Zimmer Gmbh

Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

Depuy

Ethicon, Gmbh

University of Missouri

Depuy Products, Inc.

Jerry L Lower

Antony J Lozier

Trent E Cozad

E Marlowe Goble

Pamela Lynn Plouhar

Allan F Tencer

Thomas C May

Michael D Dunn

Roy Werner Sanders

David W Overaker

Ron D Clark

Raymond E Olsen

Donald Martin Sturgeon

Prasanna Malaviya

Herbert Eugene Schwartz

James L Cook

Brian H Thomas

Mark Pelo

Duane Gillard

Philip Joseph Jenks

Terrence David Whalen

Anne Hover

Charles W Hoppe

James Mason

Kimberly Mimnaugh

Tom Poandl

Neil Cowley

Eric Manojlovic

Ann Hover

Jenna Ross

John Balestrieri

A surgical rotary cutting tool and guard assembly is provided in which the cutting tool has a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end with an end effector at the distal end. The shaft includes at least one bearing mounted thereto intermediate the proximal and distal ends, the bearing having an inside dimension and the shaft having an outside dimension that provide for an interference fit between the bearing and the shaft. A tubular sleeve that serves as a guard houses the shaft, the sleeve having an inside dimension sized to slidably support the bearing.

Surgical rotary cutting tool and tool guard assembly

Methods and devices are provided for regenerating a meniscus. The devices comprise a layer of toughened naturally occurring extracellular matrix. The devices may, optionally, further comprise a biologic material to provide a framework for meniscus regeneration. The methods comprise the steps of removing a portion of a meniscus to provide a space, and inserting a device comprising a layer of toughened naturally occurring extracellular matrix into the space.

Meniscus regeneration device

A prosthetic elbow for replacing an elbow of a dog or a human to restore normal, pain-free joint function. The elbow includes a humeral component for attachment to a humerus and a radioulnar component for attachment to an ulna. The humeral component includes a generally cylindric spool having a contoured external surface defining a first articular surface. The radioulnar component has a generally U-shaped contour with an inner peripheral surface defining a second articular surface sized and shaped for engagement with the first articular surface. Positional guides provide for implantation at precise locations.

Elbow arthroplasty system

An intramedullary nail has a dynamization opening that accommodates and utilizes a dynamization window insert. The dynamization window insert is press-fit into the dynamization opening. The dynamization window insert is oval shaped and includes first and second protrusions that extend from respective surfaces of the dynamization window insert. The dynamization opening is sized to receive the dynamization window insert but compress the protrusions/window insert during insertion. The dynamization opening includes channels or grooves that are sized to accommodate the protrusions and allow the protrusions/window insert to return to an uncompressed state when situated therein. The dynamization opening and window insert cooperate to allow a press fit of the window insert into the dynamization opening with an elastic snap-fit and audible sound.

Intramedullary nail with snap-in window insert

A method of reconstructing a joint having two bones separated by cartilaginous material is provided. The method comprises the steps of removing a portion of the cartilaginous material to create a defect site, positioning an anatomically shaped reconstructive structure comprising multiple layers of submucosa and having a thickness of about 1 to about 12 millimeters adjacent to the defect site, and securing the reconstructive structure to the defect site. The method can further comprise the steps of positioning a barrier layer between the bleeding bone and the reconstructive structure, securing the barrier layer to the bleeding bone, and securing the reconstructive structure to the barrier layer.

Method of reconstructing a joint

A bone support structure is formed with opposing dynamization windows, and spacers of a bioresorbable material are positioned within the dynamization windows. The dynamization windows are longer than they are wide. The spacers may be integrally formed as a single insert. The bone support assembly is used with a bone fastener such as a bone screw which is advanced transversely through both the insert and the bone. The bone fastener is smaller across than the dynamization windows, so each spacer spaces the bone fastener relative to its dynamization window. As the spacers resorb, stress (at least in one direction) is increasingly transmitted through the fracture site rather than through the bone support structure. The positioning of the bone fastener, the shape and size of the dynamization windows and spacers, and the material of the spacers all allow design control over the type and amount of dynamization seen at the fracture site. Also, because the bone fastener is smaller across than the dynamization windows and spacers, a larger error in placement of the bone fastener is permissible. The insert can be selected by the surgeon and placed into the bone support structure based upon desired treatment modalities.

