Patents Assigned to Biomet 3i, LLC
  • Patent number: 7988449
    Abstract: The present invention provides a healing abutment for attachment to a dental implant with marking locations thereon. The marking locations either lack or have markers that provide a binary code system for retrieving unique information about the healing abutment and the underlying implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Amber, Stephan S. Porter, Theodore M. Powell
  • Patent number: 7972648
    Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises forming a nanoscale roughened surface on the microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the nanoscale roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution including the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet 3I, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Ross W. Towse, Robert L. Mayfield
  • Patent number: 7857987
    Abstract: The surface of a device that is surgically implantable in living bone is prepared. The device is made of titanium with a native oxide layer on the surface. The method of preparation comprises the steps of removing the native oxide layer from the surface of the device and performing further treatment of the surface substantially in the absence of unreacted oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventor: Keith D. Beaty
  • Patent number: 7850452
    Abstract: A dental implant and a dental implant assembly comprises a dental implant having a longitudinal-axial-pre-load. The dental implant has an insert portion, and an outer shell portion. The insert portion of the implant is affixed within a longitudinal-axial opening of the outer shell portion of the implant. The affixation of the inner portion within the axial opening of the outer shell portion of the implant applies a pre-load in a longitudinal axial direction on the implant. The dental implant assembly further comprises an abutment and a retaining screw. The abutment is adapted to be attached to the dental implant. The retaining screw is adapted fasten the abutment to the dental implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary B. Suttin, James N. Kenealy, III
  • Publication number: 20100105008
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rapid prototype overmold for locating a dental implant analog in a modified stone model for use in creating a tooth prosthesis is provided. An impression of a mouth having a first installation site that has a dental implant and a gingival healing abutment with at least one informational marker installed is taken. A stone model based on the impression is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the installation site on a CAD program using data from the scan is created. The at least one informational marker is determined to gather information about the location of the dental implant. Abutment dimensional information based on the three-dimensional image and the at least one informational marker is developed. Overmold rapid prototype dimensional information based on the three-dimensional image is developed. The overmold rapid prototype adapted to fit over the modified stone model is fabricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore M. Powell, Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin, Dan P. Rogers, T. Tait Robb
  • Patent number: 7661956
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rapid prototype overmold for locating a dental implant analog in a modified stone model for use in creating a tooth prosthesis is provided. An impression of a mouth having a first installation site that has a dental implant and a gingival healing abutment with at least one informational marker installed is taken. A stone model based on the impression is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the installation site on a CAD program using data from the scan is created. The at least one informational marker is determined to gather information about the location of the dental implant. Abutment dimensional information based on the three-dimensional image and the at least one informational marker is developed. Overmold rapid prototype dimensional information based on the three-dimensional image is developed. The overmold rapid prototype adapted to fit over the modified stone model is fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore M. Powell, Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin, Dan P. Rogers, T. Tait Robb
  • Publication number: 20090263764
    Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing a surgical guide to be placed in a patient's mouth. The patient's mouth is scanned to obtain surgical-region scan data at a region where an implant is to be located. The patient's mouth is also scanned in the opened position to acquire dental conditions opposite from the surgical region so as to obtain opposing-condition scan data. A virtual model is developed using the surgical-region scan data and the opposing-condition scan data. Using the virtual model, a surgical plan is developed that includes the location of the implant to be installed in the patient. A virtual surgical guide is also developed based on the surgical plan. The dimensions of instrumentation to be used with the surgical guide are checked to ensure they will fit within the mouth by use of the opposing-condition scan data. After checking, final surgical-guide manufacturing information is obtained for manufacturing the surgical guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin
  • Publication number: 20090191507
    Abstract: A method of increasing the hydrophilicity of an implant to be implanted into living bone. The method comprises the act of depositing non-toxic salt residuals on the surface of the implant by exposing the surface to a solution including the non-toxic salts. The method further comprises the act of drying the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Jacqueline K. Charlton, Robert L. Mayfield, Ross W. Towse
  • Patent number: 7550091
    Abstract: The surface of a device that is surgically implantable in living bone is prepared. The device is made of titanium with a native oxide layer on the surface. The method of preparation comprises the steps of removing the native oxide layer from the surface of the device and performing further treatment of the surface substantially in the absence of unreacted oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventor: Keith D. Beaty
  • Patent number: 7547399
    Abstract: The surface of a device that is surgically implantable in living bone is prepared. The device is made of titanium with a native oxide layer on the surface. The method of preparation comprises the steps of removing the native oxide layer from the surface of the device and performing further treatment of the surface substantially in the absence of unreacted oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventor: Keith D. Beaty
  • Publication number: 20090130629
    Abstract: The present inventions is an abutment for use with a dental implant. The abutment comprises a prosthetic portion adapted to support a prosthesis thereon and an insert. The prosthetic portion has a subgingival end and a supragingival region for protruding beyond gingiva adjacent to the dental implant. The prosthetic portion has a passageway extending therethrough. The passageway includes an enlarged retention groove and non-round section. The insert extends into the passageway and engages the subgingival end of the prosthetic portion. The insert includes flexible retention fingers that, upon insertion into the passageway, initially contract before reaching the enlarged retention groove and then expand outwardly into the enlarged retention groove to hold the insert onto the prosthetic portion. The insert also has a non-round section for mating with the non-round section of the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Ross W. Towse, John J. Bellanca, Theodore M. Powell, Ralph E. Goodman
  • Patent number: 7484959
    Abstract: An implant comprising two internal anti-rotational features. One anti-rotational feature is adapted to engage a driving tool, while the other anti-rotational feature is adapted to engage an abutment. An implant abutment system is provided with an angled abutment adapted to mate with one of the anti-rotational features. A second, straight abutment is adapted to engage with the other anti-rotational feature. An abutment is provided with resilient fingers to interface with the implant and provide tactile and audible feedback indicating when the abutment is properly seated. An abutment screw extends through the abutment and engages the implant bore distal of the stem of the abutment. The abutment screw limits axial movement of the abutment relative to the implant. A driving tool comprising one of at least retention structure and visual alignment indicia is provided to facilitate screwing the implant into a patient's bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Stephan S. Porter, Dan P. Rogers, Ralph E. Goodman
  • Patent number: 7452344
    Abstract: A single-use system for separating blood and producing platelet concentrates includes an elongated container for receiving blood from a patient. The container has a movable plunger mounted within the blood container for expressing blood fractions separated during centrifugation of the container through a first port mounted at one end of said container, a second port mounted on the plunger, and a third port mounted on a plunger rod attached to the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Glen E. Jorgensen, Bruce Berckmans, III