Patents by Inventor Robert A. Metzger

Robert A. Metzger 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: 8298237
    Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide for an orthopedic implant. The alignment guide can include a body having first and second opposing surfaces, the second surface adapted for positioning over a skin surface, and at least one extension extending from the second surface body. The extension has a distal end defining a patient-specific end surface that is mateable in form-fitting manner with a subcutaneous portion of the patient's anatomy, and at least one guiding passage extending between the first surface of the body and the distal end of the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Schoenefeld, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20120265317
    Abstract: A tibial component for use with a resected tibia can include a medial tray portion adapted to engage a portion of the resected tibia and a lateral tray portion adapted to engage a portion of the resected tibia. A linkage can couple the medial tray portion to the lateral tray portion such that at least one of the medial tray portion and the lateral tray portion is pivotable relative to the other of the medial tray portion and the lateral tray portion to position the medial tray portion and the lateral tray portion at separate angles with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20120265316
    Abstract: A prosthetic joint assembly supports articulation of a joint. The joint assembly includes a first component configured to be fixed to an anatomical feature. The first component includes a first impact surface and a second component that engages the first component. The second component includes a second impact surface that impacts the first impact surface as the first component moves relative to the second component. Furthermore, at least one of the first impact surface and the second impact surface includes a dampening member that dampens energy resulting from impact of the first and second impact surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt
  • Patent number: 8282646
    Abstract: An orthopedic apparatus including a patient-specific alignment guide attachable to a surface of a bone being prepared for receiving a prosthetic implant. The guide includes at least first and second components and a coupling mechanism connecting the first and second components to one another. The first component has a first bone engagement surface and the second component has a second bone engagement surface, the first and second bone engagement surfaces anatomically matching corresponding first and second portions of the surface of the bone. At least one of the first and second components defines at least one alignment formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Schoenefeld, Scott Deming, Garrett A. Sheffer, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8273131
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning an implant system in anatomy is disclosed. The apparatus can include an alignment member operable to contact an implant portion, a bone, or other appropriate portion. The method can include using the apparatus to assist in positioning a single or multi-piece implant member. Also, a method of aligning a first implant position relative to another implant position is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Duke A Fox
  • Publication number: 20120239159
    Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis assembly can include a femoral component that has a medial and a lateral condyle portion connected by a patellar track portion. The femoral component can form an opening between the medial and lateral condyles. A tibial component can have a medial portion that includes a first engagement structure and a lateral portion that includes a second engagement structure. A medial bearing can have a third engagement structure formed thereon that selectively engages the first engagement structure. A lateral bearing separately formed and independent from the medial bearing can have a fourth engagement structure formed thereon that selectively engages the second engagement structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, James G. Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20120226283
    Abstract: A patient-specific acetabular guide can be used for preparing an acetabulum of a patient to receive an acetabular implant. The acetabular guide includes a patient-specific engagement surface designed to be complementary and mateable with a corresponding surface of the patient's pelvic anatomy. The acetabular guide is designed during a pre-operative plan for the patient by a three-dimensional reconstruction of the anatomy of the patient using two-dimensional medical images. The patient-specific engagement surface has a first portion mateable with a portion of the acetabulum of the patient. The acetabular guide includes a guiding element that extends from the acetabular guide opposite to the first portion of engagement surface. The guiding element defines a bore designed to be oriented along an alignment axis for an acetabular implant when the acetabular guide is engaged to the acetabulum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, Tyler D. Witt, Ryan J. Schoenefeld, W. Jason Slone, Robert Metzger, Adolph V. Lombardi, Jeffrey H. Nycz, Matthew D. Munsterman, Alexander P. Wolfe, Tamon Kabata, James G. Nairus, John C. Clohisy
  • Publication number: 20120226202
    Abstract: A passive exercise therapy station moves a patient's limb or body part through a prescribed range of motion without stress to the patient's limb or associated joints. A frame is formed of a pair of arches joined in parallel to one another, with a pair of overhead horizontal rails. One or more main cables extend over guide pulleys on the frame and past an adjustable guide carriage that travels along the overhead rails. An actuator positions the guide carriage at a desired location on the overhead rails. An exercise cable descends from the guide carriage to the patient. The exercise cable may be a web attached to the main cable. The exercise therapy station may be wheeled between rooms for therapy of a given patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: David Wright, Paul Lindsay, Robert Metzger, Ramona Wright, Deborah Metzger
  • Patent number: 8246626
    Abstract: A guide for cutting a bone comprising an anterior portion and a distal portion orientated at about a right angle to the anterior portion. The distal portion includes a guiding side, a distal surface at the guiding side, a box-cut shaped opening defined by the guiding side, a plurality of first cutting surfaces disposed at the guiding side at an acute angle relative to the distal surface of the guiding side operable to guide a cutting device to the bone to form chamfer cuts in the bone, and a second cutting surface disposed at the guiding side at least about a right angle to the distal surface operable to guide a cutting device to the bone to form a posterior cut in the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: John M. Cuckler, Robert Metzger, Kurt Schmidt, Trevor S. Schlueter, James M. McKale, Radu Serban
  • Patent number: 8241293
