Thomas E Winters

US Patent:

6406479, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/314431

Inventors:

Daniel F. Justin - Logan UT 84341
Thomas F. Winters - Winter Park FL 32789

International Classification:

A61B 1758

US Classification:

606104, 606 72, 606 75, 606 76, 606213

Abstract:

A fastener for use in soft tissue repair includes a resorbable polymer or suture core having one or more collagen bands in surrounding relation to the core. The bands are expandable between a dehydrated state for insertion and a hydrated state for healing, and are dimensioned and positioned to bring two sides of a tear into apposition to promote healing of the tear. The fastener insertion method includes driving an elongated tube across the tear, inserting a fastener down the tube until it breaches the tear, and removing the tube, leaving the fastener in position to expand and promote healing of the tear.

US Patent:

6464706, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Aug 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/638370

Inventors:

Thomas F. Winters - Winter Park FL 32789

International Classification:

A61B 1756

US Classification:

606 73, 623 1314

Abstract:

A system for fixing soft tissue within a bone tunnel includes a first fixation member that is adapted for insertion against a piece of soft tissue positioned within a bone tunnel, with a portion of the soft tissue emerging therefrom. The first fixation member has a proximal end and a distal end. A second fixation member can engage the first fixation member at its proximal end and also can prevent the first fixation members proximal end from passing into the bone tunnel. The proximal end has barbs for engaging the soft tissues second portion. Another element is engageable with the second fixation member for extracting it from engagement with the soft tissues second portion.

US Patent:

6468277, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Apr 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/542100

Inventors:

Daniel F. Justin - Logan UT
Thomas Wade Fallin - Hyde Park UT
Thomas F. Winters - Winter Park FL

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - New Brunswick NJ

International Classification:

A61B 1756

US Classification:

606 65, 606 69, 606 73

Abstract:

A screw, driving device, and method are provided for repairing a tissue injury of a patient, such as a meniscal tear in a knee or osteochondritis dissecans. The screw has a root, a distal section having a narrowing cross section toward the distal end, and a thread along at least a portion of the root between the proximal end and the distal end. Along a leading section extending from the distal end, the helical pitch is substantially constant; along a trailing section between the leading section and the roots proximal end, the helical pitch decreases. The substantially constant pitch along the leading section assists in preventing a stripping of the helical section. At the proximal end is a head having a diameter greater than a major root diameter of the central section. The head is for improving the tissue retention characteristics of the screw.

US Patent:

6565534, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Aug 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/652684

Inventors:

Thomas F. Winters - Winter Park FL 32789

International Classification:

A61M 100

US Classification:

604151, 604289

Abstract:

A system for delivering an anaesthetic-containing fluid to a desired site in a patient includes a catheter for channeling the fluid into a unitary portal penetrating a body. A pump capable of delivering fluid at a constant flow rate is dimensioned to retain sufficient fluid for at least a one-day delivery and is adapted to permit being affixed to the body to permit portability. A fluid line, such as tubing, transports fluid from the pump to the catheter. A kit further includes an introducer needle dimensioned to permit the catheter to pass therethrough. A method of relieving pain at a surgical site postoperatively over an extended period of time includes the steps of inserting an anaesthetic-containing fluid into a pump interior having a capacity sufficient for at least a two-day delivery. The skin of a patient is punctured with an introducer needle at a desired site adjacent the surgical site, and an epidural-type catheter is passed through the introducer needle, which is then removed, leaving the catheter at the desired site. The catheter connects tubing to the pump interior, and fluid is permitted to flow from the pump to the desired site.

US Patent:

6989014, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Jul 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/206073

Inventors:

Daniel F. Justin - Logan UT, US
Thomas Wade Fallin - Hyde Park UT, US
Thomas F. Winters - Winter Park FL, US

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17/56

US Classification:

606 73, 606 75, 606 65, 606 72, 411310, 411415

Abstract:

A screw, driving device, and method are provided for repairing a tissue injury of a patient, such as a meniscal tear in a knee or osteochondritis dissecans. The screw has a root, a distal section having a narrowing cross section toward the distal end, and a thread along at least a portion of the root between the proximal end and the distal end. Along a leading section extending from the distal end, the helical pitch is substantially constant; along a trailing section between the leading section and the root's proximal end, the helical pitch decreases. The substantially constant pitch along the leading section assists in preventing a stripping of the helical section. At the proximal end is a head having a diameter greater than a major root diameter of the central section. The head is for improving the tissue retention characteristics of the screw.

US Patent:

7578836, Aug 25, 2009

Filed:

Jan 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/338259

Inventors:

Daniel F. Justin - Logan UT, US
Thomas Wade Fallin - Hyde Park UT, US
Thomas F. Winters - Winter Park FL, US

Assignee:

Depuy Mitek - Raynham MA

International Classification:

A61F 2/08

US Classification:

606916, 606304, 606305, 606317

Abstract:

A screw, driving device, and method are provided for repairing a tissue injury of a patient, such as a meniscal tear in a knee or osteochondritis dissecans. The screw has a root, a distal section having a narrowing cross section toward the distal end, and a thread along at least a portion of the root between the proximal end and the distal end. Along a leading section extending from the distal end, the helical pitch is substantially constant; along a trailing section between the leading section and the root's proximal end, the helical pitch decreases. The substantially constant pitch along the leading section assists in preventing a stripping of the helical section. At the proximal end is a head having a diameter greater than a major root diameter of the central section. The head is for improving the tissue retention characteristics of the screw.

US Patent:

61237116, Sep 26, 2000

Filed:

Jun 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/329563

Inventors:

Thomas F. Winters - Winter Park FL

International Classification:

A61B 1756
A61B 1758
A61F 230

US Classification:

606 73

Abstract:

A system for fixing soft tissue within a bone tunnel includes a first fixation member that is adapted for insertion upon a piece of soft tissue positioned within a bone tunnel, with a portion of the soft tissue emerging therefrom. A second fixation member is adapted to engage the first fixation member at its proximal end and is restrainable against disengagement therewith. The proximal end has an element for engaging the soft tissue. In a particular embodiment the first fixation member includes a screw having a bore extending from the proximal end and the second fixation member has a distal post portion adapted for mating with the bore and driving the screw rotationally thereby. The second fixation member may include a tack member and a barbed washer that is rotatable about the post and retainable by a head portion on the tack member. The barbs on the washer are for engaging and restraining a movement of the soft tissue outside the bone tunnel. Alternatively, the second fixation member may include a tack-type element that has a barbed head.

US Patent:

59805242, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

Jun 2, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/867071

Inventors:

Daniel F. Justin - Logan UT
Thomas F. Winters - Winter Park FL

Assignee:

Innovasive Devices, Inc. - Marlborough MA

International Classification:

A61B 1756

US Classification:

606 75

Abstract:

A fastener for use in soft tissue repair includes a resorbable polymer or suture core having one or more collagen bands in surrounding relation to the core. The bands are expandable between a dehydrated state for insertion and a hydrated state for healing, and are dimensioned and positioned to bring two sides of a tear into apposition to promote healing of the tear. The fastener insertion method includes driving an elongated tube across the tear, inserting a fastener down the tube until it breaches the tears and removing the tube, leaving the fastener in position to expand and promote healing of the tear.