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).

  • Publication number: 20200078182
    Abstract: A prosthetic assembly is provided. The prosthetic assembly comprises: a tibial tray having a medial retaining bracket, a lateral retaining bracket and a substantially centrally disposed boss, a medial bearing, a lateral bearing and a retention clip having a pair or arms which engage opposite sides of the boss and trap the medial lateral bearings, against the medial and lateral retaining brackets, respectively. A method of securing bearing components to a prosthetic assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Russell Lloyd, Paul James Kistle, Mona Alinejad, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20200060691
    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: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20200046518
    Abstract: A method for pre-operative orthopedic planning includes obtaining only a high-resolution knee-joint scan of a patient, determining hip rotation center and ankle rotation center from anthropometric data based on personal data of the patient, and determining a mechanical axis of the knee joint based on the anthropometric data. The method also includes preparing at least a two-dimensional image model of the knee joint using the knee-joint scan and the determined mechanical axis, and preparing a pre-operative surgical plan based on the image of the knee joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan John Schoenefeld, Brian Uthgenannt, Bryan Morrison, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10537342
    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: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10517735
    Abstract: A prosthetic assembly is provided. The prosthetic assembly comprises: a tibial tray having a medial retaining bracket, a lateral retaining bracket and a substantially centrally disposed boss, a medial bearing, a lateral bearing and a retention clip having a pair or arms which engage opposite sides of the boss and trap the medial lateral bearings, against the medial and lateral retaining brackets, respectively. A method of securing bearing components to a prosthetic assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet UK Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Russell Lloyd, Paul James Kistle, Mona Alinejad, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10517714
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20190374237
    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: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Ryan John Schoenefeld, Nathan Emick Belcher, Brian Uthgenannt
  • Patent number: 10492798
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10485555
    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: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher, Audra C. Watson, Bradley T. Durcholz, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Publication number: 20190336144
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for a shoulder joint includes a patient-specific alignment guide. The alignment guide includes a cap having a three-dimensional engagement surface customized in a pre-operative plan by computer imaging to be complementary and closely mate and conform to a humeral head of a proximal humerus of a patient. The alignment guide includes a tubular element extending from the cap and defining a longitudinal guiding bore for guiding an alignment pin at a patient-specific position and orientation determined in the pre-operative plan, and an orientation feature on the cap. The orientation feature is designed to orient the cap relative to the humeral head when the orientation feature is aligned with a landmark of the proximal humerus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas M. Vanasse, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10426492
    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: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Ryan John Schoenefeld, Nathan Emick Belcher, Brian Uthgenannt
  • Publication number: 20190269422
    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: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Adolph V. Lombardi, Christopher Peters, Jeffrey DeClaire, Keith Berend, Craig Della Valle, Brad Durcholz, Brice Bedke
  • Patent number: 10390845
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for a shoulder joint includes a patient-specific alignment guide. The alignment guide includes a cap having a three-dimensional engagement surface customized in a pre-operative plan by computer imaging to be complementary and closely mate and conform to a humeral head of a proximal humerus of a patient. The alignment guide includes a tubular element extending from the cap and defining a longitudinal guiding bore for guiding an alignment pin at a patient-specific position and orientation determined in the pre-operative plan, and an orientation feature on the cap. The orientation feature is designed to orient the cap relative to the humeral head when the orientation feature is aligned with a landmark of the proximal humerus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Vanasse, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20190223885
    Abstract: A medical device for preparing an elongated bone, such as a proximal femoral bone, for receiving an implant includes a patient-specific femoral guide and an elongated alignment element. The femoral guide has a patient-specific three-dimensional bone-engaging surface configured according to a preoperative plan based on a three-dimensional image model of the femoral bone to mate complementarily with the surface of the proximal femoral bone extending between the greater trochanter, the femoral neck and the femoral shaft of the proximal femur. The femoral guide includes a first guide end forming a planar guide configured for guiding a neck resection. The alignment member can be removably attached to the femoral guide and defines a reference axis for guiding a cutting tool into the femoral bone through a resected surface of the femoral neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, Tony Siebeneck, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20190167282
    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: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Keith R. Berend, Michael Berend, Adolph V. Lombardi, JR., Lance Dean Perry, Ryan John Schoenefeld
  • Patent number: 10278711
    Abstract: A medical device for preparing an elongated bone, such as a proximal femoral bone, for receiving an implant includes a patient-specific femoral guide and an elongated alignment element. The femoral guide has a patient-specific three-dimensional bone-engaging surface configured according to a preoperative plan based on a three-dimensional image model of the femoral bone to mate complementarily with the surface of the proximal femoral bone extending between the greater trochanter, the femoral neck and the femoral shaft of the proximal femur. The femoral guide includes a first guide end forming a planar guide configured for guiding a neck resection. The alignment member can be removably attached to the femoral guide and defines a reference axis for guiding a cutting tool into the femoral bone through a resected surface of the femoral neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, Tony Siebeneck, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10238399
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Duke A. Fox, Robert Metzger, Scott Twomey
  • Publication number: 20190069909
    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: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher, Joshua B. Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 10206697
    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: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Keith R. Berend, Michael E. Berend, Adolph V. Lombardi, Jr., Lance Dean Perry, Ryan John Schoenefeld
  • Publication number: 20180368858
    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: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Metzger