Patents by Inventor Robert A. Thibodeau

Robert A. Thibodeau 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: 12478388
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongated body, and a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel. The first channel and the second channel intersect at a convergence area at the distal end. A drill bit is movable in a slidable manner within the second channel, and a driver loaded with a suture anchor is movable in a slidable manner within the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C. Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A Rofman, Erika T. Calvert, Peter Miller
  • Publication number: 20250345075
    Abstract: A drill guide for controlling the first metacarpal while maintaining the proper trajectory of the drill. The drill guide includes a guide rail having an elongated shaft and a guide body with an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture is configured to receive the elongated shaft of the guide rail. The drill guide also includes a distal ring connected to the elongated shaft. A spike and a hook are both attached to the distal ring and extend therefrom. The hook and the spike extend from opposing positions along the distal ring. A trigger end of the guide body has a trigger that, when actuated, allows the guide body to slide along the guide rail in a proximal direction. A drilling end of the guide body has a rotatable drill bullet extending distally therefrom. The drill bullet includes a pair of arms lined with teeth for engaging the first metacarpal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Gregory A. Alfonso, Matthew C. Summitt, Joaquim Casanas
  • Publication number: 20250186042
    Abstract: A suture passing drill for passing suture through bone. The suture passing drill includes a proximal end and a distal end with an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The elongated shaft has first portion with a first diameter. The drill also includes a wire loop extending from the proximal end of the elongated shaft and a drill tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft has a narrow portion with a second diameter, which is smaller than the first diameter. The narrow portion is positioned proximally adjacent relative to the drill tip. The narrow portion is preferably created through coining. Coining prevents the need for machining the outer diameter (or surface) of the elongated shaft proximal to the drill tip in order to create a larger drill tip. The larger drill tip of the suture passing drill allows for passage of the entire drill through the bone hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2025
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Summitt, Robert A. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 12245780
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide and anchor deployment assembly configured to simultaneously accommodate both a drill bit and a driver with a suture anchor. Such a structural configuration allows for the suture anchor to be in position with the anchor driver in a separate but converging pathway/channel in the drill guide and ready for insertion into a pilot hole immediately after the pilot hole is formed by the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: CONMED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Gregory A. Alfonso, Matthew C. Summitt, Robert A. Rofman
  • Patent number: 12232722
    Abstract: A suture passing drill for passing suture through bone. The suture passing drill includes a proximal end and a distal end with an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The elongated shaft has first portion with a first diameter. The drill also includes a wire loop extending from the proximal end of the elongated shaft and a drill tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft has a narrow portion with a second diameter, which is smaller than the first diameter. The narrow portion is positioned proximally adjacent relative to the drill tip. The narrow portion is preferably created through coining. Coining prevents the need for machining the outer diameter (or surface) of the elongated shaft proximal to the drill tip in order to create a larger drill tip. The larger drill tip of the suture passing drill allows for passage of the entire drill through the bone hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Summitt, Robert A. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 12213660
    Abstract: A suture anchor driver with a tensioning mechanism. The suture anchor driver has a handle with a proximal end and a distal end. The handle has a recess with a shaft extending centrally therefrom. The suture anchor driver has a detent ring and a spool. The detent ring has a central aperture and one or more projections. The spool has a central aperture and is rotatable between first and second configurations. The spool has a plurality of protrusions extending from its side. The shaft extends through the central apertures in the detent ring and spool such that the projections of the detent ring are adjacent the protrusions extending from the spool. In the first configuration, one of the projections extends between two of the protrusions. In the second configuration, one of the projections is aligned with one of the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Grady Breslich, Matthew C. Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Thibodeau
  • Publication number: 20240335191
    Abstract: A suture anchor driver with a tensioning mechanism. The suture anchor driver has a handle with a proximal end and a distal end. The handle has a recess with a shaft extending centrally therefrom. The suture anchor driver has a detent ring and a spool. The detent ring has a central aperture and one or more projections. The spool has a central aperture and is rotatable between first and second configurations. The spool has a plurality of protrusions extending from its side. The shaft extends through the central apertures in the detent ring and spool such that the projections of the detent ring are adjacent the protrusions extending from the spool. In the first configuration, one of the projections extends between two of the protrusions. In the second configuration, one of the projections is aligned with one of the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Grady Breslich, Matthew C. Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 12089855
    Abstract: A microfracture device for creating small holes in a bone. The microfracture device includes a handle having a body extending along a central longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end; a shaft connected to the distal end of the body, the shaft having a distal tip; wherein the distal tip extends at first angle relative to the central longitudinal axis; a sliding mechanism slidably engaged with a surface of the body and moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration; and wherein the sliding mechanism further comprises a striking surface extending therefrom, wherein the striking surface is positioned at a second angle to the central longitudinal axis that is at least substantially similar to the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C. Summitt
  • Publication number: 20230020951
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide and anchor deployment assembly with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end, a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end, and a sliding inserter movably connected to the elongated body and configured to move between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated body. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the distal end to a position between the distal and proximal ends. The second channel extends at an angle relative to the first channel and intersects the first channel at a convergence area at the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: CONMED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Gregory A. Alfonso, Matthew C. Summitt, Robert A. Rofman
  • Patent number: 11471173
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide and anchor deployment assembly with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end, a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end, and a sliding inserter movably connected to the elongated body and configured to move between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated body. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the distal end to a position between the distal and proximal ends. The second channel extends at an angle relative to the first channel and intersects the first channel at a convergence area at the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CONMED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Gregory A. Alfonso, Matthew C. Summitt, Robert A. Rofman
  • Publication number: 20220287727
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongated body, and a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel. The first channel and the second channel intersect at a convergence area at the distal end. A drill bit is movable in a slidable manner within the second channel, and a driver loaded with a suture anchor is movable in a slidable manner within the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C. Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Rofman, Erika T. Calvert, Peter Miller
  • Publication number: 20220192680
    Abstract: A microfracture device for creating small holes in a bone. The microfracture device includes a handle having a body extending along a central longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end; a shaft connected to the distal end of the body, the shaft having a distal tip; wherein the distal tip extends at first angle relative to the central longitudinal axis; a sliding mechanism slidably engaged with a surface of the body and moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration; and wherein the sliding mechanism further comprises a striking surface extending therefrom, wherein the striking surface is positioned at a second angle to the central longitudinal axis that is at least substantially similar to the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C. Summitt
  • Patent number: 11344321
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongated body, and a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel. The first channel and the second channel intersect at a convergence area at the distal end. A drill bit is movable in a slidable manner within the second channel, and a driver loaded with a suture anchor is movable in a slidable manner within the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C. Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Rofman, Erika T. Calvert, Peter Miller
  • Patent number: 11304708
    Abstract: A microfracture device for creating small holes in a bone. The microfracture device includes a handle having a body extending along a central longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end; a shaft connected to the distal end of the body, the shaft having a distal tip; wherein the distal tip extends at first angle relative to the central longitudinal axis; a sliding mechanism slidably engaged with a surface of the body and moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration; and wherein the sliding mechanism further comprises a striking surface extending therefrom, wherein the striking surface is positioned at a second angle to the central longitudinal axis that is at least substantially similar to the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Alfonso, Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C. Summitt
  • Publication number: 20220015779
    Abstract: A multi-axis drill guide assembly for precise drilling and guidewire placement. The drill guide assembly includes a guide arm having a first end and a second end with a curved slot extending from the first end toward the second end. The drill guide assembly also includes a curved guide extension arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the curved guide extension arm is slidable within the curved slot of the guide arm. The drill guide assembly additionally has a probe arm rotatably connected to the second end of the guide arm. The probe arm is rotatable to a position that is non-planar relative to the guide arm. A drill guide is attached to the second end of the curved guide extension arm and extends along a first axis. A probe is attached to the probe arm and extends along a second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Christopher Carson
  • Publication number: 20210068815
    Abstract: A suture passing drill for passing suture through bone. The suture passing drill includes a proximal end and a distal end with an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The elongated shaft has first portion with a first diameter. The drill also includes a wire loop extending from the proximal end of the elongated shaft and a drill tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft has a narrow portion with a second diameter, which is smaller than the first diameter. The narrow portion is positioned proximally adjacent relative to the drill tip. The narrow portion is preferably created through coining. Coining prevents the need for machining the outer diameter (or surface) of the elongated shaft proximal to the drill tip in order to create a larger drill tip. The larger drill tip of the suture passing drill allows for passage of the entire drill through the bone hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Summitt, Robert A. Thibodeau
  • Publication number: 20210007731
    Abstract: A suture anchor driver with a tensioning mechanism. The suture anchor driver has a handle with a proximal end and a distal end. The handle has a recess with a shaft extending centrally therefrom. The suture anchor driver has a detent ring and a spool. The detent ring has a central aperture and one or more projections. The spool has a central aperture and is rotatable between first and second configurations. The spool has a plurality of protrusions extending from its side. The shaft extends through the central apertures in the detent ring and spool such that the projections of the detent ring are adjacent the protrusions extending from the spool. In the first configuration, one of the projections extends between two of the protrusions. In the second configuration, one of the projections is aligned with one of the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Grady Breslich, Matthew C. Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Thibodeau
  • Publication number: 20200222064
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongated body, and a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel. The first channel and the second channel intersect at a convergence area at the distal end. A drill bit is movable in a slidable manner within the second channel, and a driver loaded with a suture anchor is movable in a slidable manner within the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C. Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Rofman, Erika T. Calvert, Peter Miller
  • Publication number: 20200155177
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide and anchor deployment assembly with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end, a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end, and a sliding inserter movably connected to the elongated body and configured to move between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated body. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the distal end to a position between the distal and proximal ends. The second channel extends at an angle relative to the first channel and intersects the first channel at a convergence area at the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: CONMED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Gregory A. Alfonso, Matthew C. Summitt, Robert A. Rofman
  • Patent number: 10631884
    Abstract: A multi-barrel drill guide with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongated body, and a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel. The first channel and the second channel intersect at a convergence area at the distal end. A drill bit is movable in a slidable manner within the second channel, and a driver loaded with a suture anchor is movable in a slidable manner within the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Thibodeau, Matthew C. Summitt, Gregory A. Alfonso, Robert A. Rofman, Erika T. Calvert, Peter Miller