Zimmer Gmbh

Bristol-myers Squibb

Bristol-myers Squibb Compnay

Zimmer Technology, Inc.

The West Company

Kirt L Case

Stephen H Hoag

Kwan-Ho Chan

Michael E Hawkins

Clarence M Panchison

Dirk Pletcher

Oludele O Popoola

Alicia Rufner

Archie Newsome

Randy Schlemmer

Scott B Miller

Christopher A Finn

Brion R Mimnaugh

Jeffrey B Boggs

Juan Vivanco

Zhibin Fang

Robby Kissling

Gregory C Stalcup

Mark Alan Bryant

John Knight

John A Bonitati

Cary R Reeves

Rebecca Gibbs

Todd A Dawson

Don Yakimicki

Steve Hoag

Archie W Newsome

Dirk L Pletcher

Randy L Schlemmer

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.

Method of manufacturing an acetabular component

Orthopedic component of low stiffness

A metal-backed acetabular implant and a method of forming the same.

Method for making a metal-backed acetabular implant

A method and apparatus for mixing bone cement which produces bone cement essentially free of entrained air. The apparatus includes a cartridge having two telescoping cylinders. The outer cylinder receives a cap thereon which hermetically seals the cartridge. The cap includes an outlet port in which a break-away agitator is installed and a port for connection of a vacuum pump. In use, a desired vacuum pressure is drawn on the cartridge and the inner cylinder is allowed to be drawn into the outer cylinder while the vacuum is being drawn, whereupon the inner cylinder automatically stops moving relative to the outer cylinder when the desired vacuum pressure is reached. Mixing of the bone cement is then performed under the partial vacuum thereby created. The agitator paddles provide a scraping action against both inner cylinder walls of the telescoping cylinders thereby improving mixing. After mixing, the agitator is broken away, an appropriate nozzle is attached to the cartridge and the cartridge is inserted into a cement gun. The leading portion of the bone cement develops a convex profile when axially advanced through the cartridge and the piston plug includes a tapered protrusion which generally corresponds to the profile of the bone cement. The cap and paddles are also shaped correspondingly to the convex profile developed by the bone cement, resulting in substantially all of the bone cement being squeezed from the cartridge. An air escape passage is also provided to vent air contained within an annular gap between the agitator shaft and the cap upon initial being essentially free from entrained air.

Apparatus and method for mixing and dispensing bone cement

A paste injector gun, especially adapted for injecting bone cement, has first and second mechanical advantages. In a first embodiment, the first and second mechanical advantages are produced by two fulcrums engageable during different portions of the trigger stroke. In a second embodiment, the first and second mechanical advantages are produced by a fixed fulcrum and a rotatable fulcrum. The first mechanical advantage is greater than the second such that the first facilitates pressurizing the bone cement and the second facilitates high volume dispensing of the bone cement. The injector gun also includes a pair of U-shaped slots. One of the slots is sized to accept a large cement cartridge and the other slot is sized to accept a small cement cartridge. An alternative embodiment provides a hinged cartridge retaining gate for closing the U-shaped slots for positive retention of the cartridge.

Bone cement injector gun

A paste injector gun, especially adapted for injecting bone cement, has first and second mechanical advantages corresponding to different portions of the trigger stroke. The first mechanical advantage is greater than the second such that the first facilitates pressurizing the bone cement and the second facilitates high volume dispensing of the bone cement. The injector gun also includes a pair of U-shaped slots. One of the slots is sized to accept a large cement cartridge and the other slot is sized to accept a small cement cartridge.

A preassembled collection of disposable mixing apparatus and constituent components needed for the vacuum mixing and preparation of bone cement and packaged as a single disposable kit is disclosed. The kit includes a contoured storage tray, ampules of liquid cement monomer, packets of powder cement copolymer, a small portable vacuum pump, connecting tubing with a vacuum indicator, a mixing cartridge, a cartridge cap and agitator, an assortment of connectable cement nozzles, and a funnel attachment. The kit can be packaged as a single unit for convenient and efficient use in the sterile environment of an operating room. The disposable telescoping mixing cartridge of the kit employs a telescoping mixing cartridge with a vacuum release mechanism.

Bone cement preparation kit

The mixing apparatus and method of this invention combines centrifugation and vacuum mixing to provide a device for the centrifugation of cement under a partial vacuum for the reduction of porosity within bone cement. The results of centrifugation under a vacuum are an improvement over the results achieved in standard centrifugation or standard vacuum mixing techniques. The device includes a receptacle which is spun rapidly about an axis under a partial vacuum. Creating a partial vacuum within the receptacle causes the air bubbles trapped within the cement to grow in size. The centrifugation causes the larger air bubbles to migrate through the cement toward the axis of rotation. Centrifugation works especially well under a partial vacuum due to the increased size of the air bubbles, in that larger bubbles migrate easier and quicker than smaller bubbles. Under centrifugation, the smaller air bubbles are compressed to such a degree that they become insignificant within the cement.

Device for minimizing porosity in bone cement utilizing centrifugation

The monomer transfer device of this invention includes a syringe adapted to receive an ampule and adapted for connection to a vacuum source such that with the ampule open within the syringe body, the monomer is vacuumed out of the ampule and into the mixing container. Alternative embodiments accept an unbroken ampule and include an offset designed to break the ampule at its predetermined break point to permit the contents of the ampule to be vacuumed from the ampule and transferred to the mixing container. A small mesh filter or screen may be included to any of the ampule before it reaches the mixing container. Once the ampule is inserted into the syringe, an end cap is connected to close the syringe and maintain any fumes within the syringe. In the alternative embodiments, the end cap acts to force the ampule against the offset so as to cause the ampule to break.

Monomer transfer device

Mixing apparatus

In a syringe assembly comprising an outer barrel for a powder medicament, an inner barrel telescopically mounted in the outer barrel for diluent, seal means isolating the powder and diluent compartments comprising a plug member made of a resilient material sealingly engaging in the discharge opening of the inner barrel, plunger means mounted on the discharge end of the inner barrel including a hollow plug chamber closed at one end remote from the discharge end of the inner barrel by a wall having a plurality of discharge openings therein, said plug adapted upon pressure buildup in the inner barrel to be displaced axially outwardly into said plug chamber to permit flow of diluent from the inner barrel to the powder compartment.

Syringe assembly

Growing community of inventors

Warsaw, IN, United States of America

Kirt L Case