Patents Assigned to Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
  • Steerable suture passing device
    Patent number: 9271720
    Abstract: A method for suturing soft tissue in arthroscopic or endoscopic procedures. The method includes inserting a bendable steerable arm in a straightened configuration through an incision, curving the steerable arm, piercing the tissue, deploying a suture holder from a bore of the steerable arm, moving the suture holder relative to the bendable steerable arm, and suturing the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET SPORTS MEDICINE, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Troy M. Walters, Ryan A. Kaiser
  • Tissue engaging member
    Patent number: 9237887
    Abstract: A system includes a flexible member and a tissue engaging member fixed to the flexible member. The tissue engaging member includes a barb preformed to extend rearward from a distal end of the flexible member at an acute angle relative to the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET SPORTS MEDICINE, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Wack, Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham
  • Flexible planar member for tissue fixation
    Patent number: 9232939
    Abstract: A flexible fixation assembly including a flexible main body and a suture engagement portion of the flexible main body. The suture engagement portion is configured to cooperate with a suture to mate the suture with the flexible main body. The flexible main body is configured to flex outward against walls of a bone hole when implanted therein to retain both the flexible main body and the suture mated therewith within the bone hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET SPORTS MEDICINE, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone
  • Wheeled Suture Passer
    Publication number: 20160000426
    Abstract: A suture passer assembly is used for manipulating a suture with a selectively moveable wire member. The suture passer assembly includes at least one grasping member and a single-body hollow tube. The tube defines a first end, a second end, a tube wall, and a tube passage extending from the first end to the second end. The wire member is moveably received within the tube passage. The tube wall includes at least one aperture that is disposed between the first end and the second end. A first portion of the grasping member extends through the tube wall and into the tube passage via the aperture. A second portion of the grasping member remains outside the hollow tube. The first portion is operable to grasp the wire member and selectively move the wire member relative to the hollow tube due to manipulation of the second portion of the grasping member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Terry H. SNYDER, Daniel D. FRITZINGER
  • Method and apparatus for tibial fixation of an ACL graft
    Patent number: 9216078
    Abstract: A tensioner system for use in tensioning graft strands in a knee reconstruction procedure can include a handle assembly, a tensioner assembly coupled relative to the handle assembly, and a drive shaft slidably received through and supported by the handle assembly. The tensioner assembly can include an arm support member rotatably coupled to the handle assembly and first and second arm members each rotatably coupled to lateral sides of the arm support member. Each arm member can include at least one graft attachment area adapted to be coupled to a graft strand. The arm support member can be configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tensioner system and perpendicular to an axis of rotation of each of the arm members. The drive shaft can include proximal and distal ends that extend beyond respective proximal and distal ends of the handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Nathanael K. Conner, Brian K. Berelsman, Gregory J. Denham, Kevin T. Stone, Nicholas R. Slater, Jeffery D. Arnett, Joshua A. Butters
  • Continuous phase compositions for ACL repair
    Patent number: 9211184
    Abstract: An implantable interference screw for use in a soft tissue repair, the screw having a bioresorbable body comprising a plurality of interconnected pores, the body having an instrument interface in one end and a thread around an exterior of the body starting from distal end. The plurality of interconnected pores of the resorbable body are substantially filled with a bioresorbable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Mark D. Borden
  • Implant and related surgical technique for use in high tibial osteotomy
    Patent number: 9211129
    Abstract: An implant for use in high tibial osteotomy can include a central implant portion, a first side implant portion and a second side implant portion. The first and second side implant portions can be selectively rotatable relative to each other. A method of performing high tibial osteotomy can include providing an implant having a superior surface and an inferior surface. The first superior surface and the second inferior surface can define an implant angle therebetween. A correction angle of the tibia can be determined. A first cut can be made in the tibia. An angle of a second cut relative to the first cut can be determined based on a difference between the implant angle and the correction angle. The second cut can be made in the tibia. The tibia can be opened creating an opening for receipt of the implant. The implant can be inserted into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Kyle Harbison
  • Capsule Retractor
    Publication number: 20150342587
    Abstract: An articular capsule retractor including a flexible construct, a dermal abutting member, and an anchor. The flexible construct includes a strand extending between a first end and a second end. The dermal abutting member is coupled to the flexible construct and is configured to abut a dermal layer. The anchor is coupled to the flexible construct such that the strand extends through a passageway defined by the anchor. Pulling the first end and the second end draws the dermal abutting member and the anchor together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine LLC
    Inventors: Daniel NORTON, William MAXSON
  • Insertion Tools and Method for Soft Anchor
    Publication number: 20150342595
    Abstract: A soft anchor insertion kit includes a flexible anchor member. A flexible strand extends from the flexible member. A cannulated tool is configured to form a bone tunnel through a first cortex in a bone. A guide tool is configured to guide the cannulated tool. A delivery tool is configured to deploy the flexible member beyond a second cortex of the bone. The cannulated tool guides the delivery tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel NORTON
  • Knotless Twist Suture Anchor
    Publication number: 20150342594
    Abstract: A suture anchor includes a first body portion having a bone-engaging feature to fixedly engage a bony tissue and a second body portion including a flexible member loop for receipt of a suture where engaging the second body portion rotates the flexible member loop with respect to the first body portion. Rotation of the second body portion causes the flexible member loop to frictionally engage a suture passing through the flexible member loop to form a twist to frictionally secure the suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin T. STONE
