Patents by Inventor Gregory Whittaker

Gregory 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).

  • Patent number: 9969547
    Abstract: An expandable holding tank includes a base supporting a first sidewall to define a liquid retaining enclosure. A second sidewall travels up and down one of an exterior face or an interior face of the first sidewall from a stored position to an operative position. In the stored position, the second sidewall is nested with the first sidewall to position a lower edge of the second sidewall adjacent to the base. In the operative position, the second sidewall is telescopically extended relative to the first sidewall to place the lower edge of the second sidewall at a distance from the base and an upper edge of the second sidewall extending above an upper edge of the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Gregory A. Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20160130077
    Abstract: An expandable holding tank includes a base supporting a first sidewall to define a liquid retaining enclosure. A second sidewall travels up and down one of an exterior face or an interior face of the first sidewall from a stored position to an operative position. In the stored position, the second sidewall is nested with the first sidewall to position a lower edge of the second sidewall adjacent to the base. In the operative position, the second sidewall is telescopically extended relative to the first sidewall to place the lower edge of the second sidewall at a distance from the base and an upper edge of the second sidewall extending above an upper edge of the first sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory WHITTAKER
  • Publication number: 20110282450
    Abstract: A method of replacing an ACL with a graft. The method provides for the drilling bone tunnels in a femur and a tibia. A replacement graft is provided having first and second ends. A biodegradable composite screw is provided. The screw is made from a biodegradable polymer and a bioceramic or a bioglass. At least one end of the graft is secured in a bone tunnel using the biodegradable composite screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: DEPUY MITEK, INC.
    Inventors: Lisa Donnelly, Yufu Li, Joan M. Sullivan, Gregory Whittaker, J. Jenny Yuan
  • Patent number: 8016865
    Abstract: A method of replacing an ACL with a graft. The method provides for the drilling bone tunnels in a femur and a tibia. A replacement graft is provided having first and second ends. A biodegradable composite screw is provided. The screw is made from a biodegradable polymer and a bioceramic or a bioglass. At least one end of the graft is secured in a bone tunnel using the biodegradable composite screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Donnelly, Yufu Li, Joan M. Sullivan, Gregory Whittaker, J. Jenny Yuan
  • Patent number: 7527648
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the femoral and tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. A pin passing member maintains one end of the filamentary wire in the transverse tunnel as the graft is being moved into place in the femoral and tibial tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Mitek Surgical Products Div of Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. May, Gregory Whittaker
  • Patent number: 7458975
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A filamentary loop is threaded through the femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel and partially through the transverse tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson
    Inventors: Thomas C. May, Gregory Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20080051795
    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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: DEPUY MITEK, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20070213819
    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: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel McKernan, Gregory Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20070162123
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for fixing a ligament graft in a bone tunnel. In general, the methods and devices involve affixing a ligament graft within a bone tunnel using an adhesive. A fixation device can be inserted through the ligament graft in a direction transverse to an axis of the tunnel to maintain the ligament graft in contact with the adhesive. The fixation device can be removed when the adhesive is cured such that the ligament graft is fixed in the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Gregory Whittaker, Les Hull
  • Publication number: 20070162122
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for fixing a ligament graft in a bone tunnel. In general, the methods and devices involve affixing a ligament graft within a bone tunnel using an adhesive. A fixation device can be inserted through the ligament graft in a direction transverse to an axis of the tunnel to maintain the ligament graft in contact with the adhesive. The fixation device can be removed when the adhesive is cured such that the ligament graft is fixed in the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Gregory Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20070162124
    Abstract: An implant useful for reconstructing a knee that has sustained a rupture or tear of an anterior cruciate ligament. The implant has first and second opposed member connected by a replacement graft. The members may have external screw threads. In addition there is a method of reconstructing a knee using the implant of the present invention, wherein the knee has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Gregory Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20070093895
    Abstract: A method of replacing an ACL with a graft. The method provides for the drilling bone tunnels in a femur and a tibia. A replacement graft is provided having first and second ends. A biodegradable composite screw is provided. The screw is made from a biodegradable polymer and a bioceramic or a bioglass. At least one end of the graft is secured in a bone tunnel using the biodegradable composite screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Lisa Donnelly, Yufu Li, Joan Sullivan, Gregory Whittaker, J. Yuan
  • Publication number: 20060149283
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A filamentary loop is threaded through the femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel and partially through the transverse tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas May, Gregory Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20060149259
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the femoral and tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. A pin passing member maintains one end of the filamentary wire in the transverse tunnel as the graft is being moved into place in the femoral and tibial tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas May, Gregory Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20060129162
    Abstract: A method for fixing a portion of a piece of tissue in a bone tunnel comprising the steps of placing the portion of a piece of tissue in the bone tunnel, advancing spaced-apart first and second metal wires though the bone, transversely of the bone tunnel, so as to intersect the bone tunnel and extend into the portion of a piece of tissue, removing one of the wires and replacing the one removed wire with a first rod, and removing the other of the wires and replacing the other removed wire with a second rod, whereby to retain the portion of a piece of tissue in the bone tunnel with the rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel McKernan, Gregory Whittaker, Harold Martins, Joan Sullivan, Ronald Taylor
  • Patent number: 7032599
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the femoral and tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Mitek Surgical Products Div. of Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. May, Gregory Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20050234469
    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: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Gregory Whittaker, Ronald Taylor
  • Publication number: 20050070905
    Abstract: A method of replacing an ACL with a graft. The method provides for the drilling bone tunnels in a femur and a tibia. A replacement graft is provided having first and second ends. A biodegradable composite screw is provided. The screw is made from a biodegradable polymer and a bioceramic or a bioglass. At least one end of the graft is secured in a bone tunnel using the biodegradable composite screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Lisa Donnelly, Yufu Li, Joan Sullivan, Gregory Whittaker, J. Yuan
  • Publication number: 20050010289
    Abstract: A method for fixing a portion of a piece of tissue in a bone tunnel comprising the steps of placing the portion of a piece of tissue in the bone tunnel, advancing spaced-apart first and second metal wires though the bone, transversely of the bone tunnel, so as to intersect the bone tunnel and extend into the portion of a piece of tissue, removing one of the wires and replacing the one removed wire with a first rod, and removing the other of the wires and replacing the other removed wire with a second rod, whereby to retain the portion of a piece of tissue in the bone tunnel with the rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel McKernan, Gregory Whittaker, Harold Martins, Joan Sullivan, Ronald Taylor
  • Publication number: 20040230302
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the femoral and tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas C. May, Gregory Whittaker