Patents by Inventor Nathaniel Milton Lenz

Nathaniel Milton Lenz 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: 10064686
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing parameters of an orthopaedic procedure for a particular patient, including parameters relating to the anatomic and biomechanic fit of an implant or implant system implanted into the patient's joint. These systems and methods may utilize patient-specific information gathered pre-operatively in conjunction with optimization algorithms to determine an optimal implant design and an optimal position and orientation for implantation of the implant into the particular patient's joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. McKinnon, Ruxandra Cristiana Marinescu Tanasoca, Randy C. Winebarger, William L. Bowers, Jr., James Bennett Wiebe, III, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Sean M. Haddock, Ryan Lloyd Landon
  • Patent number: 9999511
    Abstract: A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component. The tibial insert further configured such that the medial bearing surface extends further in an inferior direction than the lateral bearing surface and a bottom point of the medial bearing surface is disposed closer to an anterior end portion of the medial bearing surface than a posterior end portion of the medial bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Brian William McKinnon, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Scott Kennedy Laster, Michael D. Ries, Steven B. Haas
  • Patent number: 9730705
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing knee arthroplasty, including, but not limited to, bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty, are described herein. Methods and apparatus for preparing a distal femur for a femoral implant as well as methods and apparatus for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are described. These methods and apparatus, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures, while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Michael Smith, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Brian William McKinnon, David A. Drucker
  • Patent number: 9579209
    Abstract: A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian William McKinnon, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Scott Kennedy Laster, Michael D. Ries, Steven B. Haas
  • Patent number: 9233002
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for tensioning posterior crucial ligaments during cruciate or bi-cruciate ligament-sparing arthroplasty. Non-limiting examples of such systems may include at least one series of tibial inserts of equal size; the at least one series of tibial inserts having at least one set of tibial inserts of equal thickness. The at least one set of tibial inserts of equal thickness may include at least two tibial inserts having different geometries in a posterior portion, the different geometries being configured to change the tension in the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The different geometries in the posterior portions of the tibial inserts are configured so as to allow the posterior cruciate ligament to be tensioned or loosened independently of the tibial insert thickness and/or size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20150182344
    Abstract: A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Brian William McKinnon, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Scott Kennedy Laster, Michael D. Ries, Steven B. Haas
  • Publication number: 20150088265
    Abstract: Certain embodiments generally provide an improved tibial base member comprising keel portions that allow one or both cruciate ligaments to be preserved. Other embodiments provide improved lateral and/or medial inserts having a mesial lip that helps relieve and/or prevent impingement between the femoral component and the tibial eminence. Other embodiments provide improved femoral components having various chamfers to provide additional clearance with respect to the tibial eminence and posterior cruciate ligament without decreasing bone coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Richard Michael Smith, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Brian William McKinnon, Abraham Biglari Salehi, Jonathan Kirk Nielsen, Michael D. Ries, Gerald J. Jerry
  • Patent number: 8926709
    Abstract: An orthopaedic implant including a base portion and first and second transverse portions extending transversely from the base portion to thereby define an inner region of the implant sized for receipt of an end portion of a bone therein. The implant further includes at least one anchor structure projecting from the base portion and sized and configured for receipt within an opening formed in the end portion of the bone. The anchor structure extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a proximal end attached to the base portion and an opposite distal end, and further includes a tapered outer surface that inwardly tapers in a proximal-to-distal direction along the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the anchor structure also includes one or more grooves extending into the tapered outer surface, with a flowable material positioned about at least a portion of the tapered outer surface and positioned within the grooves, and with the flowable material configured to cure to a hardened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20140324176
    Abstract: A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Brian William McKinnon, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Scott Kennedy Laster, Michael D. Ries, Steven B. Haas
  • Publication number: 20140309640
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing knee arthroplasty, including, but not limited to, bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty, are described herein. Methods and apparatus for preparing a distal femur for a femoral implant as well as methods and apparatus for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are described. These methods and apparatus, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures, while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Michael Smith, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Brian William McKinnon, David A. Drucker
