Peter R Miller

US Patent:

40374386, Jul 26, 1977

Filed:

Sep 8, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/611076

Inventors:

Peter B. Miller - Fort Lauderdale FL

Assignee:

Milschar Manufacturing & Development - Fort Lauderdale FL

International Classification:

E05B 7300

US Classification:

70 18

Abstract:

A locking device including a securing member and a latching apparatus that is removably connectable to said securing member. The securing member includes an intermediate or bar means, a fixed positioning member or end portion at one end, and a connecting means adjacent the opposite end that may include a threaded portion and a non-circular surface portion. The latching apparatus includes mating connecting means for removably connecting the latching apparatus to the connecting means. The latching apparatus includes a locking mechanism for fixing at least one of the mating portions of the mating connecting means to at least one of the portions of the connecting means on the securing member. The improved securing member and latching apparatus are longitudinally and tortionally fixed together.

US Patent:

59447397, Aug 31, 1999

Filed:

Mar 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/041219

Inventors:

Stephen W. Zlock - Hawthorne NY
Dennis M. Stefura - Trumbull CT
Peter C. Miller - Bethel CT
Christine M. Tompkins - Washington DC

Assignee:

Surgical Dynamics, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1704

US Classification:

606232

Abstract:

A suture anchor installation system includes a body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, an elongated shaft extending distally from the distal end of the body portion, the shaft having a distal end with an annular region disposed at the distal end of the shaft. A suture anchor is attachable within the annular region and comprising a setting portion and an engagement portion, the suture anchor having at least one suture associated therewith. A suture retaining member is positioned on the body portion, the suture retaining member including tabs to grip the at least one suture extending from the suture anchor to maintain the setting portion within the engagement portion. A loading unit for use with a suturing apparatus is mountable on the body portion including a mounting member positioned on the body portion and configured to releasably hold at least one suture needle, the at least one suture needle being associated with the at least one suture extending from the suture anchor. The loading unit further includes a receiving structure formed in the body portion for receiving a distal end portion of the suturing apparatus in operative alignment with mounting member to facilitate mounting of the at least one surgical needle in the suturing apparatus. A method for applying a suture anchor comprises the steps of providing a suture anchor installation system, implanting the suture anchor into a bone, securing the suture anchor within the bone, mounting the suture apparatus into the receiving structure of the loading unit, loading the at least one suture needle into the suturing apparatus, and suturing the suture anchor to soft tissue with the at least one suture needle.