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: 20150250602
    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: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 9066716
    Abstract: A medical device is provided comprising a suture thread coated with a stiffening agent and having a shape of a coil having a plurality of windings. The suture thread may be used to reconnect soft tissue to bone tissue. The suture thread may be used in conjunction with a suture sheath which is inhibited from movement relative to the suture thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 9055955
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bone resurfacing. One embodiment includes a method for preparing an implant site in bone, comprising establishing a first working axis extending from said bone; establishing a second working axis extending from said bone, the second working axis is displaced from the first working axis; creating a first socket in the bone by reaming about the first working axis; and creating a second socket in the bone, adjacent the first socket, by reaming about the second working axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroSurface Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Ek, George Sikora
  • Patent number: 9044343
    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: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20150066060
    Abstract: A method of closing a tissue wound includes providing a wound closure device having a first fastener, a second fastener, and a flexible member extending between the first and second fasteners and movably attached to the second fastener by a one-way knot formed in the flexible member between the first and second fastener, positioning the first fastener against tissue, passing the flexible member across the wound, positioning the second fastener against tissue, and pulling on a free end of the flexible member to shorten a length of the flexible member between the first and second fasteners, thereby closing the wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 8961614
    Abstract: A method is provided for delivering an implant for replacing a portion of an articular surface. The method may include forming a socket in an articulating feature that is capable of moving relative to the articular surface. An implant may be placed in the socket and the articulating feature may be moved relative to the articular surface to generally align the socket with an implant site formed in the articular surface. The implant may be transferred from the socket into the implant site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrosurface, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Ek, Anthony Miniaci
  • Patent number: 8926615
    Abstract: A system and method may be used for accessing an articular surface and for preparing an implant site on the articular surface. The method may include locating a portion of the articular. An access passage may be drilled towards the articular surface though bone behind the articular surface. An implant site may be excised in the articular surface relative to an axis defined by the access passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrosurface, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20140350599
    Abstract: A method of closing a tissue wound includes providing a wound closure device having a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible member movably attached to the second anchor, positioning the first anchor against tissue, passing the flexible member across the wound, positioning the second anchor against tissue, and pulling on a free end of the flexible member to shorten a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchors, thereby closing the wound. A wound closure device includes a first anchor, a second anchor; and a flexible member connecting the first anchor to the second anchor, the flexible member being movably attached to the second anchor, such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Paul A. Torrie, George Sikora, Raymond A. Bojarski, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 8864827
    Abstract: An implant comprising a first, second, and third segment wherein the second and third segments partially overlap the first segment and define a load bearing surface comprising an anterior-posterior (AP) curvature including at least two tangential curves of the portion of the articular surface of the femoral condyle, the tangential curves having different radii of curvature. A drill guide comprises a body portion including a first, second and third bushing spaced along the body portion to establish a first, second and third axes, respectively. Each axis may be substantially normal to the articular surface at three different points along a curvature of the articular surface comprising the two tangential curves. A measuring device comprises a housing defining a longitudinally passageway and an outrigger. A guide pin may be received in the longitudinal passageway and a measuring device determines how far the guide pin is in the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20140309689
    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: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20140288561
    Abstract: A system for repairing a defect on a patient's articular surface comprising a guide, a guide pin, a reamer, and an implant. The guide is configured to be disposed about the defect and includes a passageway configured to establish a reference axis extending generally outwardly from the articular surface. The guide pin is configured to be received through the guide passageway along the reference axis and into bone beneath the articular surface. The reamer comprises a cannulated shaft configured to be advanced over the guide pin along the reference axis and further comprises a cutting surface configured to be rotated about the guide pin to form an excision site. The implant comprises a bone facing surface configured to be received in the excision site and a load bearing surface having a contour approximating a contour of the patient's articular surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Steven J. Tallarida, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 8834524
    Abstract: A method of closing a tissue wound includes providing a wound closure device having a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible member movably attached to the second anchor, positioning the first anchor against tissue, passing the flexible member across the wound, positioning the second anchor against tissue, and pulling on a free end of the flexible member to shorten a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchors, thereby closing the wound. A wound closure device includes a first anchor, a second anchor; and a flexible member connecting the first anchor to the second anchor, the flexible member being movably attached to the second anchor, such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Torrie, George Sikora, Raymond A. Borjarski, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20140194938
    Abstract: Sheaths for implantable fixation devices are disclosed. Sheaths have a flexible body with a perforated wall, an open end, a closed end, and a body interior sized and shaped to receive the fixation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bojarski, Paul A. Torrie, Frazer Harvie, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20140155902
    Abstract: An implant resection system for preparing an implant site to replace a defect in an articular surface of a first bone includes a guide configured to be coupled generally perpendicular to the first bone proximate to the defect. The guide includes a body portion defining a plurality of excision passageways. The excision passageways each define a generally cylindrical core pathway configured to extend generally perpendicular to the first bone which partially overlaps with an adjacent generally cylindrical core pathway. A projection associated with each of the plurality of the generally cylindrical core pathways defines a truncated cylindrical excision site extending through a portion of the articular surface. Each truncated cylindrical excision site partially overlaps with at least one adjacent truncated cylindrical excision site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ARTHROSURFACE, INC.
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 8696748
    Abstract: Sheaths for implantable fixation devices are disclosed. Sheaths have a flexible body with a perforated wall, an open end, a closed end, and a body interior sized and shaped to receive the fixation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bojarski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Fraser Harvie, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 8663230
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment may provide access to an articular surface of a bone. The method includes forming a passage through at least a portion of the bone. The passage provides an opening in the articular surface. The method further includes inserting a tether through the passage. The tether inserted through the passage can be coupled to at least one device from an insertion site remote from the articular surface. The tether can be withdrawn through the passage to convey the device to a location proximate the articular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony Miniaci, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20140012267
    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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: George Sikora, Steven W. Ek
  • Publication number: 20130310874
    Abstract: A method of closing a tissue wound includes providing a wound closure device having a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible member movably attached to the second anchor, positioning the first anchor against tissue, passing the flexible member across the wound, positioning the second anchor against tissue, and pulling on a free end of the flexible member to shorten a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchors, thereby closing the wound. A wound closure device includes a first anchor, a second anchor; and a flexible member connecting the first anchor to the second anchor, the flexible member being movably attached to the second anchor, such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Paul A. Torrie, George Sikora, Raymond A. Bojarski, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 8556902
    Abstract: A system and method may be used for accessing an articular surface and for preparing an implant site on the articular surface. The method may include locating a portion of the articular. An access passage may be drilled towards the articular surface though bone behind the articular surface. An implant site may be excised in the articular surface relative to an axis defined by the access passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Ek, Tim Brightman, Anthony Miniaci
  • Patent number: 8540717
    Abstract: A system for repairing a defect on a patient's articular surface comprising a guide, a guide pin, a reamer, and an implant. The guide is configured to be disposed about the defect and includes a passageway configured to establish a reference axis extending generally outwardly from the articular surface. The guide pin is configured to be received through the guide passageway along the reference axis and into bone beneath the articular surface. The reamer comprises a cannulated shaft configured to be advanced over the guide pin along the reference axis and further comprises a cutting surface configured to be rotated about the guide pin to form an excision site. The implant comprises a bone facing surface configured to be received in the excision site and a load bearing surface having a contour approximating a contour of the patient's articular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Arthrosurface Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven J. Tallarida, Steven W. Ek