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).

  • BI-CRUCIATE KNEE SYSTEM
    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
  • FEMORAL ACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT GUIDE
    Publication number: 20160038160
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for correcting a femoral bone abnormality includes a patient-specific three-dimensional shell and a patient-specific guiding feature. The shell has an outer surface and an inner bone engagement surface customized in a pre-operating planning stage by computer imaging to closely mate and conform to and substantially cover a femoral head of a patient in only one position. The guiding feature is pre-operatively planned relative to the shell such that when the shell is fitted over the femoral head, the guiding feature can guide a removal tool for removing an abnormality portion of the proximal femur of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Jason D. Meridew, John M. Susaraba
  • PATIENT SPECIFIC ALIGNMENT GUIDE WITH CUTTING SURFACE AND LASER INDICATOR
    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
  • PATIENT-SPECIFIC-BONE-CUTTING GUIDANCE INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20160008008
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for cutting or resurfacing an outer bone surface of a bone of a patient includes first and second guides. Each guide has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured as a negative surface of a portion of the outer bone surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated slots. The elongated slots of the second guide are offset relative to the elongated slots of the first guide and configured for guiding a tool to resurface the outer bone surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Troy W. Hershberger
  • DISTAL FEMORAL CUTTING GUIDE
    Publication number: 20150359545
    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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Duke A. Fox, Robert Metzger, Scott Twomey
  • X-Ray Based Cutblock Positioning Jig
    Publication number: 20150351781
    Abstract: A cut block positioning jig including a first alignment member, a second alignment member, and both first and second guide members. The first alignment member is movable towards and away from a patient's bone to which the positioning jig is mounted to arrange the jig at a predetermined position relative to the bone based on x-rays of the patient. The second alignment member is movable towards and away from the bone to arrange the jig at the predetermined position relative to the bone. The first and second guide members are configured to direct cut block support members to the bone to couple a cut block to the bone to provide the bone with patient-specific cuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brian A. UTHGENANNT, Robert METZGER
  • Method And Apparatus For Manufacturing An Implant
    Publication number: 20150351778
    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: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger, Nathan E. Belcher, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • PATIENT-SPECIFIC AUGMENTS
    Publication number: 20150335438
    Abstract: A patient-specific augment can be attached to an implant component for a bone of a joint of a patient. The patient-specific augment has first and second surfaces. The first surface is a three-dimensional patient-specific surface that closely matches and can mate to a substantially unaltered and unresected surface of a bone defect of the specific patient only in one position. The second surface is designed to engage a non-custom surface of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew L. Pierce, Robert Metzger
  • Patient-Specific Elbow Guides And Associated Methods
    Publication number: 20150320429
    Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide includes a three-dimensional engagement surface customized in a pre-operating planning stage by computer imaging to closely mate and conform to a corresponding bone portion of a patient's elbow joint. The patient-specific alignment guide defines a first longitudinal guiding bore aligned with a reference axis associated with the elbow joint of patient when the alignment guide is mounted onto the corresponding bone portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas J. KATRANA, Thomas M. Vanasse, Robert Metzger
  • Patient-Modified Implant
    Publication number: 20150320508
    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: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: John R. WHITE, Robert METZGER, Keith R. BEREND
  • Patient-specific-bone-cutting guidance instruments and methods
    Patent number: 9173666
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for cutting or resurfacing an outer bone surface of a bone of a patient includes first and second guides. Each guide has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured as a negative surface of a portion of the outer bone surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated slots. The elongated slots of the second guide are offset relative to the elongated slots of the first guide and configured for guiding a tool to resurface the outer bone surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Troy W. Hershberger
  • Patient specific alignment guide with cutting surface and laser indicator
    Patent number: 9173661
    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: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Ryan J. Schoenefeld, Nathan E. Belcher, Brian A. Uthgenannt
  • Instrumentation For Knee Resection
    Publication number: 20150305754
    Abstract: A system for performing a resection of a selected portion of an anatomy with a resection instrument. The system includes a first member, a first movement defining portion defined by the first member, a second member, and a second movement defining portion of the second member. The first member is fixable to the selected portion of the anatomy. The second member is configured to cooperate with the first member. The first movement defining portion and the second movement defining portion are operable to allow the second member to be moveable relative to the first member from a first position to a second position. The resection instrument is positionable relative to the second member in the first position and in the second position to form a selected resection of the selected portion of the anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Robert METZGER
  • Bi-cruciate knee system
    Patent number: 9161761
    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: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan Belcher, Audra C. Watson, Bradley Durcholz, Joshua Catanzarite
  • Femoral acetabular impingement guide
    Patent number: 9113971
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for correcting a femoral bone abnormality includes a patient-specific three-dimensional shell and a patient-specific guiding feature. The shell has an outer surface and an inner bone engagement surface customized in a pre-operating planning stage by computer imaging to closely mate and conform to and substantially cover a femoral head of a patient in only one position. The guiding feature is pre-operatively planned relative to the shell such that when the shell is fitted over the femoral head, the guiding feature can guide a removal tool for removing an abnormality portion of the proximal femur of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Jason D. Meridew, John M. Susaraba
  • Distal femoral cutting guide
    Patent number: 9113923
    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: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC.
    Inventors: Duke A. Fox, Robert Metzger, Scott Twomey
  • BI-CRUCIATE KNEE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150173781
    Abstract: An instrumentation set for preparing a proximal tibia during a bi-cruciate retaining procedure can include a tibial resection block and a stylus. 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 stylus can have a first block attachment feature and a second block attachment feature. The first block attachment feature can be offset from the stylus a first distance. The second block attachment feature can be offset from the stylus a second distance. The first and second block attachment features of the stylus can be selectively and alternatively received by the slot of the tibial resection block to position the stylus at distinct offset locations relative to the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Adolph V. Lombardi, Christopher L. Peters, Jeffrey DeCaire, Keith Berend, Craig Della Valle, Brad Durcholz, Brice W. Bedke
  • X-ray based cut block positioning jig
    Patent number: 9060786
    Abstract: A cut block positioning jig including a first alignment member, a second alignment member, and both first and second guide members. The first alignment member is movable towards and away from a patient's bone to which the positioning jig is mounted to arrange the jig at a predetermined position relative to the bone based on x-rays of the patient. The second alignment member is movable towards and away from the bone to arrange the jig at the predetermined position relative to the bone. The first and second guide members are configured to direct cut block support members to the bone to couple a cut block to the bone to provide the bone with patient-specific cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger
  • Instrumentation for knee resection
    Patent number: 9023053
    Abstract: A system for performing a resection of a selected portion of an anatomy with a resection instrument. The system includes a first member, a first movement defining portion defined by the first member, a second member, and a second movement defining portion of the second member. The first member is fixable to the selected portion of the anatomy. The second member is configured to cooperate with the first member. The first movement defining portion and the second movement defining portion are operable to allow the second member to be moveable relative to the first member from a first position to a second position. The resection instrument is positionable relative to the second member in the first position and in the second position to form a selected resection of the selected portion of the anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Prosthetic device with damper
    Patent number: 9011548
    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: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt