The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 21, 2003
Filed:
May. 22, 2001
Thomas W. Huitema, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Scott Nielsen Barton, Loveland, OH (US);
Kip Rupp, New Richmond, OH (US);
David H. Ruder, Taylorsville, KY (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
A needle or cylindrical element position lock includes a disposable template assembly having front and back templates halves which define an array of close-fitting through-holes to guide needles therethrough. A series of lock slides locks the positions of columns of needles positioned within the template. Each lock slide locks the position of one or more needles inserted into one or more series of the through- holes in the template, with a preferred embodiment locking two series of needles. Each lock slide has the capability of locking one or more series of needles inserted into through-holes in the needle guide template by an axial motion applied by a lock lever or cam. When the lock slide is moved axially, a locking function is provided by a wedge/clamp which engages an inserted needle. For a typical template arrangement, six lock slides are used to lock twelve columns of needles inserted into through-holes in the template assembly.