Patents by Inventor Robert Metzger

Robert 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: 8480751
    Abstract: A prosthesis system for replacing a knee joint between a femur and a tibia can include a first femoral component including a first condylar portion, a second condylar portion, a first sidewall extending superiorly from the first condylar portion and a second sidewall offset from the first sidewall a first distance and extending superiorly from the second condylar portion. A tibial component can have a bone engaging inferior surface and a bearing engaging superior surface. A bearing can have an inferior surface that engages the bearing engaging surface and a superior femoral engaging surface. The bearing can define an opening and a bearing keyway. A first yoke and a second yoke can each have an inferior portion, a superior portion, and a yoke keyway extending therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, David R. Brown, Brian M. May, Audra Watson, Nathan E. Belcher
  • Patent number: 8473305
    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: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan E. Belcher, Robert Metzger, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 8444699
    Abstract: A bone augment for repairing a bone defect. The bone augment includes a porous body and a metallic liner. The porous body defines a bore and is configured to be intraoperatively shaped to correspond to the bone defect. The metallic liner is injection molded within the bore such that portions of the liner interlock with pores of the porous body. The metallic liner is operable to mount an implant to the bone augment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian M. May, Daniel E. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8407067
    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: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger, Nathan E. Belcher, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 8398646
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for preparing a knee joint for a prosthesis in a patient includes a femoral alignment guide. The femoral alignment guide has a patient-specific three-dimensional curved inner surface preoperatively configured from medical image scans of the knee joint of the patient to nestingly conform and mate and match only in one position to a corresponding three-dimensional femoral surface of a joint surface of the patient. The femoral alignment guide has a first guiding aperture corresponding to a distal portion of the femoral surface and a second guiding aperture corresponding to an anterior portion of the femoral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Keith R. Berend, Michael E. Berend, Adolph V. Lombardi, Jr., Lance D. Perry, Ryan J. Schoenefeld
  • Patent number: 8382845
    Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis including a femoral component for attachment to a femur. The femoral component includes an anterior portion, first and second condylar portions extending from the anterior portion and having first and second bearing surfaces, the first and second condylar portions having first and second posterior ends, and a third condylar portion defined between the first and second condylar portions and extending anteriorly beyond the first and second posterior ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Yukari Kito
  • Patent number: 8377066
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Katrana, Thomas M. Vanasse, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8366281
    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: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Barry D. Silverstein, Gary E. Nothhard, Joseph R. Bietry, Robert Metzger, Andrew F. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20130006375
    Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis assembly according to the present disclosure can include a femoral component, a unitary tibial component, a medial bearing, and a lateral bearing. The femoral component can have 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. The unitary tibial component can have a medial portion that includes a first posterior engagement lip and a first outer securing lip. The tibial component can further include a lateral portion that includes a second posterior engagement lip and a second outer securing lip. The medial bearing can have a first posterior groove formed thereon that selectively engages the first posterior engagement lip and a first outer groove that selectively engages the first outer securing lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, James G. Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20130001121
    Abstract: A method for preparing a backup kit for a plurality of patient-specific arthroplasty procedures scheduled at the same medical facility includes providing a database with data from completed arthroplasty procedures using patient-specific arthroplasty kits. The database includes comparisons between preoperatively planned implant size and intraoperatively implanted implant size. The method includes determining a statistically expected implant size deviation from a planned implant size for each implant included in a plurality of patient-specific arthroplasty kits prepared for a shipment to the medical facility using the database. A backup kit of backup implants is assembled for the shipment. The number and size of the backup implants is determined from the statistically expected implant size deviations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20130006250
    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: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: ROBERT METZGER, TROY W. HERSHBERGER
  • Patent number: 8343227
    Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint assembly includes a femoral component that engages a femur and at least one bearing that supports articulation of the femoral component thereon. Also, the assembly includes a tibial tray that engages a tibia and that supports the bearing. A ligament link coupling component is included on the femoral component or the tibial tray. The ligament link coupling component is operable to couple to a ligament link to couple the ligament link to the femoral component or the tibial tray. Moreover, the assembly includes an opening included on the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray. The ligament link is received in the opening to bypass the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray to operably couple to the respective one of the femur or the tibia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt, Kevin T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20120323333
    Abstract: A tibial prosthesis assembly can comprise a tibial tray and a tibial insert. The tibial tray can have an inferior bone engaging surface, a superior surface, and a first retaining feature. The tibial insert can have an inferior tray engaging surface, a superior bearing surface, and a second retaining feature. The first and second retaining features can cooperate to inhibit substantial lift-off of the tibial insert away from the superior surface of the tibial tray while permitting a predetermined amount of rotation of the tibial insert around the superior surface in an assembled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING, CORP.
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8333772
    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: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Duke A. Fox, Robert Metzger, Scott Twomey
  • Publication number: 20120316563
    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: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan Belcher, Audra C. Watson, Bradley Durcholz, Joshua Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 8328873
    Abstract: A prosthesis system for replacing a knee joint between a femur and a tibia can include a femoral component, a tibial component, a bearing, a first yoke, and a first key. The femoral component can include a first condylar portion, a second condylar portion, a first sidewall extending superiorly from the first condylar portion, a second sidewall extending superiorly from the second condylar portion where the first and second sidewalls collectively comprise a first hinge portion. The tibial component can have a bone engaging inferior surface and a bearing engaging superior surface. The bearing can have an inferior that engages the bearing engaging surface and a superior femoral engaging surface. The bearing can define an opening. The first yoke can have an inferior portion, a superior portion and a yoke keyway extending through the therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, David R. Brown, Brian M. May, Audra Watson, Nathan E. Belcher
  • Publication number: 20120310399
    Abstract: A pre-operative planning and manufacturing method for orthopedic surgery includes obtaining pre-operative medical image data representing a joint portion of a patient. The method also includes constructing a three-dimensional digital model of the joint portion and manufacturing a patient-specific alignment guide for the joint portion from the three-dimensional digital model of the joint portion when the image data is sufficient to construct the three-dimensional digital model of the joint portion. The patient-specific alignment guide has a three-dimensional patient-specific surface pre-operatively configured to nest and closely conform to a corresponding surface of the joint portion of the patient in only one position relative to the joint portion. The method further includes determining, from the image data, a size of a non-custom implant to be implanted in the patient and manufacturing the non-custom implant when there is insufficient image data to construct the patient-specific alignment guide therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8323290
    Abstract: A tensor for use with a surgical navigation system is provided. The tensor comprises a first bone engaging member engageable with a first bone and a second bone engaging member engageable with a second bone. A force-applying mechanism is configured to forcibly move the first and second bone engaging members relative to one another and a sensor detects the value of the force applied by the force-applying mechanism. A transmitter communicates a parameter associated with the tensor to the surgical navigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Ryan Cameron Lakin
  • Publication number: 20120303004
    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: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Christopher W. Friend, Bradley T. Durcholz, Joshua B. Catanzarite, Robert Metzger, Kai Robert Worrell
  • Publication number: 20120296438
    Abstract: A prosthesis system for replacing a knee joint between a femur and a tibia can include a first femoral component including a first condylar portion, a second condylar portion, a first sidewall extending superiorly from the first condylar portion and a second sidewall offset from the first sidewall a first distance and extending superiorly from the second condylar portion. A tibial component can have a bone engaging inferior surface and a bearing engaging superior surface. A bearing can have an inferior surface that engages the bearing engaging surface and a superior femoral engaging surface. The bearing can define an opening and a bearing keyway. A first yoke and a second yoke can each have an inferior portion, a superior portion, and a yoke keyway extending therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, David R. Brown, Brian M. May, Audra Watson, Nathan E. Belcher