Patents by Inventor Robert A. Daniele
Robert A. Daniele 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: 6481568Abstract: A labyrinth package for sutures. The package has a base member with a top and a bottom. A labyrinth wall member extends from the top of the base member upwardly to form a labyrinth channel. The channel has an open end and a closed end. There is a vacuum opening in the bottom of the channel adjacent to the closed end. A lid is placed on top of the package. The package is loaded with sutures by using a combination of a vacuum source applied to the vacuum opening and a venturi air stream feed.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Cerwin, Michael Pohle, Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves
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Patent number: 6205748Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a suture package unloading arrangement and package unloading method employed in an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves
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Patent number: 6163948Abstract: A semi-automated machine and method for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a singulation station having a sliding surface that assists an operator in singulating needles and depositing them in a pair of drop locations for subsequent automatic handling. Indexing conveyors, an articulated robot and a precision conveyor are used with a precise positioning station for orienting each needle for automatic handling. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Esteves, John F. Blanch, Robert A. Daniele, David D. Demarest
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Patent number: 6081981Abstract: A method for automatically forming armed surgical needles and for automatically packaging the same in a packaging tray, the automatic forming and packaging operating under control of a control computer, each armed surgical needle including a surgical needle having a suture receiving opening formed therein for attachment of a definite length suture material thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: David D. Demarest, Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, Michael G. Hodulik, Teresa M. Shaw, George Horst Reinemuth, Richard Paul Branco, Matthew Cafone
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Patent number: 6032343Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in an Automated Swage Wind and Packaging Machine that is particularly adapted to assist in the automated singulation of surgical needles to enable subsequent automated handling of the needle, automatic swaging of the suture into a receiving end of the needle, automatic pull testing of the combined needle and suture, and automated packaging of the pull tested combined needle and suture into a tray having a cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: John F. Blanch, David D. Demarest, Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, William F. Smith, Michael G. Hodulik, Teresa M. Shaw, George Horst Reinemuth, Richard Paul Branco, Matthew Cafone
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Patent number: 6021625Abstract: A process for applying a biobarrier member to a vent opening in a foil member used for medical device packaging. The process provides for cutting a biobarrier member from a roll of stock and sealing the biobarrier member about the vent opening in the foil member. The seal is tested for integrity and the biobarrier member is tested for porosity.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1998Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Cerwin, Robert A. Daniele, Clifford Dey, J. Mark Findlay, Konstantin Ivanov, Matthew E. Krever, Jervis P. Lynch, Robert Nunez, William R. Reinhardt, Mehmet Reyhan, David Szabo, Manfred Reiser, Rolf Grotehusmann, Manfred Hild, Bernhard Frey
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Patent number: 6014851Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a package feed arrangement in an automated machine including a package tray supplying carousel arrangement and robotic pivot arm mechanism for the high-speed feed of package trays for the individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, George Horst Reinemuth, Richard Paul Branco
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Patent number: 6012216Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a singulation station having a sliding surface that assists an operator in singulating needles and depositing them in a pair of drop locations for subsequent automatic handling. Indexing conveyors, an articulated robot and a precision conveyor are used with a precise positioning station for orienting each needle for automatic handling. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Esteves, John F. Blanch, Robert A. Daniele, David D. Demarest
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Needle transfer arrangement in a machine for the automated packaging of needles and attached sutures
Patent number: 5987848Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a needle gripper and transfer arrangement in an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging into trays of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture and a detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures. The machine includes vertically adjustable frame structure so as to adjust the elevation thereof relative to the needle transfer arrangement to facilitate the packaging of differently sized needles in a single size of packaging tray.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: John F. Blanch, David D. Demarest, Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, William F. Smith, George Horst Reinemuth, Richard Paul Branco -
Patent number: 5983601Abstract: A machine and a method for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures. Additionally, the automated packaging machine incorporates operative mechanism adapted to wind the sutures into a peripheral channel of the tray and facilitating the attachment of the cover to the tray which contains the single needle and attached wound suture, and which cover concurrently constitutes a product-identifying label as a component of the tray, and upon removal of the cover enables a user to gain access to the contents of the tray; in essence, the armed suture.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: John F. Blanch, David D. Demarest, Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, William F. Smith, Michael G. Hodulik, Teresa M. Shaw, George Horst Reinemuth, Richard Paul Branco, Matthew Cafone
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Patent number: 5970686Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a suture winding arrangement in an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: David D. Demarest, Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves
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Patent number: 5964075Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, an arrangement and a method for applying covers to package trays in an automated machine for the highspeed individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves
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Patent number: 5956927Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a suture capture and tensioning arrangement in an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, George Horst Reinemuth, Richard Paul Branco
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Patent number: 5937504Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly. The rotary indexing device includes two coaxial cam dials that provide rotation and reciprocation of the universal gripper, and an off-set drive is provided at two locations for laterally off setting the radial reciprocation of the universal gripper.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Esteves, Robert A. Daniele, David D. Demarest
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Patent number: 5915751Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly. A suture feeding and cutting station automatically cuts an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length suture strand and automatically inserts an end of the definite length suture strand into the suture receiving opening formed in the needle.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Esteves, John F. Blanch, David D. Demarest, Robert A. Daniele
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Patent number: 5911449Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. The singulation station has a sliding surface that assists an operator in singulating needles and depositing them in a pair of drop locations for subsequent automatic handling. Indexing conveyors, an articulated robot and a precision conveyor are used with a pre-positioning and a precise positioning station for orienting each needle for automatic handling. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, David D. Demarest
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Patent number: 5704469Abstract: A suture package having a base member, an upwardly extending outer wall about the periphery of the base member, a plurality of grooves in the base member for receiving a suture, and a top lid member. The package has a central needle park and a discharge opening in the lid member for removing a needle and suture from the package. The package may alternatively have spoke members and rib members extending up from the base member containing grooves which form a suture channel for receiving a suture.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1996Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, Martin Sobel, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Joseph Stanley Siernos
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Patent number: 5695138Abstract: A suture winding fixture has a base plate. Fixedly mounted perpendicular to the base plate is a pivot shaft. Rotatably mounted to the pivot shaft is a cam housing frame member. A first opposed cavity in the frame member has a first cam shaft and first set of cams. A second opposed cavity Each cam shaft is rotatably mounted to the frame within the cavities. The frame also has a central cavity for receiving the pivot shaft. Fixedly mounted to the top of the pivot shaft in the central cavity is a pinion gear. The pinion gear engages a pair of opposed bevel gears, wherein each opposed bevel gear is mounted to an end of a cam shaft. Mounted to the top of the housing frame member is a package support member containing a plurality of winding pin holes. The package support member is shaped to conform to the dimensions of a suture winding tray having a top surface with a winding channel in which it is desired to load or wind a suture.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1996Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, David Demarest
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Patent number: 5655652Abstract: A suture package having a base, an upwardly extending wall, an inner dispensing wall, a suture channel between the walls, and a top friction plate member mounted therein. The package has a central needle park and a discharge opening in the friction plate for removing a needle and suture from the package.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1996Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Martin Sobel, Robert James Cerwin, David Demarest, Anthony Esteves, Robert A. Daniele, Joseph Siernos
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Patent number: 5628395Abstract: A suture package having a base member, an upwardly extending outer wall about the periphery of the base member, a plurality of grooves in the base member for receiving a suture, and a top lid member. The package has a central needle park and a discharge opening in the lid member for removing a needle and suture from the package. The package may alternatively have spoke members and rib members extending up from the base member containing grooves which form a suture channel for receiving a suture.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, Martin Sobel, Robert J. Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Joseph S. Siernos