Patents by Inventor W. Bret Smith

W. Bret Smith 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: 20190328435
    Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using a fulcrum. In some examples, the technique involves inserting a fulcrum between a first metatarsal that is anatomically misaligned with respect to a second metatarsal. The technique further includes preparing an end of the first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. In addition, a distal portion of the first metatarsal is moved toward the second metatarsal in a transverse plane, thereby pivoting a proximal portion of the first metatarsal about the fulcrum and reducing an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: F. Barry Bays, Robert D. Santrock, Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Sean F. Scanlan, Joe William Ferguson, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20190274745
    Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: W. Bret Smith, Paul Dayton, Sean F. Scanlan, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, John T. Treace
  • Patent number: 10342590
    Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using a fulcrum. In some examples, the technique involves inserting a fulcrum between a first metatarsal that is anatomically misaligned with respect to a second metatarsal. The technique further includes preparing an end of the first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. In addition, a distal portion of the first metatarsal is moved toward the second metatarsal in a transverse plane, thereby pivoting a proximal portion of the first metatarsal about the fulcrum and reducing an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Barry Bays, Robert D. Santrock, Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Sean F. Scanlan, Joe William Ferguson, John T. Treace
  • Patent number: 10335220
    Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bret Smith, Paul Dayton, Sean F. Scanlan, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20190175238
    Abstract: A bone plate can be used to fixate one or more bones. In some examples, the bone plate defines an elongated body having a plurality of fixation holes arrayed at different points along the length of the body. For example, the bone plate may have opposed fixation holes separated by a bridge. The bone plate may be bent or shaped along a central longitudinal axis extending through the elongated body and also twisted around the central longitudinal axis. The bending and twisting can position each fixation hole of the elongated body in a different plane in three-dimensional space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, David L. Brumfield
  • Patent number: 10245088
    Abstract: A bone plate can be used to fixate one or more bones. In some examples, the bone plate defines an elongated body having a plurality of fixation holes arrayed at different points along the length of the body. For example, the bone plate may have opposed fixation holes separated by a bridge. The bone plate may be bent or shaped along a central longitudinal axis extending through the elongated body and also twisted around the central longitudinal axis. The bending and twisting can position each fixation hole of the elongated body in a different plane in three-dimensional space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, David L. Brumfield
  • Publication number: 20180317992
    Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Robert D. Santrock, Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Sean F. Scanlan, Joe W. Ferguson, John T. Treace
  • Patent number: 10045807
    Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Santrock, Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Sean F. Scanlan, Joe William Ferguson, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20180185079
    Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: W. Bret Smith, Paul Dayton, Sean F. Scanlan, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, John T. Treace
  • Patent number: 9936994
    Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bret Smith, Paul Dayton, Sean F. Scanlan, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20170172638
    Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Robert D. Santrock, Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Sean F. Scanlan, Joe William Ferguson, John T. Treace
  • Patent number: 9622805
    Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Santrock, Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Sean F. Scanlan, Joe William Ferguson, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20170079669
    Abstract: In some examples, a method for preparing one or more bones involves inserting a spacer into a space defined between a first bone and a second bone, such as a joint space between a first metatarsal and medial cuneiform. A bone preparation guide can be aligned with opposed ends of the first bone and the second bone using the spacer as an alignment reference. For example, the bone preparation guide may include an opening such that the guide can be installed across the joint space with the spacer received in the opening. A clinician may use the bone preparation guide to guide a tissue removing instrument to cut or otherwise prepare the ends of the first bone portion and second bone portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: F. Barry Bays, Paul Dayton, Joe William Ferguson, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Robert D. Santrock, Sean F. Scanlan, W. Bret Smith, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20170042598
    Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Robert D. Santrock, Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Sean F. Scanlan, Joe William Ferguson, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20170042599
    Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using a fulcrum. In some examples, the technique involves inserting a fulcrum between a first metatarsal that is anatomically misaligned with respect to a second metatarsal. The technique further includes preparing an end of the first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. In addition, a distal portion of the first metatarsal is moved toward the second metatarsal in a transverse plane, thereby pivoting a proximal portion of the first metatarsal about the fulcrum and reducing an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: F. Barry Bays, Robert D. Santrock, Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, Carlos Eduardo Gil, Sean F. Scanlon, Joe William Ferguson, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20170014173
    Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: W. Bret Smith, Paul Dayton, Sean F. Scanlan, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, John T. Treace
  • Publication number: 20170014143
    Abstract: A bone cutting guide may include a support that contains a shaft movable relative to the support. The shaft may carry a guide member having one or more cut guides through which a clinician inserts a cutting member to cut bone positioned under the guide cut guides. In operation, a clinician may fixate the support of the bone cutting guide to a bone and translate the guide member until the one or more cut guides are positioned at a desired cut location. The clinician may then perform a cut through the cut guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Dayton, Joe William Ferguson, F. Barry Bays, John T. Treace, W. Bret Smith
  • Publication number: 20160235414
    Abstract: Instruments and surgical techniques may be used to correct a bone deformity, such as a bunion in which a metatarsal is misaligned with respect to a medial cuneiform. In some examples, a bone cutting guide is utilized to cut an end of the metatarsal and/or an end of the medial cuneiform to facilitate realignment of the bones. The cutting guide can have a pivotable cut guide surface along which a cutting instrument is translated to provide a precise bone cut. In some applications, after suitably preparing and aligning the bones, the bones are compressed together using a fixation pin. The fixation pin can be driven through one of the bones, into the second bone, and then further driven to compress the bones together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hatch, Joe W. Ferguson, Paul Dayton, W. Bret Smith, Lowell Weil, JR., F. Barry Bays
  • Publication number: 20160192970
    Abstract: A bone plate can be used to fixate one or more bones. In some examples, the bone plate defines an elongated body having a plurality of fixation holes arrayed at different points along the length of the body. For example, the bone plate may have opposed fixation holes separated by a bridge. The bone plate may be bent or shaped along a central longitudinal axis extending through the elongated body and also twisted around the central longitudinal axis. The bending and twisting can position each fixation hole of the elongated body in a different plane in three-dimensional space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Dayton, Daniel J. Hatch, W. Bret Smith, David L. Brumfield