Patents Assigned to Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
  • Patent number: 10595851
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan A. Kaiser, Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10542967
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan A. Kaiser, Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10537373
    Abstract: An implant having a porous portion with a plurality of interconnected voids for receiving at least one injectable substance such that an injectable substance can elute from the porous portion. A syringe can be inserted into the at least one porous portion for administering the at least one injectable substance into the voids of the porous structure. The implant can be implanted with the at least one porous portion pre-loaded with the at least one injectable substance. The at least one porous portion can be loaded by inserting the syringe into the at least one porous portion after implanting the implant. The porous portion can be re-loaded with the syringe after the at least one injectable substance has eluted from the porous portion or replaced with a different injectable substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Jacy C. Hoeppner, Jason D. Meridew, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10517714
    Abstract: A system for an anatomical joint includes a first fastener, a second fastener, a prosthetic ligament member, and a biasing member associated with at least one of the first and second fasteners. The first fastener is operable to be connected to a first bone portion. The second fastener is operable to be connected to a second bone portion. The prosthetic ligament member is flexible and is directly coupled to both the first and second fasteners to support the first bone portion and the second bone portion for relative movement. A portion of the prosthetic ligament member extends from the first fastener to the second fastener and has an adjustable length. The biasing member is operable to bias the prosthetic ligament member to thereby maintain tension in the prosthetic ligament member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10517587
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a first flexible member having first and second ends and a first body extending therebetween that defines a first passage portion. A second flexible member can include first and second ends and a second body extending therebetween that defines a second passage portion. The first end of the first flexible member can pass into and through the second passage portion in a first direction such that the first end extends outside of the second passage portion. The first end of the second flexible member can pass into and through the first passage portion in a second direction such that the first end of the second flexible member extends outside of the first passage portion to form a self-locking adjustable flexible member construct. Applying tension to the first ends can draw the passage portions and corresponding second ends toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone, Zachary Wagner
  • Patent number: 10499902
    Abstract: A bone or tissue repair device can deploy first and second anchors from a distal end of a bore of a needle. A cylindrical first anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to a distal end of the bore. A cylindrical second anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to the first anchor. A pusher wire can include teeth positioned at a distal end of the pusher wire. The pusher wire and teeth can be configured to engage an interior of the first anchor; advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the first anchor distally out of the bore; retract proximally, with respect to the needle and the second anchor, to position the teeth inside an interior of the second anchor; engage the interior of the second anchor; and advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the second anchor distally out of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R. Norton
  • Patent number: 10441264
    Abstract: A soft tissue repair assembly. The assembly includes a flexible member having first and second ends, and a strand passing through the flexible member. The strand has first and second strand ends extending through the flexible member, such that pulling at least one of the first and second strand ends changes the flexible member from a first shape suitable for insertion through soft tissue to a second shape suitable for securely lodging the soft tissue repair assembly relative to soft tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Troy M. Walters, Andrew Holst
  • Patent number: 10398428
    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: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10398430
    Abstract: A suture construction and method for forming a suture construction is disclosed. The construction utilizes a suture having an enlarged central body portion defining a longitudinal passage. First and second ends of the suture are passed through first and second apertures 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 constriction of the longitudinal passage, thus preventing relative motions of the captured portions of the suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Jason D. Meridew
  • Patent number: 10368856
    Abstract: A flexible member for coupling tissue. The flexible member includes a tail and a self-locking construct. The tail includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The tail defines a tail passageway proximate to the second end. The self-locking construct includes a first loop and an adjustable second loop. The second loop is slidably threaded through the tail passageway defined by the tail. The self-locking construct is configured such that passing the tail through the first loop so that the second loop extends into the first loop forms a tissue capture region defined by the self-locking construct. The tail passageway defined by the tail defines a locking member configured to secure the second loop to the first loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham, Daniel R Norton
  • Publication number: 20190231371
    Abstract: A guide for drilling a tunnel in a knee joint having intercondylar roof and tibial eminence. The guide can comprise a guide assembly having a positioning member including an inferior end, and a guide arm extending from the positioning member including a trochlear tip; and a drill sleeve having a body attached to the inferior end, an aperture extending along a drilling axis, and a distal end having a patient-specific surface configured to engage an anterior surface of the tibia. A method of producing a tibial tunnel can comprise inserting a trochlear tip of a guide arm between the tibial eminence and the intercondylar roof, adjusting a position of a positioning member connected to the guide arm, engaging a patient-specific tip of a drill sleeve connected to the positioning member with a surface of a tibia, and inserting a drill bit through the drill sleeve to drill a tibial tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC.
