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:

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:

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:

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.