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: 20140018948
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert METZGER
  • Patent number: 8617250
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20130345819
    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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert METZGER, Brian A. UTHGENANNT
  • Patent number: 8613715
    Abstract: A passive exercise therapy station moves a patient's limb or body part through a prescribed range of motion without stress to the patient's limb or associated joints. A frame is formed of a pair of arches joined in parallel to one another, with a pair of overhead horizontal rails. One or more main cables extend over guide pulleys on the frame and past an adjustable guide carriage that travels along the overhead rails. An actuator positions the guide carriage at a desired location on the overhead rails. An exercise cable descends from the guide carriage to the patient. The exercise cable may be a web attached to the main cable. The exercise therapy station may be wheeled between rooms for therapy of a given patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Wright Wellness Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wright, Paul Lindsay, Robert Metzger, Ramona Wright, Deborah Metzger
  • Patent number: 8608748
    Abstract: A device for an orthopedic knee procedure. The device includes a drill guide having a body portion and first and second posts extending from the body portion, the first and second posts defining first and second internal through-bores, the first post having a first cross-sectional shape and the second post having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape of the first post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Nathan Emick Belcher
  • Patent number: 8608749
    Abstract: A method for preparing a joint surface of a patient for an implant, such as, for example, an acetabular implant for a hip joint. According to the method, a patient-specific guide is attached to a complementary joint surface of the patient. The patient-specific guide includes a guiding element oriented along a patient-specific alignment axis. The alignment axis is determined during a preoperative plan of the patient for implant alignment. A shaft of a guiding tool is removably coupled to the guiding element of the guide. A three-dimensional orientation device is removably attached to the shaft of the guiding tool. A position of a bubble of the orientation device is marked with a mark on an outer transparent surface of the orientation device while the guiding tool is oriented along the alignment axis. The marked orientation device can be used for aligning other instruments during the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, Tony Siebeneck, Tyler D. Witt, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8603180
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    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
  • Publication number: 20130317621
    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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 8591593
    Abstract: A tibial component for use with a resected tibia can include a medial tray portion adapted to engage a portion of the resected tibia and a lateral tray portion adapted to engage a portion of the resected tibia. A linkage can couple the medial tray portion to the lateral tray portion such that at least one of the medial tray portion and the lateral tray portion is pivotable relative to the other of the medial tray portion and the lateral tray portion to position the medial tray portion and the lateral tray portion at separate angles with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8591516
    Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a patient-specific alignment guide operable for preparing a bone of a patient for resection during joint arthroplasty. The alignment guide includes a patient-specific bone engagement surface complementary to a surface of the bone of the patient and imaged from a bone scan of the patient. The alignment guide includes a plurality of guiding bores, and a plurality of alignment pins received through corresponding guiding bores for attaching the alignment guide to the bone. The alignment pins are resorbable and can be cut off during a resection of the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Joshua B. Catanzarite, Brian M. May
  • Patent number: 8568487
    Abstract: A patient-specific acetabular resection guide includes a dome-shaped surface bounded by a periphery. The dome-shaped surface is a three-dimensional patient-specific surface designed to anatomically match and be received into an acetabulum of the patient, based on a three-dimensional image of a hip joint of the patient reconstructed from a medical scan of the hip joint. The resection guide includes a plurality of guiding formations defined on the resection guide and having patient-specific shapes and orientations for guiding corresponding osteotomies relative to the acetabulum for correcting hip dysplasia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler D. Witt, Jason D. Meridew, John R. White, Troy W. Hershberger, Robert Metzger
  • Publication number: 20130282132
    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: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: John R. WHITE, Robert METZGER, Keith R. BEREND
  • Patent number: 8551100
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for performing a procedure relative to a selected portion of the anatomy, for example, preparing a portion of a joint, such as a knee, for implantation of a prosthesis. The manner of preparing the selected portion of the anatomy can be assisted with the various apparatuses disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8535387
    Abstract: A method for preparing a femoral neck for receiving a neck implant includes obtaining image data of a proximal femoral bone and femoral neck of a patient by a medical imaging method and constructing a three-dimensional image model of the proximal femoral bone and neck of the patient using the image data. The method further includes identifying a three-dimensional cortical boundary surface at an interface between cortical and cancellous bone of the patient using the image model. A patient-specific broach having a three-dimensional cutting surface closely matching and complementary to the cortical boundary surface of the patient using the image model is designed and manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, John R. White, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8532807
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 8518121
    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: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt
  • Patent number: 8518047
    Abstract: Various method and apparatuses may be used to perform a procedure, such as a resection of a portion of the anatomy for preparation of the implants of a prosthetic. Various resecting member, including saw blades having selected geometries and shapes, can be used to assist in the resection of an anatomy to provide for implantation of a prosthetic. In addition, a cutting block assembly may be used to guide the resecting member. The cutting block assembly may be moveably mounted relative to the portion to be resected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Stephen Brown, Garrett A. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 8500818
    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: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Metzger, Brian A. Uthgenannt, Kevin T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20130184764
    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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Robert Metzger, Louis J. Keppler
  • Patent number: 8486150
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: John R. White, Robert Metzger, Keith R. Berend