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).

  • Patient-specific alignment guide
    Patent number: 8858561
    Abstract: An orthopedic apparatus includes an alignment guide attachable to one of a femoral joint surface of a femur of a patient. The alignment guide has a patient-specific three-dimensional engagement surface, and at least one guiding portion defining a guiding passage. The engagement surface anatomically matches a corresponding portion of the femoral joint surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Blomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: John R. White, Kurt Schmidt, Troy W. Hershberger, Thomas C. Raish, Ryan J. Schoenefeld, William J. Hamman, Jason D. Meridew, Tyler D. Witt, Robert Metzger, J. Scott Deming, Tim Clijmans, Frederik Gelaude
  • Knee Prosthesis System
    Publication number: 20140277535
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Andrew L. Pierce, David R. Brown, Brian M. May, Joshua R. Porter, Larabeth G. Ryan
  • Pyrocarbon orthopedic implant
    Patent number: 8834573
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Kevin T. Stone
  • Femoral guide for implanting a femoral knee prosthesis
    Patent number: 8834486
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selecting a femoral prosthetic for implantation relative to a femur using a femoral sizing guide. An extension portion of the femoral sizing guide is placed adjacent to a posterior condyle surface of the femur. A stylus is located proximate to an interior condyle surface of the femur. A first actuator disposed between the extension portion and a base portion is moved to rotatably displace the extension portion with respect to the base portion until the stylus is centrally located on top of the interior condyle. A measurement of the femur is identified with the sizing guide based on a relative location of the stylus, the extension portion and the base portion. A femoral prosthesis is selected based on the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Jacy C. Hoeppner
  • Patient-specific high tibia osteotomy
    Patent number: 8828087
    Abstract: A surgical method for tibia osteotomy includes attaching a patient-specific alignment guide to a corresponding surface of a tibia of a patient for whom the alignment guide is customized during a pre-operative planning stage and making a partial bone cut in the tibia through a planar slot of the alignment guide. The planar slot is oriented at a patient-specific angle relative to an anatomic axis of the patient and the angle is customized during the pre-operative planning stage. The method includes opening the bone cut to form an opening wedge, and inserting a patient-specific implantable wedge into the opening wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Robert Metzger, Louis J. Keppler
  • Prosthetic ligament system for knee joint
    Patent number: 8801783
    Abstract: A system for a knee joint includes a first fastener and a second fastener operable to be connected to the tibia and femur, respectively. Furthermore, the system includes a flexible prosthetic ligament member. The ligament member is operably coupled to the first and second fasteners to support the tibia and the femur for relative movement. The ligament member extends from a first end to a second end, and includes an outer wall that defines a hollow longitudinal passage portion. The first end extends into and out of the longitudinal passage portion through the outer wall to define a first adjustable loop, and the second end extends into and out of the longitudinal passage portion through the outer wall to define a second adjustable loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Robert Metzger
  • Patient-specific bone-cutting guidance instruments and methods
    Patent number: 8764760
    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: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Troy W. Hershberger
  • PROSTHESIS AND IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140156019
    Abstract: A method of positioning a femoral prosthesis relative to a femur. The method includes forming a first curved surface on a first condyle of the femur, and securing the femoral prosthesis to the femur such that a first curved bone-engaging surface of the femoral prosthesis mates with the first curved surface formed on the femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Duke A. Fox
  • Patient-Specific Osteotomy Devices And Methods
    Publication number: 20140135775
    Abstract: An osteotomy method includes attaching a patient-specific osteotomy guide to a corresponding surface of a tibia of a patient and making an osteotomy at a patient-specific orientation through a resection slot of the osteotomy guide. The osteotomy guide is removed and first and second faces of the osteotomy are opened to form an implant insertion angle. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are secured at the implant insertion angle and an osteotomy implant having a patient-specific wedge angle that is smaller than the implant insertion angle is implanted. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are brought to the patient-specific wedge angle and in contact with the osteotomy implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: William MAXSON, Kevin T. STONE, Andrew L. PIERCE, Robert METZGER
  • REVISION KNEE TIBIAL LOCKING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20140114427
    Abstract: A tibial prosthesis assembly including a tibial component and a tibial insert. The tibial component includes an inferior bone engaging surface, a superior surface, and a first retention feature. The tibial insert includes an inferior tibial component engaging surface, a superior bearing surface, and a second retaining feature. The first and the second retaining features cooperate to mate the tibial insert with the tibial component at one of a plurality of fixed rotational orientations relative to the tibial component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patient-Specific Acetabular Guides And Associated Instruments
    Publication number: 20140107651
    Abstract: A surgical kit for preparing a joint surface to receive an implant includes a patient-specific guide for a joint surface. The patient-specific guide has a patient-specific surface complementary to a surface of the joint for nesting engagement, and a guiding element oriented along a patient-specific alignment axis. The alignment axis is determined during a preoperative plan of the specific patient for implant alignment. The kit includes a guiding tool couplable to the guiding element of the patient-specific guide and a three-dimensional orientation device removably couplable the guiding tool for intra-operative calibration, such that, after calibration, the orientation device can be removably coupled to a shaft of a surgical instrument to align the shaft along the alignment axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. MERIDEW, Tony SIEBENECK, Tyler D. WITT, Robert METZGER
