Patents by Inventor Benjamin P. Heilman

Benjamin P. Heilman 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).

  • Publication number: 20130304132
    Abstract: A method of mounting a base plate to a biologic material comprising inserting and retaining a threaded nut within a first through hole of a base plate, wherein the first hole is at least partially defined by an interior circumferential wall and the threaded nut comprises a cylindrical inner wall at least partially defining a second through hole; inserting a screw through the first and second through holes so that at least a portion of a threaded shaft extends beyond the interior circumferential wall of the base plate; rotating the screw with respect to the base plate and the threaded nut to operatively engage a head of the screw with the threaded nut; inserting the screw into a biologic substrate; and locking an angular orientation of the screw with respect to the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Benjamin P. Heilman
  • Publication number: 20120197262
    Abstract: A method for estimating at least one of a fastener-hole depth and a fastener length prior to forming a hole in a bone can include selecting a position on a proximal side of a proximal cortical bone layer for forming the hole, transmitting a transmitted wave into the bone from the selected position, and receiving a reflected wave at the selected position after the transmitted wave has been reflected by a distal cortical bone layer. The method can further include determining a distance from the selected position to the distal cortical bone layer based on times at which the transmitted wave is transmitted and the reflected wave is received, and estimating the at least one of the fastener-hole depth and the fastener length based on the distance to the distal cortical bone layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Benjamin P. Heilman
  • Publication number: 20120078376
    Abstract: A method of implanting a distal radial wrist implant relative to a host radius while salvaging at least portions of fractured radial bone can include, determining a size of a host radius. A distal radial component can be selected based on the determination. The distal radial component can have a body that includes a first connection portion. A stem portion can be selected based on the determination. The stem portion can have a second connection portion. Portions of the fractured radial bone can be located around the body. The portions of the fractured radial bone can be secured relative to the body. The first connection portion of the distal radial component can be coupled with the second connection portion of the stem portion. The distal radial implant can be implanted relative to the host radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Vanasse, Benjamin P. Heilman, Andrew K. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8052756
    Abstract: A method of implanting a distal radial wrist implant relative to a host radius while salvaging at least portions of fractured radial bone can include, determining a size of a host radius. A distal radial component can be selected based on the determination. The distal radial component can have a body that includes a first connection portion. A stem portion can be selected based on the determination. The stem portion can have a second connection portion. Portions of the fractured radial bone can be located around the body. The portions of the fractured radial bone can be secured relative to the body. The first connection portion of the distal radial component can be coupled with the second connection portion of the stem portion. The distal radial implant can be implanted relative to the host radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Vanasse, Benjamin P. Heilman, Andrew K. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20110172666
    Abstract: An implantable orthopedic fastener comprising: (a) a support substrate including a first through hole at least partially defined by an interior wall tapering to decrease a diameter of the first through hole; (b) a nut having an internal wall at least partially defining a second through hole having a diameter less than the diameter of the first through hole, the nut also including a projection radially extending beyond the internal wall to provide the nut with a widthwise dimension greater than the diameter of the first through hole, the nut further including a washer radially extending beyond the internal wall, the washer having a widthwise dimension greater than the diameter of the first through hole, where the projection and the washer cooperate to retain at least a portion of the nut within the first through hole; and (c) a fastening screw comprising a head and a longitudinal shaft extending from the head, the longitudinal shaft including external threads sized to permit through passage of the longitudinal
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Benjamin P. Heilman
  • Publication number: 20100087879
    Abstract: A method of implanting a distal radial wrist implant relative to a host radius while salvaging at least portions of fractured radial bone can include, determining a size of a host radius. A distal radial component can be selected based on the determination. The distal radial component can have a body that includes a first connection portion. A stem portion can be selected based on the determination. The stem portion can have a second connection portion. Portions of the fractured radial bone can be located around the body. The portions of the fractured radial bone can be secured relative to the body. The first connection portion of the distal radial component can be coupled with the second connection portion of the stem portion. The distal radial implant can be implanted relative to the host radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Vanasse, Benjamin P. Heilman, Andrew K. Palmer