Patents by Inventor Steven Ek

Steven Ek 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).

  • Patent number: 10702395
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Ek, George Sikora
  • Publication number: 20200054349
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK
  • Patent number: 10531880
    Abstract: Microfracture apparatuses with a cannula and a penetrator. The cannula has a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end through which a penetrator can move between a retracted and an extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator. The cannula has a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, with the distal portion configured such that the distal portion and/or the second end of the channel is disposed at a nonparallel angle relative to the primary portion, for example, with a curve between the primary portion and the distal portion. The penetrator is configured to flex around such a curve and/or to flex to align with the angle of the send end of the channel and/or the distal portion of the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
  • Patent number: 10350078
    Abstract: Embodiments of devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods for repairing and/or augmenting the articular surface and/or articular rim of a joint (e.g., repairing the anterior glenoid rim after an anterior shoulder dislocation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Ek, Anthony Miniaci, Tim Brightman
  • Publication number: 20190201007
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: George J SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
  • Patent number: 10238401
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and examplary methods for microfracture (e.g. forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek
  • Publication number: 20180271542
    Abstract: Microfracture apparatuses with a cannula and a penetrator. The cannula has a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end through which a penetrator can move between a retracted and an extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator. The cannula has a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, with the distal portion configured such that the distal portion and/or the second end of the channel is disposed at a nonparallel angle relative to the primary portion, for example, with a curve between the primary portion and the distal portion. The penetrator is configured to flex around such a curve and/or to flex to align with the angle of the send end of the channel and/or the distal portion of the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
  • Patent number: 10039554
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
  • Publication number: 20180193034
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate generally to orthopedic treatments, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods for an orthopedic device comprising one or more osteotomy plates, guides, and/or cutters (e.g., for bunion removal or for stabilizing a joint or a cut/break line of a fracture).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: George SIKORA, Steven EK, Tim BRIGHTMAN, Carl HASSELMAN
  • Publication number: 20180140312
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate generally to orthopedic treatments, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods for an orthopedic device comprising one or more alignment guides and/or fusion disks (e.g., for fusing together multiple bones at a fracture, injury, or surgery site).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: George SIKORA, Nikhil T. JAWRANI, Steven EK, JR.
  • Patent number: 9918721
    Abstract: Microfracture apparatuses with a cannula and a penetrator. The cannula has a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end through which a penetrator can move between a retracted and an extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator. The cannula has a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, with the distal portion configured such that the distal portion and/or the second end of the channel is disposed at a nonparallel angle relative to the primary portion, for example, with a curve between the primary portion and the distal portion. The penetrator is configured to flex around such a curve and/or to flex to align with the angle of the send end of the channel and/or the distal portion of the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
  • Publication number: 20180008285
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
  • Publication number: 20170360566
    Abstract: Embodiments of devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods for repairing a human joint by suturing biological tissue to the articular surface of a bone at the joint (e.g., repairing defects in the humerus at the glenoid joint after an anterior shoulder dislocation) are described herein. Biological tissue may include hard tissue such as bone or a joint socket or soft tissue such as cartilage, ligaments, tendons, or muscle tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: George SIKORA, Steven EK
  • Patent number: 9833231
    Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second fixation members, a flexible member coupled to the first and second fixation members, and a limiting element coupled to the flexible member. The limiting element is movable relative to the second fixation member and acts to limit loosening of the flexible member relative to the second fixation member. The limiting element can be slidably received by the flexible member. The flexible member can be coupled to the fixation members such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the fixation members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven Ek
  • Publication number: 20170303934
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK, Steven TALLARIDA
  • Patent number: 9668757
    Abstract: Embodiments of devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods for repairing and/or augmenting the articular surface and/or articular rim of a joint (e.g., repairing the anterior glenoid rim after an anterior shoulder dislocation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Ek, Anthony Miniaci
  • Patent number: 9572587
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
  • Patent number: 9510840
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the embodiments are configured to create microfractures with greater depth-to-width (or depth-to-diameter) ratios than previously known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George J. Sikora, Steven Ek, Steven Tallarida
  • Publication number: 20160192947
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and examplary methods for microfracture (e.g. forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: George J. SIKORA, Steven EK
  • Publication number: 20160095719
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Steven EK, George SIKORA