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: 9579208
    Abstract: A method for implanting a prosthesis system for replacement of a head portion of a proximal radius includes determining a distance between a proximal radius and a humerus. The method also includes selecting one of a first head component or a second head component based on the determination. The first and second head components have unique heights. The method further includes connecting the selected first or second head component to an articulation component and connecting a stem component to the selected first or second head component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Katrana, Thomas M. Vanasse, Adam Finley, William J. Hamman, Robert Metzger, Bryce A. Isch, Christopher H. Martin
  • Patent number: 9539013
    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: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Katrana, Thomas M. Vanasse, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20170000626
    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: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: John R. White, Lance Dean Perry, Aaron P. Smith, Jason D. Meridew, Bryan Morrison, William Jason Slone, Tyler D. Witt, Mark A. Bollinger, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9522010
    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: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Joshua B. Catanzarite, Brian M. May
  • Publication number: 20160346044
    Abstract: A method of planning and preparing for a total knee arthroplasty procedure, the method comprising: generating three-dimensional models of a tibia and a femur of a patient; sizing the tibia and the femur to within a range based on the three-dimensional models; selecting a resection tool for each of the tibia and femur based on the three-dimensional models; and packaging the resection tools. A method of planning and preparing for a surgical procedure can comprise: generating a three-dimensional bone model for one or more bones; sizing the one or more bones based on the three-dimensional model; recording a surgical plan based on the three-dimensional bone model; selecting a first surgical tool for the one or more bone based on the surgical plan; and evaluating selection of a second surgical tool based on a performance parameter of the first surgical tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: David R. Brown, Brian Uthgenannt, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20160338838
    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: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, John R. White, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9480580
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9480490
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan E. Belcher
  • Patent number: 9456833
    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: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: William Maxson, Kevin T. Stone, Andrew L. Pierce, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9445907
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, John R. White, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9414925
    Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint assembly includes a femoral component and a bearing that supports articulation of the femoral component. The assembly further includes a tibial tray. Furthermore, the assembly includes a ligament link operably coupled to the tibial tray or the femoral component via a coupling component. The ligament link extending through the other of the tibial tray or the femoral component to couple to the respective one of the femur or tibia. The ligament link extends between first and second ends and includes an outer wall defining an interior longitudinal passage portion. First and second apertures extend through the wall. The first end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a first adjustable loop, and the second end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a second adjustable loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt, Kevin T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20160228133
    Abstract: A patient-specific acetabular guide can be used for preparing an acetabulum of a patient to receive an acetabular implant. The acetabular guide includes a patient-specific engagement surface designed to be complementary and mateable with a corresponding surface of the patient's pelvic anatomy. The acetabular guide is designed during a pre-operative plan for the patient by a three-dimensional reconstruction of the anatomy of the patient using two-dimensional medical images. The patient-specific engagement surface has a first portion mateable with a portion of the acetabulum of the patient. The acetabular guide includes a guiding element that extends from the acetabular guide opposite to the first portion of engagement surface. The guiding element defines a bore designed to be oriented along an alignment axis for an acetabular implant when the acetabular guide is engaged to the acetabulum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, Tyler D. Witt, Ryan John Schoenefeld, William Jason Slone, Robert Metzger, Adolph V. Lombardi, Jeffrey H. Nycz, Matthew D. Munsterman, Alexander P. Wolfe, Tamon Kabata, James Nairus, John C. Clohisy
  • Patent number: 9408704
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9408702
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20160213491
    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: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan John Schoenefeld, Brian Uthgenannt, Bryan Morrison, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9345548
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Schoenefeld, Brian A. Uthgenannt, Bryan Morrison, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20160135824
    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: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas M. Vanasse, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 9339278
    Abstract: A patient-specific acetabular guide can be used for preparing an acetabulum of a patient to receive an acetabular implant. The acetabular guide includes a patient-specific engagement surface designed to be complementary and mateable with a corresponding surface of the patient's pelvic anatomy. The acetabular guide is designed during a pre-operative plan for the patient by a three-dimensional reconstruction of the anatomy of the patient using two-dimensional medical images. The patient-specific engagement surface has a first portion mateable with a portion of the acetabulum of the patient. The acetabular guide includes a guiding element that extends from the acetabular guide opposite to the first portion of engagement surface. The guiding element defines a bore designed to be oriented along an alignment axis for an acetabular implant when the acetabular guide is engaged to the acetabulum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, Tyler D. Witt, Ryan J. Schoenefeld, W. Jason Slone, Robert Metzger, Adolph V. Lombardi, Jeffrey H. Nycz, Matthew D. Munsterman, Alexander P. Wolfe, Tamon Kabata, James G. Nairus, John C. Clohisy
  • Patent number: 9289299
    Abstract: A bone augment for repairing a bone defect and associated method. The bone augment includes a porous body and a reinforcement member. The porous body defines a plurality of pores and is configured to be intraoperatively shaped to correspond to the bone defect. The reinforcement member is mounted on an exterior surface of the porous body and is configured to be intraoperatively shaped to correspond to the bone defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian M. May, Daniel E. Williamson
  • Patent number: 9289253
    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: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Vanasse, Robert Metzger