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).

  • Publication number: 20170303934
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
  • Publication number: 20170181740
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, James J. Sullivan, Pascal Boileau, Stephen Anthony Santangelo
  • Patent number: 9636102
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, James J. Sullivan, Pascal Boileau, Stephen Anthony Santangelo
  • Patent number: 9572587
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
  • Patent number: 9510840
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the embodiments are configured to create microfractures with greater depth-to-width (or depth-to-diameter) ratios than previously known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
  • Publication number: 20160192947
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and examplary methods for microfracture (e.g. forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK
  • Publication number: 20160022280
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
  • Publication number: 20160022279
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
  • Patent number: 9211126
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
  • Publication number: 20150039031
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, James J. Sullivan, Pascal Boileau, Stephen Anthony Santangelo
  • Patent number: 8926661
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, James J. Sullivan, Pascal Boileau, Stephen Anthony Santangelo
  • Publication number: 20130317506
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Arthrosurface, Inc.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallariba
  • Publication number: 20120310279
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, James J. Sullivan, Pascal Boileau, Stephen Anthony Santangelo
  • Patent number: 7947053
    Abstract: A suturing device includes a body member having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis and comprising a slide and trigger slide; a tip assembly attached to the distal end and comprising: a hollow sheath having a window at its distal end; a pushrod in the hollow sheath and in mechanical communication with the slide and moveable along the axis; and a heating element sheath containing a heating element and adjacent to the hollow sheath, the heating element in mechanical and electrical communication with the trigger slide and moveable within the heating element sheath along the axis and over the window; and circuitry in electrical communication between the trigger slide and the heating element. The trigger slide activates the circuitry to heat the heating element and moves the heating element along the axis and over the window to contact a suture and thereby create a bloom of suture material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Raymond G. McKay, George J. Sikora
  • Publication number: 20080086152
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a suturing device comprising: a body member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis positioned between the proximal and distal ends, the body member comprising a slide and a trigger slide; a tip assembly attached to the distal end of the body member and comprising: a hollow sheath having a distal end and a window positioned at the distal end; a pushrod housed in the hollow sheath, the pushrod being in mechanical communication with the slide and moveable along the longitudinal axis; and a heating element sheath containing a heating element, the heating element sheath positioned adjacent to the hollow sheath, the heating element in mechanical and electrical communication with the trigger slide, the heating element moveable within the heating element sheath and along the longitudinal axis and over the window; circuitry in electrical communication between the trigger slide and the heating element, wherein the trigger slide activates the circuitry to heat t
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Raymond G. McKay, George J. Sikora
  • Patent number: 5727428
    Abstract: A link, and assembly and instrument using same, for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member. The link includes a link body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the link body is movably interconnected with the work member by a distal interconnection element such as an arcuate groove-and-flange assembly, and is interconnected at its proximal end to an actuating member by a proximal pivotal interconnection element. The proximal element transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member. A shoulder, disposed on the link body preferably between the distal and proximal elements for interconnecting, engages the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of the first actuating force. The greater force is thereby transmitted fully to the work member. The link assembly preferably includes a spacer member to assist positioning of the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. LeMaire, III, Francis J. DiFrancesco, Paul DiCarlo, Peter D. Naugler, George J. Sikora
  • Patent number: 5695522
    Abstract: A link, and assembly and instrument using same, for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member. The link includes a link body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the link body is movably interconnected with the work member by a distal interconnection element such as an arcuate groove-and-flange assembly, and is interconnected at its proximal end to an actuating member by a proximal pivotal interconnection element. The proximal element transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member. A shoulder, disposed on the link body preferably between the distal and proximal elements for interconnecting, engages the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of the first actuating force. The greater force is thereby transmitted fully to the work member. The link assembly preferably includes a spacer member to assist positioning of the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Acufex Microsurgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. LeMaire, III, Francis J. DiFrancesco, Paul DiCarlo, Peter D. Naugler, George J. Sikora
  • Patent number: 5590570
    Abstract: A link, and assembly and instrument using same, for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member. The link includes a link body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the link body is movably interconnected with the work member by a distal interconnection element such as an arcuate groove-and-flange assembly, and is interconnected at its proximal end to an actuating member by a proximal pivotal interconnection element. The proximal element transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member. A shoulder, disposed on the link body preferably between the distal and proximal elements for interconnecting, engages the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of the first actuating force. The greater force is thereby transmitted fully to the work member. The link assembly preferably includes a spacer member to assist positioning of the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Acufex Microsurgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. LeMaire, III, Francis J. DiFrancesco, Paul DiCarlo, Peter D. Naugler, George J. Sikora
  • Patent number: 5366477
    Abstract: A link, and assembly and instrument using same, for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member. The link includes a link body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the link body is movably interconnected with the work member by a distal interconnection element such as an arcuate groove-and-flange assembly, and is interconnected at its proximal end to an actuating member by a proximal pivotal interconnection element. The proximal element transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member. A shoulder, disposed on the link body preferably between the distal and proximal elements for interconnecting, engages the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of the first actuating force. The greater force is thereby transmitted fully to the work member. The link assembly preferably includes a spacer member to assist positioning of the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Norman J. LeMarie, III, Francis J. DiFrancesco, Paul DiCarlo, Peter D. Naugler, George J. Sikora