Patents by Inventor Richard F. Wenstrom
Richard F. Wenstrom 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: 9265519Abstract: A tunnel notcher and guidewire delivery device is provided for creating a notch and positioning a guidewire within a bone tunnel. In general, the device includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends with an inner lumen extending therebetween that is adapted to receive a guidewire. The device also includes a cutting element disposed on a distal portion of the elongate member that is adapted to remove bone within an opening of a bone tunnel. In use, the device 10 can be at least partially positioned within a bone tunnel containing a bone plug, and it can be manipulated to form a notch within or adjacent to an opening of the bone tunnel using the cutting element 18. The device 10 is also effective to deliver a guidewire 16 to the bone tunnel at a location adjacent to the notch.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: DePuy Mitek, LLCInventors: Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr., Robert K. Breech, II
-
Patent number: 8349010Abstract: A graft fixation system for fixing graft material in a bone tunnel includes an expandable fixation member having a graft receiving eyelet disposed proximate its distal end, opposed bone engaging elements disposed about its periphery, and an expansion plug receiving opening defined in its proximal end. The system also includes an expansion plug having a diameter greater than the diameter of the expansion plug receiving opening so that forceble insertion of the expansion plug into the expansion plug receiving opening causes an expansion of the expandable fixation member driving the opposed bone engaging elements apart so as to fix the bone engaging elements, as well as the graft material, in a bone tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr., Andrew S. Levy
-
Patent number: 8298285Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a graft ligament engagement member disposed in an opening in a bone, the graft ligament engagement member being arranged to receive a graft ligament alongside the engagement member, and a locking member for disposition in the opening, and at least in part engageable with the graft ligament engagement member. Movement of the locking member in the opening causes the locking member to urge the engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening, to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Inventors: Joseph H. Sklar, Harold M. Martins, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20120041442Abstract: A tunnel notcher and guidewire delivery device is provided for creating a notch and positioning a guidewire within a bone tunnel. In general, the device includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends with an inner lumen extending therebetween that is adapted to receive a guidewire. The device also includes a cutting element disposed on a distal portion of the elongate member that is adapted to remove bone within an opening of a bone tunnel. In use, the device 10 can be at least partially positioned within a bone tunnel containing a bone plug, and it can be manipulated to form a notch within or adjacent to an opening of the bone tunnel using the cutting element 18. The device 10 is also effective to deliver a guidewire 16 to the bone tunnel at a location adjacent to the notch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: DEPUY MITEK, INC.Inventors: Richard F. Wenstrom, JR., Robert K. Breech, II
-
Patent number: 8070750Abstract: A tunnel notcher and guidewire delivery device is provided for creating a notch and positioning a guidewire within a bone tunnel. In general, the device includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends with an inner lumen extending therebetween that is adapted to receive a guidewire. The device also includes a cutting element disposed on a distal portion of the elongate member that is adapted to remove bone within an opening of a bone tunnel. In use, the device 10 can be at least partially positioned within a bone tunnel containing a bone plug, and it can be manipulated to form a notch within or adjacent to an opening of the bone tunnel using the cutting element 18. The device 10 is also effective to deliver a guidewire 16 to the bone tunnel at a location adjacent to the notch.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Depuy Mitek, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr., Robert K. Breech, II
-
Patent number: 7998171Abstract: A suture anchor having a conical surface and a bore in which an end of an insertion tool is inserted. The insertion end of the insertion tool is made of material having elastic properties. The bore and base of the suture anchor are angled with respect to the central axis of the suture anchor and preferably are parallel to each other. During insertion, the suture anchor is reoriented to fit into the hole, thereby bending the elastic end of the insertion tool. When the suture anchor is within cancellous bone tissue, the elastic properties of the insertion tool deploys the suture anchor to an orientation in which the suture anchor cannot fit through the bone hole, thereby firmly anchoring the suture anchor in the human bone.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Depuy Mitek, Inc.Inventors: Edwin C. Bartlett, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20110112641Abstract: A graft fixation system for fixing graft material in a bone tunnel includes an expandable fixation member having a graft receiving eyelet disposed proximate its distal end, opposed bone engaging elements disposed about its periphery, and an expansion plug receiving opening defined in its proximal end. The system also includes an expansion plug having a diameter greater than the diameter of the expansion plug receiving opening so that forcible insertion of the expansion plug into the expansion plug receiving opening causes an expansion of the expandable fixation member driving the opposed bone engaging elements apart so as to fix the bone engaging elements, as well as the graft material, in a bone tunnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, Richard F. Wenstrom, JR., Andrew S. Levy
-
Patent number: 7901456Abstract: A graft fixation system for fixing graft material in a bone tunnel includes an expandable fixation member having a graft receiving eyelet disposed proximate its distal end, opposed bone engaging elements disposed about its periphery, and an expansion plug receiving opening defined in its proximal end. The system also includes an expansion plug having a diameter greater than the diameter of the expansion plug receiving opening so that forceable insertion of the expansion plug into the expansion plug receiving opening causes an expansion of the expandable fixation member driving the opposed bone engaging elements apart so as to fix the bone engaging elements, as well as the graft material, in a bone tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr., Andrew S. Levy
-
Publication number: 20100121449Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a graft ligament engagement member disposed in an opening in a bone, the graft ligament engagement member being arranged to receive a graft ligament alongside the engagement member, and a locking member for disposition in the opening, and at least in part engageable with the graft ligament engagement member. Movement of the locking member in the opening causes the locking member to urge the engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening, to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Joseph H. Sklar, Harold M. Martins, Richard F. Wenstrom, JR.
