Patents by Inventor Bernard J. Bourque

Bernard J. Bourque 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: 20170189008
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair device. The device includes a handle, a knob coupled to the handle, and a needle coupled to the handle. The needle includes a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a slot, wherein a first anchor is housed within the distal end and a second anchor is housed within the slot and located proximal to the first anchor. An actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob, wherein advancement of the knob allows for engagement of the actuator with the first anchor and subsequent advancement of the first anchor via the actuator. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, William R. Davis, Scott Freedman
  • 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: 9622757
    Abstract: A thickness gage including a transparent measurement tube configured to receive and be slidingly engaged over a tubular shaft of a retrograde reamer. The tubular shaft has linear graduation marks on its surface for identifying linear measures for use in measuring a thickness of a bridge bone gap. The linear graduation marks are located on the tubular shaft surface such that at least some of the linear graduation marks can be observed through the transparent measurement tube. Each linear graduation mark, when aligned with a proximal end of the measurement tube, provides a linear measure of the distance between a distal end of the measurement tube and a cutting member of the retrograde reamer positioned so that its central axis is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. Such a distance corresponds to the thickness of the bridge bone gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, David J. Callaghan
  • Patent number: 9549725
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair device. The device includes a handle, a knob coupled to the handle, and a needle coupled to the handle. The needle includes a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a slot, wherein a first anchor is housed within the distal end and a second anchor is housed within the slot and located proximal to the first anchor. An actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob, wherein advancement of the knob allows for engagement of the actuator with the first anchor and subsequent advancement of the first anchor via the actuator. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J Bourque, William R. Davis, Scott Freedman
  • Patent number: 9498203
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair device. The device includes a handle, a knob coupled to the handle, and a needle coupled to the handle. The needle includes a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a slot, wherein a first anchor is housed within the distal end and a second anchor is housed within the slot and located proximal to the first anchor. An actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob, wherein advancement of the knob allows for engagement of the actuator with the first anchor and subsequent advancement of the first anchor via the actuator. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J Bourque, William R Davis, Scott Freedman
  • Publication number: 20160206329
    Abstract: A thickness gage including a transparent measurement tube configured to receive and be slidingly engaged over a tubular shaft of a retrograde reamer. The tubular shaft has linear graduation marks on its surface for identifying linear measures for use in measuring a thickness of a bridge bone gap. The linear graduation marks are located on the tubular shaft surface such that at least some of the linear graduation marks can be observed through the transparent measurement tube. Each linear graduation mark, when aligned with a proximal end of the measurement tube, provides a linear measure of the distance between a distal end of the measurement tube and a cutting member of the retrograde reamer positioned so that its central axis is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. Such a distance corresponds to the thickness of the bridge bone gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, David J. Callaghan
  • Patent number: 9370357
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for securing soft tissue to bone during an arthroscopic procedure. The anchor assembly includes an anchor defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity and an insertion member including a body having a proximal end portion and a flat distal end portion, and a head coupled to the proximal end portion of the body. The insertion member is configured for arrangement within the anchor cavity. A method of tissue repair and other anchor assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Ferragamo, Bernard J. Bourque, William R. Davis
  • Patent number: 9357994
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair device. The device includes a handle, a knob coupled to the handle, and a needle coupled to the handle. The needle includes a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a slot, wherein a first anchor is housed within the distal end and a second anchor is housed within the slot and located proximal to the first anchor. An actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob, wherein advancement of the knob allows for engagement of the actuator with the first anchor and subsequent advancement of the first anchor via the actuator. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW INC.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, William R. Davis, Scott Freedman
  • Patent number: 9243881
    Abstract: A thickness gage including a transparent measurement tube configured to receive and be slidingly engaged over a tubular shaft of a retrograde reamer. The tubular shaft has linear graduation marks on its surface for identifying linear measures for use in measuring a thickness of a bridge bone gap. The linear graduation marks are located on the tubular shaft surface such that at least some of the linear graduation marks can be observed through the transparent measurement tube. Each linear graduation mark, when aligned with a proximal end of the measurement tube, provides a linear measure of the distance between a distal end of the measurement tube and a cutting member of the retrograde reamer positioned so that its central axis is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. Such a distance corresponds to the thickness of the bridge bone gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, David J. Callaghan
  • Publication number: 20150366558
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a first member, deformable to move a pair of opposing projections toward one another. The projections are received in a pair of opposing openings in a second member, so the first member can pivot relative to the second member about an axis defined by the projections. In another aspect, a surgical instrument includes a first pinless joint pivotably coupling a first jaw to a second jaw, a second pinless joint coupling a distal end of an actuating member to the first jaw, and a third pinless joint coupling a handle to a proximal end of the actuating member. The third pinless joint translates movement of the handle into axial movement of the actuating member, and the second pinless joint translates axial movement of the actuating member into pivotable movement of the first jaw relative to the second jaw about the first pinless joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Michael C. Ferragamo
