Patents by Inventor Nicholas S. Ritchey

Nicholas S. Ritchey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11974787
    Abstract: Variable angle holes in bone plates structured to facilitate the formation of axial compression or tension of a bone, or which can assist in bone distraction. The variable angle hole can extend about a central axis and includes an inwardly extending wedge wall. The variable angle hole can be sized to receive insertion of a fixation element at a location at which a central longitudinal axis of the fixation element is axially offset from the central axis of the variable angle hole by an offset distance at least when the fixation element is initially driven into bone at least in a transverse direction. The wedge wall can be configured to be engaged by a portion of the fixation element in a manner that axially displaces at least one of the bone plate, the fixation element, and/or bone(s) in a direction that can generally reduce or increase the offset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20240115299
    Abstract: A targeting system is disclosed. In use, the targeting system is configured to target (e.g., aim, locate, etc.) a fastener opening in a bone plate, more particularly, a variable angled fastener opening formed in a periphery of a periprosthetic bone plate. In one embodiment, the targeting system includes an alignment guide including a plurality of combo-slots for targeting a plurality of openings formed in the periprosthetic bone plate. In addition, the targeting system includes a plug configured to be positioned within the combo-slots formed in the alignment guide. In use, positioning the plug into the combo-slot formed in the alignment guide transforms the combo-slot into a substantially circular hole or opening with a predefined trajectory aligned with one of the variable angled openings formed in the periphery of the periprosthetic bone plate thereby defining a trajectory from the alignment guide to the variable angled opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Louie, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin, Sandy Todd Strachan, William M. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20240090931
    Abstract: A collinear reduction clamp including a compression rod, an arm, and an advancing mechanism for moving the compression rod relative to the arm. In some examples, the rod may include a cannulated bore to enable a bone screw to be inserted therein. The rod may also include a cap. The cap including a bone screw washer. In use, a bone screw can be inserted through the cannulated bore of the rod, the bone screw passing through the washer thereby coupling the washer to the bone screw thereby enabling both the bone screw and the washer to be inserted into the patient's bone directly at the compression site. In some examples, the cannulated bore may be used in combination with first and second tubes and a guidewire to enable a cannulated bone screw to be inserted therein. In some examples, the arm may be configured as a length adjusting arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Ramprasad Papannagari, Charles R. Bennett, Nicholas S. Ritchey
  • Publication number: 20230142959
    Abstract: A bone plate incorporating a length adjusting elongate hole formed in a shaft portion thereof, along with corresponding methods of use. In one embodiment, the length adjusting elongate hole is configured to receive one or more bone fixation devices (e.g., bone screws). In use, the bone fixation device positioned within the length adjusting elongate hole may be partially loosened, without removal, to enable the patient's bone to be adjusted (e.g., loosening the bone fixation device within the length adjusting elongate hole allows the surgeon to adjust the position of the patient's bone, and hence the bone fixation device coupled thereto, relative to the bone plate). Once properly adjusted, the bone fixation device positioned within the length adjusting elongate hole may be retightened. In various embodiments, the length adjusting elongate hole is configured so that, in use, each of the plurality of bone fixation openings remains available to a surgeon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Adam Zysk, Kohsuke Watanabe, William M. Ricci, Samir Mehta, Nicholas S. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 11642156
    Abstract: An orthopedic instrument for manipulating (e.g., compressing or distracting) one or more patient's bone fragments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the orthopedic instrument includes forceps having first and second arms and first and second handles, respectively. Each arm including a coupling mechanism for selectively engaging removable tips or bell housings. Each tip or bell housing including a first end arranged and configured to mate with a fastener hole or opening formed in a bone plate, a second end arranged and configured to receive a head portion of a bone fastener, and an intermediate portion arranged and configured to couple to the coupling mechanism of the first and second arms. In addition, the orthopedic instrument may include a force sensing mechanism or gauge arranged and configured to measure an amount of force being applied across the bone fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC., SMITH & NEPHEW ORTHOPAEDICS AG, SMITH & NEPHEW ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles R. Bennett, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin
  • Publication number: 20230089488