-
Patent number: 7578844Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a ligament engagement member in the form of an expandable elastomeric sleeve of substantially cylindrical shape for disposition in an opening in a bone alongside of a portion of a ligament, and a locking member for disposition in the engagement member . Movement of the locking member in the engagement member causes the locking member to expand the engagement member and thereby urge, the ligament toward a wall of the opening so as to secure the ligament to the wall. A method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone comprises providing an opening in the bone, inserting the ligament and a ligament engagement member in the opening, with the ligament disposed alongside the engagement member, inserting a locking member in the engagement member and moving the locking member to engage the engagement member to urge the engagement member, and the ligament, toward a wall of the opening to secure the ligament to the wall.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventors: Joseph H. Sklar, Harold M. Martins, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7008451Abstract: A graft fixation system for fixing graft material in a bone tunnel includes an expandable fixation member having a graft receiving eyelet disposed proximate its distal end, opposed bone engaging elements disposed about its periphery, and an expansion plug receiving opening defined in its proximal end. The system also includes an expansion plug having a diameter greater than the diameter of the expansion plug receiving opening so that forceable insertion of the expansion plug into the expansion plug receiving opening causes an expansion of the expandable fixation member driving the opposed bone engaging elements apart so as to fix the bone engaging elements, as well as the graft material, in a bone tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr., Andrew S. Levy
-
Patent number: 6932841Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a graft ligament engagement member disposed in an opening in a bone, the graft ligament engagement member being arranged to receive a graft ligament alongside the engagement member, and a locking member for disposition in the opening, and at least in part engageable with the graft ligament engagement member. Movement of the locking member in the opening causes the locking member to urge the engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening, to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Inventors: Joseph H. Sklar, Harold M. Martins, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6923823Abstract: A suture anchor having a conical surface and a bore in which an end of an insertion tool is inserted. The insertion end of the insertion tool is made of material having elastic properties. The bore and base of the suture anchor are angled with respect to the central axis of the suture anchor and preferably are parallel to each other. During insertion, the suture anchor is reoriented to fit into the hole, thereby bending the elastic end of the insertion tool. When the suture anchor is within cancellous bone tissue, the elastic properties of the insertion tool deploys the suture anchor to an orientation in which the suture anchor cannot fit through the bone hole, thereby firmly anchoring the suture anchor in the human bone.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Inventors: Edwin C. Bartlett, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6887271Abstract: A graft fixation system for fixing graft material in a bone tunnel includes an expandable fixation member having a graft receiving eyelet disposed proximate its distal end, opposed bone engaging elements disposed about its periphery, and an expansion plug receiving opening defined in its proximal end. The system also includes an expansion plug having a diameter greater than the diameter of the expansion plug receiving opening so that forceable insertion of the expansion plug into the expansion plug receiving opening causes an expansion of the expandable fixation member driving the opposed bone engaging elements apart so as to fix the bone engaging elements, as well as the graft material, in a bone tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr., Andrew S. Levy
-
Patent number: 6814741Abstract: A suture buttress comprises a hollow tube having an outer surface and opposed ends. The suture buttress may further include an external securing element, such as a securing tab suitable to retain the suture buttress within a bone tunnel. The suture buttress may also include a resilient flange disposed on one end of the suture buttress.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Bowman, Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr., Mark Steckel, Edward V. Craig
-
Patent number: 6767037Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding and locking knot that does not require an additional half hitch to lock and suture retaining structures having such a knot. The sliding and locking knot has a low knot profile suitable for use in surgical areas with low clearance and to avoid interference with surrounding tissue. Additionally, the sliding and locking knot maintains suture strength and is easy to form. Also provided are methods for anchoring tissue to a bony structure using the bone anchor and sliding and locking knot of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.Inventor: Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6620166Abstract: A suture buttress system has a suture retriever and a suture buttress. The suture retriever includes a handle portion with an elongate member extending therefrom and having an outer surface and a distal end that includes a suture retaining element. The suture buttress comprises a resilient hollow tube having an outer surface and opposed ends. The suture buttress is removably and replaceably disposed on the elongate member. The suture buttress may further include an external fastening element suitable to retain the suture buttress within a bone tunnel. A suture buttress deployment tool may also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Wenstrom, Jr., Edward V. Craig
-
Publication number: 20030144735Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a graft ligament engagement member disposed in an opening in a bone, the graft ligament engagement member being arranged to receive a graft ligament alongside the engagement member, and a locking member for disposition in the opening, and at least in part engageable with the graft ligament engagement member. Movement of the locking member in the opening causes the locking member to urge the engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening, to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Joseph H. Sklar, Harold M. Martins, Richard F. Wenstrom
-
Publication number: 20030065390Abstract: A graft fixation system for fixing graft material in a bone tunnel includes an expandable fixation member having a graft receiving eyelet disposed proximate its distal end, opposed bone engaging elements disposed about its periphery, and an expansion plug receiving opening defined in its proximal end. The system also includes an expansion plug having a diameter greater than the diameter of the expansion plug receiving opening so that forceable insertion of the expansion plug into the expansion plug receiving opening causes an expansion of the expandable fixation member driving the opposed bone engaging elements apart so as to fix the bone engaging elements, as well as the graft material, in a bone tunnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, Richard F. Wenstrom, Andrew S. Levy
-
Publication number: 20030060835Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding and locking knot that does not require an additional half hitch to lock and suture retaining structures having such a knot. The sliding and locking knot has a low knot profile suitable for use in surgical areas with low clearance and to avoid interference with surrounding tissue. Additionally, the sliding and locking knot maintains suture strength and is easy to form. Also provided are methods for anchoring tissue to a bony structure using the bone anchor and sliding and locking knot of the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2001Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventor: Richard F. Wenstrom