfaces which diverge away from the longitudinal axis. A shank portion may extend distally from the anterior and posterior locking surfaces and converge at an angle distally toward the longitudinal axis. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110009973 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ATTACHING TISSUE TO ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS - Methods and apparatuses for attaching tissue structures to orthopaedic implants. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal tibial implant. In another exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal femoral implant. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100331990 | GLENOID IMPLANT WITH SYNTHETIC LABRUM - A prosthetic glenoid component for replicating the behavior of a patient's natural glenoid includes a rim that replicates the patient's natural glenoid labrum. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100331981 | SCREW THREAD PLACEMENT IN A POROUS MEDICAL DEVICE - Methods are provided for manufacturing an internal thread in a porous orthopedic implant, such as an orthopedic anchor. In one embodiment, the internal thread is formed in the orthopedic implant by bonding a pre-formed, internally threaded component to the orthopedic implant. In another embodiment, the internal thread is formed in the orthopedic implant by bonding a solid plug to the orthopedic implant or forming a surface coating on the orthopedic implant and then machining the solid plug or surface coating. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100305624 | BONE FIXATION TOOL - A tool and a method are provided for driving a bone pin into a fractured bone to stabilize the fractured bone by maintaining the fractured bone in a reduced state. The tool may be a handheld device including a cartridge having at least one passageway that receives the bone pin. The tool may also include a pneumatically-powered piston having a needle that is sized for receipt within the passageway of the cartridge, the needle applying sufficient force to the bone pin to drive the bone pin out of the cartridge and into the fractured bone. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100297276 | Spacer Mold and Methods Therefor - A hip spacer mold forming a spacer with a spacer stem connected to a spacer head has a stem portion for forming a spacer stem. The hip spacer mold also has a plurality of interchangeable head modules configured for alternatively forming spacer heads of a plurality of different predetermined sizes. The head modules are configured to be disposed adjacent the stem portion. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100292695 | THREADED, FLEXIBLE IMPLANT AND METHOD FOR THREADING A CURVED HOLE - An apparatus and method for threading a curved hole and inserting a threaded, flexible implant into the same. A threaded, flexible implant, which includes a flexible shaft and external thread, is provided to facilitate fixation in a curved, threaded hole. The threaded, flexible implant has a variable thread pitch from the concave to the convex surface thereof, and the curved, threaded hole has corresponding thread pitches. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100249945 | SURFACE MODIFICATION OF ULTRAHIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE - The present invention relates to polymers and, specifically, to surface modification of polymers. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention increases the bond strength of UHMWPE components to PMMA bone cement by creating a chemical bond between the UHMWPE components and the PMMA bone cement. Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a surface of the UHMWPE component that is to be bonded to PMMA bone cement is treated with an oxidizing agent, such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE component is treated with hydrogen peroxide by swabbing the surface of the UHMWPE component with the hydrogen peroxide solution. The surface of the UHMWPE component may then be dried and PMMA bone cement applied to the surface of the UHMWPE component. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100249940 | POSTERIOR-STABILIZED TOTAL KNEE PROSTHESIS - In an orthopaedic knee joint prosthesis, an intercondylar fossa of a femoral component cooperates with a spine formed in a tibial component to reproduce the screw home mechanism of a natural knee. When the femoral component and tibial component are positioned to correspond with slight flexion of the knee, the components are mutually rotationally locked against internal or external rotation. At higher degrees of flexion, such as greater than about 10-20 degrees of flexion, internal/external rotation of the tibia is permitted. The tibia is in an externally rotated position when locked, thereby reproducing the screw home mechanism and providing high stability. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100222893 | PROSTHETIC HIP IMPLANTS - Prosthetic hip stems and acetabular cups for use in prosthetic hip joints. The hip stem may include a core having a stem portion and a neck portion, a polymer matrix layer substantially covering the stem portion of the core, and a porous metal layer substantially covering the polymer matrix layer. The polymer matrix layer connects the core and the porous metal layer and provides a stiffness for the hip stem which more closely mimics the stiffness of bone than do known hip stems. The hip stems and acetabular cups additionally include a number of improvements adapted for more optimized results with certain types of patient anatomy, such as the anatomy of female patients, for example. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222783 | ANTERIOR CORTEX REFERENCING EXTRAMEDULLARY FEMORAL CUT GUIDE - An apparatus and method are provided for aligning an extramedullary femoral cut guide by referencing the anterior cortex of a femur. An anterior cortex referencing extramedullary femoral cut guide is provided to guide an osteotomy device to prepare the femur to receive a prosthesis. An alignment gauge is included in the cut guide to determine proper and improper alignment of the cut guide with respect to the anterior cortex of the femur. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100204800 | MULTI-POLYMER HYDROGELS - The invention provides a multi-polymer hydrogel article having a first polymeric, water-swellable material and a second polymeric material, organized such that a first region substantially comprises the first polymeric, water-swellable material, a second region adjacent the first region comprises a mixture of the first polymeric, water-swellable material and the second polymeric material, and a third region adjacent the second region substantially comprises the second polymeric material. The article exhibits an increasing concentration gradient of the second polymeric material moving from the first region, through the second region, to the third region. The invention also provides methods for forming a multi-polymer hydrogel article by (a) forming a hydrogel structure using a first polymeric, water-swellable material, (b) creating an aerogel structure having a plurality of open pores by dehydrating the hydrogel structure, (c) contacting the aerogel structure with a second polymeric material to incorporate the second polymeric material into at least a portion of the plurality of open pores to form the multi-polymer hydrogel article, and (d) rehydrating the multi-polymer hydrogel article. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100198351 | METHOD FOR SELECTING MODULAR IMPLANT COMPONENTS - 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. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100191342 | TOTAL KNEE IMPLANT - A knee prosthesis is provided for use in knee arthroplasty. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a tibial prosthesis having a tibial baseplate with a fixed medial bearing component and a mobile lateral bearing component. In one exemplary embodiment, the lateral bearing component is secured to the lateral portion of the tibial baseplate utilizing at least one prosthetic ligament. Additionally, in one exemplary embodiment, a stop is provided to limit anterior or posterior movement of the lateral bearing component relative to the tibial baseplate. For example, the stop may be defined by cooperating shoulders formed on the lateral bearing and the tibial baseplate. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100191341 | LATERAL CONDYLE POSTERIOR INFLECTION FOR TOTAL KNEE IMPLANT - A prosthetic knee includes a femoral component and a tibial component that cooperate to promote joint stability in deep flexion of the knee. An articulating surface of the femoral component transitions from a convex curvature to a concave curvature at a femoral inflection point. An articulating surface of the tibial component transitions from a concave curvature to a convex curvature at a tibial inflection point. The femoral and tibial inflection points cooperate during flexion of the knee so that the concave curvature of the femoral component mates with the convex curvature of the tibial component. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100191298 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE EXTRAMEDULLARY LOCATION OF THE MECHANICAL AXIS OF A FEMUR - A surgical instrument and method determine the orientation of the mechanical axis of a femur. The instrument may include a rod with a first end of the rod rotatably secured at a first point on the surface of distal femur that corresponds to center of the knee joint so that the first end is coincident with the mechanical axis. The connection between the first end of the rod and the distal end of the femur defines a first point of rotation. The second end of the rod is slideably received within a sleeve that is rotatably connected to a support positioned distally away from the distal end of the femur. The connection between the sleeve and the support defines a second point of rotation. When the distance between the first and second points of rotation is minimized, a line drawn therebetween is coincident with the mechanical axis of the femur. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100185296 | MODULAR ORTHOPAEDIC COMPONENT CASE - 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. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100174287 | INSTRUMENTED LINKAGE SYSTEM - An instrumented linkage system ( | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100161073 | MOSAICPLASTY CONSTRUCTS - Various embodiments of mosaicplasty constructs and methods for implanting the constructs into anatomical structures. The mosaicplasty constructs may be formed from artificial materials and may include a hard articulating portion and a relatively softer elastic, support portion. The mosaicplasty constructs may include bone ingrowth materials to facilitate ingrowth of bone and other tissues into the construct. The mosaicplasty constructs may also be at least partially formed of hydrogel materials. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100151114 | IN-LINE TREATMENT OF YARN PRIOR TO CREATING A FABRIC - A woven orthopedic implant for cartilage replacement having layered functionality and a method of forming the same. The woven orthopedic implant may include bottom layer of fibers that promotes anchoring to bone, and intermediate layer of fibers that promotes soft tissue attachment, and a top layer of fibers that promotes lubrication. The method may involve treating the surfaces of fibers before weaving the fibers together. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100145452 | PROSTHETIC IMPLANT SUPPORT STRUCTURE - A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of a cavity of a bone is disclosed. The support structure defines a channel that extends through the length of the support structure. The prosthetic implant is received in the channel, and a portion of the prosthetic implant is secured to an inner surface of the support structure by an adhesive. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining the channel between the pair of components. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100140124 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MEDICAL DEVICES - In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a container system having an outer shell defining a cavity that is configured to receive a first medical device component therein. A support tray is sized for receipt within the outer shell of the container system and is supported above the first medical device component. In one exemplary embodiment, the support tray defines a second cavity that may receive a second medical device component. In addition, a retention tray may be positioned within the cavity of the support tray and supported above the second medical device component. The retention tray facilitates the retention of the support tray within the outer shell and also facilitates the retention of the first and second medical device components in their desired positions within the container system. Additionally, positioned to extend across an opening in the outer shell is a cover. