Patents Examined by Tu Cam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6709418
    Abstract: A cannula assembly (120) provides access to an interior body region (22). The cannula assembly defines a lumen (24) having a distal region (30). The lumen includes a bend in the distal region to guide deployment in the body region. A closure assembly (44, 46, 48) can be provided to open, and close the cannula assembly to fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: A-Med Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walid N Aboul-Hosn, William R Kanz, Roland W Zieglier, Kelly J McCrystle, Rosalind Castor, Allan deDios
  • Patent number: 6706008
    Abstract: Automated systems and methods for withdrawing a selected compound from blood are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize a disposable fluid circuit mounted on a re-usable hardware component or module. The system withdraws blood from a donor or patient, separates the blood into two or more components and further combines the separated component with a solvent so as to remove a compound from the blood component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Vishnoi, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min, Tom Westberg
  • Patent number: 6702782
    Abstract: This is a balloon catheter having at least two lumens. One of the lumens is a large working lumen. The balloon catheter is especially useful as a guide catheter and may be used in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. In particular, it has value in treating neurovascular embolic strokes in combination with other devices which are delivered to the stroke site through that working lumen. The remainder of the lumens typically are used to inflate and to deflate the balloon. It is highly preferable that the balloon or inflatable member be situated in a recess in the outer wall of the inventive catheter. Additionally, the distal end of the catheter past the balloon is preferably tapered. The catheter has a very low profile as compared to other catheters of the neurovascular balloon catheter genre. It may include other features such as variable stiffness along the axis of the device and anti-kinking components. The balloon is preferably compliant in nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John Miller, Martin Dieck, Maria Aboytes, Ryan Pierce
  • Patent number: 6702787
    Abstract: A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: David C. Racenet, Gene A. Stellon, William J. Vumback, Joseph Pasqualucci
  • Patent number: 6689101
    Abstract: An injector device for delivery of liquid from a high pressure, the device comprising a housing, a pressure chamber 2 comprising a pressure barrel 4 for accommodation of at least one piston therein and having a front end opening 6 for ejection of the liquid, the pressure chamber being of sufficient strength to sustain the liquid pressure. The device further comprises a storage chamber 16, separate from the pressure chamber, for the liquid or the liquid precursor components, and a conduit 22 between the pressure chamber and the storage chamber. A pressurizing mechanism 26 in the housing is arranged to apply force, directly or indirectly, on the piston in the pressure barrel to create said liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Pharmacia AB
    Inventors: Birger Hjertman, Jonas Fridholm
  • Patent number: 6685678
    Abstract: A drug administration system includes a cradle attached about an intravenous injection port having a flange extending therefrom. The cradle supports first drug administration information in the nature of machine and human readable code, for example, barcode. A syringe including a needle includes a flange extending from the syringe. The syringe supports second drug administration information in machine and/or human readable form. A scanner module is constructed to slidably receive the flange of the cradle and syringe whereby the syringe needle is aligned with the intravenous injection port. The module may be provided with an electronic scanning system for identifying the first and second drug administration information, as well as determining the amount of the drug being administered from the syringe to the injection port by monitoring movement of the syringe plunger. The information and data may be stored within the module for uploading to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Docusys, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Evans, Michael F. Burrow
  • Patent number: 6659973
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Transvivo, Inc.
    Inventors: Reynolds G. Gorsuch, Tommy Cooper
  • Patent number: 6655040
    Abstract: A combination ultraviolet curing and infrared dryer system which allows both an ultraviolet curing unit to be used at the same time an infrared dryer is used. The infrared dryer and ultraviolet curing unit are placed in an enclosure having a cooling system which cools both the ultraviolet curing unit and the infrared dryer. The cooling system may comprise an air supply system, or may comprise an air supply system and a water cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Diagnostics Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodger E. Whipple
  • Patent number: 6640461
    Abstract: In the flow path to atmosphere venting hot exhaust gases of a clothes dryer, a fluid-tight seal between a flow-diverting elbow telescoped about a clothes dryer exiting conduit consisting of a rubber sleeve in increasing thicknesses in width in the direction of flow effective in providing an establish sealing contact into the sleeve at a location of its thickness which obviates leakage of gas through the telescoping connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Edwin L. Berger
  • Patent number: 6641558
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing air embolisms during surgical procedures which involves providing a fluid source in communication with an aperture extending into an anatomical cavity such that fluid may be delivered into the cavity when a condition of negative pressure exists in the cavity, thereby preventing the introduction of air into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: A-Med Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walid N Aboul-Hosn, William R Kanz, Jonathan Spangler
  • Patent number: 6638245
    Abstract: This is a balloon catheter having at least two lumens. One of the lumens is a large working lumen. The balloon catheter is especially useful as a guide catheter or micro catheter and may be used in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. In particular, it has value in treating neurovascular embolic strokes in combination with other devices which are delivered to the stroke site through that working lumen. The remainder of the lumens typically are used to inflate and to deflate the balloon. The balloon or inflatable member be situated in a recess in the outer wall of the inventive catheter. Additionally, the distal end of the catheter past the balloon may be tapered. The catheter has a very low profile as compared to other catheters of the neurovascular balloon catheter genre. It may include other features such as variable stiffness along the axis of the device and anti-kinking components. The balloon may be compliant in nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John Miller, Martin Dieck, Maria Aboytes, Ryan Pierce
  • Patent number: 6638268
