Patents by Inventor Marvin Alpern

Marvin Alpern 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: 5350060
    Abstract: A package for a procedure kit that defines a suture winding channel and a surgical needle and suture procedure kit. The package may contain a variety of sizes and types and lengths of sutures and needles including at least one double-armed suture. The package has a base having a central area. An inner wall extends up from the base about the periphery of the central area. An outer wall also extends from the base. The outer wall and the inner wall form the channel. At least one spacer or separator member is located in the channel for separating the channel into at least two coplanar sections. A needle park means extends from the central area for receiving and holding surgical needles. The package and kit may be overwrapped with foil or paper and inserted into a conventional thermal plastic blister pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin
  • Patent number: 5325987
    Abstract: A sterile package for endoscopic devices. The package includes a foam member that holds the endoscopic device in a stable position within the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin, Michael O'Toole, Teresa M. Simons, Deborah M. Transue
  • Patent number: 5284293
    Abstract: An improved dispenser box for suture packages. The dispenser is stable and will dispense single or plural packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Robert J. Cerwin, Mario De Martin, Teresa M. Simons, Deborah M. Transue
  • Patent number: 5284240
    Abstract: A suture package for a suture with attached needle The package allows for removal of the needle and attached suture from the package with a forceps without the user having to touch either the needle or the suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin, Joseph Pergine
  • Patent number: 5271495
    Abstract: A package for a suture and surgical needle. The package defines an oval channel for winding the suture. An inner needle park retains the needle. A wheel is rotatably mounted to one end of the package, forming one end of the suture channel. The suture package retains the suture in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Alpern
  • Patent number: 5236083
    Abstract: A one piece needle and suture holder is described in which a rounded channel is formed for retention of the suture. One end of the suture exits the channel toward the interior of the channel and is attached to a needle located in a needle holder in the interior of the channel. The channel is formed with an open side, to which are attached a plurality of hinged doors. After the suture is wound in the open channel, the doors are folded over the open side of the channel and are locked in place to retain the suture within the channel. In an alternative embodiment a paper cover is utilized to complete the enclosing channel. To afford ease of winding the suture the bottom of the channel is perforated for the application of a vacuum to the channel during suture winding. Also disclosed is a needle park for retaining the needle in the center of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Sobel, Stephen George, Anthony Esteves, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele
  • Patent number: 5230424
    Abstract: A suture package is designed to facilitate automated loading of multiple needles and sutures into the package. The package includes a tray, for containing the needles and sutures, and a cover. The sutures are contained in a peripheral channel of the tray and an array of resilient cantilevered fingers prevent the sutures from lifting up out of the channel. Needle parks retain the needles that are attached to the sutures. In another embodiment of the invention, a package for retaining a wound suture and attached needle includes a tray for containing the needle and suture, including cover-latching elements that each have two vertical surfaces. Tabs on the removable cover each contact a surface of a corresponding latching element and have a free element that engages a shoulder of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Jack Cascio, David Demarest, Robert Duncan, Konstantin Ivanov, Joseph Siernos, Martin Sobel
  • Patent number: 5213210
    Abstract: An easy loading suture package contains sutures in a channel near the periphery of the package. Resilient cantilevered fingers extend most of the way across the channel to prevent any part of the suture from coming up out of the channel either during or after loading of the suture into the package. A needle park retains a needle attached to one end of the suture. The package lends itself to fabrication by molding and is adapted for automated loading and convenient, reliable dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Cascio, Konstantin Ivanov, Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin, Joseph Siernos, Martin Sobel
  • Patent number: 5180053
    Abstract: A needle park for a package that holds one or more surgical needles and sutures has a generally planar base. A cantilevered arm, fixed at one end and free at its other end, extends above and parallel to the base. A needle is introduced between the free end of the arm and the base and held between the arm and base. A nib that extends from the free end of the arm toward the base secures the needle. The needle park may be molded as part of a one-piece needle and suture package and is well adapted for automatic loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Cascio, Konstantin Ivanov, Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin, Joseph Siernos
  • Patent number: 5179818
    Abstract: A molded two-piece suture package is disclosed which encloses and defines an oval channel in which sutures may be wound. The oval channel has two semicircular end sections connected by straight side sections. An opening in the channel is provided at the juncture of a straight section and an end section, permitting sutures to be withdrawn from the channel at the end of a straight section. In a preferred embodiment the interior wall of the channel is formed by alternating engaging sections formed in the respective package pieces. To prevent the wrapped suture from becoming entrapped when the two pieces are engaged, the top and bottom of the channel is alternately raised and lowered in alignment with the alternating wall sections, causing the wound suture to bridge those areas where it may become entrapped between the mating package pieces. Entrapment of the suture end at the outside of the channel is prevented by alternately recessing the outer wall of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
  • Patent number: 5165217
    Abstract: A one piece needle and suture holder is described in which a rounded channel is formed for retention of the suture. One end of the suture exits the channel toward the interior of the channel and is attached to a needle located in a needle holder in the interior of the channel. The channel is formed with an open side, to which are attached a plurality of hinged doors. After the suture is wound in the open channel, the doors are folded over the open side of the channel and are locked in place to retain the suture within the channel. In an alternative embodiment a paper cover is utilized to complete the enclosing channel. To afford ease of winding the suture the bottom of the channel is preforated for the application of a vacuum to the channel during suture winding. Also disclosed is a needle park for retaining the needle in the center of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Sobel, Stephen George, Anthony Esteves, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele
  • Patent number: 5131533
