Patents by Inventor Derek C. Sullivan

Derek C. Sullivan 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).

  • Patent number: 10492776
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible construct having a flexible strand abutting a suture tape, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow the wide tape to be positioned over the tissue (for best compression and minimum tissue cut-thru) and suture for the implanted portion (for most efficient and least bone removal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Dreyfuss, Derek C. Sullivan, Tara L. Swanlaw
  • Patent number: 10398426
    Abstract: Surgical constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair constructs include a fixation device, a flexible strand, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Thomas Dooney, Jr., Derek C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10335136
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. Soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible strand with multiple flexible limbs, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand to shuttle the multiple flexible limbs through the flexible strand and form a locking splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dooney, Jr., Peter J. Dreyfuss, Derek C. Sullivan, Andrew C. Petry, Paul C. Brady, Kyle Chun, Christopher Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20190192133
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with splices, loops and inserts that are pre-loaded onto knotless anchors to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The splice incorporates an insert in the form of a flexible strand with at least one barb, or simply in the form of a cut length of suture or braid that is inserted into the center of the cinching loop to create a thicker portion. When the cinching loop is tightened, the insert prevents loosening of the loop, locking in the cinching loop and preventing movement of the loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Peter J. Dreyfuss, Derek C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10258320
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with splices, loops and inserts that are pre-loaded onto knotless anchors to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The splice incorporates an insert in the form of a flexible strand with at least one barb, or simply in the form of a cut length of suture or braid that is inserted into the center of the cinching loop to create a thicker portion. When the cinching loop is tightened, the insert prevents loosening of the loop, locking in the cinching loop and preventing movement of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Dreyfuss, Derek C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190099174
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods of surgical repairs using the devices are disclosed. The device and methods aid in surgical repairs by allowing for quick and reproducible repairs to be made. A tensionable knotless fixation device is provided with a tensioning construct (formed of a tensioning strand, a tensionable, adjustable, knotless, self-cinching loop, and a splice adjacent the loop) pre-loaded onto a fixation device. A flexible material (for example, suture or suture tape) may be attached to a fixation device. A flexible material may be threaded through an eyelet of a fixation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Derek C. Sullivan, William C. Benavitz, Thomas Dooney, JR., Lee D. Kaplan, James P. Bradley
  • Patent number: 10172606
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods of surgical repairs using the devices are disclosed. The device and methods aid in surgical repairs by allowing for quick and reproducible repairs to be made. A tensionable knotless fixation device is provided with a tensioning construct (formed of a tensioning strand, a tensionable, adjustable, knotless, self-cinching loop, and a splice adjacent the loop) pre-loaded onto a fixation device. A flexible material (for example, suture or suture tape) may be attached to a fixation device. A flexible material may be threaded through an eyelet of a fixation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek C. Sullivan, William C. Benavitz, Thomas Dooney, Jr., Lee D. Kaplan, James P. Bradley
  • Patent number: 10159518
    Abstract: A flexible obturator configured to dilate soft tissue without abrading the adjacent bone surface area. The flexible obturator consists of at least one flexible strand (for example, flexible wire, suture or similar malleable flexible material) that is overmolded with a material that allows the device to bend/flex in multiple planes. The overmolded material has an increasing taper to provide graduated dilation through soft tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen E. Holowecky, Derek C. Sullivan, Donald K. Shuler, James J. Guerra
  • Patent number: 9867607
    Abstract: Methods and constructs for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) and with the flexible strands provided through tissue, around tissue, or through and around tissue to be repaired or fixated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9855029
    Abstract: A method of fixating soft tissue to bone using a bone anchor connected to a construct formed of a suture strand passing through the anchor and a shuttle device passing through a splice region of the suture strand. After installing the anchor in bone, an end of the suture strand is passed around or through soft tissue to be fixated, and then the end of the suture strand is inserted into an eyelet of the shuttling device. By pulling on the opposite end of the shuttling device, the end of the suture strand is passed through the splice region of the flexible strand, thereby forming a knotless closed loop having an adjustable perimeter. As the loop is tightened, the soft tissue is tensioned against the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170252033
