Patents by Inventor Gale H. Thorne
Gale H. Thorne 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).
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Publication number: 20080319400Abstract: A syringe is partitioned into at least proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, sequentially dispensing syringe apparatus. The syringe includes a gas separator that prevents gas from exiting a chamber with delivered fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Gale H. Thorne, JR., Gale H. Thorne, Bradley Carling Robinson, Michael Wallace Howlett, James Victor Mercer, Nestor Rodriguez San Juan
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Patent number: 7438703Abstract: A safety shield apparatus is disclosed which includes a needle having a distal portion defining a longitudinal axis which is angularly displaced relative to a longitudinal axis defined by a proximal portion of the needle. A shield is mounted with the needle and extensible, via a tubular needle guide movable along the needle, between a retracted position and an extended position. The apparatus may include a needle hub configured to support the proximal portion of the needle. The needle hub can include an appendage which may have at least one opening to facilitate manipulation thereof. A distal end of the shield can be attached to a planar contact surface. The shield may also include a latch engageable with the needle.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Roy L. Barrus, David L. Thorne, Charles V. Owen, Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Michael Thorne, Stephen Brown, Gale H. Thorne, Jr.
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Patent number: 7198618Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. In embodiments of this invention a shield with two or more segments hingedly connected to each other is movable from a retracted position where the needle is exposed, to an extended position where the shield extends beyond the end of the needle. The needle is affixed in a hub of a medical needle device, and the shield is articulated to the hub. At least one of the two or more segments has an open orifice through which the needle passes to form an axis of intersection about the needle. The shield includes a channel for covering the needle when the shield is linearly extended. One or more locks associated with one or more of the segments secures one or more of the segments relative to the shield in the extended position. A latch is also disposed on the distal segment for securing the distal segment relative to the shield when in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Richard L. Fiser, James R. Curtis, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, Mark A. Nelson, Roy L. Barrus, Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Eugene E. Weilbacher, Michael Thorne, Steven Brown, Donald Solomon
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Patent number: 7101354Abstract: A displaceable valved stopper is disclosed which partitions a conventional syringe into proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, mixing syringe assembly. Also the valved stopper and a valve assembly are disclosed for use in a single conventional syringe to provide dual chamber mixing plus a disparate and sequentially dispensed flush. Incorporated in the valve assembly is another valved stopper and a separator which filters out gas from liquid being dispensed through the valve assembly. Each valved stopper is made as a single molded part which may be made from basic syringe plunger material. Also, each valved stopper may have a bi-state valve (e.g. a domed, slit valve). The separator is a single molded part which may be molded from basic syringe material. Each valve is actuated to a different state by differential pressure of a force greater than the associated valved stopper displacement force.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Infusive Technologies, LLCInventors: Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Gale H. Thorne
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Patent number: 7048720Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which partitions a conventional syringe into proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, sequentially dispensing syringe apparatus. Incorporated in the valve assembly is a valved stopper having a valve (e.g. a slit valve) and a separator which filters out gas from liquid being dispensed through the valve assembly. A syringe plunger communicates through fluid in the proximal chamber to force displacement of the valve assembly. The valve is actuated by differential pressure of a force greater than the valve assembly displacement force. The valve assembly may be made from two parts: (1) a valved stopper (may be molded from basic syringe plunger material); (2) a separator (may be injection molded from syringe barrel material).Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Infusive Technologies, LLCInventors: Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Nestor Rodriguez San Juan, Michael Wallace Howlett, Bradley Carling Robinson, Gale H. Thorne
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Patent number: 7008402Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. The medical needle shield apparatus is for use with a needle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the shield is slidably movable along the needle from a proximal position where the distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield covers the distal end of the needle. The shield comprises one or more clips having two or more apertures through which the needle passes, wherein the apertures have surfaces. A clip positioning member, in communication with at least one of the clips, positions the aperture surfaces of at least one of the clips when a portion of the clip positioning member in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle such that at least a portion of the aperture surfaces of the two or more apertures binds to the needle with opposing binding forces so as to secure the shield to the needle.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Specialized Health Products, Inc.Inventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, Craig N. Thorne, Mark Nelson, Gale H. Thorne, Jr.
