Patents by Inventor Dennis M. Bialecki

Dennis M. Bialecki 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: 10092322
    Abstract: A needle guard clip assembly has a clip and a spring, the clip having a first wall with a needle passage therethrough, a generally parallel second wall, a strut connecting the two walls, and a heel extending from the first wall. The walls, strut, and heel are an integral piece. The spring is associated with and extends from the first wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean J. Albert, Dennis M. Bialecki
  • Publication number: 20160135841
    Abstract: A needle guard clip assembly has a clip and a spring, the clip having a first wall with a needle passage therethrough, a generally parallel second wall, a strut connecting the two walls, and a heel extending from the first wall. The walls, strut, and heel are an integral piece. The spring is associated with and extends from the first wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Sean J. Albert, Dennis M. Bialecki
  • Patent number: 9126017
    Abstract: A needle guard clip assembly has a clip and a spring, the clip having a first wall with a needle passage therethrough, a generally parallel second wall, a strut connecting the two walls, and a heel extending from the first wall. The walls, strut, and heel are an integral piece. The spring is associated with and extends from the first wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean J. Albert, Dennis M. Bialecki
  • Patent number: 8647301
    Abstract: A safety catheter device includes a catheter hub, a housing removably coupled to the catheter hub; a needle, and a member, the housing including a radially outwardly directed projection operable to engage the interior aspect of the catheter hub and radially moveable inwardly sufficiently to disengage therefrom, the projection being held against moving radially inwardly sufficiently to disengage when the needle is in a first position with the needle distal tip exposed and being free to move radially inwardly sufficiently to disengage coincident with the needle being moved into a second position with the needle distal tip disposed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Bialecki, David J. Goral, Alan D. King
  • Patent number: 8403886
    Abstract: A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M Bialecki, Sean J Albert, Thomas K Sutton
  • Publication number: 20120296289
    Abstract: A needle guard clip assembly has a clip and a spring, the clip having a first wall with a needle passage therethrough, a generally parallel second wall, a strut connecting the two walls, and a heel extending from the first wall. The walls, strut, and heel are an integral piece. The spring is associated with and extends from the first wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Sean J. Albert, Dennis M. Bialecki
  • Publication number: 20120259293
    Abstract: A safety catheter device includes a catheter hub, a housing removably coupled to the catheter hub; a needle, and a member, the housing including a radially outwardly directed projection operable to engage the interior aspect of the catheter hub and radially moveable inwardly sufficiently to disengage therefrom, the projection being held against moving radially inwardly sufficiently to disengage when the needle is in a first position with the needle distal tip exposed and being free to move radially inwardly sufficiently to disengage coincident with the needle being moved into a second position with the needle distal tip disposed in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Bialecki, David J. Goral, Alan D. King
  • Patent number: 8251950
    Abstract: A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean J Albert, Dennis M Bialecki
  • Patent number: 8162881
    Abstract: A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut so as to allow the canting wall to be tilted over center in a ready state, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Lilley, Jr., Sean J. Albert, Dennis M. Bialecki, David J. Goral, Thomas K. Sutton
  • Patent number: 7753877
    Abstract: A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M Bialecki, Sean J Albert, Thomas F Lilley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7658725
    Abstract: An enclosed needle catheter insertion device (10) includes a catheter (12) and a needle insertion device (14) which are held together by cooperating arms (52, 53) with one or more detents (56) cooperating with a radially projecting surface (26) of the catheter hub (16). Insertion device (14) includes a guard housing (30) to enclose a needle (34) in a shielded position and a support housing (32) supporting the needle (34) for movement between a ready position, with the tip (36) of the needle (34) exposed, to the shielded position. Cooperating lock elements (47, 78) are provided for the housings (30, 32) which are positioned to define a lock actuation stage between the ready and shielded positions, whereat the needle is still within a passageway (54) defined by the cooperating arms (52, 53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M Bialecki, Nhut M Diep, Alan D King, Thomas T Koehler
  • Patent number: 7632243
    Abstract: A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M Bialecki, David J Goral, Alan D King, Sean J Albert, Thomas K Sutton
  • Patent number: 7597681
    Abstract: A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K Sutton, Sean J Albert, Dennis M Bialecki
  • Patent number: 6676636
    Abstract: A solid blunt and a needle assembly having a solid blunt. The solid blunt helps to prevent accidental needle sticks. In one exemplary embodiment, a solid blunt has an outer dimension (e.g. outer diameter) which is nearly equal to an inner dimension (e.g. inner diameter) of a cannula of a needle which is configured to contain the solid blunt. In one example, the solid blunt substantially blocks fluid flow in a first circumferential portion of an inner diameter of the cannula and allows fluid flow in a second circumferential portion of the inner diameter. The solid blunt is typically capable of longitudinal movement through the cannula and is prevented from moving substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal movement. A needle assembly, in another exemplary embodiment, includes a solid blunt, a cannula and a clip which couples slidably the solid blunt to a frame which is coupled to the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Medex, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Jawshin Chang, Philip D. Schmidt, Dennis M. Bialecki