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible construct having a flexible strand abutting a suture tape, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow the wide tape to be positioned over the tissue (for best compression and minimum tissue cut-thru) and suture for the implanted portion (for most efficient and least bone removal).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: PETER J. DREYFUSS, DEREK C. SULLIVAN, TARA L. SWANLAW
  • Patent number: 9737292
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) and with the flexible strands provided through tissue, around tissue, or through and around tissue to be repaired or fixated. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used to achieve simple stitch repairs, mattress stitch repairs or interlocked looped mattress repairs, among others. The tensionable knotless anchors may be also provided in a daisy chain configuration, i.e., with the suture from one anchor passed through the eyelet/loop of the shuttle/pull device of another anchor and repeated in a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek C. Sullivan, Thomas Dooney, Jr., Allen E. Holowecky, Paul C. Brady, Benjamin G. Domb
  • Publication number: 20170209139
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods of soft tissue repair using pre-looped tensionable and non-pre-looped tensionable knotless fixation devices. A flexible material (for example, suture or suture tape) may be attached to the fixation device. A flexible material may be threaded through an eyelet of a tip provided as part of a swivel anchor assembly to provide added stability to the fixation devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Derek C. Sullivan, William C. Benavitz, Thomas Dooney, JR., Lee D. Kaplan, James P. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20170209135
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods of surgical repairs using the devices are disclosed. The device and methods aid in surgical repairs by allowing for quick and reproducible repairs to be made. A tensionable knotless fixation device is provided with a tensioning construct (formed of a tensioning strand, a tensionable, adjustable, knotless, self-cinching loop, and a splice adjacent the loop) pre-loaded onto a fixation device. A flexible material (for example, suture or suture tape) may be attached to a fixation device. A flexible material may be threaded through an eyelet of a fixation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Derek C. Sullivan, William C. Benavitz, Thomas Dooney, JR., Lee D. Kaplan, James P. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20170189007
    Abstract: Surgical constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair constructs include a fixation device, a flexible strand, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Thomas Dooney, JR., Derek C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9693765
    Abstract: Knotless, adjustable anchor systems that allow for knotless tensioning of tissue (such as the rotator cuff) after anchor implantation. The knotless, adjustable anchor system includes knotless anchors (for example, swivel and/or screw-in suture anchors and/or push-in suture anchors) that are modified to carry a self-locking, adjustable construct (for example, a suture assembly with a spliced suture loop) and to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The system allows for knotless tensioning of the tissue after the knotless anchors have been implanted. The medial row anchors are implanted and passed through tissue in a similar fashion as the current Corkscrew® or SwiveLock® C anchors are. The lateral row anchors are similar to a knotless SutureTak® but modified to accommodate a larger suture to hold a larger load. The suture is interconnected to the medial row and returned back to the lateral row for loading into the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek C. Sullivan, Peter J. Dreyfuss, Laurence D. Higgins
  • Patent number: 9687222
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible construct having a flexible strand abutting a suture tape, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow the wide tape to be positioned over the tissue (for best compression and minimum tissue cut-thru) and suture for the implanted portion (for most efficient and least bone removal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Dreyfuss, Derek C. Sullivan, Tara L. Swanlaw
  • Patent number: 9615821
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with splices and loops that are pre-loaded onto modified knotless anchors (for example, swivel and/or screw-in suture anchors and/or push-in suture anchors with a distal eyelet) to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The systems allow for knotless tensioning of the tissue after the knotless anchors have been implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170049434
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. Soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible strand with multiple flexible limbs, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand to shuttle the multiple flexible limbs through the flexible strand and form a locking splice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Dooney, JR., Peter J. Dreyfuss, Derek C. Sullivan, Andrew C. Petry, Paul C. Brady, Kyle Chun, Christopher Donaldson
  • Patent number: 9451951
    Abstract: A delivery device (suture passer or suture snare) that may be used in both open and endoscopic surgical procedures. The delivery device is designed with an internal member terminating in a snare and a retractable outer sheath (sleeve). The device is passed through tissue, and the outer sheath is retracted (moved back), allowing the snare to open. The suture is captured by the snare, and the outer sheath is then released so that it returns to its distal position, closing the snare and securing the captured suture. Since the snare is exposed by retracting the outer sheath (sleeve), rather than advancing the snare, the space requirement for the device is reduced, as is the possibility that the snare will undesirably contact sensitive tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek C. Sullivan, Benjamin Wai-Man Chan, Amr W. ElMaraghy