Patents by Inventor Bruno Bufalini

Bruno Bufalini has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Tube knot applicator
    Patent number: 5769862
    Abstract: A tube knot applicator for use in endosurgical procedures. The tube knot applicator has an elongated tube member having a distal end and a proximal end, as well as an axial passage therethrough. The tube member has slits for partially collapsing the distal end of the tube as well as a removable plug mounted in the distal end of the tube to prevent the distal end of the tube from collapsing by supporting the distal slitted end. A suture having at least one slip knot and at least one locking knot is mounted in the tube knot applicator with the knot tied about the collapsing distal end of the tube. A sleeve is mounted to the distal end of the tube knot applicator over the suture knot and the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene W. Kammerer, Bruno Bufalini, Royce Frederick, Chao Chen
  • Expanding trocar assembly
    Patent number: 5707359
    Abstract: An expandable trocar assembly including a trocar hilt secured to an inner sheath, wherein the inner sheath has an expandable distal end. The assembly further includes an outer sheath slidable positioned on the inner sheath, the outer sheath being movable to selectively cover and restrain the expandable distal end of the inner sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Bruno Bufalini
  • Method of tying knots using a tube knot applicator
    Patent number: 5454820
    Abstract: A tube knot applicator for use in endosurgical procedures. The tube knot applicator has an elongated tube member having a distal end and a proximal end, as well as an axial passage therethrough. The tube member has slits for partially collapsing the distal end of the tube as well as a removable plug mounted in the distal end of the tube to prevent the distal end of the tube from collapsing by supporting distal slitted end. A suture having at least one slip knot and at least one locking knot is mounted in the tube knot applicator with the knot tied about the collapsing means. A sleeve is mounted to the distal end of tube knot applicator over the suture knot and the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene W. Kammerer, Bruno Bufalini, Royce Frederick, Chao Chen