  • Patent number: 8808388
    Abstract: A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian William McKinnon, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Scott Kennedy Laster, Michael D. Ries, Steven B. Haas
  • Patent number: 8740985
    Abstract: Tibial inserts and tibial femoral systems are provided for improved knee reconstruction systems. External rotation of a knee joint implant is enhanced by modifications to the post, providing a recess that allows clearance of the post against the corners of a box wall within the femoral component. The rotation provides for a more natural knee joint motion of the implant. The depth, size, and location of the post relief may be modified for certain applications to provide both improved rotational motion and constraint against undesirable motion of the knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel Milton Lenz
  • Patent number: 8728086
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing knee arthroplasty, including, but not limited to, bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty, are described herein. Methods and apparatus for preparing a distal femur for a femoral implant as well as methods and apparatus for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are described. These methods and apparatus, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures, while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Michael Smith, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Brian W. McKinnon, David A. Drucker
  • Publication number: 20130317620
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for tensioning posterior crucial ligaments during cruciate or bi-cruciate ligament-sparing arthroplasty. Non-limiting examples of such systems may include at least one series of tibial inserts of equal size; the at least one series of tibial inserts having at least one set of tibial inserts of equal thickness. The at least one set of tibial inserts of equal thickness may include at least two tibial inserts having different geometries in a posterior portion, the different geometries being configured to change the tension in the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The different geometries in the posterior portions of the tibial inserts are configured so as to allow the posterior cruciate ligament to be tensioned or loosened independently of the tibial insert thickness and/or size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20130226190
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing parameters of an orthopaedic procedure for a particular patient, including parameters relating to the anatomic and biomechanic fit of an implant or implant system implanted into the patient's joint. These systems and methods may utilize patient-specific information gathered pre-operatively in conjunction with optimization algorithms to determine an optimal implant design and an optimal position and orientation for implantation of the implant into the particular patient's joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Brian W. Mckinnon, Ruxandra Cristiana Marinescu Tanasoca, Randy C. Winebarger, William L. Bowers, JR., James Bennett Wiebe, III, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Sean M. Haddock, Ryan Lloyd Landon
  • Publication number: 20130203031
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing parameters of an orthopaedic procedure for a particular patient, including parameters relating to the anatomic and biomechanic fit of an implant or implant system implanted into the patient's joint. These systems and methods may utilize patient-specific information gathered pre-operatively in conjunction with optimization algorithms to determine an optimal implant design and an optimal position and orientation for implantation of the implant into the particular patient's joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Brian W. Mckinnon, Ruxandra Cristiana Marinescu Tanasoca, Randy C. Winebarger, William L. Bowers, JR., James Bennett Wiebe, III, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Sean M. Haddock, Ryan Lloyd Landon
  • Publication number: 20120197409
    Abstract: A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Brian William McKinnon, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Scott Kennedy Laster, Michael D. Ries, Steven B. Haas
  • Publication number: 20120041566
    Abstract: An orthopaedic implant including a base portion and first and second transverse portions extending transversely from the base portion to thereby define an inner region of the implant sized for receipt of an end portion of a bone therein. The implant further includes at least one anchor structure projecting from the base portion and sized and configured for receipt within an opening formed in the end portion of the bone. The anchor structure extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a proximal end attached to the base portion and an opposite distal end, and further includes a tapered outer surface that inwardly tapers in a proximal-to-distal direction along the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the anchor structure also includes one or more grooves extending into the tapered outer surface, with a flowable material positioned about at least a portion of the tapered outer surface and positioned within the grooves, and with the flowable material configured to cure to a hardened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20100331848
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing knee arthroplasty, including, but not limited to, bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty, are described herein. Methods and apparatus for preparing a distal femur for a femoral implant as well as methods and apparatus for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are described. These methods and apparatus, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures, while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Michael Smith, Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Nathaniel Milton Lenz, Brian W. McKinnon, David A. Drucker