Stephen L Howell

US Patent:

6482232, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Jul 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/616544

Inventors:

James A. Boucher - Warsaw IN
Stephen M. Howell - Elk Grove CA
James Marcinek - Warsaw IN
Troy Walters - Plymouth IN

Assignee:

Biomet, Inc. - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61F 208

US Classification:

623 1314, 606 73

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

US Patent:

6755840, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Jun 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/167074

Inventors:

James A. Boucher - Warsaw IN
Stephen M. Howell - Elk Grove CA
James Marcinek - Warsaw IN
Troy M. Walters - Plymouth IN

Assignee:

Arthrotek, Inc. - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61B 1717

US Classification:

606 96, 606104, 606 86, 606 87, 606 88

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

US Patent:

7211111, May 1, 2007

Filed:

Jun 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/874915

Inventors:

James A Boucher - Warsaw IN, US
Stephen M Howell - Elk Grove CA, US

Assignee:

Biomet Sports Medicine, Inc. - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61F 2/02
A61F 2/30
A61F 2/08
A61B 17/58

US Classification:

623 1111, 623 1314, 606 72, 606 99

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.

US Patent:

7695503, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Jun 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/864905

Inventors:

Ryan A. Kaiser - Leesburg IN, US
Kevin T. Stone - Winona Lake IN, US
Stephen M. Howell - Elk Grove CA, US

Assignee:

Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606300

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore.

US Patent:

7776077, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Mar 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/047048

Inventors:

Ryan A. Kaiser - Leesburg IN, US
Kevin T. Stone - Winona Lake IN, US
Stephen M. Howell - Elk Grove CA, US

Assignee:

Biomet Sports Medicince, LLC - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606300

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore.

US Patent:

8221498, Jul 17, 2012

Filed:

Apr 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/742009

Inventors:

James Boucher - Warsaw IN, US
Stephen M. Howell - Elk Grove CA, US
James Marcinek - Warsaw IN, US

Assignee:

Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61F 2/08

US Classification:

623 1314

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.

US Patent:

8308780, Nov 13, 2012

Filed:

Aug 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/858185

Inventors:

Ryan A. Kaiser - Leesburg IN, US
Kevin T. Stone - Winona Lake IN, US
Stephen M. Howell - Elk Grove CA, US

Assignee:

Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61B 17/84

US Classification:

606300, 606232

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore.

US Patent:

8647385, Feb 11, 2014

Filed:

Jul 16, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/549912

Inventors:

James Boucher - Warsaw IN, US
Stephen M. Howell - Elk Grove CA, US
James Marcinek - Warsaw IN, US

Assignee:

Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

A61F 2/08

US Classification:

623 1314, 606321

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.