Patents by Inventor James Marcinek

James Marcinek 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: 20150320545
    Abstract: Methods for fixation of a soft tissue graft in a bone including: forming in the bone a tunnel defining an entrance opening and an exit opening at opposite ends of the tunnel, the tunnel including an anterior wall surface and a posterior wall surface opposite to the anterior wall surface; positioning the soft tissue graft within the tunnel such that the soft tissue graft extends through both the entrance opening and the exit opening of the tunnel; inserting a graft fixation apparatus into the tunnel and driving spikes of the graft fixation apparatus into the posterior wall surface to mount the graft fixation apparatus to the posterior wall surface of the tunnel such that the graft fixation apparatus is anterior to the posterior wall surface and is not recessed beneath the posterior wall surface; and securing the soft tissue graft inside the tunnel with the graft fixation apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: James BOUCHER, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek, Troy M. Walters
  • Patent number: 9011534
    Abstract: Methods for fixation of a soft tissue graft in a bone including: forming in the bone a tunnel defining an entrance opening and an exit opening at opposite ends of the tunnel, the tunnel including an anterior wall surface and a posterior wall surface opposite to the anterior wall surface; positioning the soft tissue graft within the tunnel such that the soft tissue graft extends through both the entrance opening and the exit opening of the tunnel; inserting a graft fixation apparatus into the tunnel and driving spikes of the graft fixation apparatus into the posterior wall surface to mount the graft fixation apparatus to the posterior wall surface of the tunnel such that the graft fixation apparatus is anterior to the posterior wall surface and is not recessed beneath the posterior wall surface; and securing the soft tissue graft inside the tunnel with the graft fixation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek, Troy M. Walters
  • Patent number: 8647385
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: James Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek
  • Publication number: 20120283832
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek
  • Patent number: 8221498
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: James Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek
  • Publication number: 20120016474
    Abstract: Methods for fixation of a soft tissue graft in a bone including: forming in the bone a tunnel defining an entrance opening and an exit opening at opposite ends of the tunnel, the tunnel including an anterior wall surface and a posterior wall surface opposite to the anterior wall surface; positioning the soft tissue graft within the tunnel such that the soft tissue graft extends through both the entrance opening and the exit opening of the tunnel; inserting a graft fixation apparatus into the tunnel and driving spikes of the graft fixation apparatus into the posterior wall surface to mount the graft fixation apparatus to the posterior wall surface of the tunnel such that the graft fixation apparatus is anterior to the posterior wall surface and is not recessed beneath the posterior wall surface; and securing the soft tissue graft inside the tunnel with the graft fixation apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek, Troy M. Walters
  • Publication number: 20070203499
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Arthrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: James Boucher, Stephen Howell, James Marcinek
  • Publication number: 20050143830
    Abstract: A prosthetic patellar component includes a base and a bearing element that includes first and second femoral engaging surfaces disposed between first and second (superior/inferior) edge surfaces. The edge surfaces are curved to provide a gradual transition from a posterior facing portion to a nearly vertical superior or inferior facing portion. Moreover, the inferior-superior dimension of the component is at least approximately 90% of the medial-lateral dimension. The relative height and gradually transitioning edges significantly reduce the likelihood of sudden posterior rotation during deep flexion movement. The edge surfaces extend from a substantially posterior facing portion proximate to the first and second femoral engaging surfaces and a substantially vertical facing portion proximate the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: James Marcinek, Mark Lester, Alan Marchant
  • Patent number: 6755840
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Arthrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek, Troy M. Walters
  • Publication number: 20030009218
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek, Troy M. Walters
  • Patent number: 6482232
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Biomet, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek, Troy Walters
  • Patent number: 6280472
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Arthrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek, Troy Walters
  • Patent number: 5931869
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel and partially within an entrance opening of the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Arthrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Boucher, Stephen M. Howell, James Marcinek