  • Patent number: 6652486
    Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly having a needle attached to a needle hub, and a enlarged area disposed thereon, and a tubular catheter wherein the introducer needle being coaxially received within the catheter. The device has a hollow catheter hub attached to the catheter and in fluid communication therewith. The catheter hub has an interior having a raised annular rib disposed thereon. The assembly includes a needle tip protector disposed within the catheter hub and including at least one unrestrained radially extending lip disposed distal to the annular rib so as to retain the protector within the hub. The distal end of the protector does not abut against the hub interior. The protector has a proximal opening at the proximal end having an unrestrained size greater than the size of the needle diameter and smaller than the enlarged area such that when the needle is removed from the catheter the protector remains attached to the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Medex, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Bialecki, John F. Wuschner, Mark R. Hillstrand
  • Publication number: 20030060771
    Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly having a needle attached to a needle hub, and a enlarged area disposed thereon, and a tubular catheter wherein the introducer needle being coaxially received within the catheter. The device has a hollow catheter hub attached to the catheter and in fluid communication therewith. The catheter hub has an interior having a raised annular rib disposed thereon. The assembly includes a needle tip protector disposed within the catheter hub and including at least one unrestrained radially extending lip disposed distal to the annular rib so as to retain the protector within the hub. The distal end of the protector does not abut against the hub interior. The protector has a proximal opening at the proximal end having an unrestrained size greater than the size of the needle diameter and smaller than the enlarged area such that when the needle is removed from the catheter the protector remains attached to the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis M. Bialecki, John F. Wuschner, Mark R. Hillstrand
  • Publication number: 20020147428
    Abstract: A solid blunt and a needle assembly having a solid blunt. The solid blunt helps to prevent accidental needle sticks. In one exemplary embodiment, a solid blunt has an outer dimension (e.g. outer diameter) which is nearly equal to an inner dimension (e.g. inner diameter) of a cannula of a needle which is configured to contain the solid blunt. In one example, the solid blunt substantially blocks fluid flow in a first circumferential portion of an inner diameter of the cannula and allows fluid flow in a second circumferential portion of the inner diameter. The solid blunt is typically capable of longitudinal movement through the cannula and is prevented from moving substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal movement. A needle assembly, in another exemplary embodiment, includes a solid blunt, a cannula and a clip which couples slidably the solid blunt to a frame which is coupled to the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph Jawshin Chang, Philip D. Schmidt, Dennis M. Bialecki
  • Patent number: 6391007
    Abstract: A solid blunt and a needle assembly having a solid blunt. The solid blunt helps to prevent accidental needle sticks. In one exemplary embodiment, a solid blunt has an outer dimension (e.g. outer diameter) which is nearly equal to an inner dimension (e.g. inner diameter) of a cannula of a needle which is configured to contain the solid blunt. In one example, the solid blunt substantially blocks fluid flow in a first circumferential portion of an inner diameter of the cannula and allows fluid flow in a second circumferential portion of the inner diameter. The solid blunt is typically capable of longitudinal movement through the cannula and is prevented from moving substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal movement. A needle assembly, in another exemplary embodiment, includes a solid blunt, a cannula and a clip which couples slidably the solid blunt to a frame which is coupled to the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph Jawshin Chang, Philip D. Schmidt, Dennis M. Bialecki
  • Publication number: 20010025158
    Abstract: A solid blunt and a needle assembly having a solid blunt. The solid blunt helps to prevent accidental needle sticks. In one exemplary embodiment, a solid blunt has an outer dimension (e.g. outer diameter) which is nearly equal to an inner dimension (e.g. inner diameter) of a cannula of a needle which is configured to contain the solid blunt. In one example, the solid blunt substantially blocks fluid flow in a first circumferential portion of an inner diameter of the cannula and allows fluid flow in a second circumferential portion of the inner diameter. The solid blunt is typically capable of longitudinal movement through the cannula and is prevented from moving substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal movement. A needle assembly, in another exemplary embodiment, includes a solid blunt, a cannula and a clip which couples slidably the solid blunt to a frame which is coupled to the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: JOSEPH JAWSHIN CHANG, PHILIP D. SCHMIDT, DENNIS M. BIALECKI
  • Patent number: 5419766
    Abstract: A new catheter stick protector is described having a metal flap clip which snaps down into place to prevent return of the needle through the protector device once withdrawn. The device is small and received over the needle to provide an interface between the needle hub and the hub of a catheter like product. A sleeve of hydrophobic or fluid impermeable material is provided and attached at one end to the needle hub and at a second end to the tip protector. The length of the material is selected to hold the tip protector in a position just extending beyond the tip of the needle of a catheter inserter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Critikon, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Chang, Dennis M. Bialecki, Mark A. Panzera, Gerald J. Kovalic