Patents by Inventor Ben K. Graf

Ben K. Graf 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: 20130158555
    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: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Michael C. Ferragamo, Ben K. Graf, William Davis
  • Patent number: 8420774
    Abstract: A modular peptide design strategy wherein the modular peptide has two functional units separated by a spacer portion is disclosed. More particularly, the design strategy combines a hydroxyapatite-binding portion and a biomolecule-derived portion. The modular peptides have improved non-covalent binding to the surface of the HA-based materials, and are capable of initiating osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and/or osteogenic differentiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Jae Sung Lee, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf
  • Patent number: 8388621
    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: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Michael C. Ferragamo, Ben K. Graf, William Davis
  • Publication number: 20110305760
    Abstract: A system for growing tissue based upon layers of an inorganic extracellular matrix, wherein each layer of the inorganic matrix is designed to dissolve at a separate rate and result in sequential growth factor delivery upon its dissolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf, Yan Lu, Jae Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 8075562
    Abstract: Controlled release of biopharmaceutical growth factors from a hydroxyapatite coating on a bioresorbable interference screw used in cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on a human. Biologically active scaffolds, such as interference bone screws used for ligament fixation, made by growing calcium phosphate-based hydroxyapatite coatings on bioresorbable poly(?-hydroxy ester) scaffolds that provide controlled mineral dissolution and controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein-2. The biologically active scaffold provides improved bioavailability of BMP-2 growth factor that in turn provides enhanced graft-bone healing in the tibial bone tunnel. The coating method uses surface hydrolysis and modified simulated body fluid incubation which does not require solvent or heat and is conducted at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Jae-Sam Lee, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf
  • Publication number: 20110129611
    Abstract: A modular peptide design strategy wherein the modular peptide has two functional units separated by a spacer portion is disclosed. More particularly, the design strategy combines a hydroxyapatite-binding portion and a biomolecule-derived portion. The modular peptides have improved non-covalent binding to the surface of the HA-based materials, and are capable of initiating osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and/or osteogenic differentiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Jae Sung Lee, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf
  • Publication number: 20110022085
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to biodegradable and bioresorbable materials having a mineral layer on the surface of the material. More particularly, the disclosure relates to biodegradable and bioresorbable orthopedic devices having a degradable mineral layer on the surface thereof that can be used as a delivery vehicle for biological substances. Also provided are various methods of using the mineralized devices in tissue regeneration, including bone tissue engineering, and methods for producing the mineralized devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Jae Sung Lee, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf, Geoffrey Baer, Yan Lu
  • Publication number: 20110009885
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Rod Berube, Gary R. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20100298888
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fixation device. The fixation device includes a base portion including 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 tissue repair device and a method of tissue repair are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Paul Alexander Torrie
  • Patent number: 7740657
    Abstract: A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventors: Charles H. Brown, Jr., Bernard J. Bourque, Rebecca A. Blough, Michael C. Ferragamo, Raymond A. Bojarski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Ben K. Graf, Fraser Harvie, Steve Ek
  • Publication number: 20100145395
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair assembly. The assembly includes an interference device and a fixation device coupled to the interference device, wherein the fixation device includes a coupling portion and a capturing portion. Other assemblies and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Raymond A. Bojarski, Michael Ferragamo, Daniel B. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20090228013
    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: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, Michael C. Ferragamo, Ben K. Graf, William Davis
  • Publication number: 20090087472
    Abstract: Controlled release of biopharmaceutical growth factors from a hydroxyapatite coating on a bioresorbable interference screw used in cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on a human. Biologically active scaffolds, such as interference bone screws used for ligament fixation, made by growing calcium phosphate-based hydroxyapatite coatings on bioresorbable poly(?-hydroxy ester) scaffolds that provide controlled mineral dissolution and controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein-2. The biologically active scaffold provides improved bioavailability of BMP-2 growth factor that in turn provides enhanced graft-bone healing in the tibial bone tunnel. The coating method uses surface hydrolysis and modified simulated body fluid incubation which does not require solvent or heat and is conducted at room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: William L. Murphy, Jae-Sam Lee, Mark D. Markel, Ben K. Graf
  • Patent number: 7279008
    Abstract: A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Brown, Bernard J. Bourque, Rebecca A. Blough, Michael C. Ferragamo, Raymond A. Bojarski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Ben K. Graf, Fraser Harvie, Steve Ek
  • Publication number: 20040024456
    Abstract: A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Charles H. Brown, Bernard J. Bourque, Rebecca A. Blough, Michael C. Ferragamo, Raymond A. Bojarski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Ben K. Graf, Fraser Harvie, Steven Ek
  • Patent number: 6599289
    Abstract: A device for securing a graft in a bone tunnel includes an anchoring member having a graft supporting surface. The anchoring member is configured to be positioned within the bone tunnel distal of an interference member with the graft retained by the graft supporting surface and extending proximally from the anchoring member. The anchoring member has an engaging surface for engaging a distal end of the interference member to limit movement of the graft relative to the interference member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Bojarski, Ben K. Graf
  • Publication number: 20020042615
    Abstract: A graft anchor includes an anchor member for placement in bone tissue. The anchor member defines an opening. An inner member is insertably securable into the anchor member opening. A fastener is configured such that insertion and securing of the inner member into the anchor member opening results in a holding force being applied to the graft. The anchor member is of limited length to maintain its distal end within the bone. The anchor member includes a distal drive opening for receiving a drive tool and the inner member includes a proximal drive opening for receiving the drive tool. The fastener includes channels for containing the graft, a fastener body with protrusions extending from the fastener body for penetrating bone tissue, and a reinforcing member contained within the fastener body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Michael c. Ferragamo, Rebecca A. Blough, Charles H. Brown
  • Patent number: 6336940
    Abstract: A graft anchor includes an anchor member for placement in bone tissue. The anchor member defines an opening. An inner member is insertably securable into the anchor member opening. A fastener is configured such that insertion and securing of the inner member into the anchor member opening results in a holding force being applied to the graft. The anchor member is of limited length to maintain its distal end within the bone. The anchor member includes a distal drive opening for receiving a drive tool and the inner member includes a proximal drive opening for receiving the drive tool. The fastener includes channels for containing the graft, a fastener body with protrusions extending from the fastener body for penetrating bone tissue, and a reinforcing member contained within the fastener body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Michael C. Ferragamo, Rebecca A. Blough, Charles H. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6231606
    Abstract: A graft anchor includes an anchor member for placement in bone tissue. The anchor member defines an opening. An inner member is insertably securable into the anchor member opening. A fastener is configured such that insertion and securing of the inner member into the anchor member opening results in a holding force being applied to the graft. The anchor member is of limited length to maintain its distal end within the bone. The anchor member includes a distal drive opening for receiving a drive tool and the inner member includes a proximal drive opening for receiving the drive tool. The fastener includes channels for containing the graft, a fastener body with protrusions extending from the fastener body for penetrating bone tissue, and a reinforcing member contained within the fastener body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Michael C. Ferragamo, Rebecca A. Blough, Charles H. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5645588
    Abstract: A graft attachment device having an elongated body with a leading end and a trailing end, each defining an element for carrying a filament such as a suture. The body further defines at least one element for attaching to the body either a graft or a graft connection element which is in turn connected to the graft. The element for attaching enables the body to rotate relative to the graft from an initial insertion position, along an axis substantially parallel to the graft, to a final fixation position transverse to the graft to secure the graft relative to a bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Acufex Microsurgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Thomas D. Rosenberg, Joseph H. Sklar, Michael C. Ferragamo