Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Emil Richard Skula
  • Patent number: 8011499
    Abstract: A novel suture tray package is disclosed. The package has a floor member and a plurality of curvilinear walls extending up from the top of the floor member and forming suture tracks. The walls extend in a spiral manner from the central section of the floor member to the periphery. Extending radially outwardly about the periphery are platform sections in communication with the tracks and optionally containing needle park members and pledget park members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Meredith McHugh Karow, Robert Cerwin, John P. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7937981
    Abstract: A method of mechanically treating alloy metal surgical needles to improve bending strength is disclosed. The needles are curved and reverse-curved in this method to improve bending strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene D. Reynolds, Robert Maurer, Michael Nordmeyer, Frank R. Cichocki, Lester E. Schaible, Daniel J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7927414
    Abstract: An acellular matrix glue and a method of making is disclosed. Specifically, an acellular matrix glue that is useful in preparing a reinforced acellular matrix for medical applications including tissue engineering and hernia repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunlin Yang, Thomas Matalenas, Raymond S. Shissias, Kerstin Spychaj
  • Patent number: 7905893
    Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a plurality of individual surgical fasteners. The delivery device includes a drive mechanism having distal and proximal ends. The drive mechanism has a moving member and a fixed opposing member, wherein the moving member is moveable proximally and distally with respect to the delivery device. The moving member has a sharpened distal end for piercing tissue. The device includes at least one surgical fastener located between the first and the second members. Each of the at least one surgical fasteners has a proximal end and a distal end. The device also has an actuator having at least two sequential positions. A first position for moving the moving member distally and piercing tissue, and a second position for moving the moving member proximally, thereby deploying the distal end of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse J. Kuhns, Robert L. Koch, Bennie Thompson, Rick P. Fuchs, David K. Norvelle
  • Patent number: 7868127
    Abstract: A semi-crystalline, absorbable copolyester composition comprising the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and at least one lactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and diethylene glycol; and the copolyester comprises about 30 to 60% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the copolyester. Also medical devices such as absorbable sutures comprising such copolyesters and absorbable microspheres comprising such copolyesters and methods of making of such absorbable microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Sasa Andjelic, Modesto Erneta, Michel Gensini
  • Patent number: 7837455
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a plurality of different types of suture packages employ a mold with first and second opposing mold parts partially defining a mold cavity, at least one of the opposing mold parts has an opening therein communicating with the mold cavity. An insert is removeably inserted into the opening, to complete the mold cavity in a form suitable for molding a first type of suture package. An alternative insert is interchangeable with the first insert for completing the mold cavity in a form suitable for molding a second type of suture package. To make different suture packages, the mold is initially configured and used with one of the inserts to thereby make one type of suture package. The first insert is then replaced with the second, changing the mold cavity to form another type of suture package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Cerwin, Clifford A. Dey
  • Patent number: 7828854
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material is disclosed. The first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Rousseau, David C. Lindh, Sr., John R. Jacobs, Ilya S. Koyfman, Gaoyuan Gavin Chen, Donald G. Hill
  • Patent number: 7674408
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biomedical, biocompatible, polymeric foam scaffold suitable for use in the repair and regeneration of tissue and which contains located therein a network of, branched channels that are effective to encourage and facilitate vascularization and tissue growth within the scaffold and to methods for making such biomedical scaffolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly R. Brown, Mora C. Melican, Iksoo Chun
  • Patent number: 7641836
    Abstract: A device for use in tissue repair procedures, a surgical tissue repair procedure, and a method of making the device. Specifically, the device is an assembly of a cannulated anchor member with a cord passed through it, and a stopper mounted to an end of the cord to prevent the cord from passing back through the anchor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhigang Li, Kevin Cooper, Yufu Li, Raymond S. Shissias, Qiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 7622068
    Abstract: A device for use in tissue repair, a method of using the device in a surgical procedure and a method of making the device. The device is an assembly of a anchor with a cord passed through it, and a stopper to prevent the cord from passing back through the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhigang Li, Kevin Cooper, Raymond S. Shissias, Qiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 7615065
    Abstract: An areal implant has a long-term-stable, mesh-like basic structure which has pores of a size in the range from 1.5 mm to 8 mm and is provided, at least in a part area, on both sides with a synthetic, resorbable polymer film. The two polymer films are glued or welded together in pores of the basic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ethicon Inc.
    Inventors: Jörg Priewe, Birgit Hartkop, Barbara Schuldt-Hempe, Christoph Walther, Jörg Holste
  • Patent number: 7326426
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to medical devices and pharmaceutical compositions containing a synthetic, bioabsorbable, biocompatible liquid polymer that is the reaction product of a polybasic acid or derivative thereof, a polyol and a fatty acid, the liquid polymer having a melting point less than about 40° C., as determined by differential scanning calorimetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aruna Nathan, Joel Rosenblatt, Steven C. Arnold
  • Patent number: 7299605
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a foil package from foil laminate sheet stock. The foil laminate has a top foil sheet and a bottom polymeric sheet laminated to the foil sheet. A cavity is molded into the bottom foil sheet, wherein the cavity has a bottom, a depth and a periphery, such that all of the periphery is substantially arcuate at any horizontal cross-section along the depth of the cavity. The top planar sheet is heat sealed to the bottom molded sheet. The molding process substantially reduces or eliminates curling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Trezza, II, David A. Szabo
  • Patent number: 7232448
    Abstract: A stitching device useful for implanting suture in tissue, for example, cartilaginous tissue. The device has a frame and an elongated tubular member mounted thereto. A suture capture needle having a suture capture opening extends from a distal end of the tube. A needle cannula having a lumen is slidably mounted in a passage of the tubular member. Actuation of a trigger member pivotally mounted to the frame moves a distal end of the cannula needle and a section of suture contained in a lumen in the cannula needle through the suture capture opening causing the suture section to be retained in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc. - USA
    Inventors: Christopher Austin Battles, David Selvitelli
  • Patent number: 7217279
    Abstract: A suture anchor is provided having a body with at least one suture-receiving channel that extends distally from a proximal end of the body. The suture-receiving channel can include a cavity formed in a distal-most end of the body, or it can terminate at a transversely-extending bore formed through the body. The suture anchor can also include a suture loop that is positioned within the suture-receiving channel and cavity or bore, and that includes a proximal portion that extends proximal of the proximal end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl S. Reese
  • Patent number: 7214232
    Abstract: A graft fixation device combination. The device is useful for affixing a tissue graft to a bone or other body surface. The fixation device has two implantation members connected by a graft retention member. The retention member optionally has at least one lateral wing member extending therefrom. The implantation members have longitudinal passageways therethrough. The graft fixation device also has an insertion member extending from the distal end of each implantation member, the insertion member having a longitudinal passage having a distal blind wall. The passages of the implantation members and the insertion members are in communication with each other, and may be mounted onto insertion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Bowman, Daniel F. Justin, Kevor Shane TenHuisen, Victor F. Janas, Nathan S. Cauldwell
  • Patent number: 7169187
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to stents that are formed into a helical structure having a plurality of coils, a longitudinal axis, an internal longitudinal passage, a distal section and a proximal section having different diameters; where the structure is made from a fiber having a cross-section and including an inner core having an exterior surface made from a biodegradable polymer having a first degradation rate and an outer section made from a blend of a first biodegradable polymer component and a second biodegradable polymer component covering the exterior surface of the inner core and having a second degradation rate; where the second degradation rate is lower than the first degradation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Arindam Datta, Shawn Thayer Huxel, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Yufu Li, Kevor S. TenHuisen
  • Patent number: 7166134
    Abstract: A biodegradable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent in one embodiment is made from a biodegradable fiber having an inner core and an outer layer. The outer layer is a blend of two polymer components. The inner core has a first degradation rate, and the outer layer has a second degradation rate. The second degradation rate is slower than the first degradation rate. The fiber softens in vivo such that the stent is readily passed from the lumen as a softened fragment or filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Arindam Datta, Shawn Thayer Huxel, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Yufu Li
  • Patent number: 7166116
    Abstract: A needle passer instrument for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures, including arthroscopy. The instrument has upper and lower jaws for engaging tissue and a handle. A removable needle engaging cartridge is mounted to the upper jaw. A surgical needle with attached suture is mounted in a needle passage in the lower jaw. A needle actuation rod engages the surgical needle and pushes the needle through tissue contained between the jaws. The needle is engaged by the cartridge, and the needle may be cut away from the suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose E. Lizardi, Daniel A. Perkins
  • Patent number: D641466
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara L. Merboth, Raymond Parker, Mehmet Reyhan