Patents by Inventor Gregory J Denham

Gregory J Denham 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: 10987099
    Abstract: A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes a channel on an exterior surface and an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham, Ryan Harper
  • Patent number: 10987125
    Abstract: A system and method for cutting tissue within a synovial cavity, which includes a cannula and a blade assembly. The cannula can define an internal lumen and a cutting port for accessing the internal lumen. The blade assembly can include a blade and a blade shall extending from the blade. The blade can be inserted into the internal lumen of the cannula through an access port of the cannula such that the blade is proximate the cutting port. The blade shaft can be operated to move the blade within the internal lumen relative to the cutting port between a retracted position and a deployed position. The blade can be received within the internal lumen in the retracted position and positioned, at least partially, within the cutting port in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory J. Denham
  • Patent number: 10987146
    Abstract: An orthopedic instrument assembly for placing an implant into a bone has a targeting guide having an adjustable targeting arm, and a targeting aperture, where the targeting aperture defines a targeting axis through the targeting aperture. The orthopedic instrument assembly has a post having a longitudinal axis and the post connectable to the targeting guide. The post has a post aperture a post aperture center. The post aperture is aligned at a predefined angle relative to the longitudinal axis, where the post aperture defines a post aperture axis through the post aperture, the post aperture axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at the post aperture center. The adjustable targeting arm is for aligning the targeting axis with the post aperture center and thereby aligning the targeting aperture with the post aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTREMITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory J Denham
  • Patent number: 10980532
    Abstract: A suture passer and a method with the suture passer can include a first needle extending along a first longitudinal axis. The first needle can have a sharp tip and a first hook member configured to grasp a portion of a suture. The suture passer can include a shaft extending along a second longitudinal axis. The shaft can have an eyelet that intersects with the first longitudinal axis of the first needle. The suture passer can also have an actuation mechanism coupled to the first needle, and the method can include actuating the actuation mechanism to move the first needle to a position in which the first needle's sharp tip extends through the eyelet, and releasing the actuation mechanism to move the first needle to a position in which the first needle's sharp tip is a spaced apart a distance proximal of the eyelet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Norton, Gregory J. Denham
  • Patent number: 10973507
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for surgically repairing a tear in soft tissue is disclosed. A plurality of collapsible tubes are positioned about the suture. The collapsible tubes are pushed through soft tissue and orthopedic mesh on opposite sides of a tear in soft tissue. When tension is applied to the suture, the tubes are compressed to fix the suture to the soft tissue and draw the soft tissue portions together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham, Ryan Harper, Ryan A. Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20210077131
    Abstract: A bone cut guide includes a first portion having a first cut slot and having an aperture for receiving a wire to connect the first portion to a first bone. A second portion has a second cut slot and a second aperture for receiving a second wire to connect the second portion to a second bone. The first portion and the second portion are movably connected to each other to allow the first bone and the second bone to move relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: NEXTREMITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory J. DENHAM, Ryan SCHLOTTERBACK
  • Publication number: 20210038233
    Abstract: A patient-specific guide tool for guiding an object toward a glenoid face of a scapula of a patient for implantation of a shoulder prosthetic device is disclosed. The guide tool includes a guide portion that includes a guide surface. The guide surface is configured to guide movement of the object toward the glenoid face. Furthermore, the guide tool includes a patient-specific portion that is operably coupled to the glenoid portion. The patient-specific portion includes at least one patient-specific surface that is three-dimensionally contoured and that is configured to nest and closely conform to a corresponding surface of the scapula to thereby position the guide surface at a predetermined position relative to the glenoid face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Heilman, Nathan A. Winslow, John M. McDaniel, Gregory J. Denham
  • Patent number: 10842481
    Abstract: A method for securing a suture to bone can include loading the suture in a distal opening of an inserter of an assembly. The suture can be coupled to soft tissue. The assembly can include the inserter, an anchor carried by the inserter, a distal tip and a driver each coupled to the inserter. A hole can be formed in the bone with the distal tip, and the distal opening and a portion of the suture can be positioned in the hole. The driver can be actuated to allow movement relative to the inserter and can be advanced in a first direction to drive the anchor about the inserter into the hole to secure the distal tip, anchor and suture to the bone with an absence of a knot. The driver can be moved in a second direction to remove the inserter from the distal tip, anchor and suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Palese, Gregory J. Denham, Daniel R. Norton
  • Patent number: 10842510
