Patents by Inventor Mark A. Follman

Mark A. Follman 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).

  • Publication number: 20230083808
    Abstract: Disclosed is a suturing needle having a thread attachment portion and a ramp portion comprising a tapered portion extending from a proximal end of the needle to cover at least a portion of a suture thread swaged in the thread attachment portion. The tapered portion of the ramp portion provides a smooth transition from a diameter of the suture thread to a diameter of the needle body. The tapered transition portion allows for engaging the suture needle on rollers of a rotational needle driver in one smooth motion. The suturing needle includes a hollow flexible extension component having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end connected to the proximal end of the thread attachment component, and the proximal end attached to the distal end of the tapered extension ramp portion. The suturing needle can include a combination of flexible and non-flexible sections and/or a combination of straight and curved sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Luis Jose Almodovar, Mark A. Follman
  • Publication number: 20230052272
    Abstract: Disclosed is a suturing needle having a flexible portion extending from a proximal end of the needle to provide flexure of the needle. Various designs for the flexible portion of the suturing needle are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Luis Jose Almodovar, Mark A. Follman
  • Publication number: 20220378416
    Abstract: Disclosed is a suturing needle having a thread attachment portion and a ramp portion comprising a tapered portion extending from a proximal end of the needle to cover at least a portion of a suture thread swaged in the thread attachment portion. The tapered portion of the ramp portion provides a smooth transition from a diameter of the suture thread to a diameter of the needle body. The tapered transition portion allows for engaging the suture needle on rollers of a rotational needle driver in one smooth motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Luis Jose Almodovar, Mark A. Follman
  • Patent number: 9486581
    Abstract: An injectable substance delivery device comprising a pen device body, a cartridge, a plunger, a drive mechanism, and at least one of a lock-out mechanism and a rate-limiting mechanism. The lock-out mechanism is provided through a ratchet engagement between the body and the plunger to restrict plunger movement and to ensure that the required needle puncture depth is realized prior to injection by locking out the injection mechanism from advancing until a specified force is applied to the skin. A rate-limiting mechanism is also provided through a user compressed plunger drive spring to ensure that a specific rate of injection is realized during the injection of a medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: John Lovell, Robert E. West, Todd M. Chelak, William Easterbrook, Mark A. Follman, Edward P. Browka
  • Patent number: 7462169
    Abstract: A safety shield system for a pen needle according to the invention has a first passive safety shield for the injection end of a needle, covering the needle before and after use, and a second passive safety shield for the non-injection end of the needle, covering the non-injection end of the needle before and after use, and locking in the covering position when the pen injector is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Follman, David R. Stonehouse, Michael J. Newman
  • Publication number: 20080177238
    Abstract: A safety shield system for a pen needle according to the invention has a first passive safety shield for the injection end of a needle, covering the needle before and after use, and a second passive safety shield for the non-injection end of the needle, covering the non-injection end of the needle before and after use, and locking in the covering position when the pen injector is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark A. Follman, David R. Stonehouse, Michael J. Newman