Patents by Inventor Bruce Berckmans

Bruce Berckmans 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: 20110183289
    Abstract: A method for making a rapid prototype of a patient's mouth to be used in the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. The method takes an impression of a mouth including a first installation site having a dental implant installed in the first installation site and a gingival healing abutment having at least one informational marker attached to the dental implant. A stone model is prepared based on the impression, including teeth models and model markers indicative of the at least one informational marker. The model is scanned. Scan data is generated from the scanning. The scan data is transferred to a CAD program. A three-dimensional model of the installation site is created in the CAD program. The at least one informational marker is determined to gather information for manufacturing the rapid prototype. Rapid prototype dimensional information is developed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: IMPLANT INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Theodore M. POWELL, John T. AMBER, Bruce BERCKMANS, III, Zachary B. SUTTIN
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110129792
    Abstract: A method of creating a 3-D anatomic digital model for determining a desired location for placing at least one dental implant in a patient's mouth. The method comprises the act of obtaining a first dataset associated with hard tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of obtaining a second dataset associated with soft tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of combining the first dataset and the second dataset to create a detailed structure of hard tissue and soft tissue having variable dimensions over the hard tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin
  • Patent number: 7771774
    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 roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Biomet 3l, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Ross W. Towse, Robert L. Mayfield
  • 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: 20090130630
    Abstract: The present invention is a surgical guide for guiding the insertion of a dental implant into a desired location in a patient's mouth. The implant includes a non-rotational structure. The surgical guide includes a structure and a master tube. The structure has a negative impression surface to be fitted on and placed over gingival tissue, bone, and/or teeth in the patient's mouth. The structure includes an opening through which the dental implant is placed. The master tube is located at the opening. The master tube includes indicia for alignment with the non-rotational structure on the implant such that the non-rotational structure of the implant is at a known angular orientation with respect to the master tube. The present invention includes kits of various components used with the surgical guide and with the dental surgery using the surgical guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Zachary B. Suttin, T. Tait Robb, Bruce Berckmans, III, Ralph E. Goodman
  • Publication number: 20080286722
    Abstract: Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin, T. Tait Robb
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20080220394
    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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, Ross W. Towse, Robert L. Mayfield
  • Publication number: 20080153067
    Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, Zachary B. Suttin, Dan P. Rogers, T. Tait Robb, Alexis C. Goolik
  • Publication number: 20070298377
    Abstract: A dental implant assembly is disclosed. The dental implant assembly comprises an implant. The dental implant assembly further comprises an abutment coupled to a top portion of the implant. The dental implant assembly further comprises a screw for securing the abutment to the implant. The dental implant assembly further comprises silver nanoparticles positioned on at least one interior surface of at least one of the implant and the abutment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: James Kenealy, Bruce Berckmans, T. Tait Robb
  • Publication number: 20070110890
    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 roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, Ross Towse, Robert Mayfield
  • Publication number: 20070112353
    Abstract: A method of forming a nanocrystalline surface on an implant is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to form a roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of, without forming an alkoxide on the roughened surface, depositing nanocrystals on the roughened surface. The nanocrystals comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, Ross Towse, Robert Mayfield
  • Publication number: 20070092854
    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: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Theodore Powell, Bruce Berckmans, Zachary Suttin, Dan Rogers, T. Robb
  • Publication number: 20040265780
    Abstract: A titanium 6 A1/4V alloy is provided with a surface topography that is similar to the Osseotite® surface produced on commercially pure titanium. Native oxide is removed from the Ti 6A1/4V alloy, followed by contacting the metal at ambient temperature with an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution containing a relatively small amount of hydrofluoric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: T. Tait Robb, Bruce Berckmans, Ross W. Towse, Robert L. Mayfield
  • Publication number: 20040167004
    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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Glen E. Jorgensen, Bruce Berckmans
  • Patent number: 6716187
    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: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Implant Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen E. Jorgensen, Bruce Berckmans, III
  • Patent number: 6592507
    Abstract: A single use system and kit for producing blood platelet concentrates is described herein. In a preferred form, the kit includes a bag set in which compartments containing blood components are adjacent to to separate compartments which can be inflated to express the blood components after their separation by centrifuging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Implant Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen E. Jorgensen, Bruce Berckmans, III