Patents by Inventor John E. Michael

John E. Michael 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: 9782167
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading suture needles into a surgical instrument comprises a body, a drive member, a needle, and a button. The body has a channel configured to receive a surgical instrument. The drive member is configured to open a cover of a surgical instrument upon insertion of a surgical instrument into a channel of the body. The button is configured to deliver the suture needle to a surgical instrument after a surgical instrument has been inserted into the channel and the cover has been opened. The apparatus may further comprise a plate member configured to either prevent downward movement of the button before insertion of a surgical instrument, or participate in the delivery of the needle to a surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Natalie R. Carne, John E. Michael, Benjamin D. Dickerson, David T. Martin
  • Patent number: 4459917
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for appropriately deforming the tube extensions projecting beyond the tube sheet is disclosed. The excess extension material is rolled backwardly toward the tube sheet and slit to prevent catastrophic failure of the extension such that the tube extensions are all configured to extend equidistantly from the tube sheet notwithstanding the fact that they extended various distances depending upon the irregularities of the expansion process. The tooling includes a cylindrical tool having portions for rolling material back towards the tube sheet and spaced teeth for slitting the material to relieve any potential for catastrophic failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Michael, Larry D. Flatt
  • Patent number: 4007711
    Abstract: An anti-pest variable height pet dish having a central food bowl with a pet-operable lid and an annular moat-type water trough removably or fixedly mounted around the central bowl, the moat and bowl being elevatable by means of telescopic legs or a tapered sectional pedestal having removable sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Inventor: John E. Michael