Patents by Inventor Lester E. Schaible

Lester E. Schaible 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).

  • Process for treating metal alloy surgical needles to improve bending stiffness
    Patent number: 7937981
    Abstract: A method of mechanically treating alloy metal surgical needles to improve bending strength is disclosed. The needles are curved and reverse-curved in this method to improve bending strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene D. Reynolds, Robert Maurer, Michael Nordmeyer, Frank R. Cichocki, Lester E. Schaible, Daniel J. Smith
  • PROCESS FOR TREATING METAL ALLOY SURGICAL NEEDLES TO IMPROVE BENDING STIFFNESS
    Publication number: 20090157117
    Abstract: A method of mechanically treating alloy metal surgical needles to improve bending strength is disclosed. The needles are curved and reverse-curved in this method to improve bending strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Eugene D. Reynolds, Robert Maurer, Michael Nordmeyer, Frank R. Cichocki, Lester E. Schaible, Daniel J. Smith
  • Spiral needle for endoscopic surgery
    Patent number: 5935138
    Abstract: A needle for endoscopic surgery is curved into an arc of more than 180.degree. and twisted, so that it forms a part of a spiral, with a lateral offset between the needle point and barrel. The needle is sized to fit through a 10 mm trocar and is also blackened, to improve its visibility in a bloody field. The needle curvature is preferably not constant over its entire length, so that different sections have different radii of curvature. The needle is particularly well adapted for performing laporascopically a procedure (Burch Colposuspension) that is used to treat female stress incontinence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. McJames, II, Donald G. Miller, Thomas Nering, Robert Nering, Joseph Rollero, Lester E. Schaible
  • I-beam needle having true I-beam cross-section
    Patent number: 5269806
    Abstract: A surgical needle having an I-beam configuration is disclosed. The surgical needle comprises an elongated member having an I-beam cross section wherein two opposed flange members are connected by a web member. The elongated member has a piercing point extending from its distal end. A cylindrical mounting section extends from the proximal end of the needle for receiving an end of a suture. The needle has increased resistance to bending and buckling when compared to conventional needles and does not have an increase in resistance or drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Sardelis, Paul J. Parisi, Lester E. Schaible, Lawrence P. Trozzo, Matthew L. Wolczynski