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).

  • Publication number: 20030216780
    Abstract: A two piece graft fixation arrangement includes a graft block engageable with a graft and a transverse member engageable with the graft block to fix the graft block in a bone tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Steven E. Fitts, Wamis Singhatat, Drew Powell Amery
  • Patent number: 6096060
    Abstract: A bioabsorbable soft tissue anchor system comprising a cannulated soft tissue anchor for being turned through soft tissue, and a driver for driving the anchor and method for attaching soft tissue at a selected site of implantation. The soft tissue anchor is an elongated unitary body having a threaded distal section, a non-threaded proximal section, a transverse proximal head and a non-circular axial throughbore. The threaded section has a cancellous-type thread which has a uniform minor diameter, a large pitch and a large major diameter, the distal end of the thread being tapered toward the distal end of the anchor. The proximal end of the threaded section abuts the non-threaded section which is tapered and extends proximally to the transverse head. The anchor is used with a driver having a driving shaft with a pointed tip and a cross-section adapted to engage the anchor's axial throughbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Linvatec Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Fitts, A. Frank Trott, James Gross, Lloyd Diamond, Steven T. Jones, Sharon K. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5871504
    Abstract: Improved ligament anchor structures and methods for affixing graft ligaments to bone are provided. The ligament anchor assembly includes a sleeve having gripping means for being firmly secured within a bone tunnel and a bore extending therethrough. The graft ligament is secured to an insert sized to pass through the bore in the sleeve. The bore in the sleeve and the external surface of the insert have cooperating asymmetrical teeth formed thereon so that the insert can pass through the sleeve in only one direction. The sleeve is first placed in a bone tunnel and the opposite end of the ligament secured in the corresponding bone, followed by final adjustment of the ligament tension without disturbing the anchors of either end of the graft ligament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventors: Katulle Koco Eaton, Joseph Fucci, Steven E. Fitts, Sharon K. Anderson