Patents by Inventor Aaron P. Smith

Aaron P. Smith 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: 8464752
    Abstract: Method and blowout preventer for sealing a well. The blowout preventer includes a body having first and second chambers, the first chamber extending substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the second chamber; a ram block configured to move within the first chamber to seal a first region of the second chamber from a second region of the second chamber; a rod connected to the ram block and configured to extend along the first chamber; a piston connected to the rod and configured to move along and within the first chamber; a bonnet configured to receive the piston, the bonnet being detachably attached to the body; and an indicator device partially mounted outside the bonnet and configured to indicate a physical position of the ram block within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: David Albert Dietz, Aaron P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8460393
    Abstract: An implant for a hip can include a lateral augment adapted to be coupled to a lateral side of a femoral body implant. The lateral augment can include a body portion having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a protrusion extending from the second surface. The protrusion can have a shape adapted to mate with a complimentary shaped recess formed in the lateral side of the femoral body implant. An aperture can be positioned in the body portion and extend through the protrusion. A fastener can be received through the aperture and adapted to be threadably secured to the lateral bore. The fastener can be configured to have a length sufficient to pass through a portion of a greater trochanter for securing the portion of the greater trochanter and the lateral augment to the femoral body implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt, Hugh Apthorp, Keith R. Berend, Andrew Freiberg, John Barrington, David R. Brown
  • Patent number: 8419743
    Abstract: An assembly tool comprises in an assembled configuration a proximal implant fastener, a distal implant fastener, and a compression member. The assembly tool is operable to hold in the assembled configuration a proximal implant partially engageable with a distal implant during implantation and axial impaction. Axial impaction is exerted through the compression member of the assembly tool. The assembly tool is also operable to securely lock the tapers of proximal and distal implants after impaction by rotating the compression member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt, Andrew Freiberg
  • Patent number: 8333807
    Abstract: A modular femoral hip implant trialing system. The system generally includes a proximal body, a fastener, and a fastener retention member. The proximal body includes a proximal bore, a tapered distal bore, and a passageway connecting the proximal bore to the distal bore. The proximal bore, the distal bore, and the passageway are aligned along a first axis. The fastener includes a head in the proximal bore and a stem in the distal bore, the fastener is aligned along the first axis. The fastener retention member is positioned in the proximal bore and is operable to retain at least a portion of the fastener within the proximal bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt
  • Publication number: 20120265208
    Abstract: A medical device for preparing a bone of a joint of a patient includes a numerically controlled instrument having a housing including a controller, a processor and a tool driver, a patient-specific reference guide removably couplable to the housing, and a cutting tool removably coupled to the tool driver. The patient-specific reference guide has a three-dimensional inner surface preoperatively configured to mirror and mate with a corresponding surface of a bone of a joint of a patient in only one position. The patient-specific reference guide is configured to automatically register the numerically controlled instrument to the patient's bone portion intraoperatively. The cutting tool is movable along a patient-specific tool path determined during the preoperative plan for preparing a portion of the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventor: Aaron P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120226282
    Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic component is disclosed that includes attaching a guide rod to the prosthetic component, removably coupling the guide rod to a shaft extending from a handle, and positioning the prosthetic component in an anatomical feature. The method also includes impacting an impaction portion of the handle and uncoupling the guide rod from the shaft, leaving the guide rod attached to the prosthetic component. The method further includes positioning a reamer over the guide rod to create a reamed opening in the anatomical feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt
  • Patent number: 8221432
    Abstract: An insertion system for implanting a prosthetic component includes a handle, a shaft, and a guide rod. The handle includes an impaction portion. The shaft extends from and is fixed to the handle. The guide rod is removably coupled to the shaft and includes a proximal end adapted to be rotationally fixed within the impaction portion and a distal end adapted to attach to the prosthetic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt
  • Publication number: 20120071893
    Abstract: A method of performing hip surgery with a robotic guided system on a patient with femoral acetabular impingement can include identifying the femoral acetabular impingement on the patient. Data related to a proximal femur and an acetabulum of the patient is acquired. A three-dimensional model of at least one of the patient's proximal femur and acetabulum is created based on the data acquired. A location and amount of bone to be removed is determined. Dynamic movement limits of a cutting tool associated with the robotic guided system is set based on the determination. The determined bone of at least one of the proximal femur and acetabulum is removed with the tool while being inhibited from moving the tool outside of the dynamic limit by the robotic guided system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Jason D. Meridew
  • Publication number: 20120001101
    Abstract: Method and blowout preventer for sealing a well. The blowout preventer includes a body having first and second chambers, the first chamber extending substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the second chamber; a ram block configured to move within the first chamber to seal a first region of the second chamber from a second region of the second chamber; a rod connected to the ram block and configured to extend along the first chamber; a piston connected to the rod and configured to move along and within the first chamber; a bonnet configured to receive the piston, the bonnet being detachably attached to the body; and an indicator device partially mounted outside the bonnet and configured to indicate a physical position of the ram block within the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: HYDRIL USA MANUFACTURING LLC
    Inventors: David Albert Dietz, Aaron P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110257758