  • Dual-plane femoral guide assembly
    Patent number: 9192401
    Abstract: A guide assembly for use in preparing a femur for soft tissue reconstruction is provided. The guide assembly can include a guide shaft member that can extend from a proximal end to a distal end thereof and can include a distal region encompassing the distal end. The distal region can have a first bend in a first direction and a second bend in a second direction different than the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Harbison, Jason Meridew
  • Knotless suture anchor and method of using same
    Patent number: 9192371
    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: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Palese
  • Soft tissue repair device and associated methods
    Patent number: 9173651
    Abstract: A device for repairing tissue includes a first tubular anchor having a first central longitudinal axis and a first bore along the first central longitudinal axis, the first bore having a first curved surface and a first flat surface, and a first transverse bore perpendicular to the first central longitudinal axis and parallel to the first flat surface. The device includes a second tubular anchor having a second central longitudinal axis and a second longitudinal bore along the second central longitudinal axis, the second bore having a second curved surface and a second flat surface, and a second transverse bore perpendicular to the second central longitudinal axis and parallel to the second flat surface. A flexible strand couples the first and second tubular anchors and passes through the first and second transverse bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Ryan A. Kaiser, Nathan M. Sautter, Andrew Holst
  • Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone
    Patent number: 9149267
    Abstract: A method can include forming a bore in a bone of a patient and positioning a first anchor in the bore. The first anchor can have a self-locking adjustable suture construct extending therefrom that can include first and second adjustable loops. The first adjustable loop can be positioned about a first portion of the soft tissue and the second adjustable loop can be positioned about a second portion of the soft tissue different than the first portion. A coupling element carried by the second adjustable loop can be coupled to the first adjustable loop. An end of the adjustable suture construct can be tensioned to reduce a size of the first and second adjustable loops to couple the soft tissue to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Norton, Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham, Ryan A. Kaiser
  • External tibial mill guide and method of use
    Patent number: 9138259
    Abstract: A cutting guide includes a jig assembly that is configured to attach to a second surface of a bone. The jig assembly includes a guide block that defines a jig recess and that is configured to be disposed adjacent to the first surface. Also, the cutting guide includes a tool support that is moveably coupled to the jig assembly, and the tool support is configured to couple to the cutting tool and moveably support the cutting tool on the jig assembly. Moreover, the cutting guide includes an adapter that is removably received within the jig recess to adapt a dimension of the jig recess according to a corresponding dimension of the pocket. The adapter includes at least one adapter surface that is configured to abut the guide portion of the cutting tool to thereby limit movement of the cutting portion relative to the first surface of the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: William Maxson, Brian K. Berelsman
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COUPLING SOFT TISSUE TO BONE
    Publication number: 20150250469
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a suture to bone can include grasping a first suture portion with a grasping member on a positioning tool. The first suture portion can be located into a first cannulation defined in the positioning tool. A cutting member can be advanced through a second cannulation defined on the positioning tool and out through a distal opening defined on the positioning tool. A first bone hole can be cut into the bone with the cutting member. A flexible member advancing tool can be advanced through the first cannulation. The first suture portion can be urged out of the distal opening and into the first bone hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Jacy C. Hoeppner
  • Self-centering drill guide
    Patent number: 9101373
    Abstract: A drill guide including an inner surface, a tip, and a deflecting device. The inner surface defines a bore extending through the drill guide. The bore is configured to individually receive therein a flexible drill bit and an insertion tool with a suture anchor mounted thereto. The tip is at a distal end of the bore and defines a tip aperture of the bore. The deflecting device is proximal to the tip and includes at least one bearing surface configured to deflect the drill bit within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Norton, Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham
  • Wheeled suture passer
    Patent number: 9089321
    Abstract: A suture passer assembly is used for manipulating a suture with a selectively moveable wire member. The suture passer assembly includes at least one grasping member and a single-body hollow tube. The tube defines a first end, a second end, a tube wall, and a tube passage extending from the first end to the second end. The wire member is moveably received within the tube passage. The tube wall includes at least one aperture that is disposed between the first end and the second end. A first portion of the grasping member extends through the tube wall and into the tube passage via the aperture. A second portion of the grasping member remains outside the hollow tube. The first portion is operable to grasp the wire member and selectively move the wire member relative to the hollow tube due to manipulation of the second portion of the grasping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Terry H. Snyder, Daniel D. Fritzinger
  • Fracture fixation device
    Patent number: 9078644
    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 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin T. Stone
  • Suture Passer With Tissue Reinforcement Positioner
    Publication number: 20150173743
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a suture passer device that includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, a suture carrier secured to the handle and extending through the shaft, and a suturing head extending from the shaft and configured to retain tissue. The handle is operable to advance the suture carrier through the suturing head to pass a suture through tissue retained in the suturing head. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the suture passer device includes a quick-connect mechanism releasably connecting the shaft to the handle. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the shaft includes a first shaft and a second shaft pivotally coupled to the first shaft, and the first shaft defines a first channel for receiving the second shaft. Methods of disassembling the suture passer device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher PALESE, Kevin T. STONE, Brad TOPPER, John VALADEZ