Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090259311 | Tensioned Meniscus Prosthetic Devices and Associated Methods - A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores shock absorption, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device is pre-tensioned to improve the fit of the prosthetic device within the knee joint and, thereby, maximize the contact area of the load-bearing surfaces to distribute loading through the prosthetic device in a manner substantially similar to that of a healthy natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the pre-tensioned prosthetic device is smaller, or scaled-down, relative to the size of a healthy natural meniscus. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259312 | Meniscus Prosthetic Devices with Anti-Migration Features - A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores shock absorption, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device includes an anti-migration feature. The anti-migration feature is a bridge for engagement with a femur notch in some instances. Generally, the anti-migration feature allows the artificial meniscus to be implanted into the patient's knee and maintain its position within the knee without penetrating the adjacent bone. The bridge is reinforced with fibers in some instances. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259313 | MANUFACTURING AND MATERIAL PROCESSING FOR PROSTHETIC DEVICES - Methods of manufacturing prosthetic devices for use as an artificial meniscus are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include injection molding a resilient core material, tensioning reinforcing fibers around the injection molded core, and injection molding an outer layer to embed the reinforcing fibers within the prosthetic device. In some instances the core material is a polycarbonate polyurethane and the reinforcing fibers are made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) having a lower melting temperature than the polyurethane. In one particular embodiment, the core material is Bionate 80A and the reinforcing fibers are made of Dyneema. In other embodiments, methods for manufacturing a reinforced material for use in prosthetic devices is disclosed. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259314 | Meniscus prosthetic device selection and implantation methods - Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed. | 10-15-2009 |
20110054486 | Devices, Methods, and Systems for Prosthetic Meniscus Selection, Trialing, and Implantation - Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. In some instances, the during-implantation selection method includes monitoring loads and/or pressures applied to the prosthetic device and/or the adjacent anatomy. In some instances, the loads and/or pressures are monitored by a trial prosthetic device comprising one or more sensors. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed. | 03-03-2011 |
20110190901 | Acetabular Prosthetic Devices and Associated Methods - Devices, apparatus, and systems for replacing at least some of the functionality of the natural hip joint and associated methods of implantation are disclosed. In one aspect a prosthetic acetabular cup system is provided. The system includes a metal shell comprising an outer surface for securely engaging a prepared portion of an acetabulum and an opposing inner surface. In some instances, portions of the inner and outer surfaces define an anchoring section that is deformable between an insertion configuration—where the anchoring section projects inwardly from the inner surface—and an anchoring configuration—where the anchoring section projects outwardly from the outer surface to define an anchoring protrusion for engaging the prepared portion of the acetabulum. In some embodiments, the system also includes a pliable articulating component having an outer surface including at least one engagement feature sized and shaped to engage with the metal shell. The pliable articulating component includes an inner surface for articulatingly receiving a femoral head. | 08-04-2011 |
20110288643 | Meniscus Prosthetic Device Selection and Implantation Methods - Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed. | 11-24-2011 |
20120004725 | Tensioned Meniscus Prosthetic Devices and Associated Methods - A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores shock absorption, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device is pre-tensioned to improve the fit of the prosthetic device within the knee joint and, thereby, maximize the contact area of the load-bearing surfaces to distribute loading through the prosthetic device in a manner substantially similar to that of a healthy natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the pre-tensioned prosthetic device is smaller, or scaled-down, relative to the size of a healthy natural meniscus. | 01-05-2012 |
20120310347 | Devices, Methods, and Systems for Prosthetic Meniscus Selection, Trialing, and Implantation - Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. In some instances, the during-implantation selection method includes monitoring loads and/or pressures applied to the prosthetic device and/or the adjacent anatomy. In some instances, the loads and/or pressures are monitored by a trial prosthetic device comprising one or more sensors. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed. | 12-06-2012 |
20140249627 | Devices, Methods, and Systems for Prosthetic Meniscus Selection, Trialing, and Implantation - Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. In some instances, the during-implantation selection method includes monitoring loads and/or pressures applied to the prosthetic device and/or the adjacent anatomy. In some instances, the loads and/or pressures are monitored by a trial prosthetic device comprising one or more sensors. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed. | 09-04-2014 |
20140296981 | Tensioned Meniscus Prosthetic Devices and Associated Methods - A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores shock absorption, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device is pre-tensioned to improve the fit of the prosthetic device within the knee joint and, thereby, maximize the contact area of the load-bearing surfaces to distribute loading through the prosthetic device in a manner substantially similar to that of a healthy natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the pre-tensioned prosthetic device is smaller, or scaled-down, relative to the size of a healthy natural meniscus. | 10-02-2014 |