Patents by Inventor Steven W. Ek

Steven W. 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).

  • Publication number: 20190365442
    Abstract: The present bone screws—and kits and methods utilizing such bone screws—provide enhanced fatigue resistance (EFR), increased fixation strength, and/or improved tactile feedback. The enhanced fatigue resistance can increase the working life of a bone screw and reduce the possibility of a bone screw cracking or breaking and possible adverse implications thereof. The improved tactile feedback can improve usability by maintaining a level friction and resistance (during insertion of the screws into bone) that is familiar to health care providers. The present bone screws, kits, and methods may be configured and/or implemented for use in the repair of cancellous and/or cortical bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Nikhil T. JAWRANI, Steven W. EK
  • Patent number: 10478200
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for repairing an articular surface. A guide pin may be secured to an articular surface of a glenoid, wherein the guide pin defines a working axis and the working axis is positioned at an angle ? relative to the articular surface, wherein angle ? is less than or equal to 90 degrees. An excision device may be advanced over the guide pin, wherein the excision device includes a cannulated shaft and at least one cutter, wherein the at least one cutter is generally aligned in a single plane. A generally hemi-spherical excision site may be formed with the excision device within the articular surface of the glenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 10433833
    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: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 10376260
    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 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20190239902
    Abstract: A retrograde resection apparatus may include a cutting blade including a slot defined in the cutting blade, a recess defined in at least a portion of the slot, a screw, including a proximal end and a distal end defining a bore therethrough, a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the shaft passes through the bore and the distal end is configured to be received in the recess, and a biasing device configured to bias the shaft against the cutting blade. In addition, the apparatus may include a tether, a first portion of which is affixed to the cutting blade and a second portion of which passes through the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: George Sikora, Timothy Brightman, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 10307172
    Abstract: An implant resection system for preparing an implant site to replace a defect in an articular surface of a first bone includes a first guide configured to be coupled generally to the first bone. The first guide includes a body portion defining a channel configured to receive a pin, wherein the pin is configured to penetrate and form a longitudinally disposed bore within the first bone. The implant resection system further includes a second guide configured to be coupled generally perpendicular to the first bone proximate to the defect by way of the bore. The second guide includes a drill bit configured to form an excision site through a portion of the articular surface in preparation of receipt of an implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20190150914
    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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20190105160
    Abstract: A system for repairing a defect on an articular surface of a patient's trochlear region, the system comprising a guide block comprising a body having an exterior surface configured to engage with the saddle portion and ridge portions of the patient's trochlear region, a protrusion extending generally from the body and configured to be received in a first bore formed in the articular surface along a reference axis, and a first cavity extending through the body configured to establish a first working axis displaced from the reference axis, wherein the exterior surface of the body and the protrusion are configured to secure the location of the guide block about the patient's trochlear region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Steven W. Ek, George Sikora
  • Publication number: 20190105166
    Abstract: A total joint replacement system comprising a first and a second implant system. The first implant system includes a first implant having a first load bearing surface based on a first removed portion of an articular surface of a patient's first bone, and a first anchor having a first threaded region configured to be secured into the first bone, wherein the first anchor is configured to be secured to the first implant. The second implant system includes a second implant having a second load bearing surface based on a second removed portion of an articular surface of a patient's second bone, and a second anchor having a second threaded region configured to be secured into the second bone, wherein the second anchor is configured to be secured to the second implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Steven W. Ek, Steven E. Ek, Nikhil T. Jawrani
  • Publication number: 20190105165
    Abstract: An implant assembly comprising an implant having a load bearing surface with a contour corresponding to a patient's articular surface, and a bone facing surface including a fixation element, an anchor configured to be secured to bone beneath said patient's articular surface, said anchor including a second fixation element, and wherein said first fixation element is configured to be secured to said second fixation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20190038426
    Abstract: A multicomponent implant system includes a multicomponent implant comprising a base plate and a load plate. The base plate includes a bone facing surface and a base plate interface surface. The load plate includes a load plate interface surface and a load bearing surface, the load bearing surface being substantially parallel to the load plate interface surface and having a contour substantially corresponding to a contour of a removed portion of the articular surface. Both the load plate interface surface and base plate interface surface have a contour substantially corresponding to the contour of the load bearing surface. The load plate is configured to be advanced in an arcuate direction to slidably couple the load plate to the base plate after the base plate has been secured within the first excision site by an anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Steven W. EK
  • Publication number: 20190029836
    Abstract: A medical device includes an implant anchor comprising first and second opposing end portions. The implant anchor may also include a fixation element to configured to couple the implant anchor to an implant, and an anchor element configured to couple the implant anchor to bone. At least a portion of the implant anchor has a porous structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 10076343
    Abstract: A system for replacing a portion of an articular surface including providing an implant site and installing an implant into the implant site. The implant site includes a first and a second excision site which at least partially intersect with one another. Each of the first and second excision sites are formed by providing a respective axis and excising a portion of the articular surface relative to the respective axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 10045788
    Abstract: A retrograde resection apparatus may include a cutting blade including a slot defined in the cutting blade, a recess defined in at least a portion of the slot, a screw, including a proximal end and a distal end defining a bore therethrough, a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the shaft passes through the bore and the distal end is configured to be received in the recess, and a biasing device configured to bias the shaft against the cutting blade. In addition, the apparatus may include a tether, a first portion of which is affixed to the cutting blade and a second portion of which passes through the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: George Sikora, Timothy Brightman, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20180132869
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for repairing an articular surface. A guide pin may be secured to an articular surface of a glenoid, wherein the guide pin defines a working axis and the working axis is positioned at an angle ? relative to the articular surface, wherein angle ? is less than or equal to 90 degrees. An excision device may be advanced over the guide pin, wherein the excision device includes a cannulated shaft and at least one cutter, wherein the at least one cutter is generally aligned in a single plane. A generally hemi-spherical excision site may be formed with the excision device within the articular surface of the glenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 9962265
    Abstract: A total joint replacement system comprising a first and a second implant system. The first implant system includes a first implant having a first load bearing surface based on a first removed portion of an articular surface of a patient's first bone, and a first anchor having a first threaded region configured to be secured into the first bone, wherein the first anchor is configured to be secured to the first implant. The second implant system includes a second implant having a second load bearing surface based on a second removed portion of an articular surface of a patient's second bone, and a second anchor having a second threaded region configured to be secured into the second bone, wherein the second anchor is configured to be secured to the second implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Ek, Steven E. Ek, Nikhil T. Jawrani
  • Patent number: 9931219
    Abstract: An implant assembly comprising an implant having a load bearing surface with a contour corresponding to a patient's articular surface, and a bone facing surface including a fixation element, an anchor configured to be secured to bone beneath said patient's articular surface, said anchor including a second fixation element, and wherein said first fixation element is configured to be secured to said second fixation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 9931211
    Abstract: A system for repairing a defect on an articular surface of a patient's trochlear region, the system comprising a guide block comprising a body having an exterior surface configured to engage with the saddle portion and ridge portions of the patient's trochlear region, a protrusion extending generally from the body and configured to be received in a first bore formed in the articular surface along a reference axis, and a first cavity extending through the body configured to establish a first working axis displaced from the reference axis, wherein the exterior surface of the body and the protrusion are configured to secure the location of the guide block about the patient's trochlear region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Ek, George Sikora
  • Patent number: 9861492
    Abstract: A medical device includes an implant anchor comprising first and second opposing end portions. The implant anchor may also include a fixation element to configured to couple the implant anchor to an implant, and an anchor element configured to couple the implant anchor to bone. At least a portion of the implant anchor has a porous structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20170311983
    Abstract: A suture system including a suture construct having a first reduction construct configured to be selectively arranged in an expanded state and a reduced state. The first reduction construct includes a first locking limb, a first contractible loop, and a first opposed loop disposed generally opposite to the first contractible loop, wherein reduction of the first opposed loop contracts the first contractible loop from the expanded state into the reduced state and secures the suture construct in the reduced state. The suture construct may also include a second reduction construct. Optionally, the suture system includes a first and a second pusher tube defining a first and a second lumen, respectively, wherein each pusher tubes are advanced over portions of opposed loops, respectively, and wherein distal portions of opposed loops extend beyond the pusher tubes, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek