Patents by Inventor Stephen S. Burkhart

Stephen S. Burkhart 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: 20190365366
    Abstract: Knotless surgical constructs and methods of tissue repairs. A surgical construct can offer both repair and shuttling capabilities to allow for a single pass to load multiple sutures at once. A surgical construct can pass or shuttle multiple repair sutures while making a single pass through or around soft tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Petry, Thomas Dooney, JR., Bradford O. Parsons, John A. Sodeika, Peter J. Dreyfuss, Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20190269397
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) to achieve novel remplissage and soft tissue repairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 10398426
    Abstract: Surgical constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair constructs include a fixation device, a flexible strand, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Thomas Dooney, Jr., Derek C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10368855
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) to achieve novel remplissage and soft tissue repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20190091006
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing a joint according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, fixating at least one suture inside a joint space, retrieving the at least one suture from inside the joint space, passing the at least one suture through a graft at a location external to the joint space, shuttling the graft into the joint space, and fixating the graft using the at least one suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher ADAMS, Alan HIRAHARA, Thomas DOONEY, JR., Stephen S. BURKHART
  • Patent number: 10172607
    Abstract: A load sharing rip-stop construct and technique for soft tissue repair, particularly rotator cuff repair. A suture tape is inserted through the soft tissue (rotator cuff) at a first location. At least one suture anchor is inserted into bone, adjacent the soft tissue, the anchor being loaded with at least one length of an suture with two ends. The ends of the suture are passed through the soft tissue at a second location which is medial to the first location, and secured in bone at the second location with an anchor. The suture tape is then passed over the soft tissue and secured into the bone at a third location which is lateral to the first and second locations. The suture tape acts as a “rip-stop,” not only providing resistance to tissue cutout for the suture, but also enhancing load distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 10172703
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing a joint according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, fixating at least one suture inside a joint space, retrieving the at least one suture from inside the joint space, passing the at least one suture through a graft at a location external to the joint space, shuttling the graft into the joint space and fixating the graft using the at least one suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ARTHREX, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Adams, Alan Hirahara, Thomas Dooney, Jr., Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20180296207
    Abstract: A self-punching soft suture anchor insertable into bone without preforming a hole in bone. The soft suture anchor is formed entirely of suture and is mounted on an inserter with a sharp tip for forming a hole in bone without pre-drilling. The inserter, with the soft suture anchor mounted thereon, is advanced into the bone. As the inserter is withdrawn, the soft suture anchor is released and thereby remains in the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss, Paul C. Brady
  • Publication number: 20180271514
    Abstract: An inserter device that has a driver, a removable inserter tip (or plurality of inserter tips) and a cannulation device slidable over the inserter tip is provided, wherein the removable inserter tip is provided as an interchangeable component of the device, one configuration of the interchangeable inserter tip being of a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional shape (suitable for accommodating a screw-in fixation device (screw), and another configuration of the interchangeable inserter tip being of a substantially circular cross-sectional shape (suitable for accommodating a push-in anchor). A suture anchor assembly has the inserter device that is used with a plug-in anchor, a screw-in anchor, or interchangeably with a plug-in or screw-in anchor, is also disclosed. A method for assembling the suture anchor assembly as well as a method of using the surgical assembly for tissue repair are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20180263755
    Abstract: Methods for reconstructing a joint include fixating at least one suture inside a joint space, retrieving the at least one suture from inside the joint space, passing the at least one suture through a graft at a location external to the joint space, shuttling the graft into the joint space, and fixating the graft to bone using the at least one suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Adams, Alan Hirahara, Thomas Dooney, JR., Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20180256155
    Abstract: A swivel suture anchor for knotless fixation of tissue. The suture anchor includes an anchor tip configured to capture suture, the anchor tip being rotatably received within a fixation device upon advancement of the fixation device over a shaft of the anchor tip. The anchor tip is configured to receive a suture to be anchor in bone without requiring suture knots. The anchor tip can be a conical metal tip which is self-punching and avoids the need for pre-drilling a hole in bone. The anchor tip includes a closed aperture to allow free sliding of a suture strand. The suture is secured in a hole in bone by inserting the anchor tip into bone, and advancing a fenestrated fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, over a shaft of the anchor tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss, John A. Sodeika, Neil S. EIAttrache
  • Publication number: 20180235598
    Abstract: A method for securing soft tissue to bone which does not require the surgeon to tie suture knots to secure the tissue to the bone. Suture is passed through the graft at desired points. A cannulated plug or screw is pre-loaded onto the distal end of a driver provided with an eyelet implant at its distal end. Suture attached to the graft is passed through the eyelet of the implant located at the distal end of the driver. The distal end of the driver together with the eyelet implant is inserted into the bone. Tension is applied to the suture to position the graft at the desired location relative to the bone. The screw or plug is advanced into the pilot hole by turning the interference screw or tapping the plug until the cannulated screw or plug securely engages and locks in the eyelet implant, so that the cannulated plug or screw with the engaged eyelet implant is flush with the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Neal S. ElAttrache, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Publication number: 20180235599
    Abstract: A method for securing soft tissue to bone which does not require the surgeon to tie suture knots to secure the tissue to the bone. Suture is passed through the graft at desired points. A cannulated plug or screw is pre-loaded onto the distal end of a driver provided with an eyelet implant at its distal end. Suture attached to the graft is passed through the eyelet of the implant located at the distal end of the driver. The distal end of the driver together with the eyelet implant is inserted into the bone. Tension is applied to the suture to position the graft at the desired location relative to the bone. The screw or plug is advanced into the pilot hole by turning the interference screw or tapping the plug until the cannulated screw or plug securely engages and locks in the eyelet implant, so that the cannulated plug or screw with the engaged eyelet implant is flush with the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Neal S. EIAttrache, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Patent number: 10052091
    Abstract: A method for securing soft tissue to bone which does not require the surgeon to tie suture knots to secure the tissue to the bone. Suture is passed through the tissue at desired points. A cannulated plug or screw is pre-loaded onto the distal end of a driver provided with an eyelet implant at its distal end. Suture attached to the tissue is passed through the eyelet of the implant located at the distal end of the driver. The distal end of the driver together with the eyelet implant is inserted into the bone. Tension is applied to the suture to position the tissue at the desired location relative to the bone. The screw or plug is advanced into the pilot hole by turning the interference screw or tapping the plug until the cannulated screw or plug securely engages and locks in the eyelet implant, so that the cannulated plug or screw with the engaged eyelet implant is flush with the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: ARTHREX, INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Dreyfuss, Stephen S. Burkhart, Neil S. ElAttrache
  • Patent number: 10045770
    Abstract: A fenestrated suture anchor for fixation of tissue to bone. In a preferred embodiment, the suture includes an implant, such a swivel implant with a forked tip for capturing suture. The implant is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, to engage and fully seat the implant. The cannulated fixation device is provided with a plurality of openings or fenestrations of various dimensions and geometries to provide multiple pathways through the anchor (i.e., though the interior of the body and through the fenestrations) to allow blood to flow to increase the healing zone, for example, for rotator cuff repair, while also promoting bone in-growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss, John A. Sodeika, Reinhold Schmieding
  • Publication number: 20180104045
    Abstract: A method of tissue repair using a surgical assembly that includes the steps of assembling an implant and a driver, capturing tissue with the implant, installing the implant with the captured tissue in a socket or tunnel, advancing a tapered section of a set screw in the implant, thereby expanding the implant and fixing the implant with the captured tissue in the socket or tunnel, and releasing the driver from engagement with the set screw as the distal end of the set screw reaches the implant's closed end. A surgical assembly that includes an expandable implant having a hole with an entrance at a rear end of the implant and a closed end; a set screw, an implant insertion section, a driver engagement section, and a tapered section, where the implant insertion section is received in the hole of the implant, and a driver that is engaged with the set screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: William C. Benavitz, Donald K. Shuler, Stephen S. Burkhart, Maxwell C. Park, Peter J. Millett, Tai S. David
  • Publication number: 20170303912
    Abstract: An illustrative example suture securing assembly includes an inserter, a rigid member and a second member. The inserter includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis between the distal end and the proximal end. The inserter includes a handle near the proximal end and a rotatable portion near the handle. The rigid member includes an eyelet oriented to thread suture across the longitudinal axis. The rigid member is situated near the distal end of the inserter. The rigid member is configured to be placed in bone. The second member is situated near the distal end of the inserter and is configured to be rotated by the rotatable portion of the inserter to rotationally advance the second member in a distal direction toward the eyelet into a suture securing position where the second member holds suture in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Neal S. ElAttrache, Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Patent number: 9775599
    Abstract: An illustrative example inserter assembly for securing soft tissue in a position adjacent bone includes an inserter having a proximal end and distal end. The inserter includes a handle near the proximal end and a shaft between the handle and the distal end. An anchor body is situated near the distal end of the inserter. A suture includes a portion establishing a suture loop near the distal end where the suture loop is distal of the anchor body. The suture includes a portion within the shaft. The suture has two ends that protrude from the inserter near the proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ARTHREX, INC.
    Inventors: Neal S. ElAttrache, Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Publication number: 20170231618
    Abstract: A suture anchor includes a threaded anchor body having a first central bore in communication with a second central bore. The suture anchor includes an internal eyelet formed of a loop disposed at least partially inside the first central bore. The ends extending from the loop are tied together to form at least one knot which is housed in the second central bore provided at the distal end of the anchor body. The knot increases the pullout strength of the suture even in soft bone, provides increased suture fixation, and eliminates the anchor “pull back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Peter J. Dreyfuss, Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20170224326
    Abstract: Suture constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs. The suture construct is a soft, suture-based anchor which is self-cinching and has a specific, accordion-type configuration (i.e., with the ability to fold from a first, extended position to a second, folded or compressed position). The suture-based anchor may be formed essentially of a flexible material such as a high strength surgical suture, suture chain, or suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss, Paul C. Brady