Patents by Inventor George J. Sikora
George J. Sikora 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).
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Publication number: 20200367912Abstract: Microfracture apparatuses with a cannula and a penetrator. The cannula has a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end through which a penetrator can move between a retracted and an extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator. The cannula has a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, with the distal portion configured such that the distal portion and/or the second end of the channel is disposed at a nonparallel angle relative to the primary portion, for example, with a curve between the primary portion and the distal portion. The penetrator is configured to flex around such a curve and/or to flex to align with the angle of the send end of the channel and/or the distal portion of the cannula.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
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Patent number: 10842506Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.Inventors: George J Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
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Publication number: 20200237363Abstract: A fixation device. At least one example embodiment is a bone anchor comprising: a proximal head; a bollard coupled to the proximal head; a first barb coupled to the bollard, the first barb extends outward a first distance measured perpendicularly from an anchor central axis, the first distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the first barb extends outward at a first radial from the anchor central axis; and a second barb coupled to the first barb, the second barb extends outward a second distance measured perpendicularly from the anchor central axis, the second distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the second barb extends outward at a second radial from the anchor central axis, the second radial at a second rotational orientation at least 36 angular degrees from the first radial.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: WEST GEN TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Donald A. WILLIAMS, George J. SIKORA
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Patent number: 10624626Abstract: A fixation device. At least one example embodiment is a bone anchor comprising: a proximal head; a bollard coupled to the proximal head; a first barb coupled to the bollard, the first barb extends outward a first distance measured perpendicularly from an anchor central axis, the first distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the first barb extends outward at a first radial from the anchor central axis; and a second barb coupled to the first barb, the second barb extends outward a second distance measured perpendicularly from the anchor central axis, the second distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the second barb extends outward at a second radial from the anchor central axis, the second radial at a second rotational orientation at least 36 angular degrees from the first radial.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: West Gen Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Donald A. Williams, George J. Sikora
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Publication number: 20200054349Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK
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Patent number: 10531880Abstract: Microfracture apparatuses with a cannula and a penetrator. The cannula has a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end through which a penetrator can move between a retracted and an extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator. The cannula has a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, with the distal portion configured such that the distal portion and/or the second end of the channel is disposed at a nonparallel angle relative to the primary portion, for example, with a curve between the primary portion and the distal portion. The penetrator is configured to flex around such a curve and/or to flex to align with the angle of the send end of the channel and/or the distal portion of the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
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Publication number: 20200000455Abstract: Methods of tissue repair. At least one example method includes: pulling a tissue in place over a bone location; abutting a distal end of a guide tool against the tissue at a first location, and driving a first bone anchor through a delivery tube of the guide tool, through the tissue, and into the bone at the first location, the first bone anchor coupled to a first suture line; abutting the distal end of the guide tool against the tissue at a second location displaced from the first location, and then driving a second bone anchor through the delivery tube, through the tissue, and into the bone at the second location, the second bone anchor associated with the first suture line; withdrawing the guide tool away from the tissue; and tightening the first suture line to create a first suture over the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicant: WEST GEN TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Donald A. WILLIAMS, George J. SIKORA
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Publication number: 20190365373Abstract: Guide tools for installation of fixation devices. At least one example embodiment includes: a delivery tube, the delivery tube defines a slot that runs from the distal end to the proximal end; a guide tube coupled to the delivery tube; and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the delivery tube and coupled to the proximal end of the guide tube. The handle may include a first channel into an interior of the delivery tube through the slot, and a receptacle in operational relationship to the delivery tube and the first channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: WEST GEN TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Donald A. WILLIAMS, George J. SIKORA
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Publication number: 20190365372Abstract: Fixation device cartridges. At least one example embodiment is a cartridge including: a first tube; a second tube parallel to first tube; a first spacer coupled to the first tube and the second tube such that slots of the first and second tubes face each other; a second spacer coupled to the first tube and the second tube, the first and second spacers defining a suture volume between the slots of the first and second tubes, and the slot of the first tube and the slot of the second tube open into the suture volume; a first bone anchor disposed within the first tube, a first suture line associated with the first bone anchor and extending through the slot; and a second bone anchor disposed within the second tube and coupled to the first suture line.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: WEST GEN TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Donald A. WILLIAMS, George J. SIKORA
