Patents by Inventor Francis DiFrancesco

Francis DiFrancesco 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).

  • Publication number: 20060069396
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the elongated barrel; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated barrel, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the elongated barrel to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: John Meade, Jerry Griffiths, Francis DiFrancesco