Patents by Inventor Thomas C. May
Thomas C. May 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).
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Patent number: 7846181Abstract: A device for locking a suture in place without the need for tying knots once the suture is placed within tissue is provided. The device comprises an anchor having a cannula and a locking mechanism for securing the suture within the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.Inventors: Herbert E. Schwartz, Thomas C. May, Robert-Jan Enzerink, John Margetts
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Publication number: 20100249802Abstract: A soft tissue graft preparation device includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion, and an end effector operatively connected to a distal end of the body portion. The end effector includes first and second members. The soft tissue graft preparation device also includes a filamentous material attachment structure that includes at least one filamentous material attached thereto, wherein the filamentous material attachment structure is placed in longitudinal juxtaposition to a tissue contacting surface of the first member and/or a tissue contacting surface of the second member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Thomas C. May, Joseph Hotter
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Publication number: 20090287259Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fixation device. The fixation device includes a base portion having 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 method of tissue repair and a kit are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Scott Trenhaile, Thomas C. May
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Publication number: 20090275963Abstract: First and second yarns are interconnected to form surgical devices. The first yarns include a plurality of filaments including one or more filaments made from a high strength material and the second yarns include a plurality of filaments including one or more filaments made from an absorbable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: Thomas C. May, Joseph Hotter, Jon Reinprecht, Richard Hammond
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Patent number: 7527648Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the femoral and tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. A pin passing member maintains one end of the filamentary wire in the transverse tunnel as the graft is being moved into place in the femoral and tibial tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Mitek Surgical Products Div of Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. May, Gregory Whittaker
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Publication number: 20090112270Abstract: 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 configured for arrangement within the anchor cavity. The insertion member includes 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. A method of tissue repair and other anchor assemblies are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Richard Lunn, David A. Paulk, Thomas C. May, Stevan Astorino
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Patent number: 7491206Abstract: An adjustable drill guide is provided that can be used to deliver a cross pin at a distance near the entrance to the femoral bone tunnel during ligament surgery. The cross pin positioned at the joint line, or tunnel opening, compresses and secures the graft within the bone tunnel, thereby preventing the graft from swaying back and forth post surgery when the joint is in motion. The adjustable drill guide assembly comprises a guide frame that includes an arm portion and a base portion that extends transversely to the arm portion. A rod member connects to the base portion for extending into the hone tunnel of the bone. Also included is a guide member configured for connection to the arm portion. The guide member is configured to be in moveable and lockable disposition along a length of the arm portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Thomas C. May
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Patent number: 7458975Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A filamentary loop is threaded through the femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel and partially through the transverse tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Johnson & JohnsonInventors: Thomas C. May, Gregory Whittaker
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Publication number: 20080188893Abstract: A suture anchor system for repairing torn or damaged tissue is provided and generally includes a first suture anchor having at least one length of suture attached thereto, and a second suture anchor having at least one length of suture attached thereto. Each length of suture is coupled to one another such that a distance between the first and second suture anchors with respect to each other can be selectively adjustable. The suture anchor system also preferably includes at least one slip knot that allows the first and second suture anchors to be maintained in a fixed position with respect to one another. In use, the suture anchors can be deployed through tissue to be repaired and into the anchoring tissue at a position spaced apart from one another by a selected distance. The suture length(s) can then be tensioned to re-approximate the tom or damaged tissue toward the anchoring tissue, thereby securely attached the torn tissue to the anchoring tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: DEPUY MITEK, INC.Inventors: David Selvitelli, Thomas C. May, Debra Mack, Stuart Fromm, Christopher A. Battles
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Patent number: 7390332Abstract: A suture anchor system for repairing torn or damaged tissue is provided and generally includes a first suture anchor having at least one length of suture attached thereto, and a second suture anchor having at least one length of suture attached thereto. Each length of suture is coupled to one another such that a distance between the first and second suture anchors with respect to each other can be selectively adjustable. The suture anchor system also preferably includes at least one slip knot that allows the first and second suture anchors to be maintained in a fixed position with respect to one another. In use, the suture anchors can be deployed through tissue to be repaired and into the anchoring tissue at a position spaced apart from one another by a selected distance. The suture length(s) can then be tensioned to re-approximate the torn or damaged tissue toward the anchoring tissue, thereby securely attached the torn tissue to the anchoring tissue.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Depuy Mitek, Inc.Inventors: David Selvitelli, Thomas C. May, Debra Mack, Stuart Fromm, Christopher A. Battles
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Patent number: 7300439Abstract: A bioimplantable tissue fixation device is provided for use in repairing and replacing torn or damaged connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons. The device includes an elongate body formed of a bioresorbable material including an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The body includes an internal cavity open at the proximal end which terminates proximal to the distal end. The internal cavity is in fluid communication with at least one opening formed in the outer surface of the body. The internal cavity is able to accept a treatment material for delivery external to the outer surface of the body through the at least one opening at the proximal end.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.Inventor: Thomas C. May
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Patent number: 7032599Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the femoral and tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Mitek Surgical Products Div. of Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. May, Gregory Whittaker
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Patent number: 7033380Abstract: A device for locking a suture in place without the need for tying knots once the suture is placed within tissue is provided. The device comprises an anchor having a cannula and a locking mechanism for securing the suture within the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Herbert E. Schwartz, Thomas C. May, Robert-Jan Enzerink, John Margetts
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Patent number: 6884249Abstract: A surgical knot pusher device allows a prepared knot to be pushed down a length of suture without deforming or collapsing the knot. The surgical knot pusher device includes a handle portion and an elongate body extending from the handle portion. The elongate body has a curved tip that is tapered and has a groove along a length of the tip. The tip also includes a central channel extending from the groove to a distal end of the tip.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. May, Stuart E. Fromm
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Publication number: 20040267273Abstract: An adjustable drill guide is provided that can be used to deliver a cross pin at a distance near the entrance to the femoral bone tunnel during ligament surgery. The cross pin positioned at the joint line, or tunnel opening, compresses and secures the graft within the bone tunnel, thereby preventing the graft from swaying back and forth post surgery when the joint is in motion. The adjustable drill guide assembly comprises a guide frame that includes an arm portion and a base portion that extends transversely to the arm portion. A rod member connects to the base portion for extending into the hone tunnel of the bone. Also included is a guide member configured for connection to the arm portion. The guide member is configured to be in moveable and lockable disposition along a length of the arm portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Thomas C. May
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Publication number: 20040230302Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the femoral and tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Thomas C. May, Gregory Whittaker
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Patent number: 6793676Abstract: A method of reconstructing a joint having two bones separated by cartilaginous material is provided. The method comprises the steps of removing a portion of the cartilaginous material to create a defect site, positioning an anatomically shaped reconstructive structure comprising multiple layers of submucosa and having a thickness of about 1 to about 12 millimeters adjacent to the defect site, and securing the reconstructive structure to the defect site. The method can further comprise the steps of positioning a barrier layer between the bleeding bone and the reconstructive structure, securing the barrier layer to the bleeding bone, and securing the reconstructive structure to the barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.Inventors: Pamela L. Plouhar, Michael D. Dunn, Jerry L. Lower, Thomas C. May
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Publication number: 20020169478Abstract: The invention disclosed is a device for locking a suture in place without the need for tying knots once the suture is placed within tissue. The device comprises an anchor having a cannula and a locking mechanism for securing the suture within the cannula.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Herbert E. Schwartz, Thomas C. May, Robert-Jan Enzerink, John Margetts
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Publication number: 20020116012Abstract: A surgical knot pusher device allows a prepared knot to be pushed down a length of suture without deforming or collapsing the knot. The surgical knot pusher device includes a handle portion and an elongate body extending from the handle portion. The elongate body has a curved tip that is tapered and has a groove along a length of the tip. The tip also includes a central channel extending from the groove to a distal end of the tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Thomas C. May, Stuart E. Fromm
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Patent number: 6432123Abstract: The invention disclosed is a device for locking a suture in place without the need for tying knots once the suture is placed within tissue. The device comprises a locking ring, the locking ring comprising a series of laminated sheets having an aperture formed to allow the suture to pass when pulled in a first direction, but formed to lock the suture in place when the suture is pulled in an opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Herbert E. Schwartz, Thomas C. May, Robert-Jan Enzerink, John Margetts