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Publication number: 20190365371Abstract: A fixation device. At least one example embodiment is a bone anchor comprising: a proximal head; a bollard coupled to the proximal head; a first barb coupled to the bollard, the first barb extends outward a first distance measured perpendicularly from an anchor central axis, the first distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the first barb extends outward at a first radial from the anchor central axis; and a second barb coupled to the first barb, the second barb extends outward a second distance measured perpendicularly from the anchor central axis, the second distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the second barb extends outward at a second radial from the anchor central axis, the second radial at a second rotational orientation at least 36 angular degrees from the first radial.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: WEST GEN TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Donald A. WILLIAMS, George J. SIKORA
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Patent number: 10478172Abstract: Methods of tissue repair. At least one example method includes: pulling a tissue in place over a bone location; abutting a distal end of a guide tool against the tissue at a first location, and driving a first bone anchor through a delivery tube of the guide tool, through the tissue, and into the bone at the first location, the first bone anchor coupled to a first suture line; abutting the distal end of the guide tool against the tissue at a second location displaced from the first location, and then driving a second bone anchor through the delivery tube, through the tissue, and into the bone at the second location, the second bone anchor associated with the first suture line; withdrawing the guide tool away from the tissue; and tightening the first suture line to create a first suture over the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: West Gen Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Donald A. Williams, George J. Sikora
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Publication number: 20190321026Abstract: A surgical device includes a first fastener having a planar profile, a second fastener having a concave surface, and a suture that can be manipulated to change a distance between the first and second fasteners. The second fastener has a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of a top surface of a clavicle bone in a direction perpendicular to a long axis of the clavicle bone. A method of treating an acromioclavicular joint injury includes forming axially aligned passages through a patient's clavicle and coracoid process, passing a fastener having a concave surface through the passages, positioning the concave surface of the fastener against a top surface of the patient's clavicle with a long axis of the fastener extending perpendicular to a long axis of the clavicle, positioning a fastener having a planar profile below the patient's coracoid process, and adjusting a suture that couples the fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: George J. Sikora, James J. Sullivan, Pascal Boileau, Stephen Anthony Santangelo
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Patent number: 10405848Abstract: A surgical device includes a first fastener having a planar profile, a second fastener having a concave surface, and a suture that can be manipulated to change a distance between the first and second fasteners. The second fastener has a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of a top surface of a clavicle bone in a direction perpendicular to a long axis of the clavicle bone. A method of treating an acromioclavicular joint injury includes forming axially aligned passages through a patient's clavicle and coracoid process, passing a fastener having a concave surface through the passages, positioning the concave surface of the fastener against a top surface of the patient's clavicle with a long axis of the fastener extending perpendicular to a long axis of the clavicle, positioning a fastener having a planar profile below the patient's coracoid process, and adjusting a suture that couples the fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: George J. Sikora, James J. Sullivan, Pascal Boileau, Stephen Anthony Santangelo
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Publication number: 20190201007Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: George J SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
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Patent number: 10238401Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and examplary methods for microfracture (e.g. forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek
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Publication number: 20180271542Abstract: Microfracture apparatuses with a cannula and a penetrator. The cannula has a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end through which a penetrator can move between a retracted and an extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator. The cannula has a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, with the distal portion configured such that the distal portion and/or the second end of the channel is disposed at a nonparallel angle relative to the primary portion, for example, with a curve between the primary portion and the distal portion. The penetrator is configured to flex around such a curve and/or to flex to align with the angle of the send end of the channel and/or the distal portion of the cannula.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
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Patent number: 10039554Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
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Patent number: 9918721Abstract: Microfracture apparatuses with a cannula and a penetrator. The cannula has a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end through which a penetrator can move between a retracted and an extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator. The cannula has a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, with the distal portion configured such that the distal portion and/or the second end of the channel is disposed at a nonparallel angle relative to the primary portion, for example, with a curve between the primary portion and the distal portion. The penetrator is configured to flex around such a curve and/or to flex to align with the angle of the send end of the channel and/or the distal portion of the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
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Publication number: 20180008285Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
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Publication number: 20170303934Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA