Patents by Inventor Gregory R. Whittaker

Gregory R. Whittaker 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: 20120179199
    Abstract: An adjustable anchor system provides for securing tissue to bone and includes an anchor with a collapsible suture loop affixed thereto and a tissue suture connected to the collapsible suture loop. After the tissue suture is loaded into the tissue and the anchor implanted into the bone the collapsible loop is collapsed to tension the tissue suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Hernandez, Mehmet Ziya Sengun, Gerome Miller, Gregory R. Whittaker, Gary B. McAlister
  • Publication number: 20120179200
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a cannulated suture anchor is provided and it includes a suture-engaging member formed therein and configured to receive a suture therearound such that trailing ends of the suture can extend through the suture anchor. The present invention also provides exemplary sutures and drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: DEPUY MITEK, INC.
    Inventors: Nathan Cauldwell, Jonathan Howe, Gregory R. Whittaker, Gary McAlister, Jose E. Lizardi
  • Publication number: 20120130424
    Abstract: A surgical filament snare assembly including an anchor capable of being fixated in bone and having a filament engagement feature. A first filament has a noose with first and second noose limbs connected, preferably slidably connected, to the filament engagement feature of the anchor. The first and second noose limbs emerge from the anchor as first and second free filament limbs which are capable of being passed through tissue to be repaired and then passable through the noose. The noose, such as one or more half-hitches, is capable of receiving the free filament limbs and strangulating them when tension is applied to at least one of the free filament limbs and the noose to enable incremental tensioning of the tissue after the anchor is fixated. Preferably, the snare assembly further includes a flexible sleeve joining at least some portion of the first and second free filament limbs to facilitate passing of the free filament limbs at least through the tissue as a single unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehmet Ziya Sengun, Howard Tang, David B. Spenciner, Gregory R. Whittaker, Gerome Miller, Joseph Hernandez, Robert Stefani
  • Publication number: 20120130423
    Abstract: A surgical filament snare assembly including an anchor capable of being fixated in bone and having a filament engagement feature. A first filament has a noose on a first portion of at least a first limb and has a second portion connected to the filament engagement feature of the anchor. Preferably, at least one free filament limb, which in some embodiments is a length of the first filament and in other embodiments is a second filament, is capable of being passed through tissue to be repaired and has at least one end passable through the noose to enable incremental tensioning of the tissue after the anchor is fixated in bone. The noose strangulates the free filament limb when tension is applied to at least one of the free filament limb and the noose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehmet Ziya Sengun, Howard Tang, David B. Spenciner, Gregory R. Whittaker, Gerome Miller
  • Patent number: 8167906
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a cannulated suture anchor is provided and it includes a suture-engaging member formed therein and configured to receive a suture therearound such that trailing ends of the suture can extend through the suture anchor. The present invention also provides exemplary sutures and drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Cauldwell, Jonathan Howe, Gregory R. Whittaker, Gary McAlister, Jose E. Lizardi
  • Publication number: 20120082652
    Abstract: A method provides for procuring platelet rich plasma (PRP) from a sample of whole blood in a vial. The method includes the steps of: separating the whole blood into layers through centrifugation with an upper layer containing platelet poor plasma (PPP) and a PRP layer below the upper layer containing PRP; adjusting an end point of a first range of motion of an extractor relative to a position of the PRP layer; moving the extractor through the first range of motion through the vial, PPP passing out from the upper layer through the extractor; and after the extractor reaches the end point of the first range of motion, extracting the PRP through the extractor and collecting the PRP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: DePuy Miltek, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehmet Ziya Sengun, William Parrish, Brooks J. Story, Kristian DiMatteo, Gregory R. Whittaker, Douglas Allen Fifolt
  • Publication number: 20120083841
    Abstract: A suture anchor comprises an anchor body comprising a longitudinal axis and bone engaging external threads oriented for rotation about the longitudinal axis; and a suture attachment on the anchor body rotational with respect to the body about the longitudinal axis whereby to help reduce twisting of one or more sutures which may be attached to the suture attachment as the anchor body is threaded into a bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian DiMatteo, Gregory R. Whittaker, Nathan Cauldwell
  • Patent number: 8137360
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Ronald L. Taylor, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120065679
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a cannulated suture anchor is provided and it includes a suture-engaging member formed therein and configured to receive a suture therearound such that trailing ends of the suture can extend through the suture anchor. The present invention also provides exemplary sutures and drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Cauldwell, Gregory R. Whittaker, Gary McAlister, Jose E. Lizardi, Jason Hamilton, Frank Capuano
  • Patent number: 8128634
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Ronald L. Taylor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8083769
