Patents by Inventor Nathan Emick Belcher

Nathan Emick Belcher 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: 11554019
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant manufacturing method. The method includes preparing a pre-operative surgical plan for a specific patient, the surgical plan including a three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating at least one resection plane, communicating the surgical plan to a surgeon of the patient, and receiving approval of the surgical plan and the resection plane by the surgeon. The method also includes providing automated osteophyte/protrusion removal control for surgeon manipulation, receiving a modified three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating an osteophyte/protrusion removal and a recommendation for a corresponding selected orthopedic implant from the surgeon, and requesting manufacture of the selected orthopedic implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Emick Belcher, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 11324522
    Abstract: A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to a portion of an anatomical feature of a patient. The patient-specific guiding system includes a patient-specific guide. The guide includes a first portion having a first patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a first surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the first patient-specific inner surface. The first portion also includes a guide surface for use in guiding the instrument relative to the anatomical feature. The guide also includes a second portion having a second patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a second surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the second patient-specific inner surface. The second portion is removably connected to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Ryan John Schoenefeld, Nathan Emick Belcher, Brian Uthgenannt
  • Patent number: 10893876
    Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a femoral implant having a non-custom internal bone engagement surface. The femoral implant includes at least nine parameters adjusted preoperatively to correspond to a specific patient. The parameters can include patient-specific lengths, such as, for example, medial and lateral condyle widths and notch height, and patient-specific medial and lateral angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 10744005
    Abstract: A method for preparing a femur for receiving a prosthesis. The method includes the following: fixing a femoral trial component to the femur; coupling a reamer bushing relative to the femoral trial component; reaming a cavity into the femur using the reamer bushing as a guide; coupling at least one of a modular femoral box trial and a stem adapter relative to the femoral trial component; trialing the femoral trial component with the articulating surface of the femoral trial component; and performing the coupling of the reamer bushing, the reaming of the cavity, the coupling of the at least one of the modular femoral box trial and stem adapter, and the trialing of the femoral trial component all while the femoral trial component remains fixed to the distal femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Emick Belcher, Bradley T. Durcholz
  • Publication number: 20190374237
    Abstract: A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to a portion of an anatomical feature of a patient. The patient-specific guiding system includes a patient-specific guide. The guide includes a first portion having a first patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a first surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the first patient-specific inner surface. The first portion also includes a guide surface for use in guiding the instrument relative to the anatomical feature. The guide also includes a second portion having a second patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a second surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the second patient-specific inner surface. The second portion is removably connected to the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Ryan John Schoenefeld, Nathan Emick Belcher, Brian Uthgenannt
  • Patent number: 10485555
    Abstract: An instrument set and related method for preparing a proximal tibia during a bi-cruciate retaining procedure are disclosed. The instrument set can include a tibial resection block, a cut guide, and a locking arm. The tibial resection block can be configured to be fixed to an anterior portion of the proximal tibia. The tibial resection block can define a slot that extends in a medial-lateral direction when the tibial resection block is fixed to the proximal tibia. The cut guide can have a body, a medial arm, and a lateral arm. A medial cut slot can be defined between the body and the medial arm. A lateral cut slot can be defined between the body and the lateral arm. The cut guide can further comprise a tongue extending therefrom. The tongue can be configured to be received by and slidably translate along the slot of the tibial resection block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher, Audra C. Watson, Bradley T. Durcholz, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 10426492
    Abstract: A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to a portion of an anatomical feature of a patient. The patient-specific guiding system includes a patient-specific guide. The guide includes a first portion having a first patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a first surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the first patient-specific inner surface. The first portion also includes a guide surface for use in guiding the instrument relative to the anatomical feature. The guide also includes a second portion having a second patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a second surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the second patient-specific inner surface. The second portion is removably connected to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Ryan John Schoenefeld, Nathan Emick Belcher, Brian Uthgenannt
  • Publication number: 20190069909
    Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a femoral implant having a non-custom internal bone engagement surface. The femoral implant includes at least nine parameters adjusted preoperatively to correspond to a specific patient. The parameters can include patient-specific lengths, such as, for example, medial and lateral condyle widths and notch height, and patient-specific medial and lateral angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Publication number: 20180140426
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant manufacturing method. The method includes preparing a pre-operative surgical plan for a specific patient, the surgical plan including a three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating at least one resection plane, communicating the surgical plan to a surgeon of the patient, and receiving approval of the surgical plan and the resection plane by the surgeon. The method also includes providing automated osteophyte/protrusion removal control for surgeon manipulation, receiving a modified three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating an osteophyte/protrusion removal and a recommendation for a corresponding selected orthopedic implant from the surgeon, and requesting manufacture of the selected orthopedic implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan Emick Belcher, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9907659
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant manufacturing method. The method includes preparing a pre-operative surgical plan for a specific patient, the surgical plan including a three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating at least one resection plane, communicating the surgical plan to a surgeon of the patient, and receiving approval of the surgical plan and the resection plane by the surgeon. The method also includes providing automated osteophyte/protrusion removal control for surgeon manipulation, receiving a modified three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating an osteophyte/protrusion removal and a recommendation for a corresponding selected orthopedic implant from the surgeon, and requesting manufacture of the selected orthopedic implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Emick Belcher, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20170340458
    Abstract: A method for preparing a femur for receiving a prosthesis. The method includes the following: fixing a femoral trial component to the femur; coupling a reamer bushing relative to the femoral trial component; reaming a cavity into the femur using the reamer bushing as a guide; coupling at least one of a modular femoral box trial and a stem adapter relative to the femoral trial component; trialing the femoral trial component with the articulating surface of the femoral trial component; and performing the coupling of the reamer bushing, the reaming of the cavity, the coupling of the at least one of the modular femoral box trial and stem adapter, and the trialing of the femoral trial component all while the femoral trial component remains fixed to the distal femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan Emick Belcher, Bradley T. Durcholz
  • Publication number: 20160045205
    Abstract: An instrument set and related method for preparing a proximal tibia during a bi-cruciate retaining procedure are disclosed. The instrument set can include a tibial resection block, a cut guide, and a locking arm. The tibial resection block can be configured to be fixed to an anterior portion of the proximal tibia. The tibial resection block can define a slot that extends in a medial-lateral direction when the tibial resection block is fixed to the proximal tibia. The cut guide can have a body, a medial arm, and a lateral arm. A medial cut slot can be defined between the body and the medial arm. A lateral cut slot can be defined between the body and the lateral arm. The cut guide can further comprise a tongue extending therefrom. The tongue can be configured to be received by and slidably translate along the slot of the tibial resection block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher, Audra C. Watson, Bradley T. Durcholz, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Publication number: 20160008013
    Abstract: A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to a portion of an anatomical feature of a patient. The patient-specific guiding system includes a patient-specific guide. The guide includes a first portion having a first patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a first surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the first patient-specific inner surface. The first portion also includes a guide surface for use in guiding the instrument relative to the anatomical feature. The guide also includes a second portion having a second patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a second surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the second patient-specific inner surface. The second portion is removably connected to the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Ryan John Schoenefeld, Nathan Emick Belcher, Brian Uthgenannt
  • Patent number: 8608748
    Abstract: A device for an orthopedic knee procedure. The device includes a drill guide having a body portion and first and second posts extending from the body portion, the first and second posts defining first and second internal through-bores, the first post having a first cross-sectional shape and the second post having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape of the first post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher
  • Publication number: 20090151736
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant manufacturing method. The method includes preparing a pre-operative surgical plan for a specific patient, the surgical plan including a three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating at least one resection plane, communicating the surgical plan to a surgeon of the patient, and receiving approval of the surgical plan and the resection plane by the surgeon. The method also includes providing automated osteophyte/protrusion removal control for surgeon manipulation, receiving a modified three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating an osteophyte/protrusion removal and a recommendation for a corresponding selected orthopedic implant from the surgeon, and requesting manufacture of the selected orthopedic implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Nathan Emick Belcher, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20090024131
    Abstract: A device for an orthopedic knee procedure. The device includes a drill guide having a body portion and first and second posts extending from the body portion, the first and second posts defining first and second internal through-bores, the first post having a first cross-sectional shape and the second post having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape of the first post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher