Patents by Inventor George R. Proto

George R. Proto 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).

  • Patent number: 5131131
    Abstract: A pair of dies is disclosed for attaching a surgical needle having a generally cylindrical end portion defining an elongated aperture having a generally circular cross-section and a suture having a generally elongated end portion of generally circular cross-section corresponding in dimension to the elongated aperture of the first needle. Each die has a pair of extensions spaced apart from each other and defines a generally circular crimping surface portion corresponding in dimension and configuration to the generally cylindrical outer surface portion of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Proto, Francis D. Colligan
  • Patent number: 5099676
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for attaching a surgical needle having a generally cylindrical end portion defining an elongated aperture having a generally circular cross-section and a suture having a generally alongated end portion of generally circular cross-section corresponding in dimension to the elongated aperture of the needle. The apparatus includes a pair of dies, each having a generally arcuate surface portion having irregularities including concave portions such that when the cylindrical end portion of the suture is positioned within the aperture of the needle and the dies are positioned about the generally cylindrical end portion of the needle with the surface portions facing the outer surface thereof, the application of inward force to the dies causes the dies to impact the needle and produces inward crimping of the needle so as to attach the needle to the suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Proto, Francis D. Colligan
  • Patent number: 5046350
    Abstract: A pair of dies is disclosed for attaching a surgical needle having a generally cylindrical end portion defining an elongated aperture having a generally circular cross-section and a suture having a generally elongated end portion of generally circular cross-section corresponding in dimension to the elongated aperture of the first needle. Each die has a pair of extensions spaced apart from each other and defines a generally circular crimping surface portion corresponding in dimension and configuration to the generally cylindrical outer surface portion of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Proto, Francis D. Colligan
  • Patent number: 4932963
    Abstract: A combined surgical needle-suture device is disclosed in which the suture is received into a socket, or recess, formed within the blunt end of the needle, the entrance to the socket being defined by a circumferential sloping surface which terminates at its outer end in a circumferential cutting edge which provides quick and convenient suture cut-off capability when severing of the suture from the needle is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Ritter, George R. Proto, Edward C. White