Patents by Inventor M. Todd Miller

M. Todd Miller 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: 7988697
    Abstract: A system for securing a graft within a bone includes a tubular cross pin having an interior surface bounding a passageway extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the distal end terminating at a distal end face. A guide pin has an exterior surface extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the exterior surface including an outwardly projecting shoulder. The guide pin is removably received within the passageway of the cross pin such that the distal end face of the cross pin biases against the shoulder and a proximal portion of the guide pin freely projects beyond the proximal end of the cross pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Stryker Endoscopy
    Inventors: M. Todd Miller, Ryan E. Yearsley, Lonnie E. Paulos
  • Publication number: 20110015675
    Abstract: A system for implanting an anchor into bone, the system comprising a curved cannulated guide for percautaneous insertion, having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible drill insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end, the flexible drill having a shaft having a flexible portion; and a flexible inserter for inserting a suture anchor into a bore at the anatomical site formed by the flexible drill, the flexible inserter having a shaft having a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portions of both the flexible drill and flexible inserter include a series of discrete, interlocking segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Bryan Patrick Howard, Ryan E. Yearsley, M. Todd Miller, Wayne K. Auge, II, Chad Lewis, Daniel F. Justin, Margaret Mary Sinnott
  • Publication number: 20110015674
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a suture anchor into an internal anatomical site through a cannula, or percutaneously, has a curved hollow guide for insertion into the cannula and/or tissue. The guide has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has a “parabolic ” shape for engaging the intended anatomical site such as a glenoid. A flexible obturator is insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end to facilitate insertion of the guide through the cannula. A flexible drill is insertable through the curved guide from the proximal to the distal end once the guide is in place. A flexible inserter is provided for inserting a suture anchor into a bore at the anatomical site formed by the flexible drill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Bryan Patrick Howard, Ryan E. Yearsley, M. Todd Miller, Wayne K. Auge, II, Chad Lewis, Daniel F. Justin, M. Mary Sinnott
  • Publication number: 20090312792
    Abstract: A suture anchor delivery system includes a handle having a needle extending therefrom. A suture anchor assembly is slidably received on the needle. The suture anchor assembly includes a proximal anchor, a distal anchor, and a suture extending therebetween. The suture is secured to the proximal anchor by forming a loop in the suture and passing the loop at least partially through a passageway in the proximal anchor. One end of the suture is then secured to the distal anchor. The other end of the suture is passed through the loop and terminates in a free end to selectively lock the suture against the proximal anchor. A retraction line is passed through the loop to allow a surgeon to selectively adjust the length of the suture between the two anchors and/or to selectively unlock the suture from the proximal anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Stryker Endo
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, M. Todd Miller, Gordon Baker
  • Publication number: 20090234387
    Abstract: A suture anchor and inserter arrangement, including a suture anchor for implanting in hard tissue, such as bone, and an inserter device for installing the suture anchor in hard tissue. The suture anchor carries thereon a suture-engaging structure formed from suture, which structure cooperates with working suture associated with the inserter device so as to attach the working suture to the suture anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: M. Todd Miller, Chad Wayne Lewis, David Eloy Quinones Morales
  • Patent number: 7588595
    Abstract: A system for securing a graft within a bone includes a tubular cross pin having an interior surface bounding a passageway extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the distal end terminating at a distal end face. A guide pin has an exterior surface extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the exterior surface including an outwardly projecting shoulder. The guide pin is removably received within the passageway of the cross pin such that the distal end face of the cross pin biases against the shoulder and a proximal portion of the guide pin freely projects beyond the proximal end of the cross pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Stryker Endoscopy
    Inventors: M. Todd Miller, Ryan E. Yearsley, Lonnie E. Paulos
  • Publication number: 20090082807
    Abstract: A suture anchor and inserter arrangement, including a suture anchor for implanting in hard tissue, such as bone, and an inserter device for installing the suture anchor in hard tissue. The suture anchor carries thereon a suture-engaging structure formed from suture, which structure cooperates with working suture associated with the inserter device so as to attach the working suture to the suture anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: M. Todd Miller, Ahmad Fouad Bayomy, Margaret M. Sinnott, Daniel F. Justin, Chad W. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20080167660
    Abstract: A suture anchor and inserter arrangement, including a suture anchor configured for implanting in hard tissue, such as bone, and an inserter device for installing the anchor in hard tissue. The suture anchor includes at least one eyelet formed from suture material at a proximal end thereof, which eyelet cooperates with a working suture associated with the inserter device. The working suture is engaged with the eyelet of the implanted anchor, and can be utilized to anchor soft tissue to hard tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Nathan Ryan Moreau, Margaret Mary Sinnott, M. Todd Miller
  • Patent number: 6972027
    Abstract: A suture anchor delivery system includes a handle having a needle extending therefrom. A suture anchor assembly is slidably received on the needle. The suture anchor assembly includes a proximal anchor, a distal anchor, and a suture extending therebetween. The suture is secured to the proximal anchor by forming a loop in the suture and passing the loop at least partially through a passageway in the proximal anchor. One end of the suture is then secured to the distal anchor. The other end of the suture is passed through the loop and terminates in a free end to selectively lock the suture against the proximal anchor. A retraction line is passed through the loop to allow a surgeon to selectively adjust the length of the suture between the two anchors and/or to selectively unlock the suture from the proximal anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Stryker Endoscopy
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, M. Todd Miller, Gordon Baker
  • Publication number: 20040092936
    Abstract: A system for securing a graft within a bone includes a tubular cross pin having an interior surface bounding a passageway extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the distal end terminating at a distal end face. A guide pin has an exterior surface extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the exterior surface including an outwardly projecting shoulder. The guide pin is removably received within the passageway of the cross pin such that the distal end face of the cross pin biases against the shoulder and a proximal portion of the guide pin freely projects beyond the proximal end of the cross pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Stryker Endoscopy
    Inventors: M. Todd Miller, Ryan E. Yearsley, Lonnie E. Paulos
  • Publication number: 20040002734
    Abstract: A suture anchor delivery system includes a handle having a needle extending therefrom. A suture anchor assembly is slidably received on the needle. The suture anchor assembly includes a proximal anchor, a distal anchor, and a suture extending therebetween. The suture is secured to the proximal anchor by forming a loop in the suture and passing the loop at least partially through a passageway in the proximal anchor. One end of the suture is then secured to the distal anchor. The other end of the suture is passed through the loop and terminates in a free end to selectively lock the suture against the proximal anchor. A retraction line is passed through the loop to allow a surgeon to selectively adjust the length of the suture between the two anchors and/or to selectively unlock the suture from the proximal anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Stryker Endoscopy, Inc.
    Inventors: T. Wade Fallin, M. Todd Miller, Gordon J. Baker