    Inventors: William MAXSON, Kevin T. STONE, Jason D. MERIDEW, Nathan M. SAUTTER
  • Patent number: 10363028
    Abstract: A method for coupling tissue with a flexible member including a tail and a self-locking construct coupled to the tail. The self-locking construct includes an adjustable first loop and an adjustable second loop coupled thereto. The method includes implanting an anchor in bone, the anchor slidably mounted to the tail. The tail is positioned relative to the tissue. An end of the tail is inserted through the first loop. The tail is passed through the first loop, the second loop is pulled into the anchor, and the self-locking construct is positioned relative to the tissue. The self-locking construct is tightened against the tissue by pulling on an end of the self-locking construct. The first loop is tightened onto the second loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R. Norton
  • Patent number: 10349931
    Abstract: Assemblies for securing a fractured or weakened bone within a subject's body are provided. The assembly includes a frame having an adjustable flexible member construct thereon. The adjustable flexible member construct is disposed in the frame such that the adjustable flexible member and the frame encircle the fractured or weakened bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin T. Stone
  • Patent number: 10335162
    Abstract: Patient-specific guides for a tibial tubercle osteotomy are provided. The guides include a guide body defining a portion with a bone-engaging surface that conforms as a negative surface to a corresponding surface of a specific patient's tibia, and a guide portion that guides a surgical instrument to a specific location on the specific patient's tibia, wherein the bone-engaging surface and guide portion are configured during a pre-operative planning stage. Methods for performing a tibial tubercle osteotomy with the patient-specific guides are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: William Maxson
  • Patent number: 10327754
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for soft tissue repair including a device for anchoring sutured tissue to a bone are disclosed. According to one example, the device can include a body and a member. The body can have a wall with an outer surface thereof configured to engage the bone of a patient. The body can define an inner passage extending generally from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof. The wall can have a first side having a first size that differs from a second size of a second side of the wall. The member can be configured to be disposed within the body and can be moveable along the inner passage relative to the body between a first position and a second position. The member can be configured with an eyelet to receive and pass a suture through the member when the member is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory J. Denham
  • Patent number: 10327753
    Abstract: A suture anchor including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defining a first suture bore and having an angled distal surface that extends in a plane oblique to a longitudinal axis of the suture anchor. The second portion defining a second suture bore and having an angled proximal surface that is complementary to the angled distal surface. The angled proximate surface extends in a plane oblique to the longitudinal axis. In a first configuration, the first portion and the second portion are aligned along the longitudinal axis, and the first suture bore is aligned with the second suture bore. In a second configuration, the first portion and the second portion are offset with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the first suture bore is offset from the second suture bore to retain a suture within the first suture bore and the second suture bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Palese
  • Patent number: 10321906
    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: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham, Ryan Harper
  • Publication number: 20190159772
    Abstract: Various suture passers and methods of use thereof are disclosed herein. The suture passer can include a first needle extending along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the first needle has a sharp tip and a first hook member configured to grasp a portion of a suture, and a shaft extending along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft has 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, wherein actuating the actuation mechanism moves the first needle to a position in which the first needle's sharp tip extends through the eyelet, and releasing the actuation mechanism moves 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Norton, Gregory J. Denham
  • Patent number: 10292824
    Abstract: A system for installing a labral graft includes placing anchors into a bone thereby immovably coupling the anchors to the bone, coupling a suture to at least one of the anchors, coupling sutures to a graft, using the sutures coupled to the graft to manipulate the graft into position and tightening the sutures, thereby coupling the graft to the bone. Additionally, the system also includes a graft installation funnel having a tapered funnel body and an annular space within the tapered funnel body that is capable of retaining a graft and easing installation of the graft. Further, the system for installing a labral graft includes a graft preparation device including a block with a longitudinal recess, the longitudinal recess having a cross section that mimics the natural shape of a tissue that is to be replaced by a graft, and suture slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory J. Denham
  • Patent number: 10265064
    Abstract: A soft tissue repair device can include a housing having a handle, a deployment system having an actuation member, and an insertion system having an inserter and a slider. The slider can be coupled to the actuation member and movable relative to the inserter between deployed and retracted positions. First and second anchors can be carried on an external surface of the slider such that the anchors are spaced apart and portions of the anchors are coaxial with the slider and each other. A flexible strand can couple the anchors. The insertion system can cooperate with the deployment system to move the slider to the deployed position to deploy the first anchor upon activating the actuation member a first time, and to move the slider to the deployed position from the retracted position to deploy the second anchor upon actuating the actuation member a second time after the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Nathan M. Sautter, Brian K. Berelsman, Jeffery D. Arnett, Joshua A. Butters, Dylan M. Hushka, Nicholas R. Slater