The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Dec. 09, 2025

Filed:

May. 19, 2025
Applicant:

Dynamic Balancer Systems Llc, Belmont, NC (US);

Inventors:

Franz W. Kellar, Gastonia, NC (US);

Harold L. Crowder, Concord, NC (US);

Franz Austen Kellar, Gastonia, NC (US);

Assignee:

DYNAMIC BALANCER SYSTEMS LLC, Belmont, NC (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61B 34/10 (2016.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/11 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); G16H 10/60 (2018.01); G16H 50/70 (2018.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
A61B 34/10 (2016.02); A61B 5/1127 (2013.01); A61B 5/4533 (2013.01); A61B 5/4585 (2013.01); A61B 5/742 (2013.01); A61B 34/25 (2016.02); A61B 90/06 (2016.02); A61B 90/39 (2016.02); G16H 10/60 (2018.01); G16H 50/70 (2018.01); A61B 2034/104 (2016.02); A61B 2034/105 (2016.02); A61B 2034/108 (2016.02); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3916 (2016.02);
Abstract

A method of evaluating a human knee joint includes: inserting a tensioner-balancer; moving the knee joint to one or more positions within its range of motion; using the tensioner-balancer to maintain a predetermined distraction load range or a predetermined distraction height range, and collecting distraction height data and distraction force data of the femur relative to the tibia; deriving ligament displacement data and load data; processing the collected data to produce a digital geometric model of the knee joint, wherein the model includes a ligament force versus displacement characterization curve for each of a plurality of flexion angles; using a software application, evaluating the digital geometric model of the knee in comparison to patient population data; using the software application, selecting a portion of the characterization curve that represents an optimized level of ligament tautness, based on the evaluation; and storing the digital geometric model for further use.


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