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: 10159498
    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: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger, Nathan E. Belcher, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 10149767
    Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic knee joint assembly. The method includes: coupling a femoral component to a femur, and coupling a tibial component to a tibia; coupling a ligament link to one of the femur or the tibia; coupling the ligament link to a coupling component of one of the femoral component or the tibial component; arranging the ligament link in a first position relative to the tibial component when the prosthetic knee joint assembly is implanted in a left knee; and arranging the ligament link in a second position relative to the tibial component when the prosthetic knee joint assembly is implanted in a right knee, the second position is different from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt, Kevin T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20180250135
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant includes a first portion including at least one feature modified to be patient-specific and match the anatomy of a specific patient from a three-dimensional digital image of a patient's joint using computer modeling. The orthopedic implant includes a non-custom inner bone-engaging surface including a plurality of planar surfaces configured for engagement with non-custom bone cuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: John R. White, Robert Metzger, Keith R. Berend
  • Patent number: 10064733
    Abstract: A knee prosthesis system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a femoral component, a tibial component, a first femoral component insert, a second femoral component insert, a first tibial bearing, and a second tibial bearing. The knee prosthesis system may be configured in one of a non-hinged configuration and a second hinged configuration. In the first non-hinged configuration, the first femoral component insert is positioned relative to the femoral component and the first tibial bearing is positioned onto the tibial component. In the second hinged configuration, the second femoral component insert is positioned relative to the femoral component and the second tibial bearing is positioned onto the tibial component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Andrew L. Pierce, David R. Brown, Brian M. May, Joshua R. Porter, Larabeth G. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20180206888
    Abstract: A method of preparing a distal femur for a knee joint implant includes mounting a patient-specific bone engagement surface of a femoral alignment guide on a complementary surface of a distal femur of a patient. A plurality of alignment pins is inserted through a corresponding plurality of guiding bores of the femoral alignment guide into the distal femur. A cutting guide is mounted on first and second alignment pins of the plurality of alignment pins, and a first resection of the distal femur is made using the cutting guide while cutting through the femoral alignment guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Joshua B. Catanzarite, Brian M. May
  • Publication number: 20180168690
    Abstract: A method for preparing surgical kits for use during a surgery includes preparing a pre-operative surgical plan for a patient and selecting a set of surgical instruments based on the pre-operative surgical plan. The set of surgical instruments includes at least a general instrument, a first size-specific instrument, a patient-specific instrument, and a surgeon-specific instrument. The general instrument is selected from a predetermined group of off-the-shelf instruments. The first size-specific instrument has a first size selected from predetermined sizes. The patient-specific instrument includes a three-dimensional contoured engagement surface configured to nest into a portion of a native anatomy in a single location. The surgeon-specific instrument is selected based on a surgeon preference and is a different instrument than the selected general instrument, first size-specific instrument, and patient-specific instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Christopher W. Frield, Bradley T. Durcholz, Joshua B. Catanzarite, Robert Metzger, Kai Robert Worrell
  • Publication number: 20180168822
    Abstract: An acetabular device includes a patient-specific acetabular alignment guide including a bone engagement surface. The bone engagement surface has a first portion configured and shaped to be conforming and complementary to an acetabular rim surface and a second portion configured and shaped to be conforming and complementary to a periacetabular area of an acetabulum of a patient. The acetabular alignment guide includes a plurality of guiding formations extending through the second portion for guiding a plurality of alignment pins therethrough. The bone engagement surface and the plurality of guiding formations are prepared from a three-dimensional model of the acetabulum of the specific patient reconstructed pre-operatively from a scan of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: John R. White, Lance Dean Perry, Aaron P. Smith, Jason D. Meridew, Bryan Morrison, W. Jason Slone, Tyler D. Witt, Mark A. Bollinger, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9993344
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant includes a first portion including at least one feature modified to be patient-specific and match the anatomy of a specific patient from a three-dimensional digital image of a patient's joint using computer modeling. The orthopedic implant includes a non-custom inner bone-engaging surface including a plurality of planar surfaces configured for engagement with non-custom bone cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: John R. White, Robert Metzger, Keith R. Berend
  • Publication number: 20180153565
    Abstract: A method for preparing a bone of a joint during joint arthroplasty. The method includes mounting an alignment guide on the bone of a patient along an alignment direction. The method further includes anchoring the alignment guide into a cartilage of the bone using a plurality of patient-specific anchoring elements extending from an inner surface of alignment guide, each anchoring element having a patient-specific length extending between the inner surface and an end point of the corresponding anchoring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Thomas J. Mauch, Robert Metzger
  • 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: 9968376
    Abstract: A method of preparing a distal femur for a knee joint implant includes mounting a patient-specific bone engagement surface of a femoral alignment guide on a complementary surface of a distal femur of a patient. A plurality of alignment pins is inserted through a corresponding plurality of guiding bores of the femoral alignment guide into the distal femur. A cutting guide is mounted on first and second alignment pins of the plurality of alignment pins, and a first resection of the distal femur is made using the cutting guide while cutting through the femoral alignment guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Joshua B. Catanzarite, Brian M. May
  • Patent number: 9918740
    Abstract: A method for preparing surgical kits for use during a surgery includes preparing a pre-operative surgical plan for a patient and selecting a set of surgical instruments based on the pre-operative surgical plan. The set of surgical instruments includes at least a general instrument, a first size-specific instrument, a patient-specific instrument, and a surgeon-specific instrument. The general instrument is selected from a predetermined group of off-the-shelf instruments. The first size-specific instrument has a first size selected from predetermined sizes. The patient-specific instrument includes a three-dimensional contoured engagement surface configured to nest into a portion of a native anatomy in a single location. The surgeon-specific instrument is selected based on a surgeon preference and is a different instrument than the selected general instrument, first size-specific instrument, and patient-specific instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Christopher W. Friend, Bradley T. Durcholz, Joshua B. Catanzarite, Robert Metzger, Kai Robert Worrell
  • Patent number: 9913734
    Abstract: An acetabular device includes a patient-specific acetabular alignment guide including a bone engagement surface. The bone engagement surface has a first portion configured and shaped to be conforming and complementary to an acetabular rim surface and a second portion configured and shaped to be conforming and complementary to a periacetabular area of an acetabulum of a patient. The acetabular alignment guide includes a plurality of guiding formations extending through the second portion for guiding a plurality of alignment pins therethrough. The bone engagement surface and the plurality of guiding formations are prepared from a three-dimensional model of the acetabulum of the specific patient reconstructed pre-operatively from a scan of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: John R. White, Lance Dean Perry, Aaron P. Smith, Jason D. Meridew, Bryan Morrison, W. Jason Slone, Tyler D. Witt, Mark A. Bollinger, 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: 20180036014
    Abstract: A method of positioning a femoral cutting guide on a distal end of a femur establishes at least a first reference plane to perform a distal femoral planar cut. The method includes inserting a mounting member into an intramedullary canal of the femur and coupling a bridge member to the mounting member. The method also includes placing a cutting guide member over a medal anterior portion of the distal femur. The cutting guide member has a first channel that establishes the first reference plane. The bridge member has a bridge channel. A wall of the bridge channel is inserted into the first channel of the cutting guide member. A mounting mechanism generates resistance between the bridge member and the cutting guide member. The resistance is overcome by positioning the cutting guide member relative to the femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Duke A. Fox, Robert Metzger, Scott Twomey
  • Publication number: 20180008292
    Abstract: A method of preparing a knee joint for a prosthesis in a patient includes mating a patient-specific three-dimensional curved inner surface of a femoral alignment guide onto a corresponding three-dimensional femoral joint surface of the patient. The patient-specific three-dimensional curved inner surface is preoperatively configured from medical scans of the knee joint of the patient. First and second holes are drilled into an anterior portion of the femoral joint surface through corresponding first and second guiding apertures of the femoral alignment guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Keith R. Berend, Michael E. Berend, Adolph V. Lombardi, Lance Dean Perry, Ryan John Schoenefeld
  • Publication number: 20180008422
    Abstract: An arthroplasty system including a unicondylar tibial tray implant, a total tibial tray implant, and a tibial bearing configured to individually couple with each one of the unicondylar tibial tray implant and the total tibial tray implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian M. May, Rusell Lloyd
  • Patent number: 9861387
    Abstract: A method of preparing a knee joint for a prosthesis in a patient includes mating a patient-specific three-dimensional curved inner surface of a femoral alignment guide onto a corresponding three-dimensional femoral joint surface of the patient. The patient-specific three-dimensional curved inner surface is preoperatively configured from medical scans of the knee joint of the patient. First and second holes are drilled into an anterior portion of the femoral joint surface through corresponding first and second guiding apertures of the femoral alignment guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Keith R. Berend, Michael E. Berend, Adolph V. Lombardi, Lance D. Perry, Ryan J. Schoenefeld
  • Patent number: 9826982
    Abstract: A method of positioning a femoral cutting guide on a distal end of a femur establishes at least a first reference plane to perform a distal femoral planar cut. The method includes inserting a mounting member into an intramedullary canal of the femur and coupling a bridge member to the mounting member. The method also includes placing a cutting guide member over a medial anterior portion of the distal femur. The cutting guide member has a first channel that establishes the first reference plane. The bridge member has a bridge channel. A wall of the bridge channel is inserted into the first channel of the cutting guide member. A mounting mechanism generates resistance between the bridge member and the cutting guide member. The resistance is overcome by positioning the cutting guide member relative to the femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Duke A. Fox, Robert Metzger, Scott Twomey
  • Publication number: 20170333176
    Abstract: A system for an anatomical joint includes a first fastener, a second fastener, a prosthetic ligament member, and a biasing member associated with at least one of the first and second fasteners. The first fastener is operable to be connected to a first bone portion. The second fastener is operable to be connected to a second bone portion. The prosthetic ligament member is flexible and is directly coupled to both the first and second fasteners to support the first bone portion and the second bone portion for relative movement. A portion of the prosthetic ligament member extends from the first fastener to the second fastener and has an adjustable length. The biasing member is operable to bias the prosthetic ligament member to thereby maintain tension in the prosthetic ligament member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Robert Metzger