EF Precision Group Receives Patent for Orthopedic Mallet

The EF Precision Group, a medical device contract manufacturer, received patent number USD649,246 from the U.S. Patent Office for the assembly of an orthopedic mallet currently being used by hospitals and orthopedic clinics in the treatment of bone and joint care.The patent covers the assembly of the medical device, which is designed to better withstand impact during orthopedic procedures.

Hospitals such as Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia, Pa., and affiliated orthopedic practices have ordered the device to replace inventories of traditional mallets that were breaking upon impact, posing the threat of potential injuries to physicians and operating room staff, according to a press release from Willow Grove, Pa.-based firm.

“We got a call from an internationally renowned teaching hospital requesting our engineering opinion on what appeared to be defective orthopedic mallets that were breaking in the operating room,” said Bud Tyler, vice president of the EF Precision Group. “With our background in aerospace and medical device manufacturing, we were able to quickly recognize the weakness of the existing devices and engineer a superior product that would maintain its integrity under demanding conditions. They wanted a solution almost overnight, from design to assembly.”

Tyler said the product was delivered in less than 60 days.

Weighing two pounds, the mallet is made with a stainless steel head and aluminum handle, replacing a set screw design used in other mallets. EF Precision’s patented design uses a different way to assemble the head and handle together, eliminating the shock and vibration that could lead to mallet head breakage. After presenting several prototypes and having excellent results, hospitals and affiliated private practice groups expressed interest in the redesigned device.

Company leadership expects sales to increase based on the reported effectiveness of the device in the treatment of bone and joint disorder and injuries.

“Given the early response we have received from physicians and hospital purchasing departments, we believe our orthopedic mallet will gain traction as more surgeons become familiar with the product’s performance,” said Tyler.