    Abstract: Variable angle holes in bone plates structured to facilitate the formation of axial compression or tension of a bone, or which can assist in bone distraction. The variable angle hole can extend about a central axis and includes an inwardly extending wedge wall. The variable angle hole can be sized to receive insertion of a fixation element at a location at which a central longitudinal axis of the fixation element is axially offset from the central axis of the variable angle hole by an offset distance at least when the fixation element is initially driven into bone at least in a transverse direction. The wedge wall can be configured to be engaged by a portion of the fixation element in a manner that axially displaces at least one of the bone plate, the fixation element, and/or bone(s) in a direction that can generally reduce or increase the offset distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
  • Patent number: 11534213
    Abstract: Variable angle holes in bone plates that are structured to facilitate the formation of axial compression or tension of a bone, or which can assist in bone distraction. The variable angle hole can extend about a central axis and includes an inwardly extending wedge wall. The variable angle hole can be sized to receive insertion of a fixation element at a location at which a central longitudinal axis of the fixation element is axially offset from the central axis of the variable angle hole by an offset distance at least when the fixation element is initially driven into bone at least in a transverse direction. The wedge wall can be configured to be engaged by a portion of the fixation element in a manner that axially displaces at least one of the bone plate, the fixation element, and/or bone(s) in a direction that can generally reduce or increase the offset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20220395303
    Abstract: Periprosthetic bone fixation plates are disclosed including, for example, periprosthetic proximal femur plate, periprosthetic distal femur plate, periprosthetic humerus plate, periprosthetic ring plate, and periprosthetic troch plate. In use, the periprosthetic bone fixation plates are arranged and configured for use in periprosthetic fractures. That is, the periprosthetic plates include one or more features to facilitate positioning and securement of the bone fixation plate to a patients bone that previously received a surgically implanted orthopedic device or implant such as, for example, an intramedullary nail, a hip prosthesis, a knee prosthesis, etc. In use, the one or more features are designed and configured to facilitate avoidance of the previous surgically implanted orthopedic device or implant. In addition, the periprosthetic bone fixation plates are arranged and configured to facilitate plating of a longer working length as compared to existing bone fixation plates (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Jordan Rakes, Adam Zysk, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett, Kohsuke Watanabe, Paul Tornetta, William Ricci, Reza Firoozabadi, John Tracy Watson, Samir Mehta, Brian McGrory, George Babikian
  • Publication number: 20220233222
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant including an outer surface and at least one opening extending through the outer surface for receiving a fastener for coupling the implant to a patients bone or bone portion/fragment. The opening including a plurality of fins circumferentially disposed about the opening for engaging threads formed on a head portion of the fastener to secure the fastener to the implant. The plurality of fins being arranged and configured in first and second vertically spaced rows of fins. At least one of the fins including a different configuration, property, etc. relative to at least one of the other plurality of fins. In one embodiment, each of the first and second fins in a vertically stacked relationship includes a different configuration from the other of the first and second fins in that stack. In one embodiment, the different configuration includes a different length, a different thickness, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Ramprasad Papannagari, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin, Rick Graber, Joseph Ferrante
  • Publication number: 20220183730
    Abstract: An orthopedic instrument for manipulating (e.g., compressing or distracting) one or more patient's bone fragments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the orthopedic instrument includes forceps having first and second arms and first and second handles, respectively. Each arm including a coupling mechanism for selectively engaging removable tips or bell housings. Each tip or bell housing including a first end arranged and configured to mate with a fastener hole or opening formed in a bone plate, a second end arranged and configured to receive a head portion of a bone fastener, and an intermediate portion arranged and configured to couple to the coupling mechanism of the first and second arms. In addition, the orthopedic instrument may include a force sensing mechanism or gauge arranged and configured to measure an amount of force being applied across the bone fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Charles R. Bennett, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin
  • Publication number: 20210220030
    Abstract: Variable angle holes in bone plates that are structured to facilitate the formation of axial compression or tension of a bone, or which can assist in bone distraction. The variable angle hole can extend about a central axis and includes an inwardly extending wedge wall. The variable angle hole can be sized to receive insertion of a fixation element at a location at which a central longitudinal axis of the fixation element is axially offset from the central axis of the variable angle hole by an offset distance at least when the fixation element is initially driven into bone at least in a transverse direction. The wedge wall can be configured to be engaged by a portion of the fixation element in a manner that axially displaces at least one of the bone plate, the fixation element, and/or bone(s) in a direction that can generally reduce or increase the offset distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10993750
    Abstract: Variable angle holes in bone plates that are structured to facilitate the formation of axial compression or tension of a bone, or which can assist in bone distraction. The variable angle hole can extend about a central axis and includes an inwardly extending wedge wall. The variable angle hole can be sized to receive insertion of a fixation element at a location at which a central longitudinal axis of the fixation element is axially offset from the central axis of the variable angle hole by an offset distance at least when the fixation element is initially driven into bone at least in a transverse direction. The wedge wall can be configured to be engaged by a portion of the fixation element in a manner that axially displaces at least one of the bone plate, the fixation element, and/or bone(s) in a direction that can generally reduce or increase the offset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10869700
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an orthopaedic fixation device includes an inner core and shaft formed of a multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. A sensing element is embedded within the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
  • Publication number: 20190274772
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a caddy configured to receive medical implants coupled to respective holders. The medical implants and holders may be oriented and/or located in the caddy based on one or more of size, shape, and other configuration of the medical implants and holders and the openings in the caddy through which the medical implants are received. Another embodiment of the invention includes a medical implant having an implant body portion and a detachable marking portion that is connected to the implant body portion by a frangible region structured to provide selective separation of the implant body portion from the detachable marking portion upon application of a force or torque to the implant body portion, and the detachable marking portion including one or more markings that correspond to identifying information associated with features or characteristics of the implant body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Ritchey, Kevin W. Belew, Phillip Frederick
  • Publication number: 20190192198
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an orthopaedic fixation device includes an inner core and shaft formed of a multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. A sensing element is embedded within the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
  • Patent number: 10258392
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an orthopaedic fixation device includes an inner core and shaft formed of a multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. A sensing element is embedded within the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
  • Publication number: 20180250043
    Abstract: Variable angle holes in bone plates that are structured to facilitate the formation of axial compression or tension of a bone, or which can assist in bone distraction. The variable angle hole can extend about a central axis and includes an inwardly extending wedge wall. The variable angle hole can be sized to receive insertion of a fixation element at a location at which a central longitudinal axis of the fixation element is axially offset from the central axis of the variable angle hole by an offset distance at least when the fixation element is initially driven into bone at least in a transverse direction. The wedge wall can be configured to be engaged by a portion of the fixation element in a manner that axially displaces at least one of the bone plate, the fixation element, and/or bone(s) in a direction that can generally reduce or increase the offset distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20180055547
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an orthopaedic fixation device includes an inner core and shaft formed of a multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. A sensing element is embedded within the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
  • Patent number: 9855081
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an orthopedic fixation device includes an inner core and shaft formed of a multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. A sensing element is embedded within the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
  • Patent number: 9775649
    Abstract: A system (1010, 1110) for identifying a landmark is disclosed. The system includes a field generator (1016, 1116) for generating a magnetic field, an orthopedic implant (1030, 1130) located within the magnetic field, the implant having at least one landmark (1028, 1128), a removable probe (1029, 1129) with a first magnetic sensor (1026, 1126), a landmark identifier (1016, 1116) with a second magnetic sensor (1020, 1120) and a processor (1012, 1112) for comparing sensor data from the first and second sensor and using the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark. The system allows for blind targeting of one or more landmarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Gene Edward Austin, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin, Sied W. Janna, Charles C. Heotis