Patents by Inventor George Sikora
George 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: 20100191245Abstract: A system for repairing a defect on an articular surface of a patient's trochlear region, the system comprising a guide block comprising a body having an exterior surface configured to engage with the saddle portion and ridge portions of the patient's trochlear region, a protrusion extending generally from the body and configured to be received in a first bore formed in the articular surface along a reference axis, and a first cavity extending through the body configured to establish a first working axis displaced from the reference axis, wherein the exterior surface of the body and the protrusion are configured to secure the location of the guide block about the patient's trochlear region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: ARTHROSURFACE INCORPORATEDInventors: Steven W. Ek, George Sikora
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Publication number: 20100114162Abstract: A method of closing a tissue wound includes providing a wound closure device having a first fastener, a second fastener, and a flexible member extending between the first and second fasteners and movably attached to the second fastener by a one-way knot formed in the flexible member between the first and second fastener, positioning the first fastener against tissue, passing the flexible member across the wound, positioning the second fastener against tissue, and pulling on a free end of the flexible member to shorten a length of the flexible member between the first and second fasteners, thereby closing the wound.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.Inventors: Ray Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven Ek
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Publication number: 20100114161Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second fixation members, a flexible member coupled to the first and second fixation members, and a limiting element coupled to the flexible member. The limiting element is movable relative to the second fixation member and acts to limit loosening of the flexible member relative to the second fixation member. The limiting element can be slidably received by the flexible member. The flexible member can be coupled to the fixation members such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the fixation members.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.Inventors: Ray Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven Ek
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Patent number: 7662160Abstract: A device includes a body defining a tapered hole for guiding a member, such as a suture thread, into a tube, and a slot communicating with the hole for separating the body and the member. The body defines a bore for receiving the tube. The bore communicates with the tapered hole. The bore has a constant diameter or is tapered. A width of the bore is greater than a width of a narrowest portion of the tapered hole. The slot extends from the tapered hole and the bore to an external surface of the body. A method includes coupling a body to an end of a tube, guiding a member into the tube through a tapered hole, and separating the body and the member by passing the member through a slot.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Ray Bojarski, George Sikora
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Patent number: 7651509Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second fixation members, a flexible member coupled to the first and second fixation members, and a limiting element coupled to the flexible member. The limiting element is movable relative to the second fixation member and acts to limit loosening of the flexible member relative to the second fixation member. The limiting element can be slidably received by the flexible member. The flexible member can be coupled to the fixation members such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the fixation members.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Ray Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven Ek
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Publication number: 20090216285Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bone resurfacing. One embodiment includes a method for preparing an implant site in bone, comprising establishing a first working axis extending from said bone; establishing a second working axis extending from said bone, the second working axis is displaced from the first working axis; creating a first socket in the bone by reaming about the first working axis; and creating a second socket in the bone, adjacent the first socket, by reaming about the second working axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.Inventors: Steven W. Ek, George Sikora
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Patent number: 7491212Abstract: In one aspect there is a curved medical instrument comprising an outer member and an inner member. The inner member has a curved portion at a distal region of the inner member. The outer member is concentrically and movably coupled to the inner member and has a flexible transmission mechanism at a distal region of the outer member. The flexible transmission mechanism transmits a linear and/or rotational actuating force along the curved portion of the instrument. The inner member can include an opening configured to receive a target for cutting, such as a flexible fixating member and/or biological tissue.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: George Sikora, Raymond A. Bojarski, Aaron Hecker
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Patent number: 7465308Abstract: A medical device that attaches to tissue without requiring stitching includes a tissue fixation device having a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop, and an assisting member disposed through the first sub-loop and through the second sub-loop. The tissue fixation device includes an adjustable, flexible member formed by inserting one end portion of the flexible member through another end portion of the flexible member, and first and second sub-loops formed by crossing a portion of the flexible member over a different portion of the flexible member.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: George Sikora, Aaron Hecker, Charles H. Brown, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080195113Abstract: A device and method for dispensing an adhesive wherein a housing includes a proximal portion and distal portion, an opening is defined in the distal portion of the housing, and a housing lumen is defined within the housing and extends through the opening. The device may also include a syringe including a body defining a syringe lumen and a delivery tip, wherein at least a portion of the body is positionable within the housing lumen. Furthermore, a screw including a proximal end and a distal end and a plunger are positionable within the syringe lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: ARTHROSURFACE INCORPORATEDInventor: George Sikora
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Publication number: 20080183174Abstract: A retrograde resection apparatus may include a cutting blade including a slot defined in the cutting blade, a recess defined in at least a portion of the slot, a screw, including a proximal end and a distal end defining a bore therethrough, a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the shaft passes through the bore and the distal end is configured to be received in the recess, and a biasing device configured to bias the shaft against the cutting blade. In addition, the apparatus may include a tether, a first portion of which is affixed to the cutting blade and a second portion of which passes through the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: ArthroSurface IncorporatedInventors: George Sikora, Tim Brightman, Steven W. Ek
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Publication number: 20080033443Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus for tissue resection. At least one embodiment described herein provides a tissue resection system that includes a cutter that includes a blade system and a guide bar. The blade system is configured to be slidably coupled to said guide bar to permit said blade system to move relative to the guide bar, and said blade system comprises a chain of a plurality of links hingedly coupled together, wherein at least one said link comprising a cutting portion to cut tissue. The blade system has a thickness configured to generate a recessed pocket in the tissue. Of course, many alternatives, variations and modifications are possible without departing from this disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: ARTHROSURFACE INCORPORATEDInventors: George Sikora, Steven Ek, Tim Brightman
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Publication number: 20070219557Abstract: A surgical device includes an anchor body defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity, and a flexible member extending through the opening and having a sliding knot disposed within the cavity. The flexible member is movable through the anchor body in a first direction while movement of the flexible member in a second, opposite direction is restricted. The flexible member forms a loop portion, a tension portion, and the sliding knot. The surgical device includes an outer shaft defining a longitudinally slot, and an inner shaft defining a recess. The flexible member passes through the recess and the slot. A method includes placing an anchor having a flexible member coupled thereto in the form of a loop in bone, passing the loop through an opening in tissue, positioning the loop around the anchor, and tensioning the flexible member to decrease the loop size.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2006Publication date: September 20, 2007Inventors: Bernard Bourque, Michael Ferragamo, Sally Carter, George Sikora
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Publication number: 20070083236Abstract: An apparatus for tissue repair includes first and second fixation members configured to secure tissue together, a flexible coupling member coupling the first and second fixation members, a first flexible pull member attached to the first fixation member but not the second fixation member, and a second flexible pull member attached to the second fixation member but not the first fixation member. A surgical method for repairing a wound in a rotator cuff includes forming a first and second channel through tissue, advancing a first flexible member and a first fixation member coupled thereto through the first channel, advancing a second flexible member and a second fixation member coupled thereto through the second channel, and pulling a third flexible member coupling the first and second fixation members to shorten a length of the third flexible member between the first and second fixation members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.Inventors: George Sikora, Raymond Bojarski, Aaron Hecker
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Publication number: 20060293709Abstract: A tissue repair device includes a closed knotless loop of multifilament flexible material, and a fixation member having a structure that defines a cavity that receives at least a part of the closed loop. The tissue repair device may include a flexible member traversing the loop. The loop may include a portion in which ends of the multifilament flexible material are thermally fused together. The multifilament flexible material may be braided or twisted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2005Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Raymond Bojarski, George Sikora
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Patent number: 7153312Abstract: A surgical method includes positioning a fixation member relative to tissue, moving a flexible member coupled to the fixation member relative to the fixation member to bring two tissue surfaces together, and moving a retaining element coupled to the flexible member relative to the fixation member. The retaining element acts to limit loosening of the flexible member relative to the fixation member. An apparatus for repairing a tear in soft tissue includes first and second fixation members, a flexible member substantially immovably secured to the first fixation member and movably coupled to the second fixation member, and a retaining element coupled to the flexible member. In another embodiment, an apparatus for repairing a tear in soft tissue includes a fixation member, and a flexible member movably coupled to the fixation member. A first end of the flexible member is looped back and secured to the flexible member.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2000Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Smith & Nephew Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Torrie, George Sikora, Raymond A. Bojarski
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Publication number: 20050283192Abstract: A method of closing a tissue wound includes providing a wound closure device having a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible member movably attached to the second anchor, positioning the first anchor against tissue, passing the flexible member across the wound, positioning the second anchor against tissue, and pulling on a free end of the flexible member to shorten a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchors, thereby closing the wound. A wound closure device includes a first anchor, a second anchor; and a flexible member connecting the first anchor to the second anchor, the flexible member being movably attached to the second anchor, such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2004Publication date: December 22, 2005Inventors: Paul Torrie, George Sikora, Raymond Bojarski, Steven Ek
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Publication number: 20050165416Abstract: A device includes a body defining a tapered hole for guiding a member, such as a suture thread, into a tube, and a slot communicating with the hole for separating the body and the member. The body defines a bore for receiving the tube. The bore communicates with the tapered hole. The bore has a constant diameter or is tapered. A width of the bore is greater than a width of a narrowest portion of the tapered hole. The slot extends from the tapered hole and the bore to an external surface of the body. A method includes coupling a body to an end of a tube, guiding a member into the tube through a tapered hole, and separating the body and the member by passing the member through a slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventors: Ray Bojarski, George Sikora
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Publication number: 20050033363Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second fixation members, a flexible member coupled to the first and second fixation members, and a limiting element coupled to the flexible member. The limiting element is movable relative to the second fixation member and acts to limit loosening of the flexible member relative to the second fixation member. The limiting element can be slidably received by the flexible member. The flexible member can be coupled to the fixation members such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the fixation members.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Ray Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Torrie, Steven Ek
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Publication number: 20040204722Abstract: A medical device that attaches to tissue without requiring stitching includes a tissue fixation device having a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop, and an assisting member disposed through the first sub-loop and through the second sub-loop. The tissue fixation device includes an adjustable, flexible member formed by inserting one end portion of the flexible member through another end portion of the flexible member, and first and second sub-loops formed by crossing a portion of the flexible member over a different portion of the flexible member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: George Sikora, Aaron Hecker, Charles H. Brown
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Publication number: 20040162569Abstract: In one aspect there is a curved medical instrument comprising an outer member and an inner member. The inner member has a curved portion at a distal region of the inner member. The outer member is concentrically and movably coupled to the inner member and has a flexible transmission mechanism at a distal region of the outer member. The flexible transmission mechanism transmits a linear and/or rotational actuating force along the curved portion of the instrument. The inner member can include an opening configured to receive a target for cutting, such as a flexible fixating member and/or biological tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: George Sikora, Raymond A. Bojarski, Aaron Hecker