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Patent number: 6997910Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which effectively partitions a syringe into proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, sequentially dispensing syringe apparatus. The valve assembly may be effectively used with a variety of standard, currently available commercial syringes and pre-filled syringes. Incorporated in the valve assembly is a valved stopper having a valve (which may be a slit valve), an impact sensor which opens the valve upon impact between the valve assembly and internal distal end of the syringe and a gas separator which separates liquid from gas disposed in the proximal chamber to assure gas is not delivered therefrom. The valve assembly is displaced as a plunger of the syringe is displaced via communication through fluid in the proximal chamber of the syringe. The actuator has a latching feature which latches the valve to an open state after being opened by the impact sensor. The gas separator has a proximally disposed orifice which facilitates priming.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Infusive Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Wallace Howlett, James Victor Mercer, Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Gale H. Thorne
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Patent number: 6949086Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. In embodiments of this invention a shield with two or more segments hingedly connected to each other is movable from a retracted position where the needle is exposed, to an extended position where the shield extends beyond the end of the needle. The needle is affixed in a hub of a medical needle device, and the shield is articulated to the hub. At least one of the two or more segments has an open orifice through which the needle passes to form an axis of intersection about the needle. The shield includes a channel for covering the needle when the shield is linearly extended. One or more locks associated with one or more of the segments secures one or more of the segments relative to the shield in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Richard L. Fiser, James R. Curtis, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, Mark A. Nelson, Roy L. Barrus, Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Eugene E. Weilbacher, Michael Thorne, Steven Brown, Donald Solomon
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Publication number: 20040193120Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus including a shield with two or more segments hingedly connected to each other and movable from a retracted position where the needle is exposed, to an extended position where the shield extends beyond the end of the needle. The needle is affixed in a hub of a medical needle device, and the shield is articulated to the hub. At least one of the two or more segments has an open orifice through which the needle passes to form an axis of intersection about the needle. The shield includes a channel for covering the needle when the shield is linearly extended. One or more locks associated with one or more of the segments secures one or more of the segments relative to the shield in the extended position. A latch is also disposed on the distal segment for securing the distal segment relative to the shield when in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Richard L. Fiser, James R. Curtis, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, Mark A. Nelson, Roy L. Barrus, Gale H. Thorne, Eugene E. Weilbacher, Michael Thorne, Steven Brown, Donald Solomon
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Publication number: 20040049159Abstract: A safety shield apparatus is disclosed which includes a needle having a distal portion defining a longitudinal axis which is angularly displaced relative to a longitudinal axis defined by a proximal portion of the needle. A shield is mounted with the needle and extensible, via a tubular needle guide movable along the needle, between a retracted position and an extended position. The apparatus may include a needle hub configured to support the proximal portion of the needle. The needle hub can include an appendage which may have at least one opening to facilitate manipulation thereof. A distal end of the shield can be attached to a planar contact surface. The shield may also include a latch engageable with the needle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Inventors: Roy L. Barrus, David L. Thorne, Charles V. Owen, Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Michael Thorne, Stephen Brown, Gale H. Thorne
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Publication number: 20030229317Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. In embodiments of this invention a shield with two or more segments hingedly connected to each other is movable from a retracted position where the needle is exposed, to an extended position where the shield extends beyond the end of the needle. The needle is affixed in a hub of a medical needle device, and the shield is articulated to the hub. At least one of the two or more segments has an open orifice through which the needle passes to form an axis of intersection about the needle. The shield includes a channel for covering the needle when the shield is linearly extended. One or more locks associated with one or more of the segments secures one or more of the segments relative to the shield in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Richard L. Fiser, James R. Curtis, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, Mark A. Nelson, Roy L. Barrus, Gale H. Thorne, Eugene E. Weilbacher, Michael Thorne, Steven Brown, Donald Solomon
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Publication number: 20030195475Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. The medical needle shield apparatus is for use with a needle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the shield is slidably movable along the needle from a proximal position where the distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield covers the distal end of the needle. The shield comprises one or more clips having two or more apertures through which the needle passes, wherein the apertures have surfaces. A clip positioning member, in communication with at least one of the clips, positions the aperture surfaces of at least one of the clips when a portion of the clip positioning member in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle such that at least a portion of the aperture surfaces of the two or more apertures binds to the needle with opposing binding forces so as to secure the shield to the needle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, Craig N. Thorne, Mark Nelson, Gale H. Thorne
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Publication number: 20030167203Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus for processing product sales coupons in a self-service environment comprising a coupon processing station which reads indicia from printed coupons and which provides opportunity for selection of electronically stored coupons from memory. Further, the station has multiple booths which may be used separately and which may be used to display advertising when not processing coupons. The coupon processing station dispenses a coupon shopping list having a list of selected coupons and a single machine-readable indicia, such as a bar code, from which all coupons on the list are referenced at the time of purchase. A list insertion hub affixed to an establishment cash register/computer communication system in which the station and hub are used verifies purchases against coupon use rules and validates each coupon which has been redeemed properly. Files of validated coupons are sorted and sent to a central controller for efficacious billing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: Gale H. Thorne TrustInventors: Gale H. Thorne, James V. Yardley, Kay L. Ruggles, Bruce W. Thorne
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Patent number: 6595955Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. The medical needle shield apparatus is for use with a needle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the shield is slidably movable along the needle from a proximal position where the distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield covers the distal end of the needle. The shield comprises one or more clips having two or more apertures through which the needle passes, wherein the apertures have surfaces. A clip positioning member, in communication with at least one of the clips, positions the aperture surfaces of at least one of the clips when a portion of the clip positioning member in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle such that at least a portion of the aperture surfaces of the two or more apertures binds to the needle with opposing binding forces so as to secure the shield to the needle.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Specialized Health Products, Inc.Inventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, Craig N. Thorne, Mark Nelson, Gale H. Thorne, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020199118Abstract: This invention provides a secure method for developing, releasing and distributing training courses via the Internet. The method permits each browser of one or more personal computers to be modified from a central server to allow the computers to be used as training course development tools. The method provides unique modes of operational security over all phases of training course development, distribution and use which maintain privacy and protect individual interests of authoring clients, a server provider and student clients. Transmitted files are encrypted such that all confidential aspects of a training course under development remains private and totally under control of an authoring client until released by the authoring client. Training course development files are stored in encrypted format making contents of the training course development files inaccessible to server maintenance personnel and all others who do not have access to an associated private key for file decryption.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: MedInservice.com, Inc.Inventors: James V. Yardley, Michael A. Wilson, Gale H. Thorne
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Publication number: 20020151850Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. The medical needle shield apparatus is for use with a needle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the shield is slidably movable along the needle from a proximal position where the distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield covers the distal end of the needle. The shield comprises one or more clips having two or more apertures through which the needle passes, wherein the apertures have surfaces. A clip positioning member, in communication with at least one of the clips, positions the aperture surfaces of at least one of the clips when a portion of the clip positioning member in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle such that at least a portion of the aperture surfaces of the two or more apertures binds to the needle with opposing binding forces so as to secure the shield to the needle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2001Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: F. Mark Ferguson , Mark Nelson , Charles V. Owen , Craig N. Thorne , David L. Thorne , Gale H. Thorne
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Publication number: 20020072716Abstract: A safety shield apparatus is disclosed which includes a needle having a distal portion defining a longitudinal axis which is angularly displaced relative to a longitudinal axis defined by a proximal portion of the needle. A shield is mounted with the needle and extensible, via a tubular needle guide movable along the needle, between a retracted position and an extended position. The apparatus may include a needle hub configured to support the proximal portion of the needle. The needle hub can include an appendage which may have at least one opening to facilitate manipulation thereof. A distal end of the shield can be attached to a planar contact surface. The shield may also include a latch engageable with the needle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: Safety Syringe CorporationInventors: Roy L. Barrus, David L. Thorne, Charles V. Owen, Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Michael Thorne, Stephen Brown, Gale H. Thorne
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Patent number: 6358265Abstract: Three embodiments of a single-step lancet are disclosed. Each such lancet embodiment provides true one-step operation. In a single operational step requiring only a unidirectional displacement of an actuator into a housing, a lancet blade is removed from an aseptic environment which protects and retains the lancet blade in a pre-sterilized state within the housing prior to use, stores energy in an energy storage medium, activates the lancet blade to perform a lance and for safety retracts the lancet blade into the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Specialized Health Products, Inc.Inventors: Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Michael A. Wilson, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, B. Chance Bagley
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Publication number: 20010039401Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. In embodiments of this invention a shield with two or more segments hingedly connected to each other is movable from a retracted position where the needle is exposed, to an extended position where the shield extends beyond the end of the needle. The needle is affixed in a hub of a medical needle device, and the shield is articulated to the hub. At least one of the two or more segments has an open orifice through which the needle passes to form an axis of intersection about the needle. The shield includes a channel for covering the needle when the shield is linearly extended. One or more locks associated with one or more of the segments secures one or more of the segments relative to the shield in the extended position. A latch is also disposed on the distal segment for securing the distal segment relative to the shield when in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Applicant: Safety Syringe CorporationInventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Richard L. Fiser, James R. Curtis, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, Mark A. Nelson, Roy L. Barrus, Gale H. Thorne, Eugene E. Weilbacher, Michael Thorne, Steven Brown, Donald Solomon
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Patent number: 6254575Abstract: A retractable and extendable medical needle protective shield which provides opportunity for accessing and reaccessing a medical needle and associated sharpened needle tip and recovering the needle and tip for safety between accesses. The shield includes a needle guide which assures the needle tip is untouched by any part of the shield as the shield is displaced to cover and uncover the needle. A releasible latch is provided to guard against inadvertent removal of the protective shield between accesses. An unreleasible latch is also provided to secure the shield relative to the latch preparatory to final disposal. In combination with the protective shield, a plurality of adapters are disclosed which provide examples of passively operated, protected access to membrane pierceable fluid sources such as a “Y” connection site of an IV set line, a drug vial, a vacuum sample tube, an umbilical cord holder and a hypodermic site.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Specialized Health ProductsInventors: Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Mark Nelson, F. Mark Ferguson, Kendall P. Thorne, Michael L. Thorne, David L. Thorne, Gale H. Thorne, Michael A. Wilson