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: 20170209139
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods of soft tissue repair using pre-looped tensionable and non-pre-looped tensionable knotless fixation devices. A flexible material (for example, suture or suture tape) may be attached to the fixation device. A flexible material may be threaded through an eyelet of a tip provided as part of a swivel anchor assembly to provide added stability to the fixation devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Derek C. Sullivan, William C. Benavitz, Thomas Dooney, JR., Lee D. Kaplan, James P. Bradley
  • Patent number: 9706986
    Abstract: An illustrative example suture securing method includes moving a first member in an insertion direction into bone. The first member includes an eyelet and suture threaded through the eyelet transverse to the insertion direction. The method includes moving a second member relative to the first member in the insertion direction into a suture securing position where the second member traps the suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ARTHREX, INC.
    Inventors: Neal S. ElAttrache, Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Publication number: 20170189007
    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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Thomas Dooney, JR., Derek C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170135689
    Abstract: A suture anchor for knotless fixation of tissue. A swivel suture anchor has an anchor tip for receiving a suture strand, for surgical tissue repair without requiring suture knots. Tension on the repair constructs is adjustable. The swivel anchor is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, over the body of the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, R Donald Grafton, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Publication number: 20170105716
    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: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20170095324
    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: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Adams, Alan Hirahara, Thomas Dooney, JR., Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 9526489
    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: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 9521999
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Dreyfuss, Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20160310131
    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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 9421008
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss, Paul C. Brady
  • Publication number: 20160095588
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Neal S. ElAttrache, Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Publication number: 20160058551
    Abstract: An illustrative example suture securing method includes moving a first member in an insertion direction into bone. The first member includes an eyelet and suture threaded through the eyelet transverse to the insertion direction. The method includes moving a second member relative to the first member in the insertion direction into a suture securing position where the second member traps the suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Neal S. ElAttrache, Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Patent number: 9216017
    Abstract: A suture anchor and kit for anchoring a suture member to human bone in an interference fit. A suture anchor includes a threaded portion and has a head at the proximal end thereof, the head being generally circular. A tip is located at a distal end of the shank. The shank is at least partially threaded and includes walls defining a reel portion. The shank also includes walls for engaging a suture, the walls for engaging the suture typically adjacent walls defining the reel portion. The head typically includes walls for engaging a drive tool. The kit includes a drive tool for rotating the suture anchor when a suture member is engaged with the walls for engaging the suture such that rotation of the anchor causes the suture material to wrap around the reel portion of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 9179907
    Abstract: An illustrative example suture securing assembly includes an inserter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis between the distal end and the proximal end. A first member includes an eyelet oriented to thread suture across the longitudinal axis. The first member is situated near the distal end of the inserter. The first member is configured to be placed in bone. A second member is situated near the distal end of the inserter. The second member is moveable relative to the first member in a distal direction toward the eyelet into a suture securing position where the second member traps suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal S. ElAttrache, Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Publication number: 20150313586
    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 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Reinhold Schmieding, Peter J. Dreyfuss, John A. Sodeika
  • Patent number: 9107676
    Abstract: Instrumentation for an open or arthroscopic Latarjet procedure that allows more control graft handling during the formation of the hole and proper positioning parallel to the articulating bone surface. The surgical instrumentation of the present invention includes an osteotome with a plurality of markings and a depth stop, a drill guide with jaws configured to securely engage an outer surface of the graft, and an offset guide to position the graft to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, Sven Lichtenberg, John A. Sodeika, Donald K. Shuler, Ian K. Lo
  • Publication number: 20150157312
    Abstract: A suture anchor for knotless fixation of tissue. A swivel suture anchor has a rotatable anchor tip for receiving a suture strand, for example a rotatable forked tip for capturing a suture chain, for surgical tissue repair without requiring suture knots. Tension on the repair constructs is adjustable through the selection of the specific chain link or links of the suture chain captured by the forked anchor tip of the suture anchor. The swivel anchor is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, over the body of the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, R. Donald Grafton, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Patent number: 9005246
    Abstract: A method and device for knotless fixation of tissue. A swivel anchor having a rotatable forked anchor tip is used to capture suture, such as a suture chain, for surgical tissue repair without requiring suture knots. Tension on the repair constructs is adjustable through the selection of the specific chain link or links of the suture chain captured by the forked anchor tip of the swivel anchor. The swivel anchor is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, over the body of the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Burkhart, R. Donald Grafton, Peter J. Dreyfuss
  • Publication number: 20140324100
    Abstract: A suture anchor and kit for anchoring a suture member to human bone in an interference fit. A suture anchor includes a threaded portion and has a head at the proximal end thereof, the head being generally circular. A tip is located at a distal end of the shank. The shank is at least partially threaded and includes walls defining a reel portion. The shank also includes walls for engaging a suture, the walls for engaging the suture typically adjacent walls defining the reel portion. The head typically includes walls for engaging a drive tool. The kit includes a drive tool for rotating the suture anchor when a suture member is engaged with the walls for engaging the suture such that rotation of the anchor causes the suture material to wrap around the reel portion of the shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20140277134
    Abstract: An illustrative example suture securing assembly includes an inserter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis between the distal end and the proximal end. A first member includes an eyelet oriented to thread suture across the longitudinal axis. The first member is situated near the distal end of the inserter. The first member is configured to be placed in bone. A second member is situated near the distal end of the inserter. The second member is moveable relative to the first member in a distal direction toward the eyelet into a suture securing position where the second member traps suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal S. ElAttrache, Stephen S. Burkhart, Peter J. Dreyfuss