Patents by Inventor Michael J. Brown, deceased

Michael J. Brown, deceased 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).

  • Method of and apparatus for welding surgical needle stock to a metal tape
    Patent number: 5887778
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is available for receiving surgical needle stock from a needle fabrication line and welding the surgical needle stock to a metal tape. The apparatus includes a welding station where the needle stock is welded to the tape. A tape indexing unit is arranged to move the metal tape through the welding station. A preload chuck is arranged to receive the surgical needle stock from the needle fabrication line and a gripper assembly is arranged to receive the surgical needle stock from the preload chuck and transfer the surgical needle stock from the preload chuck to the welding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Maurer, Michael J. Brown, deceased