Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.

Hemex, Inc.

Jerome J Klawitter

Monti R Gourley

Joseph P Ritz

William F Ogilvie

Robert B More

Evgeny G Podnos

Ashley Degrood

Harry W Cromie

Steve Vander Meulen

A humeral head resurfacing implant () that has a modulus of elasticity close to that of human cortical bone as a result of its design from an integral substrate of isotropic graphite covered completely with a reinforcing layer of dense isotropic pyrolytic carbon. A carefully engineered cruciform stem () extends from the axial center of a flat distal circular surface () of a spherical cap portion () of the implant head located within the confines of a surrounding skirt portion ().

Humeral head resurfacing implant

A hemi-arthroplasty implant () joint replacement for the base of the first metacarpal of the CMC joint is created which can effectively restore and reestablish functional joint mechanics. The implant () has a unique head section () creating a particular interrelation between a spherical head articular surface (), that is received in a surgically prepared cavity in the trapezium, wherein a supporting neck () in a re-entrant region joins the head to a flat, generally oblong collar ().

Thumb metacarpal implant

A prosthetic implant comprising a head having a spherical pyrocarbon shell () that is attached to a metal substructure () via an intermediate element (). A subassembly of the intermediate element and the pyrocarbon shell may be connected to the metal substructure via a metal split ring () that resides partially in each of two facing grooves () or via interengaging elements () that are provided in two juxtaposed cylindrical surfaces. The design is such that compressive forces applied to the implant at its spherical articulating surface are transferred via compression through the pyrocarbon shell to the metal substructure.

Shoulder joint implant

An orthopedic prosthetic implant comprises a metal alloy stem element (), which has one end portion () constructed to reside in the medullary cavity of a bone and an integral connector () at the opposite end to which crystalline brittle head (), preferably made of pyrocarbon-coated graphite, is joined. The head interfaces with human bone, and its effective joinder to the stem element is achieved through a polymeric insert () of proportional shape and design which has selected elastic properties. The design and material of the polymeric insert allow it to be securely received within an interior cavity () of the pyrocarbon-coated graphite head and mated to the stem connector in an either rigidly or bi-polar arrangement. The method of joinder allows the construction of composite implants that utilize the most desirable properties of metallic and brittle crystalline materials.

Prosthetic implant and assembly method

Metacarpal-phalangeal joint replacement

A joint prosthesis for replacement of the metacarpal-phalangeal (MP) joint of a human finger which includes a metacarpal element with a stem for reception into the medullary cavity of the metacarpal bone and a generally ball-shaped articular head and a phalangeal element with a stem for reception into the medullary cavity of the proximal phalangeal bone and a generally socket-shaped head which conforms to the ball-shaped head. The metacarpal element's articular head has reliefs located on each of its two lateral sides so as to provide a generally free path for the collateral ligaments. The phalangeal element's articular head has a dorsal protrusion, that resists subluxation-dislocation of the phalangeal bone, and grooves in its concave surface which allow biological fluids access to the inner regions of the articulation contact surfaces.

A joint prosthesis designed to replace the carpometacarpal joint of the human thumb. A first element which replaces the articular portion of the first metacarpal mates with a second element which replaces the articular portion of the trapezium. Articulation of the said first and second elements is provided by abutting toroidal mating surfaces which are complementary sections of the surfaces of identical toruses having center hole diameters equal to the diameters of the tubes. Contact of the mating surfaces is only along a pair of curved lines in perpendicular planes providing open spaces for lubrication of the joint by biological fluids.

Implant device to replace the carpometacarpal joint of the human thumb

Suture rings are provided for heart valves having surrounding stiffening protrusions that are either integral parts of the heart valve bodies or are rigid rings held in interference fit within peripheral grooves of heart valve bodies. Metal retainer rings engage the stiffening protrusions to lock the retainer rings to the valve bodies and carry fabric coverings on their exterior surfaces that are suturable to the heart tissues. Deformable portions of the retainer rings are used to provide engagement between the retainer rings and the protrusions and also to permanently position bands that secure the fabric coverings to the retainer rings.

Suture rings for heart valves

Heart valve prostheses have annular valve bodies with central passageways and valve members supported for pivotal and translational movement between open and closed positions. The occluders, which may be either of a bileaflet or single occluder design, are supported within the bodies by pairs of ears extending from opposite locations to interengage with corresponding arcuate depressions to guide the occluders between their closed positions where they seat against upstream protuberances of the valve bodies and their open position where they are positioned between the upstream protuberances and downstream protuberances.

Heart valve having ear guided occluders

A heart valve having a pair of leaflets which are guided between their open and closed positions by guides extending outward and received in dog-leg shaped depressions. The depressions each have a downstream section, which angles outward from a centerline plane of the valve body and a connected vertical upstream section. In the closed position the guides reside in intermediate locations to unload the force between the guides and the depression walls.

Heart valve with dog-leg pivot

Heart valves having valve members which are guided between their open and closed positions by projections extending inward from the annular body and interengaging with complementary notches in the peripheries of the occluders. Protuberances associated with the projections cooperate to define the pivotal axes, serve as open and closed position stops, and retain the valve members within the valve body.

Heart valves having edge-guided occluders

Double-leaflet heart valves having an annular valve body and a pair of leaflets which may be arcuate or flat in cross section. Guides protrude oppositely from the leaflets and are received in complementary depressions in the interior wall surface of the annular valve body at generally diametrically opposite locations. The depressions are preferably elongated so that, as the leaflets pivot between the open and closed positions, the guides move from one end of the elongated depressions to the other. Eccentric pivot axes provide for quick response of the leaflets, and small rounded knobs are received in the depressions which assure the alignment is maintained.

Heart valve prosthesis

Double-leaflet heart valves having improved flow through the orifice defined by an annular valve body include a pair of leaflets which may be arcuate or flat in cross section. Guides protrude oppositely from the leaflets and are received in complementary depressions in the interior wall surface of a pair of standards which extend downstream from the annular valve body at generally diametrically opposite locations. The depressions are preferably elongated so that, as the leaflets pivot between the open and closed positions, the guides move from one end of the elongated depressions to the other. Eccentric pivot axes provide for quick response of the leaflets, and the location of the depressions in the standards moves the leaflets out of the annular valve body, reducing resistance to the free flow of blood therethrough.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Jerome J Klawitter