Patents Examined by William Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9999709
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treatment of an eye alter aspiration flow from the eye in response to an occlusion of the aspiration conduit pathway. Where aspiration is drawn from the eye using a volumetric pump, the pump can be reversed so as to induce fluid reflux from the aspiration conduit pathway into the eye to help clear the occlusion. The pump may vary the reverse flow in response to sensed aspiration pressure or the like, and the reverse flow may be halted before the pressure within the aspiration conduit pathway adjacent the eye significantly exceeds the irrigation fluid pressure and/or the pressure within the eye. Reflux may alternatively be generated by modulating a vent valve disposed between an irrigation conduit pathway and the aspiration conduit pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: David King, John I. Muri, Thomas B. Sutton
  • Patent number: 9980813
    Abstract: Selective fluid barrier valve devices and methods of treatment are described herein. An embodiment of a selective fluid barrier valve device comprises a housing, an actuator, a sleeve, a wire member, and a connector. The sleeve defines a passageway that extends through the sleeve. The actuator is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the actuator is in the first position, the sleeve is in a first configuration such that fluid can pass through the passageway defined by the sleeve. When the actuator is in a second position, the sleeve is in a second configuration such that fluid is prevented from passing through the passageway defined by the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Derek Eller
  • Patent number: 9968350
    Abstract: A blunted safety needle is provided, which includes a hollow needle having a sharp distal tip and a stylus having a blunted end. The stylus is positioned within at least a portion of the needle. After the needle is used to deliver or deploy a substance and/or a device, the blunted end of the stylus is positioned to extend through the sharp distal tip of the needle and un-releaseably lock into position, thereby providing a blunted safety needle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Avent, Inc.
    Inventors: John Anthony Rotella, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Lanita Grayce Cox, Donald Jay McMichael
  • Patent number: 9956338
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drug delivery device, comprising a control unit, a drive unit, a pressurizing medium container arranged to contain a pressurizing liquid, a drug container arranged to contain a drug and a discharge nozzle, wherein the drive unit when controlled and energized by the control unit is arranged to generate a pressure gradient in the pressurizing liquid thereby propagating the pressure to the drug container and at least partially displacing the drug from the drug container through the discharge nozzle, wherein the drive unit is arranged as an electro-osmotic actor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Nagel, Rene Richter, Robert Witt, Richard Guenther
  • Patent number: 9956347
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an attachment for an operable drug delivery device, comprising a gripping sleeve member that is configured to receive a first member of the operable drug delivery device, wherein the gripping sleeve member comprises a first gripping sleeve member part comprising a first engagement feature at its inner surface that is configured to engage the first gripping sleeve member part in a torque-proof manner with the first member of the operable drug delivery device. Further, the present invention concerns a use of the attachment or a system of attachments for operating the operable drug delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Naceur Rekaya, Paul Richard Draper, David Aubrey Plumtre, Robert Veasey, Daniel David Higgins, Matthew Jones, Michael Bainton
  • Patent number: 9950120
    Abstract: A display assembly for a drug delivery device (100) is provided. The display assembly comprises a housing (10) having a proximal end (17), a distal end (16) and a longitudinal axis (x). The display assembly further comprises a display member (120) defining a display member window (122), wherein the display member (120) is rotationally locked to but movable with respect to the housing (10) along the longitudinal axis (x). The display assembly further comprises an indication member (60) comprising indicia (66) and a movable member (110) which is rotationally coupled to the indication member (60). The movable member (110) is further coupled to the display member (120) and rotatable with respect to the housing (10). When the movable member (110) is rotated with respect to the housing (10), the rotating movable member (110) moves the display member (120) axially with respect to the housing (10) to display different indicia (66) through the display member window (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventor: Anthony Paul Morris
  • Patent number: 9950114
    Abstract: A dual-chamber syringe system is disclosed. Critical system oriented elements are disclosed, including plunger valve designs for accurate measurement and true, non-canting displacement; tamper and inadvertent valve actuation indicators, as well as, valve status indicators; anti-reflux construction; novel indicia patterns for dual-chamber syringe operation; structure and method for quality assurance that no gas can be delivered from a proximal chamber of the dual-chamber syringe and a kit for single step dose transfer. In addition, a tapered fitting valve is disclosed. The tapered fitting valve comprises a single molded incompressible, but supple part and a skeletal support whereby the tapered fitting valve is opened by insertion into a tapered fitting. The preferred embodiment of an actuator portion of the valve is elliptical in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: THORNE CONSULTING FOR INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY, LLC
    Inventors: Gale Harrison Thorne, Jr., Kendall Patterick Thorne, Gale Harrison Thorne
  • Patent number: 9943669
    Abstract: Assist device (10) for sclerosing treatment of varicose veins, aimed at being partially inserted into a blood vessel (20), including a tubular element (11), which has at least three ways (13, 14, 15), at least two of which (13, 14) are connected to at least one related inflatable balloon element (12, 12?, 16) by at least one through hole (30, 31), and at least one remaining way (15) of said three ways (13, 14, 15) has at least one hole (32) for the passage of a sclerosing substance (17), aimed at reaching a wall (18) of said blood vessel (20), in which at least one (16) of said at least two balloon elements (12, 12?, 16) has an elongated shape extending toward at least another balloon element (12, 12?) and a volume comprised in the range of 30% to 99% of the space inside said blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: I-VASC S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Salerno
  • Patent number: 9937296
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method and system to obtain access to a blood vessel underneath a skin layer that may preserve lifespan of the blood vessel and reduce executional skill variability may be provided. The method includes placing a guiding portion between the blood vessel and the skin layer; and configuring the guiding portion to receive and guide a needle to reach the same location of the blood vessel repeatedly and consistently; and forming a resultant scarred track between the blood vessel and the skin layer as the guiding portion is resorbed over time. The system includes a vascular access device configurable to first possess strength to penetrate through a tissue layer, subsequently possess flexibility to conform to the surrounding tissue beneath the tissue layer; and a guiding portion which may be resorbable, wherein the inlet includes a larger diameter compared to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Ruey Feng Peh, Jing Ming Chew, Wei Ling Fiona Loke, Hsien Ts'ung Tay
  • Patent number: 9931454
    Abstract: A medical fluid or dialysis system includes an auto-connection mechanism that connects connectors from the supply bags to dialysis cassette ports or cassette supply lines. The system provides for multiple, e.g., four, supply bags, which can be connected to a manifold of the auto-connection mechanism. Tip protecting caps that protect the supply line ends and cassette ports or cassette supply line ends are made to be compatible with the auto-connection mechanism. The auto-connection mechanism removes all the caps and connects the supply lines to the cassette. At least one roller occluder is provided that occludes the supply tubing prior to the tip protecting caps being removed. The roller occludes prevent medical dialysis fluid from spilling out of the supply lines between the time that the caps are removed and connection to the cassette is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventors: Ying-Cheng Lo, Yuanpang Samuel Ding
  • Patent number: 9931277
    Abstract: A drug and fluid dispenser includes a first mechanism for holding and dispensing a fluidized food; a second mechanism for measuring, holding, and dispensing a specified amount of fluid to be taken with a set of medicines at a specified time; a third mechanism for holding and dispensing one or more sets of medicines in a chronological order according to a pre-determined schedule of administration to an individual; a fourth mechanism for granulating a next scheduled set of medicines and mixing the granulated next scheduled set of medicines with the specified amount of fluid at the specified time; a first output mechanism for administering contents of the first mechanism and contents of the fourth mechanism to the individual; and a second output mechanism for rinsing the fourth mechanism subsequent to administration of each of the sets of medicines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Zahra Miswak Qaysi
  • Patent number: 9925337
    Abstract: A delay mechanism for an automatic injection device having a housing and a medication filled syringe. The delay mechanism includes a shuttle, a follower, a damping compound, at least one biasing member, and a biased plunger element. When moved in the device housing from a first location to a second location, the biased plunger element is adapted to drive the syringe piston within syringe barrel to force medication through the syringe needle for an injection. The follower, when the plunger element is so moved, is freed to move, under urging of the at least one biasing member, from a first position on the housing toward a second position to thereby move the shuttle for retracting the syringe needle into the housing after injection. The damping compound dampens or slows rotation of the follower as the follower moves from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Jesse Arnold Fourt, Bradley James Simpson
  • Patent number: 9907942
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems uniquely capable of enhancing medicant delivery and/or effectiveness through the use of energy to predictably disrupt membranes and mechanically and thermally modulate cells and tissues. In exemplary embodiments, the methods and systems disclosed herein are capable of modulating multiple layers of tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy is acoustic energy (e.g., ultrasound). In other exemplary embodiments, the energy is photon based energy (e.g., IPL, LED, laser, white light, etc.), or other energy forms, such radio frequency electric currents, or various combinations of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy and other energy forms or energy absorbers such as cooling. Medicants can be first introduced to the region of interest by diffusion, circulation, and/or injection. An exemplary system for enhancing medicant delivery and/or effectiveness comprises a control system, a probe, and a display or indicator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GUIDED THERAPY SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Slayton, Peter G. Barthe