    Abstract: A modular femoral hip joint prosthesis can include a proximal femoral body having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end can be adapted to mate with a femoral head. A femoral stem can have a proximal section and a distal section. The femoral stem can be adapted to matingly connect with the distal end of the proximal femoral body. The proximal section can have a porous metal coating that is adapted to facilitate bony ingrowth. The distal section can have at least one spline formed along an outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Eric J. Fontenot, Keith R. Berend, Hugh Apthorp, Ian Stockley
  • Publication number: 20110224674
    Abstract: An acetabular device includes a patient-specific acetabular alignment guide including a bone engagement surface. The bone engagement surface has a first portion configured and shaped to be conforming and complementary to an acetabular rim surface and a second portion configured and shaped to be conforming and complementary to a periacetabular area of an acetabulum of a patient. The acetabular alignment guide includes a plurality of guiding formations extending through the second portion for guiding a plurality of alignment pins therethrough. The bone engagement surface and the plurality of guiding formations are prepared from a three-dimensional model of the acetabulum of the specific patient reconstructed pre-operatively from a scan of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: John R. White, Lance D. Perry, Aaron P. Smith, Jason D. Meridew, Bryan Morrison, W Jason Slone, Tyler D. Witt, Mark A. Bollinger, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20110218583
    Abstract: An assembly tool comprises in an assembled configuration a proximal implant fastener, a distal implant fastener, and a compression member. The assembly tool is operable to hold in the assembled configuration a proximal implant partially engageable with a distal implant during implantation and axial impaction. Axial impaction is exerted through the compression member of the assembly tool. The assembly tool is also operable to securely lock the tapers of proximal and distal implants after impaction by rotating the compression member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt, Andrew Freiberg
  • Publication number: 20110218641
    Abstract: An implant for a hip can include a lateral augment adapted to be coupled to a lateral side of a femoral body implant. The lateral augment can include a body portion having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a protrusion extending from the second surface. The protrusion can have a shape adapted to mate with a complimentary shaped recess formed in the lateral side of the femoral body implant. An aperture can be positioned in the body portion and extend through the protrusion. A fastener can be received through the aperture and adapted to be threadably secured to the lateral bore. The fastener can be configured to have a length sufficient to pass through a portion of a greater trochanter for securing the portion of the greater trochanter and the lateral augment to the femoral body implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt, Hugh Apthorp, Keith R. Berend, Andrew Freiberg, John Barrington, David R. Brown
  • Publication number: 20110218636
    Abstract: An assembly for use in guiding a lateral fastener into a lateral bore of a femoral body implant. The assembly can include an outrigger having an arm portion, a leg portion extending from the arm portion, and an alignment tube extending from the leg portion. The assembly can further include a support pad and an adjustable shaft member coupled to the support pad and the leg portion. A quick-release system can adjustably maintain a position of the shaft member relative to the leg portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt
  • Publication number: 20110218640
    Abstract: A modular femoral hip implant trialing system. The system generally includes a proximal body, a fastener, and a fastener retention member. The proximal body includes a proximal bore, a tapered distal bore, and a passageway connecting the proximal bore to the distal bore. The proximal bore, the distal bore, and the passageway are aligned along a first axis. The fastener includes a head in the proximal bore and a stem in the distal bore, the fastener is aligned along the first axis. The fastener retention member is positioned in the proximal bore and is operable to retain at least a portion of the fastener within the proximal bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt
  • Publication number: 20110218582
    Abstract: An insertion system for implanting a prosthetic component includes a handle, a shaft, and a guide rod. The handle includes an impaction portion. The shaft extends from and is fixed to the handle. The guide rod is removably coupled to the shaft and includes a proximal end adapted to be rotationally fixed within the impaction portion and a distal end adapted to attach to the prosthetic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Tyler D. Witt
  • Publication number: 20110218537
    Abstract: A system for preparing a proximal femur can include a broach that includes a broach body having an anterior side, a posterior side, a lateral side and a medial side. The medial side can have a roughened cutting surface. The lateral side can have a smooth, non-cutting surface. The system can further comprise a cutting scribe assembly and a cutting guide assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Eric J. Fontenot, Tyler D. Witt
  • Publication number: 20110015634
    Abstract: A modular reaming system for reaming a plurality of pockets in an anatomical feature extends along a longitudinal axis. The system includes a first reamer in a first position on the longitudinal axis, and the first reamer reams a first pocket in the anatomical feature. The system further includes a second reamer that is removably coupled to the first reamer in a second position on the longitudinal axis. The second reamer reams a second pocket in the anatomical feature. The second reamer is keyed against rotation relative to the first reamer to ream the first and second pockets substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Smith, Eric J. Fontenot
  • Publication number: 20100241239
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of protecting modular implant connection portions are provided. A guard includes an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a cavity that covers a modular implant connection portion. The modular implant connection covered with the guard can facilitate test-fitting of other modular implant components and allows reaming of the tissue around the guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventor: Aaron P. Smith
  • Patent number: 7780739
    Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis and method for its use in an orthopedic surgery is disclosed. The acetabular prosthesis forms a metal bearing, which articulates with a femoral head. The acetabular prosthesis is also configured so as to accept a polymer constraining ring. Should a revision surgery be necessary, the acetabular prosthesis may accept a polymer bearing liner over the metal bearing. The polymer bearing liner then articulates with the femoral head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Lakin, Troy W. Hershberger, Michael S. Schular, William J. Slone, Kim S. Parcher, Phillip M. Gibbs, Aaron P. Smith