IP Library Granted Patent US 12,648,864
Granted Patent B2
US 12,648,864 · App. 18/053,526 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Device for assembling implant systems

Inventors: Kevin Michael Wills (Austin, TX); David Link (Austin, TX); Heather Fewell (Spring, TX); Adam Shallenberg (Austin, TX); Annika Westerberg (Austin, TX); Michael Nyland (Austin, TX); Michael Trolinger (Austin, TX)
Assignee: Encore Medical, L.P.
A61F2/76A61F2/36A61F2/4607A61F2/4637
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,648,864
App. No.
18/053,526
Granted
Jun 9, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An implant assembly device configured to press an inner femoral head into a plastic outer femoral head by means of actuator system. The actuator system embodies a unique pawl system that acts to reduce the occurrence and severity of device jamming due to over compression. The device includes a unique head support apparatus that aligns and orients the inner and outer femoral heads prior to and throughout the assembly process. The device can also include a grip portion integrated onto the body of the device, for holding and stabilizing the device when in use.

Claims (34)

1 . An assembly system, comprising:

a handle;

a rod coupled to the handle, the rod aligned along a longitudinal axis and coupled to the handle;

a body comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the body comprising a base portion, a top portion,

a support portion between the base portion and the top portion, the support portion comprising a grip for a user to hold while moving the handle,

an actuator system coupled to the rod to move the rod along the longitudinal axis and to allow the rod to be at least partially rotated around the longitudinal axis;

an implant support comprising an inner member coupled to the base portion and positioned between the rod and the base portion, the inner member extending from the base portion towards the top portion and aligned with the longitudinal axis;

an inner head support extending from the distal end of the inner member towards the rod and configured to receive an inner head thereon, the inner head support aligned along the longitudinal axis with the rod, and

a stage circumferentially positioned around and slidably coupled to the inner member such that the stage can move along an exterior surface of the inner member.

2 . The assembly system of claim 1 , further comprising a cupola comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the cupola being coupled to the proximal end of the rod such that the cupola is positioned between the rod and the stage.

3 . The assembly system of claim 2 , wherein the cupola comprises a concave distal surface on a portion of the cupola surface that faces the stage for contacting a portion of an exterior surface of an outer head portion positioned on the platform.

4 . The assembly system of claim 2 , wherein the cupola is frustum shaped.

5 . The assembly system of claim 1 , wherein the stage has a proximal end and a distal end, and the stage comprises a platform on the distal end of the stage.

6 . The assembly system of claim 5 , wherein the platform is planar and aligned substantially normal to the longitudinal axis.

7 . The assembly system of claim 5 , wherein the stage comprises an aperture longitudinally positioned in the center of the platform sized such that the inner member sized to fit into the aperture.

8 . The assembly system of claim 7 , wherein the stage includes one or more structures positioned on the interior surface of the aperture and extending into the aperture, the one or more structures configured to provide contact the inner member and provide a friction between the inner member and the stage.

9 . The assembly device of claim 7 , wherein the stage includes a structure that contacts the inner member and provides friction between the stage and the inner member such that the stage can be moved along the inner member and be held in place at a position on the inner member by the friction between the stage and the inner member.

10 . The assembly system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more structures comprises a plurality of structures positioned symmetrically on the interior surface of the aperture.

11 . The assembly system of claim 9 , wherein the stage is movably positionable at different heights on the inner member.

12 . The assembly system of claim 5 , wherein the platform comprises indicia to guide placement of the outer head on the platform.

13 . The assembly system of claim 12 , wherein the indicia includes at least one ring surrounding the aperture.

14 . The assembly system of claim 13 , wherein the indicia includes two or more concentric rings.

15 . The assembly system of claim 1 , wherein the stage comprises a guard positioned circumferentially around the proximal end of the stage.

16 . The assembly system of claim 1 , further comprising a base support coupled to the base and extends laterally on either side of the base portion.

17 . The assembly system of claim 16 , wherein the base support is U-shaped and is coupled to the base portion at the center of the inside of the U-shape such that the base support extends laterally around part of the base portion.

18 . The assembly system of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises one or more cavities for reducing weight of the assembly device.

19 . The assembly system of claim 1 , wherein the rod comprises a knob coupled to the distal end of the rod for rotating the rod around the longitudinal axis.

20 . An assembly system, comprising:

a handle;

a rod coupled to the handle, the rod aligned along a longitudinal axis and coupled to the handle;

a body comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a top portion,

a support portion comprising a grip for a user to hold while moving the handle,

an actuator system coupled to the rod to move the rod along the longitudinal axis and to allow the rod to be at least partially rotated around the longitudinal axis; and

a head support comprising an inner member extending from the head support towards the top portion and configured to receive an inner head thereon, wherein the inner member is aligned with the longitudinal axis.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2024
From: ENCORE MEDICAL, L.P.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 066186/0699 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 7TH INVENTOR'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 061719 FRAME: 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT . Recorded Nov 14, 2022
From: WILLS, KEVIN MICHAEL; LINK, DAVID; FEWELL, HEATHER; SHALLENBERG, ADAM; WESTERBERG, ANNIKA; NYLAND, MICHAEL; TROLINGER, MICHAEL
To: ENCORE MEDICAL, L.P. (D/B/A DJO SURGICAL)
Reel/Frame 061935/0774 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2022
From: WILLS, KEVIN MICHAEL; LINK, DAVID; FEWELL, HEATHER; SHALLENBERG, ADAM; WESTERBERG, ANNIKA; NYLAND, MICHAEL; TROLLINGER, MICHAEL
To: ENCORE MEDICAL, L.P. (D/B/A DJO SURGICAL)
Reel/Frame 061719/0292 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63263921 · Nov 11, 2021
Related Publication 20230144280A1 · May 11, 2023
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