    Abstract: A surgical kit includes a patient-specific alignment guide having a three-dimensional engagement surface custom-made by computer imaging to conform to a corresponding portion of a patient's tibial bone. The patient-specific alignment guide defines an elongated planar slot for guiding a blade. The planar slot is oriented at a selected angle and at a selected position relative to an anatomic axis of the patient when the engagement surface engages the corresponding portion of the tibial bone. The selected angle and selected position are determined during a pre-operative planning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8235531
    Abstract: A laser projection system comprising a laser source system configured to emit coherent light, an optical integrating system configured to uniformize coherent light it receives, a randomizing optical element configured to spatially move over time in order to temporally randomize the phase, angle or spatial location of coherent light it receives, an image forming system configured to interact with laser light that has been both uniformized by the optical integrating system and randomized by the randomizing optical element, thereby forming a laser light image, and a projection system configured to project the laser light image onto a viewing screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Barry D. Silverstein, Gary E. Nothhard, Joseph R. Bietry, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8206452
    Abstract: A prosthetic joint assembly supports articulation of a joint. The joint assembly includes a first component configured to be fixed to an anatomical feature. The first component includes a first impact surface and a second component that engages the first component. The second component includes a second impact surface that impacts the first impact surface as the first component moves relative to the second component. Furthermore, at least one of the first impact surface and the second impact surface includes a dampening member that dampens energy resulting from impact of the first and second impact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt
  • Publication number: 20120150307
    Abstract: An orthopedic prosthetic device having at least one pyrocarbon insert is provided. The prosthetic device can include a prosthetic component having an articulating surface and a bone engagement surface. The articulating surface can be formed of a material that is distinct from pyrocarbon and is arranged to receive the at least one pyrocarbon insert so as to position a pyrocarbon articulating surface of the at least one pyrocarbon insert relative to the prosthetic component articulating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 8187280
    Abstract: A system for cooperating with an elongated IM member during preparation of a bone for receiving a prosthesis can include a scaffold, skeleton or frame. An alignment assembly can be selectively coupled to the frame. The alignment assembly can cooperate with the IM member to position the frame relative to the bone. A cutting block can be selectively coupled to the frame. According to other features, a posterior stabilized (PS) box guide assembly can have a PS box guide attachment portion that selectively couples with the first attachment portion of the frame. A posterior foot can selectively couple with a second attachment portion on the frame. The posterior foot can be positioned to occupy space of a joint line in an installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Brian M. May, Duke A. Fox, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8172404
    Abstract: In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Barry D. Silverstein, Gary E. Nothhard, Joseph R. Bietry, Robert Metzger, Andrew F. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8172403
    Abstract: In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Barry D. Silverstein, Joseph R. Bietry, Gary E. Nothhard, Robert Metzger, Andrew F. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20120109138
    Abstract: A method for inserting an acetabular cup into an acetabulum of a patient includes inspecting a preoperative plan including a three-dimensional image of a patient's acetabulum, selecting at least one of a patient-specific anteversion angle and a patient-specific abduction angle, and approving the preoperative plan. The method also includes preparing the patient's acetabulum for implantation, positioning a patient-specific first surface of an acetabular guide around a matched acetabular rim surface of the patient, and inserting an acetabular cup through an opening of the acetabular guide, the opening having a cylindrical inner surface oriented at the selected at least one of the patient-specific anteversion angle and patient-specific abduction angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8163028
    Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing a knee joint between a femur and a tibia can include a femoral component having a first condylar portion, a second condylar portion, a first sidewall and a second sidewall that collectively comprise a first hinge portion. A tibial component can have a first engagement portion formed thereon. A bearing can have an articulating inferior surface adapted to articulate along the bearing. The bearing can have an opening. A yoke can have an inferior portion and superior portion, the superior portion having an axle that comprises a second hinge portion. The inferior portion can have a second engagement portion and be configured to at least partially pass through the opening. The femoral component is operable to rotate relative to the tibial component about a superior/inferior axis a first rotational distance until the first and second engagement portions engage each other and inhibit further rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Audra Watson, Nathan E. Belcher
  • Patent number: 8157869
    Abstract: A modular knee prosthesis can include a femoral component having a superiorly extending portion, a first femoral bearing surface and a second femoral bearing surface. The superiorly extending portion can define a first tapered augment receiving surface. A tibial component can have an inferiorly extending portion and a tibial bearing surface. The inferiorly extending portion can define a second tapered augment receiving surface. A first augment can define a first receiving bore and a first stepped surface. A second augment can define a second receiving bore and a second stepped surface. The first and second augments are adapted to mate at the first and second stepped surfaces in a first position at the first tapered augment receiving surface of the femoral component and in a second position at the second tapered augment receiving surface of the tibial component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Audra Watson, Brian M. May, Duke A. Fox
  • Patent number: 8147498
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for implanting a prosthesis includes implanting a first component into a recess in a bone. The first component defines a main body defining a receiving portion and a locating bore. A second component is located into engagement with the first component, the second component defining a passage therethrough. A rod is inserted through the passage defined on the second component and into the locating bore of the first component. A handle associated with the rod is slidably actuated into contact with the second component to matingly lock the first component to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Trevor S. Schlueter, Robert Metzger