Patents by Inventor Ronald Van Elderen

Ronald Van Elderen 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).

  • Publication number: 20110238112
    Abstract: Devices and methods for locking a suture to an anchor are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a suture anchor includes a first body configured to be driven into a bone, and a second body also configured to engage the bone and coupled to the first body. At a selected embedded depth of the anchor, the second body moves towards the trailing end of the first body to facilitate a suture-lock configuration as the anchor is driven in deeper. A suture retainer such as a ring, and a flared portion at or near the trailing end of the first body, facilitate locking of a suture between the ring and either or both of the second body and the flared portion as the second body pushes on the ring that in turn pushes against the flared end. In certain embodiments, such suture-lock can be achieved substantially simultaneously as the suture anchor is driven into its final embedded depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew C. Kim, Ronald Van Elderen, James W. Chang
  • Publication number: 20100305610
    Abstract: Devices and methods for locking a suture to an anchor are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a suture anchor includes a first body configured to be driven into a bone, and a second body also configured to engage the bone and coupled to the first body. At a selected embedded depth of the anchor, the second body moves towards the trailing end of the first body to facilitate a suture-lock configuration as the anchor is driven in deeper. A suture retainer such as a ring, and a flared portion at or near the trailing end of the first body, facilitate locking of a suture between the ring and either or both of the second body and the flared portion as the second body pushes on the ring that in turn pushes against the flared end. In certain embodiments, such suture-lock can be achieved substantially simultaneously as the suture anchor is driven into its final embedded depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew C. Kim, Ronald Van Elderen, James W. Chang
  • Publication number: 20100042117
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods relating to a suture passer that passes suture efficiently via motion of fluid in and out of the suture passer. In certain embodiments, the suture passer includes a syringe-like barrel and a plunger for drawing and expelling fluid from the barrel. A suture can be disposed within the barrel, and one end of the suture can be releasably secured to a portion of the plunger. In certain embodiments, the suture end can be releasably secured to a tip portion of the plunger. Various examples of suture releasing mechanisms and actuations of such mechanisms are disclosed. Also disclosed are examples of how such releasably secured sutures can be assembled and packaged into pre-loaded suture passer devices. Also disclosed are examples of suturing operations that can be achieved easier and quicker by use of such suture passer devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew C. Kim, Ronald Van Elderen, James W. Chang