Patents by Inventor Rebecca Blough

Rebecca Blough 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: 11648002
    Abstract: Anchor delivery systems include markings on the surfaces of the delivery device which are visually exposed to the user through openings or fenestrations in the anchor, providing visual feedback to the user on the progress of the anchor's insertion. A suture-locking plug is deformable within the anchor tip, thereby enhancing suture entrapment within the tip of the anchor. A compliant component of the handle places the handle components in tension, thereby absorbing built-in axial looseness in the handle. The handle further includes a spin cavity which allows for free spin of the inserter shaft to finalize insertion of the anchor into bone when the anchor has not been fully seated flush with or below the cortical bone surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Mark Edwin Housman, Jon-Paul Rogers, Jason Hamilton, Benjamin M. Hall, Nehal N. Patel, Rebecca A. Blough, Kyle Turner
  • Publication number: 20210290218
    Abstract: Anchor delivery systems include markings on the surfaces of the delivery device which are visually exposed to the user through openings or fenestrations in the anchor, providing visual feedback to the user on the progress of the anchor's insertion. A suture-locking plug is deformable within the anchor tip, thereby enhancing suture entrapment within the tip of the anchor. A compliant component of the handle places the handle components in tension, thereby absorbing built-in axial looseness in the handle. The handle further includes a spin cavity which allows for free spin of the inserter shaft to finalize insertion of the anchor into bone when the anchor has not been fully seated flush with or below the cortical bone surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Edwin Housman, Jon-Paul Rogers, Jason Hamilton, Benjamin M. Hall, Nehal N. Patel, Rebecca A. Blough, Kyle Turner
  • Patent number: 9931150
    Abstract: An anchor delivery tool is described. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub, with a knob and a nose cone coupled to the hub. The knob and nose cone may be spring loaded so as to selectively retain a length of suture disposed therebetween. The tool further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Joseph Philippon, Kevin Murphy, Rebecca A. Blough, Paul Alexander Torrie, Paul A. Puniello, Paul S. Vincuilla, Paul McCabe, Gary R. Vario, Michael C. Ferragamo, Justin Dye, John M. Lipchitz
  • Publication number: 20170151007
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anchor delivery system. The system includes a guide and an anchor delivery tool disposed within the guide. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub and a nose cone coupled to the hub. In an embodiment, the tool further includes a knob coupled to the hub and located between the handle and the nose cone. In an embodiment, the system further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. An anchor delivery tool and a method of repairing soft tissue are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Joseph Philipon, Kevin Murphy, Rebecca A. Blough, Paul Alexander Torrie, Paul A. Puniello, Paul S. Vincuilla, Paul McCabe, Gary R. Vario, Michael C. Ferragamo, Justin Dye, John M. Lipchitz
  • Patent number: 9572564
    Abstract: An anchor delivery system is described. The system includes a guide and an anchor delivery tool disposed within the guide. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub and a nose cone coupled to the hub. In an embodiment, the tool further includes a knob coupled to the hub and located between the handle and the nose cone. In an embodiment, the system further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. An anchor delivery tool and a method of repairing soft tissue are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Joseph Philippon, Kevin Murphy, Rebecca A. Blough, Paul Alexander Torrie, Paul A. Puniello, Paul S. Vincuilla, Paul McCabe, Gary R. Vario, Michael C. Ferragamo, Justin Dye, John M. Lipchitz
  • Patent number: 8979865
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a delivery device. The delivery device including a handle assembly, the assembly including a handle and a connector coupled to the handle, the connector including a channel and an opening to the channel; and a shaft coupled to the handle, the shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including threads, grooves intersecting the threads, and a depth stop. Other delivery devices, screws, and delivery device/screw combinations are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Li Fan, Paul Steven Vincuilla, Richard Mark Lunn, Mark Edwin Housman, Rebecca Blough
  • Publication number: 20140249578
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anchor delivery system. The system includes a guide and an anchor delivery tool disposed within the guide. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub and a nose cone coupled to the hub. In an embodiment, the tool further includes a knob coupled to the hub and located between the handle and the nose cone. In an embodiment, the system further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. An anchor delivery tool and a method of repairing soft tissue are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Joseph Philippon, Kevin Murphy, Rebecca A. Blough, Paul Alexander Torrie, Paul A. Puniello, Paul S. Vincuilla, Paul McCabe, Gary R. Vario, Michael C. Ferragamo, Justin Dye, John M. Lipschitz
  • Patent number: 8758367
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anchor delivery system. The system includes a guide and an anchor delivery tool disposed within the guide. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub and a nose cone coupled to the hub. In an embodiment, the tool further includes a knob coupled to the hub and located between the handle and the nose cone. In an embodiment, the system further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. An anchor delivery tool and a method of repairing soft tissue are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Joseph Philippon, Kevin Murphy, Rebecca A. Blough, Paul Alexander Torrie, Paul A. Puniello, Paul S. Vincuilla, Paul McCabe, Gary R. Vario, Michael C. Ferragamo, Justin Dye, John M. Lipchitz
  • Patent number: 7740657
    Abstract: A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventors: Charles H. Brown, Jr., Bernard J. Bourque, Rebecca A. Blough, Michael C. Ferragamo, Raymond A. Bojarski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Ben K. Graf, Fraser Harvie, Steve Ek
  • Publication number: 20080234730
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an anchor body having an opening, the anchor body having a copolymer composition including polylactide-co-glycolide and calcium carbonate, wherein the calcium carbonate comprises more than 30% but less than 40% of the weight of the composition; and a flexible member passing through the opening, wherein deformation of the device occurs at body temperature. The present disclosure also relates to an oriented polymer material having a copolymer composition including a polylactide-co-glycolide and calcium carbonate, the calcium carbonate comprising more than 30% but less than 40% of the weight of the composition, wherein the material changes shape upon introduction to an environment having a temperature that is lower than a relaxation temperature of the material. A method of repairing soft tissue and other surgical devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Cotton, Rebecca A. Blough, Melissa J. Egan, Horacio Montes de Oca Balderas, Malcolm Brown, Michael Hall