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a cannulated suture anchor is provided and it includes a suture-engaging member formed therein and configured to receive a suture therearound such that trailing ends of the suture can extend through the suture anchor. The present invention also provides exemplary sutures and drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Cauldwell, Gregory R. Whittaker, Gary McAlister, Jose E. Lizardi, Jason Hamilton, Frank Capuano
  • Patent number: 8080013
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Eric Hyman, Keith M. Orr, Thomas Callahan
  • Patent number: 8080058
    Abstract: A method for fixing a bone block in a bone tunnel comprising the steps of placing the bone block in the bone tunnel, advancing spaced-apart first and second metal wires through the bone, transversely of the bone tunnel, so as to intersect the bone block and extend through the bone block, removing one of the wires and replacing the one removed wire with a first absorbable rod, and removing the other of the wires and replacing the other removed wire with a second absorbable rod, whereby to retain the bone block in the bone tunnel with the absorbable rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Thomas E. Borg
  • Publication number: 20110288641
    Abstract: A method for fixing a bone block in a bone tunnel comprising the steps of placing the bone block in the bone tunnel, advancing spaced-apart first and second metal wires through the bone, transversely of the bone tunnel, so as to intersect the bone block and extend through the bone block, removing one of the wires and replacing the one removed wire with a first absorbable rod, and removing the other of the wires and replacing the other removed wire with a second absorbable rod, whereby to retain the bone block in the bone tunnel with the absorbable rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Thomas E. Borg
  • Publication number: 20110106154
    Abstract: A suture anchor is disclosed which has an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and an exterior surface. An axially oriented bore extends into the body from the proximal end and a proximal portion of the bore has a plurality of abutment surfaces for engaging a tool. The bore includes one or more axially oriented suture passages leading to a suture attachment within the bore. A length of suture extends into the at least one suture passage from the body proximal end and extends to the suture attachment. A screw thread spirals about a portion of the exterior surface of the body adjacent the at least one suture passage. Between the bore and the exterior surface of the body the body has a wall thickness and wherein the suture passage comprises the area where the wall thickness goes to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: DePuy Mikek, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian DiMatteo, Gregory R. Whittaker, Mehmet Ziya Sengun
  • Publication number: 20110106013
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for passing a suture anchor through a soft tissue and into a bone. The method includes the steps of locating a desired anchor receiving site on the bone; passing a locating wire through the soft tissue and into the bone at the anchor receiving site and passing over the locating wire an inner/outer cannula system which includes an inner cannula having a sharp distal tip, and an axial lumen therethrough sized to accommodate the positioning wire and an outer cannula having a distal end, and an axial lumen therethrough sized to accommodate the inner cannula and coaxially receiving the inner cannula, the distal end being tapered wherein to present a gradually increasing profile and wherein the distal tip of the inner cannula extends distally beyond the end of the distal end of the outer cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: DePuy Mikek, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Mehmet Ziya Sengun, Kristian DiMatteo
  • Patent number: 7896901
    Abstract: A tissue fixation device is provided that is preferably used to secure a ligament or graft within a prepared bone tunnel, for example in ACL replacement. The tissue fixation device generally includes an elongate member having a shaft portion that is adapted to be at least partially disposed within a bone tunnel, and a guide member that forms a portion of the proximal end of the elongate member. The guide member has a graft-seating surface that is effective to seat a graft and to position the graft toward one side of a bone tunnel when the device is disposed within the bone tunnel. The device also includes a graft-retaining member formed on at least a portion of the graft-seating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory R. Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20110022084
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for repairing a tear in a meniscus. A pair of fixation member each entailing a preformed knot configuration coupled together by a suture length. The fixation members are placed on the meniscal tissue with the suture length spanning the tear, the knot configurations are expanded to form anchoring knots and the suture length is shortened to close the tear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Mehmet Ziya Sengun, Mark A. Capobianco, Douglas Allen Fifolt, Kristian DiMatteo, Gregory R. Whittaker, Brooks J. Story
  • Publication number: 20110022083
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to tissue, incorporating anchoring devices constructed substantially from suture. The anchoring devices are constructed as longitudinally extended, preformed knot configurations that upon deployment are reconfigured to form anchoring knots having an increased cross-section relative to the preformed knot configuration, for secure lodging in tissue. The anchoring devices are suitable for single and multi-anchor surgical procedures in soft tissue or bone, and multiple anchors can be delivered using a single delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Kristian DiMatteo, Gregory R. Whittaker, Brooks J. Story, Mehmet Ziya Sengun, Mark A. Capobianco, Douglas Allen Fifolt
  • Publication number: 20100121339
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: DEPUY MITEK, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Ronald L. Taylor, JR.