Non-metal inserts for bone support assembly

A pin ( ) is provided for securing a replacement ligament ( ) inside a tunnel ( ) of a receptor bone ( ). A threaded section ( ) of the pin ( ) engages and anchors the pin ( ) in the receptor bone ( ). A first taper ( ) opposite the threaded section ( ) is configured to enter a drilled hole ( ) which is transverse to the tunnel ( ), capture a looped replacement ligament ( ), and extend into the medial side ( ) of the receptor bone ( ). A second taper ( ) urges the replacement ligament ( ) against the wall ( ) of the tunnel ( ) and provides resistance when the second taper ( ) contacts the medial side ( ) of the bone ( ), thus signaling that the pin ( ) has been inserted to the proper depth. The body ( ) of the pin ( ) secures the looped replacement ligament ( ) in the tunnel ( ) and holds the replacement ligament ( ) in contact with the wall ( ) of the tunnel ( ) to insure ingrowth.

ACL fixation pin

An intramedullary nail structure is formed with opposing dynamization windows, and spacers of a bioresorable material are positioned within the dynamization windows. The dynamization windows are longer than they are wide. The spacers may be integrally formed as a single insert. Tale nail is used with a bone fastener such as a bone screw which is advanced transversely through the bone and into the spacer, preferably in a bicortical attachment with the bone. The bone fastener is smaller across than the dynamization windows, so each spacer spaces the bone fastener relative to its dynamization window. As the spacers resorb, stress (at least in one direction) is increasingly transmitted through the fracture site rather than through the intramedullary nail. The positioning of the bone fastener, the shape and size of the dynamization windows and spacers, and the material of the spacers all allow design control over the type and amount of dynamization seen at the fracture site. Also, because the bone fastener is smallel across than the dynamization windows and spacers, a larger error in placement of the bone fastener is permissible.

Non-metal spacers for intramedullary nail

A pin (,) and method for use are provided for securing a replacement ligament (,) inside a tunnel (,) of a receptor bone (,). A threaded section (,) of the pin (,) engages and anchors the pin (,) in the receptor bone (,). A first taper (,) opposite the threaded section (,) is configured to enter a drilled hole (,) which is transverse to the tunnel (,), capture a looped replacement ligament (,), and extend into the medial side (,) of the receptor bone (,). A second taper (,) urges the replacement ligament (,) against the wall (,) of the tunnel (,) and provides resistance when the second taper (,) contacts the medial side (,) of the bone (,), thus signaling that the pin (,) has been inserted to the proper depth. The body (,) of the pin (,) secures the looped replacement ligament (,) in the tunnel (,) and holds the replacement ligament (,) in contact with the wall (,) of the tunnel (,) to insure ingrowth.

ACL fixation pin and method

A reconstructive structure for a cartilaginous element having a plurality of superimposed layers of intestinal submucosa tissue compressed and secured together and shaped to provide a reconstructive structure having the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be reconstructed is described. The method of forming the reconstructive structure includes superimposing the planar layers of the intestinal submucosa tissue, securing the layers to form a multi-layered structure and cutting the resulting multi-layered structure to the desired shape.

Tissue graft construct for replacement of cartilaginous structures

A reconstructive structure for a cartilaginous element having a plurality of superimposed layers of a small intestine submucosa compressed and secured together and shaped to provide the multilayered reconstructive element of the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be constructed. The method of forming the reconstructive structure includes superimposing the planar layers of the small intestine compressing, securing and cutting to the desired shape. The superimposing is performed so as to maintain the layers substantially planar prior to compressing and securing. The method of reconstructing a cartilaginous element includes removing at least a portion, if not substantially all of the cartilaginous element, but leaving a seed portion, sculpturing the reconstructive structure to the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be reconstructed; positioning the receptive element adjacent to the seed portion and securing it thereto. To reconstruct a joint having two bones separated by a cartilaginous material, the method includes removing any remaining portions of the cartilaginous material down to a bleeding bone site and positioning and securing the reconstructive element to the bleeding bone site. A barrier layer may be provided between the bleeding bone site and the reconstruction element. Also, a defect site without a bleeding bone site may be created and used with a reconstructive element.

Multi-layered SIS tissue graft construct for replacement of

A reconstructive structure for a cartilaginous element having a plurality of superimposed layers of a small intestine submucosa compressed and secured together and shaped to provide the multi-layered reconstructive element of the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be constructed. The method of forming the reconstructive structure includes superimposing the planar layers of the small intestine compressing, securing and cutting to the desired shape. The superimposing is performed so as to maintain the layers substantially planar prior to compressing and securing. The method of reconstructing a cartilaginous element includes removing at least a portion, if not substantially all of the cartilaginous element, but leaving a seed portion, sculpturing the reconstructive structure to the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be reconstructed; positioning the receptive element adjacent to the seed portion and securing it thereto. To reconstruct a joint having two bones separated by a cartilaginous material, the method includes removing any remaining portions of the cartilaginous material down to a bleeding bone site and positioning and securing the reconstructive element to the bleeding bone site. A barrier layer may be provided between the bleeding bone site and the reconstruction element. Also, a defect site without a bleeding bone site may be created and used with a reconstructive element.

Method of making reconstructive SIS structure for cartilaginous elements

A preassembled disposable driver and suture anchor are provided for threaded engagement into a bone to provide an attachment point for soft tissue. The anchor is formed to have an externally threaded body portion for engaging the bone, a distal end portion, and a proximal end portion. When the anchor is threaded into an opening in a bone, the distal end portion is adjacent a bottom of the opening and the proximal end portion is adjacent a mouth of the opening. A suture is attached to said anchor having free ends extending outwardly from the bone opening. The driver is elongated and has a distal end which engages the proximal end of the anchor and a proximal end for gripping by the surgeon. The driver also has a slot for receiving the suture which extends away from the anchor. The distal end portion of the driver is radially enlarged relative to the body portion of the anchor to engage the bone surrounding the mouth of the opening to limit the internal advancement of the driver such that further rotation and threading of the anchor into the bone by the driver will separate the anchor from the driver.

Soft tissue anchor and method

A bone drill guide having at least a first arm slidable within a bore of the body of the drill guide and a ratchet mechanism for locking the first arm and the first bore. The ratchet mechanism includes teeth on the first arm and a pawl biased along a first axis and having a continuous engagement edge for engaging the teeth of the first arm for any angular orientation of the pawl about the first axis. The continuous engagement edge is a curve in a plane transverse to the first axis for providing a substantially renewable point contact with the teeth. The recess includes side walls tapered towards the engagement edge to allow a narrow contact at the engagement edge and re-enforce face walls to absorb the axial forces of the guide.

Ratcheting tibial and femoral guide

A method is provided for installing a femoral bone plug in a femoral tunnel formed in a femur. The method includes the steps of inserting the femoral bone plug into the femoral tunnel, and installing a transverse pin through the femur generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the femoral tunnel and intersecting the femoral tunnel. The transverse pin engages the femoral bone plug to force the femoral bone plug against a wall of the femoral tunnel to secure the femoral bone plug inside the femoral tunnel and to promote healing and bonding of the femoral bone plug to the femur.

Growing community of inventors

Bourbon, IN, United States of America

Jerry L Lower