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100137923 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE ORTHOPAEDIC DELIVERY DEVICES AND TOOLS - A tool for working in a cavity to which access is limited is disclosed. The tool has an elongated sheath with a bore and an open end that is positionable within the cavity. A filamentary element is slidably positioned within the bore of the sheath. A portion of the filamentary element is extendible outwardly from the sheath through the open end and into the cavity. The filamentary element may be biased into a curved or helical shape, and may be a loop or may have an awl, a cutting blade, a scoop, hook, balloon or other piece attached to its end. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100125339 | TRANSIENTLY MOBILE TIBIAL ENGAGEMENT - The present invention relates to a tibial prosthesis having an articulating component and a tray component. The articulating component is configured for attachment to the tray component. Additionally, the articulating component may be attached to the tray component in a first condition in which the articulating component is at least rotatable relative to the tray component. This allows for the tray component to be attached to the tibia in a position that provides for proper rotation of the tray component with respect to the tibia and/or prevents the tray component from overhanging the resected tibia. Then, the articulating component may be rotated and/or translated to a position that provides for proper alignment of the articulating component with a femoral prosthesis. Once in this positioned, a locking mechanism is used to rotationally fix the articulating component to the tray component. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100094300 | APPARATUS FOR KNEE SURGERY AND METHOD OF 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 a minimally invasive knee surgery in which a smaller than normal incision is made and oriented to preserve the quadriceps mechanism and protect the suprapatellar pouch. The instruments permit switching from a minimally invasive technique to a standard open technique at any point in the procedure. An illustrative set of instruments for total knee arthroplasty and an associated minimally invasive technique are described. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100094292 | MODULAR INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL - An intramedullary nail having at least a first segment and a second segment. An exterior surface of the first segment includes a plurality of open spaces therein to permit bone growth into the intramedullary nail. Such bone ingrowth may enhance the fixation between the intramedullary nail and the bone. The first and second segments are detachably secured to one another to accommodate a prosthetic implant. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100076567 | MODULAR FEMORAL COMPONENTS FOR KNEE ARTHROPLASTY - A femoral knee prosthesis system for resurfacing a resected articular surface at the distal end of a femur includes a femoral component adapted to mate with the resected articular surface; and an attachment member. The interior surface of the femoral component is configured to connect to the first attachment member when the femoral component is mated on the resected articular surface of the femur and when the first attachment member is passed through the medial side or the lateral side of the resected articular surface. The femoral component is available in one-piece and two-piece systems. Mating femoral components (e.g., tapered or with lips that interlock with grooves) are also disclosed. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100076441 | PATELLO-FEMORAL MILLING SYSTEM - An orthopedic system prepares a surface of an anatomical structure to receive an orthopedic prosthesis. A method for using the same is also disclosed. The orthopedic system includes a surgical instrument and a guide. The guide includes an anterior portion and a distal portion that is at least partially elevated relative to the anterior portion. The distal portion includes at least one track that is sized to receive the surgical instrument while preparing the surface of the anatomical structure. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100057090 | TRANS-CUT SLOT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM - An adjustable cut guide and a method of using the adjustable cut guide are disclosed herein. The adjustable cut guide has a guide surface disposed between an actuation mechanism and a base of the adjustable cut guide. The adjustable cut guide also has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the guide surface and the base. The actuation mechanism may comprise an adjustment member having an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the adjustment member traverses the guide surface. The adjustment member may include a drive end for mating with, and actuating, the adjustment mechanism when the adjustment member is in the engaged position. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057086 | ANODIZED LOCKING PLATE COMPONENTS - An orthopedic assembly including a plate and a locking screw that interlocks with the plate to secure the plate to a bone while the bone heals. To minimize galling or cold welding within an engagement region of the orthopedic assembly, an anodized coating, such as a Type II anodized coating, may be applied to both engaging surfaces of the engagement region. To avoid having to mask portions of the plate and the locking screw outside of the engagement region during the coating process, the anodized coating may be applied to the entire plate and the entire locking screw. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100051141 | METHOD FOR ENHANCING FRETTING FATIGUE RESISTANCE OF ALLOYS - A method for increasing the fretting fatigue resistance of an alloy by prehardened a surface of the alloy followed by laser shock peening the prehardened surface. In one exemplary embodiment, an orthopedic prosthesis is formed from a titanium alloy and subjected to surface nitriding followed by laser shock peening. By nitriding the titanium alloy, the hardness of the alloy's surface is increased. Then, by subjecting the nitrided surface of the alloy to laser shock peening, the fretting fatigue of the nitrided surface may be increased by more than 100%. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100029858 | ANTIOXIDANT STABILIZED CROSSLINKED ULTRA-HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE FOR MEDICAL DEVICE APPLICATIONS - An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100022678 | REDUCTION OF FREE RADICALS IN CROSSLINKED POLYETHYLENE BY INFRARED HEATING - UHMWPE is exposed to crosslinking radiation and than heated utilizing infrared radiation in an inert environment. In one exemplary embodiment, the infrared radiation is provided by an infrared heater having a tungsten heating element with a quartz tube. In this embodiment, the infrared radiation may have the wavelength from about 1.0 micron to about 1.5 microns. In another exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE is compression molded into bars prior to exposure to the crosslinking radiation. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100022677 | REDUCTION OF FREE RADICALS IN CROSSLINKED POLYETHYLENE BY INFRARED HEATING - UHMWPE is exposed to crosslinking radiation and than heated utilizing infrared radiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the infrared radiation is provided by an infrared heater having a tungsten heating element with a quartz tube. In this embodiment, the infrared radiation may have the wavelength from about 1.0 micron to about 1.5 microns. In another exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE is compression molded into bars prior to exposure to the crosslinking radiation. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100016987 | THERMALLY TREATED CERAMIC COATING FOR IMPLANTS - A prosthetic implant having a thermally treated ceramic coating and a method of producing a coated prosthetic implant. The ceramic coating is deposited onto the prosthetic implant such as by a plasma spray coating process. The prosthetic implant is thermally treated in a low oxygen environment to increase the hardness and wear-resistance of the ceramic coating for improved articulation of the prosthetic implant. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20090312841 | BONE VOID FILLER - A plug for filling a bone void, such as a void left behind after implant removal, and a method for using the same. The plug is strong and durable enough to increase the strength of the void and the bone surrounding the void upon insertion. The plug's porous, open-cell construction may increase the strength of the void and the bone surrounding the void by permitting bone growth into the plug. The plug may be provided with a channel configured to receive a bone growth promoting material, a medication, or another material. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090312760 | BONE FRACTURE FIXATION SYSTEM - A bone fracture fixation system including a bone plate having a contour that substantially matches the contour of an underlying bone. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a jig that can be moved relative to non-parallel cannulas guided by the jig into operative position relative to a bone plate. In one embodiment, the jig includes grooves which do not completely surround the perimeter of the cannulas guided by the jig. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a jig including guides having a position and orientation which is adjustable relative to other ones of the guides. In one embodiment, the jig includes two portions that can articulate with respect to each other. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a wire bender that can bend a wire greater than 180 degrees so that both ends of the wire can be inserted into a fractured bone. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090308562 | ELECTRICAL SERVO DRIVEN ROLLOVER MELT FURNACE - An apparatus and method for melting metal and casting molds. The apparatus includes a rollover melt furnace having a crucible and a mold. The apparatus also includes an electrical servomotor that drives rotation of the crucible about an axis of rotation. This rotation of the crucible causes molten metal to flow from a pour opening in the crucible into a fill opening in the mold. The apparatus may further include a controller to carry out a pouring process in compliance with a pour profile and a melting process in compliance with a melt profile. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090299375 | CATHETER NAIL TARGETING GUIDE - An instrumentation or targeting guide for use with an orthopedic device, such as an intramedullary nail, for example. The guide includes a guide body having a handle portion and a barrel portion. An intramedullary nail is fixedly securable to the barrel portion via a locking bolt. The barrel portion includes at least one canal configured to receive a catheter, the canal aligned with a corresponding canal in the intramedullary nail. In use, a catheter may be inserted over a guide wire and through both the canal in the barrel portion of the guide body and through the corresponding canal in the intramedullary nail prior to insertion of the intramedullary nail into the intramedullary canal of a long bone. In this manner, the placement of the catheter for delivery of medications within in the intramedullary canal of the long bone is facilitated. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090299228 | IMPLANT SENSORS - Exemplary orthopedic implants are disclosed. The orthopedic implants may include one or more sensors. Exemplary sensors include sensors to monitor bone growth, changes to the implant over time, and proper placement of the implant. The orthopedic implants may include a woven material. Sensor arrangements to detect a state of an item are disclosed. Exemplary states include folded, unfolded, and inflated. Exemplary items include an orthopedic implant and a parachute. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090287215 | CABLE BUTTON - The present disclosure includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including cable button threads, a plurality of cable button apertures, a hex socket, and a hex opening. The present disclosure also includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including a plurality of legs, where a leg includes a protrusion, where the protrusion engages the bone plate, and the cable button defines at least one cable button aperture. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090281583 | 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 distal tail. In another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a wing or extension portion. In yet another embodiment, a set of femoral trochlea prostheses includes a plurality of prostheses having differing thicknesses. In still another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a porous medium on various portions of the prosthesis. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090270996 | MODULAR ORTHOPAEDIC COMPONENTS - 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. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090265009 | CEMENT SHROUD FOR USE WITH CEMENTED PROSTHETIC IMPLANT - A shroud for protecting exterior portions of a prosthetic implant from adhesive and a method for utilizing the same. The shroud includes a hub, a rim, and at least one bridge connecting the hub and the rim. The rim of the shroud may be sized to cover substantially the same area as a guard of the implant. The method of utilizing the shroud involves securing the shroud to the prosthetic implant. A quantity of adhesive is provided, and the prosthetic implant is secured thereto. The shroud is removed from the implant, and then the guard is secured to the implant. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090264937 | BONE SCREW FOR PROVIDING DYNAMIC TENSION - A bone screw including a head portion, an intermediate portion, and a threaded portion. The intermediate portion further includes a wave-type spring formed therein. In one exemplary embodiment, the wave-type spring is formed to have a lattice structure. In one exemplary embodiment, the wave-type spring of the intermediate portion is formed by laser cutting. By providing a wave-type spring in the intermediate portion of the bone screw of the present invention, the bone screw provides dynamic tension to maintain a bone plate or other orthopedic device in its desired position substantially adjacent a bone. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090222007 | MODULAR STEM EXTENSION - The modular stem component may include a shaft portion, a head, and a sleeve. The shaft portion is configured for receipt within the intramedullary canal of a bone and the head is configured to receive another component of a modular prosthetic system, such as a femoral neck, thereon. In one exemplary embodiment, the head extends radially around at least a portion of the stem and includes a rib defining a flange extending therefrom. The sleeve, which is formed as an independent part of the modular stem component and is made at least partially of a highly porous biomaterial, includes opposing ends and has a bore extending therethrough. The bore is configured to facilitate sliding receipt of the sleeve on the head. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090198286 | BONE FRACTURE FIXATION SYSTEM - A bone fracture fixation system comprising a metallic bone plate having a first composition comprising titanium or a titanium alloy and an opening for receiving a metallic fastener that has a second composition comprising titanium, a titanium alloy, or a stainless steel, and is sized to be received in the opening, and a cold-sprayed metallic coating either within the opening or on the metallic fastener is provided. The cold-sprayed metallic coating comprises a biocompatible metallic material having a third composition different than the first and second compositions. When the metallic fastener is inserted into the opening to stabilize a bone fracture, the cold-sprayed metallic coating may substantially prevent bonding or one or more types of corrosion between the metallic fastener and the metallic bone plate. In another embodiment, the cold-sprayed metallic coating comprises at least one of a cobalt-chrome alloy, gold, a gold alloy, silver or a silver alloy. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090192610 | ORTHOPEDIC COMPONENT OF LOW STIFFNESS - An orthopedic component having multiple layers that are selected to provide an overall modulus that is substantially lower than the modulus of known orthopedic components to more closely approximate the modulus of the bone into which the orthopedic component is implanted. In one exemplary embodiment, the orthopedic component is an acetabular shell. For example, the acetabular shell may include an outer layer configured for securement to the natural acetabulum of a patient and an inner layer configured to receive an acetabular liner. The head of a femoral prosthesis articulates against the acetabular liner to replicate the function of a natural hip joint. Alternatively, the inner layer of the acetabular shell may act as an integral acetabular liner against which the head of the femoral prosthesis articulates. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192609 | IMPLANT DEVICE FOR USE IN AN IMPLANT SYSTEM - An implant device | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090187256 | METHOD FOR FORMING AN INTEGRAL POROUS REGION IN A CAST IMPLANT - Methods for forming an integral porous region in an orthopedic implant are provided. The method uses an orthopedic implant pattern, together with a porous framework having a plurality of reticulated interstices in a molding technique. After filling the mold with a molten metal such that the molten metal enters at least a portion of the reticulated interstices, followed by cooling, an orthopedic implant is formed. The porous framework is then removed to expose an integral porous region of reticulated porosity in the implant. The orthopedic implant may comprise a monolithic metallic body having an integral porous metal region. Reticulated porosity extends into the monolithic metallic body and is adapted to allow living tissue growth therein. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090175919 | CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HYDROGELS FOR USE AS ARTICULATING SURFACES - The present invention provides a hydrogel composition comprising at least one polymer with functional groups including alcohol groups, acid groups, and amide groups and where the ratio of the functional alcohol groups to functional acid groups in the hydrogel composition ranges from about 16:1 to about 3:2. The present invention also provides a method of repairing an articulating surface in a body using the inventive composition. The inventive hydrogel composition is created by blending two or more polymers to achieve the desired ratio of functional groups, reacting at least one polymer with a reagent that results in the formation of alcohol, acid, and/or amide functional groups of the desired ratio, and/or polymerizing at least one monomer to achieve the desired ratio of functional groups. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090171398 | PROVISIONAL BONE PLATE - A provisional bone plate formed of an implantable plastic and having a length corresponding to the longest bone plate in a particular family of bone plates. The provisional bone plate includes a head contoured to match the head of a particular bone as well as a shaft for placement adjacent the bone shaft. The provisional bone plate includes a plurality of circumferential notches surrounding the elongate body or shaft of the bone plate. The circumferential notches are substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the bone plate and define frangible portions of the bone plate which can be removed from the distal end thereof to alter the length of the provisional periarticular bone plate to correspond to the length of the various bone plates in a family of bone plates. The provisional bone plate is constructed of a biologically suitable plastic, is radiographic, and melts at a temperature less than 200° Fahrenheit. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090138019 | USE OF MICRO AND MINIATURE POSITION SENSING DEVICES FOR USE IN TKA AND THA - A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090131590 | REACTIVE COMPOUNDING OF HYDROGELS - This invention provides methods to form modified hydrogel materials using reactive compounding. The method includes mixing a hydrogel material with a plasticizer in a compounding apparatus. During mixing, a reactive chemical compound is added to the mixture that reacts with the hydrogel material to form a modified hydrogel material. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090125115 | KNEE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A femoral prosthesis may be formed as a femoral component incorporating a base material and an articulating material. In one exemplary embodiment, the base material is a metal and the articulating material is a polymer. Specifically, the base material provides strength and rigidity to the femoral component, while the articulating material contacts a tibial prosthesis or natural tibia during joint articulation. In one exemplary embodiment, the articulating material forms the articulating surface of one or more condyle portions of the femoral component. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090112315 | MEDICAL IMPLANTS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE AGENTS - Medical implants, such as orthopedic implants of the type used in partial or total joint replacement procedures, for example. The implants include a porous substrate, and a bearing portion of a polymeric material, for example, which is at least partially molded within the porous substrate. The bearing portion includes a bearing surface that is exposed to an articulating component of another medical implant, and the porous metal substrate contacts the bone for osseointegration of the bone tissue into the porous substrate to anchor the implant. The porous substrate may include biodegradable carrier materials, in the form of one or more layers, that carry biologically active agents such as antibiotics and bone growth factors, for example. The layers of biodegradable carrier materials may be tailored such that, after implantation of the implants, the biologically active agents are released sequentially and/or over time into the surrounding tissue to reduce the chances of infection and/or to promote osseointegration of the implant, for example. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090112213 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE ALIGNMENT OF A CUT GUIDE - A method and apparatus for remote alignment of a cut guide. The cut guide may be positioned on a base which is remote from a surgical site and positioned on a docking station. An alignment jig is removably positioned on a bone and is used to provide alignment information to the docking station. The docking station remotely aligns the cut guide relative to the base. Thereafter, the cut guide and base are removed from the docking station and positioned on the bone in place of the alignment jig. A surgical procedure using the cut guide may then be completed. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090112209 | IMPLANTATION SYSTEM FOR INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL AND RELATED METHODS FOR IMPLANTING INTRAMEDULLARY NAILS - An intramedullary implantation system includes a nail with a head having a first locking element. A targeting guide includes a tubular body and a bore with first and second open ends. A locking device includes a shaft with a distal end having a non-threaded second locking element such that the locking device has a first angular orientation relative to the tubular body in which the first and second locking elements are engaged to secure the nail to the targeting guide. The locking device has a second angular orientation relative to the tubular body in which the first locking element is disengaged from the second locking element. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090098310 | METHOD FOR BONDING A TANTALUM STRUCTURE TO A COBALT-ALLOY SUBSTRATE - A method for bonding a porous tantalum structure to a substrate is provided. The method comprises providing a substrate comprising cobalt or a cobalt-chromium alloy; an interlayer consisting essentially of at least one of hafnium, manganese, niobium, palladium, zirconium, titanium, or alloys or combinations thereof; and a porous tantalum structure. Heat and pressure are applied to the substrate, the interlayer, and the porous tantalum structure to achieve solid-state diffusion between the substrate and the interlayer and between the interlayer and the porous tantalum structure. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090088866 | METHOD FOR MAKING A METAL-BACKED ACETABULAR IMPLANT - A metal-backed acetabular implant and a method of forming the same. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090076655 | ROBOTIC CALIBRATION METHOD - A robot is characterized by an external measurement device. The robot generates a first point cloud of data. The external measurement device generates a second point cloud of data. These two points clouds are analyzed to determine an accuracy of the robot. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090076507 | FEMORAL HEAD CENTER LOCATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A femoral head center locating mechanism and method for using same. The femoral head center locating mechanism may include a frame and a plurality of lasers which emit laser beams which intersect to identify a reference point relative to a center of a femoral head. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090062408 | HYDROGELS WITH GRADIENT - The present invention provides a hydrogel article having a multi-layered structure and exhibiting a gradient in polymer molecular weight. The invention also provides a method of forming a hydrogel article having a multi-layered structure and exhibiting a gradient in polymer molecular weight. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090053673 | METHOD FOR LOCALIZED TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL TISSUE - A method for localized treatment using a microneedle array to controllably administer a dose of a bone anabolic drug localized at a dental implant site. The bone anabolic drug enhances alveolar bone growth at the dental implant site. Examples of drugs that may be used include, but are not limited to, bone anabolic drugs (e.g., bone morphogenetic proteins, fibroblast growth factor 2, statins parathyroid hormone), and/or drugs that target cell signalling pathways involved in the regulation of the osteoblastic lineage and function. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring the dental implant site for periodontal tissue generation sufficient to support a dental implant. When sufficient tissue is generated, the dental implant is surgically inserted in the dental implant site. Additional doses of the bone anabolic drug may be delivered prior to detecting tissue generation. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090048597 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A CONTOUR OF AN ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE AND SELECTING AN ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANT TO REPLICATE THE ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE - A computer assisted surgery (CAS) system and method for preparing an anatomical structure to receive an orthopaedic implant. The method generally involves the steps of determining a contour of the anatomical structure by using the CAS system to acquire a plurality of points on the anatomical structure and provide a best fit approximation of the anatomical structure based on the plurality of points, selecting an implant to replicate the anatomical structure, and preparing the anatomical structure to receive the implant. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090043398 | METHOD OF PRODUCING GRADIENT ARTICLES BY CENTRIFUGATION MOLDING OR CASTING - The present invention provides a method for producing articles with a gradient of density, porosity and/or concentration by subjecting a viscous material to centrifugation during production of the article. The viscous material may be a composite material comprising a hydrogel. The viscous material can be molded or cast into the article. In certain embodiments, the viscous material is used to create an articulating surface implant such as a replacement plug, a knee spacer, or a spinal disc. The article may also be an implant such as a shoulder implant or other socket type implant that is produced by centrifuging in two axes which produces a gradient relative to both axes of rotation. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090043344 | METHODS FOR REPAIRING DEFECTS IN BONE - A method for repairing defects in bones that may be used to remove a surface defect from the articulating surface of a bone. In one embodiment, a passage is formed in the bone and extending to an articulating surface of the bone, resulting in the removal of bone stock from the bone. By aligning the passage to intersect with the defect in the bone, the creation of the passage itself results in the removal of the defect from the articulating surface of the bone. A biocompatible material may then be inserted through the passage to replace the removed bone stock and may be formed to substantially replicate the shape of the articulating surface of the bone. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090036995 | JOINT SPACE INTERPOSITIONAL PROSTHETIC DEVICE WITH INTERNAL BEARING SURFACES - Joint space interpositional prosthetic devices for positioning between surfaces of a joint in a patient are disclosed. The prosthetic device may have exterior surfaces affixed to the joint surfaces and may have internal surfaces which provide bearing surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the bearing surfaces are encapsulated within the device. The exterior surfaces of the device may include bone securement features to facilitate attachment of the prosthetic device to the joint surfaces. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090035344 | MULTI-POLYMER HYDROGELS - The invention provides a multi-polymer hydrogel article having a first polymeric, water-swellable material and a second polymeric material, organized such that a first region substantially comprises the first polymeric, water-swellable material, a second region adjacent the first region comprises a mixture of the first polymeric, water-swellable material and the second polymeric material, and a third region adjacent the second region substantially comprises the second polymeric material. The article exhibits an increasing concentration gradient of the second polymeric material moving from the first region, through the second region, to the third region. The invention also provides methods for forming a multi-polymer hydrogel article by (a) forming a hydrogel structure using a first polymeric, water-swellable material, (b) creating an aerogel structure having a plurality of open pores by dehydrating the hydrogel structure, (c) contacting the aerogel structure with a second polymeric material to incorporate the second polymeric material into at least a portion of the plurality of open pores to form the multi-polymer hydrogel article, and (d) rehydrating the multi-polymer hydrogel article. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090018544 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOFT TISSUE BALANCING - A soft tissue balancer in the form of a tensioner, a controller, and software for operating the controller and, correspondingly, the tensioner. The tensioner may be configured for receipt between the femur and the tibia and includes a pair of condylar components having individual, extendable support platforms. The support platforms may be raised or lowered to contact the femoral condyles and distraction the tibia and femur for ligament tensioning and soft tissue balancing. Once the support platforms contact the femoral condyles, range of motion testing of the knee joint may be performed and the various heights achieved and/or forces experienced by the support platforms recorded. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090012629 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TISSUE REPAIR - Implants for repairing tissue defects, such as cartilage tissue defects, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. A mold of a tissue defect is prepared by pressing upon the defect a substrate having shape memory, such as aluminum foil. The mold, which has contours substantially conforming to those of the defect, is removed from the defect, and tissue particles are added to the mold ex vivo. A biological carrier such as biocompatible glue is also added to the mold. The combination of tissue particles and the biological carrier thereby form an implant, which retains its shape after separation from the mold. The implant can be transferred to the tissue defect, with contours of the mold matching corresponding contours of the defect. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20080319137 | ANTIOXIDANT STABILIZED CROSSLINKED ULTRA-HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE FOR MEDICAL DEVICE APPLICATIONS - An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317812 | SPACER WITH A COATING THEREON FOR USE WITH AN IMPLANT DEVICE - The present invention relates to a spacer, such as a polymeric spacer, for use with an implant device, e.g., a bone plate, for splinting a fracture of a bone. The spacer includes a body defining a bone healing surface, wherein at least a portion of the bone healing surface has a coating which includes a therapeutic agent, a polymeric carrier, and a buffer medium to stimulate bone growth and/or promote fracture healing. A kit is also disclosed which includes one or more of the spacers, at least one bone plate, and optionally one or more bone screws for securing he bone plate to bone. A method for promoting fracture healing in bone is further disclosed which includes securely situating a coated portion of the spacer adjacent bone. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080312749 | SINGLE ENTRY PORTAL IMPLANT - A modular prosthesis that may be implanted in a highly minimally invasive manner. Specifically, the modular prosthesis may include a neck and an anchor. Both the neck and the anchor are configured to be inserted and connected together through a lateral aspect of a long bone adjacent to the proximal end of the long bone. In one exemplary embodiment, the neck includes a body having a head end, configured for attachment to another prosthetic component, such as a corresponding articulating component, and an aperture extending therethrough. The anchor may be sized for receipt within the aperture formed in the neck. Additionally, the anchor may be configured such that the anchor engages the walls forming the aperture in the neck to secure the components together. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080312748 | PROCESS FOR FORMING A CERAMIC LAYER - A process for forming a ceramic layer comprising a compound of a metal on a deposition surface of a workpiece comprises providing a reactive gas, selecting the amounts of a vapor of the metal and ions of the metal relative to each other, generating the metal vapor, and projecting an ion beam of the metal ions. The metal vapor, the metal ions, and the reactive gas form the ceramic layer with a desired structure. The process may include the step of controlling a deposition surface temperature. In one embodiment, the metal vapor comprises zirconium vapor and the ion beam comprises zirconium ions. The relative amounts of the zirconium vapor and the zirconium ions are selected to form a zirconia ceramic layer on the deposition surface. The zirconia may have multiple crystal phases that are formed according to a predetermined ratio. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080306484 | APPARATUS FOR KNEE SURGERY AND METHOD OF 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 a minimally invasive knee surgery in which a smaller than normal incision is made and oriented to preserve the quadriceps mechanism and protect the suprapatellar pouch. The instruments permit switching from a minimally invasive technique to a standard open technique at any point in the procedure. An illustrative set of instruments for total knee arthroplasty and an associated minimally invasive technique are described. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080287949 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING A BONE SCREW TO AN INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL - An intramedullary nail configured for use in a bone, the nail including at least one bore configured to receive a bone screw. The bore includes at least one member configured to engage the threads of the screw to prevent axial motion of the screw within the bore after application. The member may be integrally formed in the bore or may be a separate member added to the bore. The member may have a variety of cross sectional shapes, such as a rectangular shape, circular shape or a triangular shape. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080281428 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ATTACHING SOFT TISSUE TO ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS - Methods and apparatuses for attaching soft tissue and/or bone to orthopaedic implants. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal tibial implant. In another exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal femoral implant. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080281331 | TARGETING DEVICE - A targeting device used in the insertion of an intramedullary nail into a bone. The targeting device includes a guide barrel having a frame portion formed of a non-radiolucent material. The guide barrel also includes a radiolucent material molded over the frame. In addition, the frame includes openings configured to allow a surgeon to view a relatively greater area around the guide barrel in an image of the assembly during surgery. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080275457 | ORTHOPEDIC TOOL FOR ALTERING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ORTHOPEDIC COMPONENTS - An orthopedic tool for loosening the connection between orthopedic components. In one embodiment, the orthopedic tool includes a housing and a wedge. The housing has a head, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an opening between the upper and lower portions. The wedge is positioned at least partially between the upper portion and the lower portion of the housing and is actuatable to move toward the head of the housing. When at least a portion of the head of the housing is placed in mating engagement with the junction between two assembled orthopedic components, advancement of the wedge towards the head results in separation of the upper portion and lower portion of the housing. Thus, as the wedge is advanced toward the head, the upper and lower portions of the housing are separated, which results in corresponding separation of the assembled orthopedic components. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080269765 | INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING A PROSTHETIC COMPONENT - A surgical instrument including an inserter having a body and a head. The head is dimensioned for receipt within a cavity formed by a final junction surface, for example a female tapered surface, of a prosthetic component. In one exemplary embodiment, a portion of the head has a scratch hardness that is less than the scratch hardness of the prosthetic component, i.e., is formed from a softer material. This allows for the cover of the head to be received within the cavity formed by the final junction surface of the prosthetic component without substantially scratching or damaging the final junction surface. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080269744 | NAIL CAP CANNULA - A nail cap cannula for directing a nail cap useable with an intramedullary nail system including an intramedullary nail and a targeting guide. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080255573 | SURGICAL LASER TRAJECTORY INSTRUMENT - A system for illuminating patient anatomy to locate a site for an incision. | 10-16-2008 |
