Patents by Inventor Steven E. Fitts
Steven E. Fitts 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).
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Publication number: 20230190259Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a flat fibrous construct having a first end and a second end; and a filament having a first end and a second end passing through the fibrous construct in two locations including a first passing location nearest a first end of the fibrous construct, a second passing location nearest a second end of the fibrous construct, the filament remaining free to slide through the first passing location and the second passing location such that the filament can be removed from the flat fibrous construct from the first end of the fibrous construct and the second end of the fibrous construct. The anchor can be inserted into a bone hole and deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Andrew K. Kam, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Patent number: 11617570Abstract: A knotless suture anchor assembly for engaging a bone tunnel and holding suture therein to knotlessly secure said suture to soft tissue including an elongated generally cylindrical hollow outer member having an axial lumen, an outer surface with projections for engaging the wall of the bone tunnel, a distal end and a proximal end; and an elongated, generally cylindrical inner member having an axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a transverse passage for receiving suture therethrough, the transverse passage having a proximal and distal end and adapted to receive a plurality of sutures in said eyelet, the inner member adapted to move coaxially relative to the outer member between a distal, suture-unlocked position and a proximal, suture-locked position.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Steven E. Fitts, Peter C. Miller
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Patent number: 11576665Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a flat fibrous construct having a first end and a second end; and a filament having a first end and a second end passing through the fibrous construct in two locations including a first passing location nearest a first end of the fibrous construct, a second passing location nearest a second end of the fibrous construct, the filament remaining free to slide through the first passing location and the second passing location such that the filament can be removed from the flat fibrous construct from the first end of the fibrous construct and the second end of the fibrous construct. The anchor can be inserted into a bone hole and deployed.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Andrew K. Kam, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Patent number: 11219519Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length may be shortened by pulling distally on the pair of limbs to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Andrew Kam, Giuseppe Lombardo, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Publication number: 20200297337Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a flat fibrous construct having a first end and a second end; and a filament having a first end and a second end passing through the fibrous construct in two locations including a first passing location nearest a first end of the fibrous construct, a second passing location nearest a second end of the fibrous construct, the filament remaining free to slide through the first passing location and the second passing location such that the filament can be removed from the flat fibrous construct from the first end of the fibrous construct and the second end of the fibrous construct. The anchor can be inserted into a bone hole and deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Andrew K. Kam, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Publication number: 20200276009Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length may be shortened by pulling distally on the pair of limbs to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Andrew Kam, Giuseppe Lombardo, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Publication number: 20200205802Abstract: A knotless suture anchor assembly for engaging a bone tunnel and holding suture therein to knotlessly secure said suture to soft tissue including an elongated generally cylindrical hollow outer member having an axial lumen, an outer surface with projections for engaging the wall of the bone tunnel, a distal end and a proximal end; and an elongated, generally cylindrical inner member having an axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a transverse passage for receiving suture therethrough, the transverse passage having a proximal and distal end and adapted to receive a plurality of sutures in said eyelet, the inner member adapted to move coaxially relative to the outer member between a distal, suture-unlocked position and a proximal, suture-locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe LOMBARDO, Steven E. FITTS, Peter C. MILLER
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Patent number: 10687798Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a flat fibrous construct having a first end and a second end; and a filament having a first end and a second end passing through the fibrous construct in two locations including a first passing location nearest a first end of the fibrous construct, a second passing location nearest a second end of the fibrous construct, the filament remaining free to slide through the first passing location and the second passing location such that the filament can be removed from the flat fibrous construct from the first end of the fibrous construct and the second end of the fibrous construct.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Andrew K. Kam, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Patent number: 10675143Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length may be shortened by pulling distally on the pair of limbs to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Andrew S. Kam, Giuseppe Lombardo, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Patent number: 10588616Abstract: A knotless suture anchor assembly for engaging a bone tunnel and holding suture therein to knotlessly secure said suture to soft tissue including an elongated generally cylindrical hollow outer member having an axial lumen, an outer surface with projections for engaging the wall of the bone tunnel, a distal end and a proximal end; and an elongated, generally cylindrical inner member having an axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a transverse passage for receiving suture therethrough, the transverse passage having a proximal and distal end and adapted to receive a plurality of sutures in said eyelet, the inner member adapted to move coaxially relative to the outer member between a distal, suture-unlocked position and a proximal, suture-locked position.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: LINVATEC CORPORATIONInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Steven E. Fitts, Peter C. Miller
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Publication number: 20180185136Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length may be shortened by pulling distally on the pair of limbs to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Andrew S. Kam, Giuseppe Lombardo, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Publication number: 20180177500Abstract: A knotless suture anchor assembly for engaging a bone tunnel and holding suture therein to knotlessly secure said suture to soft tissue including an elongated generally cylindrical hollow outer member having an axial lumen, an outer surface with projections for engaging the wall of the bone tunnel, a distal end and a proximal end; and an elongated, generally cylindrical inner member having an axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a transverse passage for receiving suture therethrough, the transverse passage having a proximal and distal end and adapted to receive a plurality of sutures in said eyelet, the inner member adapted to move coaxially relative to the outer member between a distal, suture-unlocked position and a proximal, suture-locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe LOMBARDO, Steven E. FITTS, Peter C. MILLER
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Patent number: 9931197Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length of the loop member may be shortened by simply pulling distally on the pair of limbs at one end of the loop member to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel a predetermined distance or until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Andrew Kam, Giuseppe Lombardo, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Patent number: 9924936Abstract: A method for knotlessly securing suture in a bone tunnel including securing a suture to a tissue to be fixated by a suture anchor; preloading a proximal threaded component of an anchor onto a drive shaft; preloading a distal component of the anchor onto an actuator shaft, passing the suture through an eyelet of the distal component of the anchor, inserting the distal component of the anchor and then the proximal component of the anchor into the bone hole; confirming the placement of the proximal component of the anchor relative to the distal component of the anchor by viewing an indicator on the driver handle; and pivoting a trigger device about a pivot axis to translate the actuator shaft to a second position to compress the suture at the distal end of the proximal anchor and to lock the distal anchor to the proximal anchor.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: LINVATEC CORPORATIONInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Steven E. Fitts, Peter C. Miller
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Patent number: 9826971Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a fibrous construct and at least a first filament. Each filament passes through the construct in at least three passing locations including a first location nearest a first end of the construct, a last location nearest a second end of said construct, and at least one intermediate location between said first passing location and said last passing location. In an undeployed state, each filament extends a first length between said first location and said last location. In a deployed state, each filament extends a second length between the first location and the last location. The second length is shorter than said first length.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: LINVATEC CORPORATIONInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Andrew Kam, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Publication number: 20170273776Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length of the loop member may be shortened by simply pulling distally on the pair of limbs at one end of the loop member to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel a predetermined distance or until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Andrew Kam, Giuseppe Lombardo, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Patent number: 9700403Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length of the loop member may be shortened by simply pulling distally on the pair of limbs at one end of the loop member to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel a predetermined distance or until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: LINVATEC CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew S Kam, Giuseppe Lombardo, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Publication number: 20170119369Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a flat fibrous construct having a first end and a second end; and a filament having a first end and a second end passing through the fibrous construct in two locations including a first passing location nearest a first end of the fibrous construct, a second passing location nearest a second end of the fibrous construct, the filament remaining free to slide through the first passing location and the second passing location such that the filament can be removed from the flat fibrous construct from the first end of the fibrous construct and the second end of the fibrous construct.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Andrew K. Kam, Peter C. Miller, Steven E. Fitts
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Publication number: 20170042530Abstract: A method for knotlessly securing suture in a bone tunnel including securing a suture to a tissue to be fixated by a suture anchor; preloading a proximal threaded component of an anchor onto a drive shaft; preloading a distal component of the anchor onto an actuator shaft, passing the suture through an eyelet of the distal component of the anchor, inserting the distal component of the anchor and then the proximal component of the anchor into the bone hole; confirming the placement of the proximal component of the anchor relative to the distal component of the anchor by viewing an indicator on the driver handle; and pivoting a trigger device about a pivot axis to translate the actuator shaft to a second position to compress the suture at the distal end of the proximal anchor and to lock the distal anchor to the proximal anchor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Giuseppe LOMBARDO, Steven E. FITTS, Peter C. MILLER
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Patent number: 9526492Abstract: A suture anchor for deployment in a preformed bone hole to secure soft tissue to bone in a knotless manner. The suture anchor comprises a hollow outer member and an inner member longitudinally movable within the outer member. Suture is directed distally between the wall of the bone hole and the outer anchor member from the soft tissue to be attached to the bone transversely across an eyelet situated at the distal end of the inner member and proximally between the wall of the bone hole and the outer anchor member. A rib/groove suture-locking mechanism is provided by moving the inner member proximally relative to the outer member in order to engage the suture-locking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: LINVATEC CORPORATIONInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Steven E. Fitts, Peter C. Miller