Patents by Inventor Robert J. Kalinski

Robert J. Kalinski 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: 6648899
    Abstract: A needle holder includes a base holder with a plurality of sockets therein for receiving and removably retaining the base of a needle in one of the sockets. A tip holder portion has a plurality of hollows therein in a common plane for receiving and removably retaining the tip of the needle. A stretcher member extends between the base holder and the tip holder and is preferably flexible to increase the variety of needle dimensions that can be accommodated in the holder. The needle holder is particularly suitable for the type of needle used in meniscal repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Michael S. Pohle, Jay Arthur Esch
  • Publication number: 20020087172
    Abstract: A needle holder includes a base holder with a plurality of sockets therein for receiving and removably retaining the base of a needle in one of the sockets. A tip holder portion has a plurality of hollows therein in a common plane for receiving and removably retaining the tip of the needle. A stretcher member extends between the base holder and the tip holder and is preferably flexible to increase the variety of needle dimensions that can be accommodated in the holder. The needle holder is particularly suitable for the type of needle used in meniscal repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Michael S. Pohle, Jay Arthur Esch
  • Patent number: 6047826
    Abstract: A package tray for arthroscopic H-fastener needles. The tray has a flexible base member having a central opening, and proximal and distal needle mounting members extending form the base member having slits and undercut engagement members for receiving and retaining the needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Gene W. Kammerer
  • Patent number: 5984097
    Abstract: A package tray for arthroscopic H-fastener needles. The tray has a flexible base member having a central opening, and proximal and distal needle mounting members extending form the base member having slots and undercut engagement members for receiving and retaining the needles. The proximal needle mounting end slot contains a proximal guide member adjacent to the proximal end of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Gene W. Kammerer
  • Patent number: 5972008
    Abstract: A retaining apparatus for a surgical mesh includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a central elongated recess for receiving a portion of the surgical mesh. Retaining straps are provided for securing the surgical mesh portion to the recess. Centrally located within the recess is an inverted dimple for fitting into a cylindrical opening of the surgical mesh. The inverted dimple restricts lateral movement of the surgical mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: Robert J. Kalinski, Deborah M. Transue
  • Patent number: 5392917
    Abstract: A novel surgical instrumentation kit is provided. There is a sterile reloading unit package in this kit. These reloading units or other separate packages may be maintained in their own sterile environment. Further, the ability of the surgeon to transfer from an endoscopic procedure to an open procedure is provided. Finally, there is described a novel package which allows the surgeon to rapidly open the tray and remove from it a surgical drape containing the instrumentation of the above-described kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Teresa M. Simons, Robert Cerwin, Robert J. Kalinski, Michael D. O'Toole
  • Patent number: 5390792
    Abstract: A packaging for the protective sterile containment of a rigid product and, more particularly, a sealed container protectively enclosing the sterile product, such as a liquid-filled vial, during shipment and handling of the packaging, and upon opening of the packaging in a sterile environment; for instance, a surgical operating room, facilitating the sterile transfer of the product from the packaging into the sterile environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: William Van Ness, Robert J. Kalinski
  • Patent number: 5311990
    Abstract: A thermoformed plastic package is disclosed. The package comprises a lower tray for receiving an article and a top cover. The top cover has flaps foldably connected along fold lines. The lower tray has female tabs molded into the lower trays. Inner male tabs and outer tabs are cut into in the flaps. The male tabs are engaged by the female tabs and the cover is thereby locked into place to form the assembled package. The cover is released by pulling on outer male tabs located in the flaps. The package is easily re-locked. The package optionally comprises at least one inner tray nested in the lower tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Kalinski
  • Patent number: 5284244
    Abstract: A sterile package for surgical instruments, the package comprises upper and lower layers sealed about their periphery. A thermal formed tray is positioned between the layers. The thermal formed tray has an outwardly extending flange about its periphery. The flange is disposed between the upper plane and the lower plane of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael O'Toole, Robert J. Kalinski
  • 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: 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: 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