  • Publication number: 20080058816
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anchor delivery system. The system includes a guide and an anchor delivery tool disposed within the guide. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub and a nose cone coupled to the hub. In an embodiment, the tool further includes a knob coupled to the hub and located between the handle and the nose cone. In an embodiment, the system further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. An anchor delivery tool and a method of repairing soft tissue are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Marc Joseph Philippon, Kevin Murphy, Rebecca A. Blough, Paul Alexander Torrie, Paul A. Puniello, Paul S. Vincuilla, Paul McCabe, Gary R. Vario, Michael C. Ferragamo, Justin Dye, John M. Lipchitz
  • Publication number: 20080027445
    Abstract: A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles BROWN, Bernard Bourque, Rebecca Blough, Michael Ferragamo, Raymond Bojarski, Paul Torrie, Ben Graf, Fraser Harvie, Steve Ek
  • Patent number: 7279008
    Abstract: A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Brown, Bernard J. Bourque, Rebecca A. Blough, Michael C. Ferragamo, Raymond A. Bojarski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Ben K. Graf, Fraser Harvie, Steve Ek
  • Publication number: 20040024456
    Abstract: A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Charles H. Brown, Bernard J. Bourque, Rebecca A. Blough, Michael C. Ferragamo, Raymond A. Bojarski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Ben K. Graf, Fraser Harvie, Steven Ek
  • Publication number: 20020042615
    Abstract: A graft anchor includes an anchor member for placement in bone tissue. The anchor member defines an opening. An inner member is insertably securable into the anchor member opening. A fastener is configured such that insertion and securing of the inner member into the anchor member opening results in a holding force being applied to the graft. The anchor member is of limited length to maintain its distal end within the bone. The anchor member includes a distal drive opening for receiving a drive tool and the inner member includes a proximal drive opening for receiving the drive tool. The fastener includes channels for containing the graft, a fastener body with protrusions extending from the fastener body for penetrating bone tissue, and a reinforcing member contained within the fastener body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Michael c. Ferragamo, Rebecca A. Blough, Charles H. Brown
  • Patent number: 6358253
    Abstract: A method of repairing cartilage (e.g., articular cartilage on the femur) and a set of instruments used in the method are provided. The damaged cartilage is removed from the bone to expose the underlying bone, grafts covered with cartilage (e.g., hyaline cartilage) are harvested from elsewhere in the body (e.g., other areas of the femur), and the grafts are inserted into holes drilled into the exposed area of bone. A guide is provided for use with surgical instruments during the procedure to orient the surgical instruments perpendicularly to the bone surface during use. The guide includes a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging the surgical instrument, and a tissue-engaging portion oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. A set of surgical instruments used to carry out the method includes the guide, a drill for forming the graft-receiving holes, and an insertion tool for inserting the grafts. Other accessory instruments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Smith & Newhew INC
    Inventors: Paul A. Torrie, Michael C. Ferragamo, Rebecca Blough, Anthony Miniaci, Lázló Hangody, Zoltán Kárparti
  • Patent number: 6336940
    Abstract: A graft anchor includes an anchor member for placement in bone tissue. The anchor member defines an opening. An inner member is insertably securable into the anchor member opening. A fastener is configured such that insertion and securing of the inner member into the anchor member opening results in a holding force being applied to the graft. The anchor member is of limited length to maintain its distal end within the bone. The anchor member includes a distal drive opening for receiving a drive tool and the inner member includes a proximal drive opening for receiving the drive tool. The fastener includes channels for containing the graft, a fastener body with protrusions extending from the fastener body for penetrating bone tissue, and a reinforcing member contained within the fastener body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Michael C. Ferragamo, Rebecca A. Blough, Charles H. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6231606
    Abstract: A graft anchor includes an anchor member for placement in bone tissue. The anchor member defines an opening. An inner member is insertably securable into the anchor member opening. A fastener is configured such that insertion and securing of the inner member into the anchor member opening results in a holding force being applied to the graft. The anchor member is of limited length to maintain its distal end within the bone. The anchor member includes a distal drive opening for receiving a drive tool and the inner member includes a proximal drive opening for receiving the drive tool. The fastener includes channels for containing the graft, a fastener body with protrusions extending from the fastener body for penetrating bone tissue, and a reinforcing member contained within the fastener body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben K. Graf, Michael C. Ferragamo, Rebecca A. Blough, Charles H. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6146385
    Abstract: A method of repairing cartilage (e.g., articular cartilage on the femur) and a set of instruments used in the method are provided. The damaged cartilage is removed from the bone to expose the underlying bone, grafts covered with cartilage (e.g., hyaline cartilage) are harvested from elsewhere in the body (e.g., other areas of the femur), and the grafts are inserted into holes drilled into the exposed area of bone. A guide is provided for use with surgical instruments during the procedure to orient the surgical instruments perpendicularly to the bone surface during use. The guide includes a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging the surgical instrument, and a tissue-engaging portion oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. A set of surgical instruments used to carry out the method includes the guide, a drill for forming the graft-receiving holes, and an insertion tool for inserting the grafts. Other accessory instruments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Torrie, Michael C. Ferragamo, Rebecca Blough, Anthony Miniaci, Lazlo Hangody, Zoltan Karparti
  • Patent number: D398996
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo J. Simmons, Rebecca A. Blough, Donald J. Fournier