Patents by Inventor Michael B. Watlington

Michael B. Watlington 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).

  • Drill bit assembly for bone tissue including depth limiting feature
    Patent number: 8460297
    Abstract: A drill assembly for creating a bore in living bone comprises a drill bit, a collet-nose drill stop, a collet sleeve, a collet body, a concealment collar, a retaining spring, and a plurality of retaining balls. The drill bit inserts into the collet body and is retained in the collet body by the plurality of retaining balls. The collet-nose drill stop extends over a portion of the drill bit to limit the depth of the bore formed by the drill bit. The collet body has a drive shank and a connection region. The connection region of the collet body is adapted to receive a portion of the drill bit. The plurality of retaining balls are adapted to longitudinally secure the drill bit to the collet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Michael B. Watlington, T. Tait Robb
  • Drill bit assembly for bone tissue including depth limiting feature
    Publication number: 20080167653
    Abstract: A drill assembly for creating a bore in living bone comprises a drill bit, a collet-nose drill stop, a collet sleeve, a collet body, a concealment collar, a retaining spring, and a plurality of retaining balls. The drill bit inserts into the collet body and is retained in the collet body by the plurality of retaining balls. The collet-nose drill stop extends over a portion of the drill bit to limit the depth of the bore formed by the drill bit. The collet body has a drive shank and a connection region. The connection region of the collet body is adapted to receive a portion of the drill bit. The plurality of retaining balls are adapted to longitudinally secure the drill bit to the collet body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Michael B. Watlington, T. Tait Robb