    Abstract: A patient-specific guide tool for guiding an object toward a glenoid face of a scapula of a patient for implantation of a shoulder prosthetic device is disclosed. The guide tool includes a guide portion that includes a guide surface. The guide surface is configured to guide movement of the object toward the glenoid face. Furthermore, the guide tool includes a patient-specific portion that is operably coupled to the glenoid portion. The patient-specific portion includes at least one patient-specific surface that is three-dimensionally contoured and that is configured to nest and closely conform to a corresponding surface of the scapula to thereby position the guide surface at a predetermined position relative to the glenoid face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Heilman, Nathan A. Winslow, John M. McDaniel, Gregory J. Denham
  • Publication number: 20200297338
    Abstract: A tissue fixation apparatus can include a flexible construct and an elongated locking member. The flexible construct can include at least two adjustable loops and tensioning members. The two adjustable loops can be configured to pass through the first tissue, and to be spaced apart along an outer surface of the first tissue in a first direction. The tensioning members can extend from the two adjustable loops, and can be configured to reduce the two adjustable loops from a first size to a second size. The flexible construct can be attached to the second tissue by an anchor. The locking member can be configured to be received within the two adjustable loops at the first size, and to engage the two adjustable loops at the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham
  • Publication number: 20200281637
    Abstract: An orthopedic instrument assembly for placing an implant into a bone has a targeting guide having an adjustable targeting arm, and a targeting aperture, where the targeting aperture defines a targeting axis through the targeting aperture. The orthopedic instrument assembly has a post having a longitudinal axis and the post connectable to the targeting guide. The post has a post aperture a post aperture center. The post aperture is aligned at a predefined angle relative to the longitudinal axis, where the post aperture defines a post aperture axis through the post aperture, the post aperture axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at the post aperture center. The adjustable targeting arm is for aligning the targeting axis with the post aperture center and thereby aligning the targeting aperture with the post aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: NEXTREMITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory J. DENHAM
  • Patent number: 10729430
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10729421
    Abstract: A tissue fixation apparatus can include a flexible construct and an elongated locking member. The flexible construct can include at least two adjustable loops and tensioning members. The two adjustable loops can be configured to pass through the first tissue, and to be spaced apart along an outer surface of the first tissue in a first direction. The tensioning members can extend from the two adjustable loops, and can be configured to reduce the two adjustable loops from a first size to a second size. The flexible construct can be attached to the second tissue by an anchor. The locking member can be configured to be received within the two adjustable loops at the first size, and to engage the two adjustable loops at the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham
  • Patent number: 10729423
    Abstract: Methods of attaching a soft tissue to an adjacent bone at a defect site are provided. An adjustable loop region of a flexible construct contained in a bore defined by a fastener is passed through a tissue. The adjustable loop is passed through the tissue. The fastener is passed back through the adjustable loop to fold the adjustable loop upon itself. The fastener is attached to the bone. An adjusting arm on the flexible construct is engaged to reduce the size of the adjustable loop and secure the soft tissue to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan A. Kaiser, Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10716557
    Abstract: A method of coupling a first portion of an anatomy to a second portion of the anatomy includes coupling first and second bones of the anatomy with a bone-tendon-bone implant. The bone-tendon-bone implant has a first bone end, a second bone end and a replacement tendon between the first and second bone ends. The first and second bone ends are positioned in corresponding first and second bores of the first and second bones. The first bone end is secured to the first bone with a first bone anchor. A second anchor coupled to the bone-tendon-bone implant is passed through and outside the second bore. The second anchor is coupled to an adjustable suture construct having two adjustable suture loops. Tensioning at least one of first and second ends of the adjustable suture construct tensions the replacement tendon and positions the first bone relative to the second bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10695045
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone can include forming a bore in the bone and carrying a flexible suture anchor into the bore. The flexible anchor can include a passage and can be coupled to a suture construct. The suture construct can include at least one self-locking adjustable loop, and the flexible anchor can include a first profile while being carried into the bore. A shape of the flexible anchor can be changed from the first profile to a second profile forming an anchoring mass to retain the flexible anchor in the bore. Tension can be applied to a portion of the suture construct to reduce a size of the self-locking adjustable loop and secure the soft tissue relative to the flexible anchor and the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan A. Kaiser, Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10695052
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10687803
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20200187933
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. A bone engaging fastener is coupled to bone. A second fastener is coupled to a suture construction. The second fastener is coupled to the first fastener. Soft tissue is coupled to the suture construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan A. Kaiser, Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone, Frank O. Bonnarens
  • Publication number: 20200187932
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. Portions of the suture lay parallel to each other within the suture, Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan A. Kaiser, Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone