Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Norton

Daniel R. Norton 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: 20190282227
    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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel R. Norton
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20190046185
    Abstract: A tissue fixation device including a self-locking construct having a first loop, a second loop, and a first free end. A first tail is coupled to, and extends from, the first loop. A second tail is coupled to, and extends from, the second loop. An anchor is coupled to one of the self-locking construct or the first tail such that one of the self-locking construct or the first tail extend through the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel R. Norton, Kevin T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20180256152
    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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher M. Palese, Gregory J. Denham, Daniel R. Norton
  • Publication number: 20180235595
    Abstract: A suture anchor and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The suture anchor comprises an anchor body having a slot formed in the body and a passage extending through the body in a first direction. The passage is sized to permit a suture to traverse the body through the passage. The suture anchor also has a shaft with a sharp portion, and the slot and the passage intersect within the anchor body. The shaft is movable relative to the anchor body within the slot from a first position in which the sharp portion and the passage do not intersect, to a second position in which the sharp portion and the passage intersect. The shaft can penetrate a suture or multiple suture strands to fix the suture or suture strands relative to the suture anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher M. Palese, Daniel R. Norton
  • Publication number: 20170319204
    Abstract: A flexible suture for coupling tissue includes a first suture portion extending to a first end and a second suture portion extending to a second end. A plurality of braided strands form the first and second suture portions. An identifier characteristic is formed into the plurality of braided strands. The identifier characteristic extends from the first end of the first suture portion to the second end of the second suture portion, and the identifier characteristic distinguishes the first suture portion from the second suture portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel R. Norton, Gregory J. Denham, Benjamin P. Heilman, Nathan A. Winslow, Kevin T. Stone, Christopher M. Palese, Brian K. Berelsman
  • Publication number: 20170290579
    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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel R. Norton
  • Publication number: 20170215876
    Abstract: Devices used to capture sutures are described. More particularly, suture capture devices described herein include an elongate cannulated tool having a first end with a sharpened point configured to pierce tissue, and an elongate hook member positioned within a hollowed center region of the elongate cannulated tool that has a hook on a first end of the elongate hook member proximate the sharpened point of the elongate cannulated tool. The elongate hook member is capable of advancing and retracting within the elongate cannulated tool. The devices further include a handle positioned on a second end of the elongate cannulated tool that TO includes a trigger that advances the hook into or out of the first end of the elongate cannulated tool when pushed in a first or second direction. Methods of capturing a suture using such a device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel R. Norton, Gregory J. Denham
  • Publication number: 20170086816
    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: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel R. Norton
  • Publication number: 20170071593
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham, Daniel R. Norton
  • Patent number: 9345494
    Abstract: An orthopedic tool includes a handle having an exterior profile defined by a first three-dimensional shape having an exterior surface of revolution about a first axis of rotation, and a second three-dimensional shape having an exterior surface of revolution about a second axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation is offset from the first axis of rotation, whereby the first three-dimensional shape and the second three-dimensional shape intersect to define a volume of intersection. The exterior profile is defined only by the volume of intersection. A shaft extends from the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Norton
  • Publication number: 20140214100
    Abstract: An orthopaedic tool includes a handle having an exterior profile defined by a first three-dimensional shape having an exterior surface of revolution about a first axis of rotation, and a second three-dimensional shape having an exterior surface of revolution about a second axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation is offset from the first axis of rotation, whereby the first three-dimensional shape and the second three-dimensional shape intersect to define a volume of intersection. The exterior profile is defined only by the volume of intersection. A shaft extends from the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Norton
  • Patent number: D696781
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Norton