  • Publication number: 20150345927
    Abstract: A thickness gage including a transparent measurement tube configured to receive and be slidingly engaged over a tubular shaft of a retrograde reamer. The tubular shaft has linear graduation marks on its surface for identifying linear measures for use in measuring a thickness of a bridge bone gap. The linear graduation marks are located on the tubular shaft surface such that at least some of the linear graduation marks can be observed through the transparent measurement tube. Each linear graduation mark, when aligned with a proximal end of the measurement tube, provides a linear measure of the distance between a distal end of the measurement tube and a cutting member of the retrograde reamer positioned so that its central axis is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. Such a distance corresponds to the thickness of the bridge bone gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, David J. Callaghan
  • Publication number: 20150112354
    Abstract: A bone graft compaction pliers with removable inserts defines a bone graft harvesting and deployment system applicable to a wide variety of bone graft sized for use with bone anchors such as those employed in ACL repair. Cannulated bone anchors for encouraging bone regrowth employ an anchor with a axial cannulated bore and a plurality of fenestrations surrounding the bore to facilitate bone regrowth. A variety of sizes of single use inserts corresponding to a bone graft shape, or diameter, engage a single compaction pliers for forming various sized bone grafts from a single tool. A transparent transfer tube and corresponding base receives the formed bone graft for length adjustment, and engages protrusions on the recipient bone anchor for aligning the transfer tube to the anchor for disposing the bone graft into the cannulated bore of the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, William R. Davis, Alfred R. Berube, JR.
  • Patent number: 8986343
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a first member, deformable to move a pair of opposing projections toward one another. The projections are received in a pair of opposing openings in a second member, so the first member can pivot relative to the second member about an axis defined by the projections. In another aspect, a surgical instrument includes a first pinless joint pivotably coupling a first jaw to a second jaw, a second pinless joint coupling a distal end of an actuating member to the first jaw, and a third pinless joint coupling a handle to a proximal end of the actuating member. The third pinless joint translates movement of the handle into axial movement of the actuating member, and the second pinless joint translates axial movement of the actuating member into pivotable movement of the first jaw relative to the second jaw about the first pinless joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Michael C. Ferragamo
  • Publication number: 20150018882
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair device. The device includes a handle, a knob coupled to the handle, and a needle coupled to the handle. The needle includes a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a slot, wherein a first anchor is housed within the distal end and a second anchor is housed within the slot and located proximal to the first anchor. An actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob, wherein advancement of the knob allows for engagement of the actuator with the first anchor and subsequent advancement of the first anchor via the actuator. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, William R. Davis, Scott Freedman
  • 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: 8888798
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair device. The device includes a handle, a knob coupled to the handle, and a needle coupled to the handle. The needle includes a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a slot, wherein a first anchor is housed within the distal end and a second anchor is housed within the slot and located proximal to the first anchor. An actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob, wherein advancement of the knob allows for engagement of the actuator with the first anchor and subsequent advancement of the first anchor via the actuator. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, William R. Davis, Scott Freedman
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140324077
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes an anchor defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity and an insertion member including a body having a proximal end portion and a flat distal end portion, and a head coupled to the proximal end portion of the body. The insertion member is configured for arrangement within the anchor cavity. A method of tissue repair and other anchor assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Michael C. Ferragamo, Bernard J. Bourque, William R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140309641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medical apparatuses and procedures for reconstructing a ligament. There is provided a trephine (10) comprising an adaptor (11), an elongate reamer (12) coupled thereto, and a reamer support stem (13), wherein the reamer support stem is mounted concentrically within the reamer and adaptor, and wherein at least a portion of the reamer support stem is slidably moveable about a longitudinal axis of the trephine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Wei Li Fan, Rebecca Ann Blough, Ben Kim Graf, William R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140276844
    Abstract: A retro guidewire reamer includes a cutting member, and a mechanism for moving the cutting member from a closed position to a deployed position in a single manual motion. Once a desired size of a bone tunnel is established, a surgeon uses the reamer to create a primary bone tunnel over a guidewire from the outside in. The surgeon retracts the guidewire, and activates the mechanism to deploy the cutting member within the bone joint to conform to the size of a tendon graft. The surgeon uses the deployed cutting member to create a counter bore through the bone in a retrograde manner. Once the counter bore is drilled, the surgeon activates the mechanism to close the cutting member, allowing the reamer to be withdrawn through the primary tunnel. The retro guidewire reamer can be used to provide more accurate bone tunnel placement during ligament reconstruction surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, David J. Callaghan, Michael C. Ferragamo