Patents by Inventor James M. Dick

James M. Dick 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: 10022120
    Abstract: A surgical needle is adapted for use with a circular needle applier having a needle driver. The surgical needle comprises an elongate body curved along a circular arc in a plane. The elongate body has a leading end, a trailing end, a longitudinal axis between the leading and trailing ends, a cross-sectional circumference, an upper face, a lower face, a medial face, and a lateral face. A pair of recessed features on the body are adapted to be engaged by a needle driver. A pair of protuberances are adjacent each recessed feature. The protuberances are longitudinally coincident with the respective recessed feature and circumferentially offset from the respective recessed feature. The protuberances project outwardly from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ETHICON LLC
    Inventors: David T. Martin, Frank R. Cichocki, Jr., Thomas Nering, James M. Dick
  • Publication number: 20160345958
    Abstract: A surgical needle is adapted for use with a circular needle applier having a needle driver. The surgical needle comprises an elongate body curved along a circular arc in a plane. The elongate body has a leading end, a trailing end, a longitudinal axis between the leading and trailing ends, a cross-sectional circumference, an upper face, a lower face, a medial face, and a lateral face. A pair of recessed features on the body are adapted to be engaged by a needle driver. A pair of protuberances are adjacent each recessed feature. The protuberances are longitudinally coincident with the respective recessed feature and circumferentially offset from the respective recessed feature. The protuberances project outwardly from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: David T. Martin, Frank R. Cichocki, JR., Thomas Nering, James M. Dick
  • Publication number: 20160346827
    Abstract: A method is used for fabricating a surgical needle for use in with a circular needle applier having a needle driver. A wire body is straightened and cut to an initial length, the wire body having a first end and a second end. A point is ground on the first end of the wire body. The wire body is plastically deformed to form two recessed features adapted to be engaged by a needle driver. The wire body is cut to a final length with a trailing end. A hole is drilled in the trailing end to create a barrel. The wire body is bent along a circular arc while keeping straight a trailing portion with the barrel. A length of suture is attached in the barrel. The trailing portion is bent along the circular arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: David T. Martin, Frank R. Cichocki, JR., Thomas Nering, James M. Dick