    Abstract: A needle park for a package that holds one or more surgical needles and sutures has a generally planar base and two collinear walls that are perpendicular to the base. A cutout near one end of the first wall separates an end section of the wall from the base and separates all but a top segment of the end section from the rest of the wall. The second wall is separated from the end section by a gap. The end section and top segment of the first wall form a hinge that permits a needle to be held in the gap between the walls. In an alternative embodiment, both walls have cutouts and resultant hinges, thus permitting the needle park to hold needles of larger diameter. Preferably, the material of the needle park is a moldable thermoplastic. The needle park is inexpensive to fabricate and permits a needle in a broad range of diameters to be held simply and securely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Alpern
  • Patent number: 5099994
    Abstract: A molded two-piece suture package is disclosed which encloses and defines an oval channel in which sutures may be wound. The oval channel has two semicircular end sections connected by straight side sections. An opening in the channel is provided at the juncture of a straight section and an end section, permitting sutures to be withdrawn from the channel at the end of a straight section. In a preferred embodiment the interior wall of the channel is formed by alternating engaging sections formed in the respective package pieces. To prevent the wrapped suture from becoming entrapped when the two pieces are engaged, the top and bottom of the channel is alternately raised and lowered in alignment with the alternating wall sections, causing the wound suture to bridge those areas where it may become entrapped between the mating package pieces. Entrapment of the suture end at the outside of the channel is prevented by alternately recessing the outer wall of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
  • Patent number: 5056658
    Abstract: A one piece needle and suture holder is described in which a rounded channel is formed for retention of the suture. One end of the suture exits the channel toward the interior of the channel and is attached to a needle located in a needle holder in the interior of the channel. The channel is formed with an open side, to which are attached a plurality of hinged doors. After the suture is wound in the open channel, the doors are folded over the open side of the channel and are locked in place to retain the suture within the channel. In an alternative embodiment a paper cover is utilized to complete the enclosing channel. To afford ease of winding the suture the bottom of the channel is perforated for the application of a vacuum to the channel during suture winding. Also disclosed is a needle park for retaining the needle in the center of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Sobel, Stephen George, Anthony Esteves, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele
  • Patent number: 5052551
    Abstract: An oval wrap suture package that permits sutures to be dispensed with less likelihood of suture binding is provided. In one embodiment, the package has a suture winding channel with semicircular end sections whose radii are unequal. In another embodiment of the invention, the suture package is molded from a polymeric resin mixture that includes at least 4% oleamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Cerwin, Anthony Esteves, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele, Robert J. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 4967902
    Abstract: A one piece needle and suture holder is described in which a rounded channel is formed for retention of the suture. One end of the suture exits the channel toward the interior of the channel and is attached to a needle located in a needle holder in the interior of the channel. The channel is formed with an open side, to which are attached a plurality of hinged doors. After the suture is wound in the open channel, the doors are folded over the open side of the channel and are locked in place to retain the suture within the channel. In an alternative embodiment a paper cover is utilized to complete the enclosing channel. To afford ease of winding the suture the bottom of the channel is perforated for the application of a vacuum to the channel during suture winding. Also disclosed is a needle park for retaining the needle in the center of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Sobel, Stephen George, Anthony Esteves, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele
  • Patent number: 4961498
    Abstract: A molded two-piece suture package is disclosed which encloses and defines an oval channel in which sutures may be wound. The oval channel has two semicircular end sections connected by straight side sections. An opening in the channel is provided at the juncture of a straight section and an end section, permitting sutures to be withdrawn from the channel at the end of a straight section. In a preferred embodiment the interior wall of the channel is formed by alternating engaging sections formed in the respective package pieces. To prevent the wrapped suture from becoming entrapped when the two pieces are engaged, the top and bottom of the channel is alternately raised and lowered in alignment with the alternating wall sections, causing the wound suture to bridge those areas where it may become entrapped between the mating package pieces. Entrapment of the suture end at the outside of the channel is prevented by alternately recessing the outer wall of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
  • Patent number: 4946043
    Abstract: An improved retainer for surgical sutures is provided which includes a suture retaining compartment comprising a suture winding panel with the panel having a pair of holding panels foldably connected to longitudinal edges of the suture winding panel. The holding panels are foldably connected to the winding panel by at least three gussets formed at the edges of the suture winding panel. The gussets at the ends of the foldable connection prevent frictional compression of the wound suture at the corners of the retaining compartment, and the central gussets or gussets engender a convex curvature to the holding panels, thereby creating a low friction volumetric compartment which retains the suture in place. The suture retainer also includes a needle holding means mounted at the intended location of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Constance E. Roshdy, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
  • Patent number: 4887710
    Abstract: An improved retainer for surgical sutures is provided which includes a suture retaining compartment comprising a suture winding panel with the panel having a pair of holding panels foldably connected to longitudinal edges of the suture winding panel. The holding panels are foldably connected to the winding panel by at least three gussets formed at the edges of the suture winding panel. The gussets at the ends of the foldable connection prevent frictional compression of the wound suture at the corners of the retaining compartment, and the central gussets or gussets engender a convex curvature to the holding panels, thereby creating a low friction volumetric compartment which retains the suture in place. The suture retainer also includes a needle holding means mounted at the intended location of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Constance E. Roshdy, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
  • Patent number: 4884681
    Abstract: An improved retainer for surgical sutures is provided which includes a suture retaining compartment comprising a suture winding panel with the panel having a pair of holding panels foldably connected to longitudinal edges of the suture winding panel. The holding panels are foldably connected to the winding panel by at least three gussets formed at the edges of the suture winindg panel. The gussets at the ends of the foldable connection prevent frictional compression of the wound suture at the corners of the retaining compartment, and the central gussets or gussets engender a convex curvature to the holding panels, thereby creating a low friction volumetric compartment which retains the suture in place. The suture retainer also includes a needle holding means mounted at the intended location of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Constance E. Roshdy, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern