James Edward Burrows

US Patent:

8105386, Jan 31, 2012

Filed:

Feb 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/771887

Inventors:

Aaron A. Hofmann - Salt Lake City UT, US
James William Burrows - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Zimmer, Inc. - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61F 2/38

US Classification:

623 2029

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a rotating/non-rotating tibia base plate/insert system. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a tibia base plate, an insert adapted to be positioned above the base plate, and at least one removable pin that, when installed, engages at least a portion of the insert and the base plate to thereby prevent relative rotation between the insert and the base plate. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a prosthetic knee assembly comprised of a tibia base plate, a tibia insert and a removable pin, the assembly being adapted to be configured in a first state such that the tibia insert may rotate relative to the base plate or in a second state such that said tibia insert cannot rotate relative to said base plate, making at least one incision adjacent a patient's knee, installing the prosthetic knee assembly in the patient, wherein the removable pin is removed such that the assembly is in the first state wherein the tibia insert may rotate relative to the tibia base plate, and closing the incision.