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).
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Patent number: 11974787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
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Publication number: 20240115299Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. LimitedInventors: Stephen Louie, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin, Sandy Todd Strachan, William M. Ricci
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Publication number: 20240090931Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. LimitedInventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Ramprasad Papannagari, Charles R. Bennett, Nicholas S. Ritchey
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Publication number: 20230142959Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. LimitedInventors: Adam Zysk, Kohsuke Watanabe, William M. Ricci, Samir Mehta, Nicholas S. Ritchey
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Patent number: 11642156Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignees: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC., SMITH & NEPHEW ORTHOPAEDICS AG, SMITH & NEPHEW ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LIMITEDInventors: Charles R. Bennett, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin
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Publication number: 20230089488Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
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Patent number: 11534213Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
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Publication number: 20220395303Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. LimitedInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20220233222Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Ramprasad Papannagari, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin, Rick Graber, Joseph Ferrante
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Publication number: 20220183730Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Charles R. Bennett, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin
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Publication number: 20210220030Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
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Patent number: 10993750Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
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Patent number: 10869700Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
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Publication number: 20190274772Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Nicholas S. Ritchey, Kevin W. Belew, Phillip Frederick
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Publication number: 20190192198Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
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Patent number: 10258392Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
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Publication number: 20180250043Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2016Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Gabriel E. Rapalo, Timothy J. Petteys, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Charles R. Bennett
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Publication number: 20180055547Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
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Patent number: 9855081Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.Inventors: Sied W. Janna, James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Darren James Wilson
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Patent number: 9775649Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: James K. Rains, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Gene Edward Austin, Nathaniel Kelley Grusin, Sied W. Janna, Charles C. Heotis