    Abstract: A double catheter includes an outer, resilient catheter having shape memory and a hook-shaped distal end, an inner, pliable catheter slidably disposed in the outer catheter and of greater length than the outer catheter so that a distal end portion of the inner catheter can be extended or retracted from a distal end opening of the outer catheter to vary the overall length of the double catheter, the inner catheter preferably having an internal lumen suitable for the introduction of contrast media, and a mechanism operable from the proximal end of the outer catheter for changing the curvature of the hook shaped distal end of the outer catheter. Such a catheter of the invention can cannulate the coronary sinus without significant manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Imran K. Niazi
  • Patent number: 6629924
    Abstract: An enhanced endotracheal tube utilizing a fiber optic bundle positioned in its wall section to transmit light and a reflectively coated bore to transmit images is disclosed. Additional passages formed in the wall of the endotracheal tube are adapted to receive a stylette and to act as an air passage for inflating an inflatable cuff formed on the inner end of the endotracheal tube. The light transmitted through the fiber optic bundle aids in illuminating the patient's laryngeal area and the image is reflected along the reflectively coated bore to aid the physician in intubating the patient. Alternative embodiments using a bore with a sleeve having a different refractive index from that of the tube material and an enhanced endotracheal tube for use with children are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jayson D. Aydelotte
  • Patent number: 6626827
    Abstract: A fluid management assembly for use in an endoscopic procedure is provided. The assembly comprises a first line for fluid to flow therethrough from an endoscope to a Y-connector and a second line for fluid to flow therethrough from a drape to the Y-connector. The Y-connector is also in fluid communication with a third line which connects the Y-connector to a suction source which supplies a suction force and receives the fluid. According to the present invention the Y-connector is located in close proximate relation with respect to the suction source and the first and second lines are preferably co-joined along a portion of their lengths. The first and second lines define scope and drape legs, respectively, which are elongated in comparison to more conventional designs. These features of the present invention serve to optimize distention and eliminate pressure fluctuations in the operative organ during the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Debra Ranucci
  • Patent number: 6623470
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid volume in a patient includes a fluid source (16) and a fluid conduit (32, 34, 36) for carrying fluid from the fluid source to the patient (12). A controllable infusion pump (30) pumps fluid from the fluid source to a peripheral vein of the patient through the fluid conduit. An occluder (100) for blocks fluid communication between the fluid source and the patient through the fluid conduit. A fluid pressure sensor (80) periodically senses fluid pressure in the fluid conduit. The apparatus further includes a controller (86) for determining a peripheral venous pressure value from the sensed fluid pressure in the fluid conduit after the infusion pump is stopped and the occluder blocks the fluid communication between the fluid source and the patient through the fluid conduit. The peripheral venous pressure is indicative of the patient's means systemic pressure and the fluid volume of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: James Robert Munis, Leonardo Jose Lozada, Andrew Michael Zura
  • Patent number: 6623422
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisted embryo implantation using a specialized microcatheter to prepare an implantation site within the subject's endometrial lining and to transport and place an embryo into the implantation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Napoli, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Kamrava
  • Patent number: 6607507
    Abstract: A single-use syringe has a barrel which can constitute a one-piece extrusion, and a shank which is reciprocably guided in the barrel and the distal end of which carries a plunger movable in the barrel toward and away from the needle-carrying front end portion of the barrel. The coupling between the plunger and the shank includes a set of circumferentially spaced-apart breakable spokes which can be of one piece with the distal end of the shank as well as with the plunger. The spokes break not later than when the shank completes a forward stroke during which the plunger expels a flowable substance, such as a medicine, from a chamber located in the barrel between the needle-carrying front end portion and the plunger. The plunger, the spokes and the shank can constitute a one-piece extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Theodor Schöttli
  • Patent number: 6595946
    Abstract: A valve assembly for the sealed reception of an elongated object is provided. The assembly includes a valve body defining at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated object and defining a central longitudinal axis, and an elongated seal member having a resilient sealing structure and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body whereby the aperture is configured and dimensioned such that upon insertion of the object into the aperture, the resilient sealing structure resiliently engages the outer surface of the object in a tight manner. The sealing structure includes a plurality of elongated bristle members attached to the seal member. The bristle members are positioned to engage the elongated object upon at least partial insertion of the elongated object into the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Pasqualucci
  • Patent number: 6595945
    Abstract: A device for treating glaucoma in an eye is described. The device includes a body defining a lumen and having first and second ends and external and lumenal surfaces, wherein the body has a length sufficient to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and tear film of the eye through the lumen when the device is implanted in the sclera. The device further includes a filter capable of providing outflow resistance to aqueous humor flowing through the lumen. Methods of treating glaucoma wherein the device is implanted in the sclera of an afflicted eye are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: J. David Brown
  • Patent number: 6589209
    Abstract: A safety syringe with a hollow barrel housing and a retraction trunk coaxially formed within the housing to forming an annular chamber between the inner surfaces of said outer elongated hollow barrel and the outer surface of said retraction trunk. A needle cannula carriage is held within the distal end of the retraction trunk by a latching means and a biasing means. A needle cannula module is suitably fixed to the distal end of the needle cannula carriage wherein a cannula or passage provides fluid communication from the needle cannula module, through the needle cannula carriage, through the retraction trunk and into the annular chamber. An annular plunger is provided between the inner surfaces of the outer elongated hollow barrel and the outer surface of the retraction trunk, wherein said annular plunger forces fluid through said annulus and into a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Edward D. Dysarz