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).
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Patent number: 5350060Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 1993Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin
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Patent number: 5325987Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 1993Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin, Michael O'Toole, Teresa M. Simons, Deborah M. Transue
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Patent number: 5284293Abstract: An improved dispenser box for suture packages. The dispenser is stable and will dispense single or plural packages.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1993Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Robert J. Cerwin, Mario De Martin, Teresa M. Simons, Deborah M. Transue
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Patent number: 5284240Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 1993Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin, Joseph Pergine
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Patent number: 5271495Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 1993Date of Patent: December 21, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventor: Marvin Alpern
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Patent number: 5236083Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Martin Sobel, Stephen George, Anthony Esteves, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele
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Patent number: 5230424Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 1992Date of Patent: July 27, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Jack Cascio, David Demarest, Robert Duncan, Konstantin Ivanov, Joseph Siernos, Martin Sobel
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Patent number: 5213210Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 1992Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Jack Cascio, Konstantin Ivanov, Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin, Joseph Siernos, Martin Sobel
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Patent number: 5180053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 1992Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Jack Cascio, Konstantin Ivanov, Marvin Alpern, Robert Cerwin, Joseph Siernos
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Patent number: 5179818Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 1992Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
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Patent number: 5165217Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 15, 1991Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Martin Sobel, Stephen George, Anthony Esteves, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele
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Patent number: 5131533Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 1991Date of Patent: July 21, 1992Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventor: Marvin Alpern
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Patent number: 5099994Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 1990Date of Patent: March 31, 1992Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
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Patent number: 5056658Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 6, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Martin Sobel, Stephen George, Anthony Esteves, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele
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Patent number: 5052551Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 1991Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Cerwin, Anthony Esteves, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele, Robert J. Gibbs
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Patent number: 4967902Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 1989Date of Patent: November 6, 1990Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Martin Sobel, Stephen George, Anthony Esteves, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Robert A. Daniele
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Patent number: 4961498Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 1988Date of Patent: October 9, 1990Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
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Patent number: 4946043Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 1989Date of Patent: August 7, 1990Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Constance E. Roshdy, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
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Patent number: 4887710Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 1989Date of Patent: December 19, 1989Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Constance E. Roshdy, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern
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Patent number: 4884681Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 1988Date of Patent: December 5, 1989Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Constance E. Roshdy, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern