Patents by Inventor Gerald F. Cummings

Gerald F. Cummings 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: 9044225
    Abstract: A self-retaining suture comprises a composite filament. The filament has retainers on the surface such that the filament can engage and retain tissue without knots. The filament comprises at least two materials having different properties. A surface material of the filament has properties which enhance the formation, elevation and/or deployment of the retainers. A core material of the filament has properties which enhance the tensile strength of the filament. The surgical filament is thin and flexible and may be used for suturing. Methods for manufacturing the filament and retainers are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Alexander Naimagon, Gerald F. Cummings, Lev Drubetsky, Robert A. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8916077
    Abstract: Provided herein are sutures to be used in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. A suture can include an elongated suture body having a periphery, and a plurality of retainers formed from molten material applied to portions of the periphery. The retainers can extend from and be arranged along at least a segment of the elongated suture body. The retainers can be formed by applying molten material to portions of the periphery of the elongated suture body and cooling the material to form the retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Lev Drubetsky, Gerald F. Cummings, Robert A. Herrmann, Alexander Naimagon
  • Patent number: 8876865
    Abstract: Provided herein are sutures for use in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. Some sutures include bi-directional retainers, each of which can be deployed in two directions, but once deployed in one direction, resist motion in the opposite direction. Other sutures include uni-directional retainers that are conical in shape, and include tissue engaging protrusions that extend from edges and/or angled walls of the conical retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Lev Drubetsky, Gerald F. Cummings, Robert A. Herrmann, Alexander Naimagon
  • Patent number: 8771313
    Abstract: Provided herein are sutures to be used in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. A suture can include an elongated suture body and a plurality of heat-contact mediated retainers extending from and along the elongated suture body. The heat-contact mediated retainers can be formed by temporarily contacting the elongated suture body with one or more heated element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Lev Drubetsky, Gerald F. Cummings, Robert A. Herrmann, Alexander Naimagon
  • Patent number: 8641732
    Abstract: A self-retaining suture comprises a variable-dimension filament which varies in size and/or shape along the length of the filament. The variation in size and/or shape results in a variation in the distribution of filament material from one region of the filament to the next. The filament has retainers formed in the surface such that the filament can engage and retain tissue. The retainers are formed in a manner that makes use of regions of the filament where additional material is distributed. The resulting self-retaining suture has a greater minimum cross-section than would be created using an equivalent uniform filament. The resulting self-retaining suture consequently has a greater tensile strength. Methods for manufacturing the filament and retainers are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Alexander Naimagon, Gerald F. Cummings, Lev Drubetsky, Robert A. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8460338
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a manufacturing process produces and an. Article produced has a self-retaining suture wherein a force is used to squeeze the suture causing retainers to form out of material from the suture body. In an embodiment of the invention, fins are formed between the retainers and the suture body, wherein said fins support the retainers. In another embodiment, retainer stops are provided in order to prevent the retainer from settling back in the body of the suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Lev Drubetsky, Gerald F. Cummings, Robert A. Herrmann, Alexander Naimagon
  • Publication number: 20120248648
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a manufacturing process produces and an. Article produced has a self-retaining suture wherein a force is used to squeeze the suture causing retainers to form out of material from the suture body. In an embodiment of the invention, fins are formed between the retainers and the suture body, wherein said fins support the retainers. In another embodiment, retainer stops are provided in order to prevent the retainer from settling back in the body of the suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Lev Drubetsky, Gerald F. Cummings, Robert A. Herrmann, Alexander Naimagon
  • Patent number: 8216273
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a manufacturing process produces and an. Article produced has a self-retaining suture wherein a force is used to squeeze the suture causing retainers to form out of material from the suture body. In an embodiment of the invention, fins are formed between the retainers and the suture body, wherein said fins support the retainers. In another embodiment, retainer stops are provided in order to prevent the retainer from settling back in the body of the suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Lev Drubetsky, Gerald F. Cummings, Robert A. Herrmann, Alexander Naimagon
  • Patent number: 8118834
    Abstract: A self-retaining suture comprises a composite filament. The filament has retainers on the surface such that the filament can engage and retain tissue without knots. The filament comprises at least two materials having different properties. A surface material of the filament has properties which enhance the formation, elevation and/or deployment of the retainers. A core material of the filament has properties which enhance the tensile strength of the filament. The surgical filament is thin and flexible and may be used for suturing. Methods for manufacturing the filament and retainers are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Alexander Naimagon, Gerald F. Cummings, Lev Drubetsky, Robert A. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20110288583
    Abstract: Provided herein are sutures for use in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. Some sutures include bi-directional retainers, each of which can be deployed in two directions, but once deployed in one direction, resist motion in the opposite direction. Other sutures include uni-directional retainers that are conical in shape, and include tissue engaging protrusions that extend from edges and/or angled walls of the conical retainers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Lev Drubetsky, Gerald F. Cummings, Robert A. Herrmann, Alexander Naimagon
  • Publication number: 20110046668
    Abstract: Provided herein are sutures to be used in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. A suture can include an elongated suture body and a plurality of heat-contact mediated retainers extending from and along the elongated suture body. The heat-contact mediated retainers can be formed by temporarily contacting the elongated suture body with one or more heated element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Lev Drubetsky, Gerald F. Cummings, Robert A. Herrmann, Alexander Naimagon
  • Patent number: 5594705
    Abstract: A transformer for transmitting energy across a medium, comprised of a primary transducer juxtaposed to the first side of the medium, a secondary transducer juxtaposed to the medium on a second side opposite to the first side and a generator coupled to the primary transducer for applying a driving signal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Dynamotive Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Denis J. Connor, Gerald F. Cummings, Michael J. Star
  • Patent number: 5502291
    Abstract: A stud welder which includes a welding head having a stud receiving and retaining mechanism for holding an end of a stud towards a workpiece, a linear actuator having a fixed permanent magnet, a movable coil coupled to an acutator shaft and the actuator shaft coupled to the welding head and a controller coupled to the actuator coil and to the welding head and operative to move the actuator coil and welding head from a retracted to an extended position and back again and to cause welding current to flow into the welding head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald F. Cummings