  • Patient-Specific Guides
    Publication number: 20140100578
    Abstract: A device for an orthopedic knee procedure. The device includes a tibial drill guide having a body portion and first and second posts extending from the body portion, the first post shorter in length than the second post. The device includes a patient-specific tibial alignment guide including a body with an inner anatomy-engaging surface shaped to closely conform and mate with a corresponding tibial joint surface. The first and second guiding receptacles define first and second inner channels sized and shaped to receive the first and second posts of the tibial drill guide. The first receptacle being shorter in length than the second receptacle, such that when the alignment guide is mounted on the tibial joint surface and the drill guide is mounted on the alignment guide, the first receptacle and the first post define a clearance gap between the tibia and the device for a patellar tendon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert METZGER, Nathan E. Belcher
  • Patient-Specific Shoulder Guide
    Publication number: 20140094816
    Abstract: A method for inserting an acetabular implant into the acetabulum of a patient. The method includes engaging a patient-specific surface of acetabular alignment guide to a complementary rim surface and periacetabular area of a patient. A plurality of alignment pins are inserted through corresponding alignment apertures of the acetabular alignment guide and into the periacetabular area of the patient. The acetabular alignment guide is removed without removing the alignment pins from the patient. An alignment adapter is coupled to an acetabular inserter over the alignment pins and an acetabular implant is implanted using the acetabular inserter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: John R. WHITE, Lance D. PERRY, Aaron P. SMITH, Jason D. MERIDEW, Bryan MORRISON, W. Jason SLONE, Tyler D. WITT, Mark A. BOLLINGER, Robert METZGER
  • PIVOTING TIBIAL TRAY
    Publication number: 20140081412
    Abstract: A tibial component for implantation at a resected tibia. The tibial component includes a medial tray, a lateral tray, and a connection member between the medial tray and the lateral tray. A first fastener extends from the medial tray to the connection member along a first pivot axle to pivotably couple the medial tray to the connection member. A second fastener is spaced apart from the first fastener and extends from the lateral tray to the connection member along a second pivot axle to pivotably couple the lateral tray to the connection member. The medial tray and the lateral tray are configured to pivot independently of one another with respect to the connection member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patient-Specific Orthopedic Instruments
    Publication number: 20140081275
    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: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert METZGER, Joshua B. CATANZARITE, Brian M. MAY
  • Bi-Cruciate Knee System
    Publication number: 20140066934
    Abstract: A tibial tray configured for use in a bi-cruciate retaining knee procedure can include a medial portion, a lateral portion, and an anterior connecting portion. The medial portion can have a medial superior bearing opposing surface, a medial inferior bone opposing surface, and a medial connecting surface. The lateral portion can have a lateral superior bearing opposing surface, a lateral inferior bone opposing surface, and a lateral connecting surface. The anterior connecting portion can connect the medial and lateral portions and cooperate with the medial and lateral portions to define a slot therebetween. The medial and lateral connecting surfaces can be formed on converging planes from respective inferior surfaces to superior surfaces of the tibial tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Carl Deirmengian, Robert Metzger
  • Patient-Specific Hip Joint Devices
    Publication number: 20140052270
    Abstract: An implant for a femoral head of a patient. The implant includes a shell implantable on the femoral head of the patient and correcting a defect of the femoral head. The shell is designed preoperatively to have a patient-specific first surface for articulation with the patient's acetabulum and a patient-specific periphery mateable with a periphery of the defect. The shell caps the defect and the first surface of the shell is continuous to a remaining healthy surface of the femoral head. The defect can be a bone defect, a cartilage defect or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler D. Witt, Jason D. Meridew, John R. White, Troy W. Hershberger, Robert Metzger
  • INSTRUMENTATION FOR KNEE RESECTION
    Publication number: 20140039507
    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: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patient-specific osteotomy devices and methods
    Patent number: 8632547
    Abstract: An osteotomy method includes attaching a patient-specific osteotomy guide to a corresponding surface of a tibia of a patient and making an osteotomy at a patient-specific orientation through a resection slot of the osteotomy guide. The osteotomy guide is removed and first and second faces of the osteotomy are opened to form an implant insertion angle. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are secured at the implant insertion angle and an osteotomy implant having a patient-specific wedge angle that is smaller than the implant insertion angle is implanted. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are brought to the patient-specific wedge angle and in contact with the osteotomy implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: William Maxson, Kevin T. Stone, Andrew L. Pierce, Robert Metzger
  • Patient-Specific Tools And Implants
    Publication number: 20140018934
    Abstract: A method for preparing a femoral neck for receiving a neck implant includes resecting a femoral head from a femoral neck of a patient according to a pre-operative patient-specific plan. The method also includes removing only cancellous bone from the femoral neck and proximal femoral bone of the patient using a patient-specific broach. The patient-specific broach has a three-dimensional cutting surface matching as a negative mold a cortical/cancellous bone interface surface of the femoral neck of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. MERIDEW, John R. White, Robert Metzger