  • Patent number: 9901373
    Abstract: A seal assembly establishes sealing engagement with a plurality of differently dimensioned instruments passing through a trocar. The seal assembly is a caged seal assembly movably disposed within the trocar and includes at least two seal segments disposable into and out of a sealing orientation relative to the instrument. A cage structure of the seal assembly includes at least two cage segments each connected to a seal segment, a biasing assembly connected to the cage structure and disposed and structured to normally bias the seal segments into sealing orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TELEFLEX MEDICAL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Richard H. McFarlane
  • Patent number: 9901675
    Abstract: An infusion set insertion device and method of use with an insertion device for an infusion set having an infusion set body including: a barrel defining a pull handle cavity; a pull handle slideably disposed in the pull handle cavity, the pull handle having an outer surface and defining an infusion set cavity and a release button cavity, the pull handle having a cocked position and an advanced position relative to the barrel; a release button slideably disposed in the release button cavity, the release button having a loaded position and a released position relative to the pull handle; and a driver operable to move the pull handle from the cocked position to the advanced position; wherein the release button extends a first axial distance beyond the outer surface when in the loaded position and extends a second axial distance into the infusion set cavity when in the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ella Isabella F. Ella, Ulrich H. Rankers, Risako Morawiec
  • Patent number: 9886550
    Abstract: A medical pump for delivering medicament through an IV line to a patient may provide for awareness of the operator and operator authority limiting access by any individual to particular tasks of procedure review, pump programming, pump loading, patient set up, pump operation, and the like associated with the treatment provided by the medical pump. Identifying the operator allows the assignment of particular authority levels to the operators to ensure proper operation of the medical pump, and/or proper operators have made the necessary review to perform the necessary set up of the medical pump facilitating collaborative healthcare delivery. A record of operator intervention and authority levels may be logged to permit an automatic checklist process by the medical pump. Authentication process and pump operation parameters can be communicated through Near Field Communication (NFC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Zyno Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Chaoyoung Lee, Todd Sjolander, Mei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9867940
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an autoinjector device (10) for use in combination with a syringe (30), said syringe comprising a movable plunger; a needle; and a tubular needle shield (34). The claimed autoinjector device (10) comprises: an elongated housing having a proximal (11) and a distal end (12); a drive mechanism; a syringe holder (40) in order to support the fragile syringe and to prevent damage to the syringe. The invention furthermore relates to a method for assembly of the autoinjector device according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SHL Group AB
    Inventors: Anders Holmqvist, Hsueh-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 9861522
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical hand piece comprises a driver coupled to a horn. The horn is coupled to a needle. An aspiration pump is integral with the hand piece and is located close to the needle. A rigid length of aspiration line is located between the aspiration pump and the needle. An optional pressure sensor is located between the aspiration pump and the needle as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary Sorensen, Glenn Sussman
  • Patent number: 9839752
    Abstract: A fluid injection device having a syringe body, a needle, and a needle protection device removable from the injection device and having a substantially flexible or deformable inner body and a substantially rigid outer body. In the stored position the inner body closes the dispenser orifice of the needle and the outer body co-operates with the injection device to fasten the protection device on the injection device. The protection device includes a protection system against accidental pricking, having protective flaps that are integral part of the outer body and movable between a covering position in which they cover the needle, and an open position in which the needle is uncovered. The protection system has a control ring that slides over the outer body so as to move the flaps from their covering position to their open position, before injection, and from their open position to their covering position, after injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: APTAR STELMI SAS
    Inventors: Arnaud Fournier, Ghislain Fournier, Mickael Swal
  • Patent number: 9833564
    Abstract: A fluid conduit assembly for delivery of a medication fluid, and an associated fluid delivery system, are disclosed here. The fluid conduit assembly includes a trapping chamber having an interior volume to receive the medication fluid. The fluid conduit assembly also includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, a first outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, and a second outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber. The first outlet arrangement accommodates flow of liquid from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume. The second outlet arrangement accommodates flow of gas from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Susan McConnell Montalvo