Patents by Inventor Robert K. Sluss

Robert K. Sluss 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: 9468577
    Abstract: A patient lower extremity positioning system that is configured to facilitate easier use of surgical instruments during open and arthroscopic procedures of the lower extremity, including, but not limited to the hip joint, acetabulum, femur, femoral neck and femoral shaft is disclosed. The patient lower extremity positioning system may include one or more perineal pads configured to be supported adjacent to a patient torso support such that the perineal pad is positionable adjacent to a patient's perineum. The perineal pad may be formed from a perineal pad body coupled to a distal transition section extending distally from the perineal pad body. The distal transition section may have a distal tip with a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the perineal pad body, thereby enabling a surgeon to more easily position surgical instruments during surgery without the perineal pad conflicting with the surgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Sluss, Michael Gerhardt
  • Publication number: 20160100931
    Abstract: Instruments, implants and methods to concomitantly perform unicompartmental knee resurfacing and cruciate ligament reconstruction procedures. Unicondylar knee resurfacing is conducted with concomitant knee ligament reconstruction (such as, for example, GraftLink® All-Inside ACL Reconstruction using TightRope® ABS) and employing retrograde drilling. Retrograde drilling, which starts at the level of the resurfacing implants and travels away from the joint line and resurfacing implants, allows for more precise placement of the drill holes and also the drill trajectory, to avoid undermining the resurfacing implants. Retrograde drills also allow the surgeon to see the drill hole footprint at the joint line and resurfacing implant level more accurately, so the surgeon can place the starting point of the drill hole away from the resurfacing implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Robert K. Sluss, Jacob A. Jolly, Vipool K. Goradia, Thomas M. Deberardino
  • Patent number: 8920497
    Abstract: Methods and instruments for repairing a damaged acetabular labrum. The arc length of a portion of an acetabular rim proximal to the damaged (torn or broken) region of the acetabular labrum is measured, and a graft, such as a meniscal allograft or a gracilis autograft, is trimmed according to the measurement and secured in the damaged region of the acetabular labrum as a replacement. Various instruments, such as a wheel mounted on an arm, a measuring member with spaced tines, or a hollow arm with a graduated wire, can be used to measure the arc length of the damaged region of the acetabular labrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo Albertorio, Arley Perez, III, Benjamin G. Domb, Robert K. Sluss
  • Patent number: 8512411
    Abstract: A method of synthetic grafting of bone-tendon-bone autograft harvest sites using preformed synthetic trapezoidal implants. The implants are formed of tricalcium phosphate, an osteoconductive bone graft substitute and filler, which allows for simultaneous controlled absorption and promotion of osteogenesis. The implants are preferably pretreated or presoaked intraoperatively in autologous blood, or autologous conditioned plasma, or bone marrow aspirate products to enhance healing ability. The implants are trimmed to match the patellar pole shape, pressed into place in the bone voids, and oversewn to complete the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Sluss, James P. Bradley
  • Patent number: 8353915
    Abstract: An AMZ tibial tuberosity transfer system and method of treatment of patellofemoral joints. The AMZ system includes 1) a retractor with a better conformation to anatomy and more curve (not just a bend), and also with a larger radius on the front of the retractor to allow for easier insertion; 2) a cutting block that can fully accept a collared pin; 3) a rod preferably formed of stainless steel; 4) a tuberosity pin guide; 5) an exit indicator that engages tightly the cutting block so there is no slope on exit indication; and 6) a horizontal bar provided with markings to measure the medial shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Helenbolt, David C. Koogle, Jr., Robert K. Sluss, William C. Carapezza
  • Publication number: 20110087258
    Abstract: A surgical system for penetrating and cutting tissue. The system comprises a tissue penetrating/cutting assembly comprising a cannulated dilation sleeve which receives a movable knife. The knife barrel is configured to be received in the sleeve. The sleeve is also configured to receive a guide wire disposed in parallel with the knife barrel. The sleeve has a handle provided with a spring or friction slide to advance or retract the sleeve relative to the knife barrel to expose or retract the knife blade at the distal end of the sleeve .
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Robert K. Sluss
  • Publication number: 20100249939
    Abstract: A method of synthetic grafting of bone-tendon-bone autograft harvest sites using preformed synthetic trapezoidal implants. The implants are formed of tricalcium phosphate, an osteoconductive bone graft substitute and filler, which allows for simultaneous controlled absorption and promotion of osteogenesis. The implants are preferably pretreated or presoaked intraoperatively in autologous blood, or autologous conditioned plasma, or bone marrow aspirate products to enhance healing ability. The implants are trimmed to match the patellar pole shape, pressed into place in the bone voids, and oversewn to complete the procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Robert K. Sluss, James P. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20090318924
    Abstract: An AMZ tibial tuberosity transfer system and method of treatment of patellofemoral joints. The AMZ system includes 1) a retractor with a better conformation to anatomy and more curve (not just a bend), and also with a larger radius on the front of the retractor to allow for easier insertion; 2) a cutting block that can fully accept a collared pin; 3) a rod preferably formed of stainless steel; 4) a tuberosity pin guide; 5) an exit indicator that engages tightly the cutting block so there is no slope on exit indication; and 6) a horizontal bar provided with markings to measure the medial shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Helenbolt, David C. Koogle, JR., Robert K. Sluss