Patents by Inventor Ben K. Graf

Ben K. Graf 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: 9662125
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of creating a bone tunnel during ligament reconstruction surgery. The method includes placing a guide wire through the femur, the guide wire having a first end portion including a pointed tip and a second end portion; placing a drill mechanism over the first end portion of the guide wire, the drill mechanism having a first end portion including a drill bit and a second end portion including an attachment portion; coupling an adaptor assembly to the attachment portion, the adaptor assembly including a shaft; coupling a drill to the shaft and operating the drill to create a tunnel in the femur; coupling a drill bit assembly to the second end portion of the guide wire and locating the assembly against the drill bit of the attachment portion; and operating the drill to create a counter bore within the tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Michael C. Ferragamo, Ben K. Graf, William Davis
  • Patent number: 9636109
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to biodegradable and bioresorbable materials having a mineral layer on the surface of the material. More particularly, the disclosure relates to biodegradable and bioresorbable orthopedic devices having a degradable mineral layer on the surface thereof that can be used as a delivery vehicle for biological substances. Also provided are various methods of using the mineralized devices in tissue regeneration, including bone tissue engineering, and methods for producing the mineralized devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Jae Sung Lee, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf, Geoffrey Baer, Yan Lu
  • Patent number: 9517125
    Abstract: A tissue graft attachment device includes a platform member including a first edge and a second edge connected to the first edge by a top side and a substantially curved bottom side. The platform member defines a slot extending between the first edge and the second edge, a first opening between the slot and the first edge, and a second opening between the slot and the second edge. The tissue graft attachment device includes a first filament passing through the first opening, a second filament passing through the second opening, and a graft connecting element passing through the slot to form a loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Ben K Graf
  • Patent number: 9408690
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair assembly. The assembly includes an interference device and a fixation device coupled to the interference device, wherein the fixation device includes a coupling portion and a capturing portion. Other assemblies and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Raymond A. Bojarski, Michael C. Ferragamo, Daniel B. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9364276
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Alfred R. Berube, Gary M. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9333020
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Alfred R. Berube, Gary M. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8956395
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Alfred R. Berube, Gary M. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20150018831
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of creating a bone tunnel during ligament reconstruction surgery. The method includes placing a guide wire through the femur, the guide wire having a first end portion including a pointed tip and a second end portion; placing a drill mechanism over the first end portion of the guide wire, the drill mechanism having a first end portion including a drill bit and a second end portion including an attachment portion; coupling an adaptor assembly to the attachment portion, the adaptor assembly including a shaft; coupling a drill to the shaft and operating the drill to create a tunnel in the femur; coupling a drill bit assembly to the second end portion of the guide wire and locating the assembly against the drill bit of the attachment portion; and operating the drill to create a counter bore within the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Michael C. Ferragamo, Ben K. Graf, William Davis
  • Patent number: 8882773
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of creating a bone tunnel during ligament reconstruction surgery. The method includes placing a guide wire through the femur, the guide wire having a first end portion including a pointed tip and a second end portion; placing a drill mechanism over the first end portion of the guide wire, the drill mechanism having a first end portion including a drill bit and a second end portion including an attachment portion; coupling an adaptor assembly to the attachment portion, the adaptor assembly including a shaft; coupling a drill to the shaft and operating the drill to create a tunnel in the femur; coupling a drill bit assembly to the second end portion of the guide wire and locating the assembly against the drill bit of the attachment portion; and operating the drill to create a counter bore within the tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Michael C. Ferragamo, Ben K. Graf, William Davis
  • Patent number: 8858606
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fixation device. The fixation device includes a base portion including a first leg, a second leg, and a groove located between the first and second legs and a top portion extending from the base portion. A tissue repair device and a method of tissue repair are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Paul Alexander Torrie
  • Publication number: 20140296910
    Abstract: A tissue graft attachment device includes a platform member including a first edge and a second edge connected to the first edge by a top side and a substantially curved bottom side. The platform member defines a slot extending between the first edge and the second edge, a first opening between the slot and the first edge, and a second opening between the slot and the second edge. The tissue graft attachment device includes a first filament passing through the first opening, a second filament passing through the second opening, and a graft connecting element passing through the slot to form a loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Ben K. Graf
  • Patent number: 8846860
    Abstract: A modular peptide design strategy wherein the modular peptide has two functional units separated by a spacer portion is disclosed. More particularly, the design strategy combines a hydroxyapatite-binding portion and a biomolecule-derived portion. The modular peptides have improved non-covalent binding to the surface of the HA-based materials, and are capable of initiating osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and/or osteogenic differentiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Jae Sung Lee, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf
  • Publication number: 20140236183
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Alfred R. Berube, Gary M. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20140236231
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Alfred R. Berube, Gary M. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8778869
    Abstract: A system for growing tissue based upon layers of an inorganic extracellular matrix, wherein each layer of the inorganic matrix is designed to dissolve at a separate rate and result in sequential growth factor delivery upon its dissolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf, Yan Lu, Jae Sung Lee
  • Publication number: 20140171983
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Alfred R. Berube, Gary M. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20140172095
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Alfred R. Berube, Gary M. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20140141047
    Abstract: Mineral coated devices and methods for delivering an autologous biological molecule using the mineral coated devices are disclosed. The mineral coated devices allow for the isolation and delivery of a biological molecule obtained from the same subject to avoid the safety concerns of current biological therapies obtained by recombinant methods and purification from animal sources. Methods for selectively isolating and eluting a biological molecule using the mineral coated devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Ray Vanderby, Geoffrey Baer, Ben K. Graf, Jae Sung Lee, Connie Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 8663325
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Rod Berube, Gary R. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8529610
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair assembly. The assembly includes an interference device and a fixation device coupled to the interference device, wherein the fixation device includes a coupling portion and a capturing portion. Other assemblies and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Raymond A. Bojarski, Michael C. Ferragamo, Daniel B. Ellis