Patents by Inventor Eric Hinrichs
Eric Hinrichs 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).
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Patent number: 11717284Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Patent number: 10939907Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Publication number: 20210007735Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Publication number: 20180235606Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Patent number: 10004494Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Ethicon, LLCInventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Publication number: 20160157859Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Patent number: 9332982Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing improved medical devices. In some embodiments, the improved medical devices can include improved surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the improved surgical needles can be manufactured with two or more different coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Improved methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Ethicon, LLCInventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Patent number: 9266145Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing improved medical devices. In some embodiments, the improved medical devices can include improved surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the improved surgical needles can be manufactured with two or more different coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Improved methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Ethicon, LLCInventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Patent number: 9259219Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ethicon, LLCInventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Patent number: 9221075Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing improved medical devices. In some embodiments, the improved medical devices can include improved surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the improved surgical needles can be manufactured with two or more different coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Improved methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Patent number: 9034415Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing improved medical devices. In some embodiments, the improved medical devices can include improved surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the improved surgical needles can be manufactured with two or more different coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Improved methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Patent number: 8581143Abstract: A novel method of characterizing laser drilled boreholes is disclosed. The method uses x-ray microscopy for dimensional characterization. The x-ray output may be processed to control manufacturing equipment in automated production systems, including laser drilling systems and swaging apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hinrichs, Robert E. Maurer
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Patent number: 8389892Abstract: A novel method of characterizing laser drilled boreholes is disclosed. The method uses x-ray microscopy for dimensional characterization. The x-ray output may be processed to control manufacturing equipment in automated production systems, including laser drilling systems and swaging apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hinrichs, Robert E. Maurer
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Publication number: 20110112565Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: ETHICON, INC.Inventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Publication number: 20110112566Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing improved medical devices. In some embodiments, the improved medical devices can include improved surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the improved surgical needles can be manufactured with two or more different coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Improved methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: ETHICON, INC.Inventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Publication number: 20110111116Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing improved medical devices. In some embodiments, the improved medical devices can include improved surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the improved surgical needles can be manufactured with two or more different coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Improved methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: ETHICON, INC.Inventors: Robert Maurer, S. Neil Bar, Eric Hinrichs, Michael Hamilton, Thomas Wilkes
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Publication number: 20100294747Abstract: A novel method of characterizing laser drilled boreholes is disclosed. The method uses x-ray microscopy for dimensional characterization. The x-ray output may be processed to control manufacturing equipment in automated production systems, including laser drilling systems and swaging apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Eric Hinrichs, Robert E. Maurer
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Patent number: 6506197Abstract: A surgical suture loop combination and a method of using the combination. The combination has a suture and a surgical needle. The ends of the suture are mounted to the surgical needle to form a suture loop. A pledget member is mounted to the suture loop. A replacement heart valve is mounted to a cardiac valve annulus using the suture loop combinations and surgical procedures of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Joseph W. Rollero, William McJames, Eric Hinrichs, Jerry Stametz
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Patent number: 5913875Abstract: A taper point surgical suture needle. The suture needle is an elongated member having a proximal suture mounting end and a distal piercing point. The elongated member has a first tapered region adjacent to the piercing point having a taper ratio of about 12:1. The member also has a second tapered region adjacent to the first tapered region having a taper ration of from about 6:1 to about 11:1. And, the member additionally has a third region adjacent to the second tapered region having a taper ratio of at least about 12:1.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1996Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Smith, Surjit S. Gill, Eric Hinrichs, Thomas Nering