Patents by Inventor Robert T. Burks

Robert T. Burks 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: 9138223
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for anatomical tissue repair, such as ligament repair and reconstruction with suture and/or graft passage, employing a pin with a suture passing mechanism. The suture passing mechanism may include a loop (for example, a wire loop or suture loop) securely attached to a pin (for example, a drill pin). The loop may be crimped onto the pin, or welded on the end of the drill pin (in place of the eyelet formed within the pin), to alleviate the difficulty in threading the eyelet and to lower the manufacturing cost of the pin. The suture passing mechanism may alternatively include a slotted suture eyelet (i.e., a longitudinal slot) provided at a proximal end of a pin, to allow suture loading from the side of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Jolly, Robert T. Burks
  • Publication number: 20100217315
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for anatomical tissue repair, such as ligament repair and reconstruction with suture and/or graft passage, employing a pin with a suture passing mechanism. The suture passing mechanism may include a loop (for example, a wire loop or suture loop) securely attached to a pin (for example, a drill pin). The loop may be crimped onto the pin, or welded on the end of the drill pin (in place of the eyelet formed within the pin), to alleviate the difficulty in threading the eyelet and to lower the manufacturing cost of the pin. The suture passing mechanism may alternatively include a slotted suture eyelet (i.e., a longitudinal slot) provided at a proximal end of a pin, to allow suture loading from the side of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Jacob A. Jolly, Robert T. Burks