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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2012
Filed:
Jun. 19, 2007
Kai Zhang, Warsaw, IN (US);
Daniel Buehler, Warsaw, IN (US);
Hallie E. Brinkerhuff, Winona Lake, IN (US);
Michael E. Hawkins, Columbia City, IN (US);
Ralf Klabunde, Winterthur, CH;
Kai Zhang, Warsaw, IN (US);
Daniel Buehler, Warsaw, IN (US);
Hallie E. Brinkerhuff, Winona Lake, IN (US);
Michael E. Hawkins, Columbia City, IN (US);
Ralf Klabunde, Winterthur, CH;
Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a spacer, such as a polymeric spacer, for use with an implant device, e.g., a bone plate, for splinting a fracture of a bone. The spacer includes a body defining a bone healing surface, wherein at least a portion of the bone healing surface has a coating which includes a therapeutic agent, a polymeric carrier, and a buffer medium to stimulate bone growth and/or promote fracture healing. A kit is also disclosed which includes one or more of the spacers, at least one bone plate, and optionally one or more bone screws for securing the bone plate to bone. A method for promoting fracture healing in bone is further disclosed which includes securely situating a coated portion of the spacer adjacent bone.