Patents by Inventor Glade H. Howell

Glade H. Howell 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).

  • Publication number: 20240091501
    Abstract: Rapidly inserted central catheters (“RICC”), and methods thereof. A RICC can include a catheter tube including a first section in a distal end portion of the catheter tube, a second section in the distal end portion of the catheter tube proximal of the first section, and a junction between the first and second sections of the catheter tube. The first section of the catheter tube can be formed of a first material having a first durometer. The second section of the catheter tube can be formed of a second material having a second durometer less than the first durometer. The first and second sections of the catheter tube can have a column strength sufficient to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when inserted into an insertion site and advanced through a vasculature of a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Glade H. Howell
  • Patent number: 11931125
    Abstract: Medical device kits for use in placing, maintaining, altering, and/or removing medical devices in, on, and/or from the body of a patient are disclosed. Such medical device kits can include one or more wrap assemblies for use in the placement/maintenance procedure. In accordance with present embodiments, the one or more wrap assemblies of the medical device kit can include various features to assist the clinician performing the particular procedure. In one embodiment, a medical wrap assembly is disclosed, comprising a foldable wrap body that includes a front surface, wherein the front surface is configured to define a sterile field. A plurality of pockets is included on the front surface of the wrap body. The pockets are configured to contain therein a plurality of medical components. The medical components are arranged in the pockets in a predetermined order of use for the medical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Johnson, Matt Loui, Glade H. Howell, Jennifer Stryker
  • Publication number: 20240082549
    Abstract: Rapidly insertable central-catheter (“RICC”) insertion assemblies and associated methods include valve modules. For example, a RICC insertion assembly can include a RICC, an introducer needle, and an access guidewire coupled together by a coupler in which a valve module is disposed. The introducer needle includes a needle shaft having a longitudinal needle slot and a sheath over the needle shaft sealing the needle slot thereunder except for that under a sheath opening of the sheath. The valve module includes an elastomeric gasket encircling at least a portion of a valve-module compartment of the coupler housing. In a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly, the gasket is compressed in the valve-module compartment around both the introducer needle and the access guidewire where the access guidewire extends from the sheath opening, thereby creating a substantially air-tight space within the gasket around the introducer needle and the access guidewire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Joe Spataro, Kyle G. Thornley, Eric W. Lindekugel, Glade H. Howell
  • Patent number: 11918767
    Abstract: Rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICCs”) including catheter assemblies and methods thereof are disclosed. A RICC assembly can include a RICC, an introducer, and a coupling system configured to couple the RICC and the introducer together. A catheter tube of the RICC includes a side aperture in a distal-end portion of the catheter tube, which opens into an introducing lumen extending from the side aperture to a distal end of the RICC. The introducer includes a syringe and an introducer needle having a cannula. The coupling system includes a distal coupler slidably attached to the catheter tube proximal of the side aperture. The cannula extends through a longitudinal through hole of the distal coupler, through the side aperture of the catheter tube, along the introducing lumen of the catheter tube, and through the distal end of the RICC when the RICC assembly is in at least a ready-to-deploy state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glade H. Howell, Jason R. Stats, Huy Ngoc Tran
  • Publication number: 20240058193
    Abstract: A sterile environment system can include an enclosure and a support system. The enclosure can include a barrier separating a sterile environment inside of the enclosure from a non-sterile environment outside of the enclosure. The barrier can include an expandable portion configured to expand from an unexpanded state to an expanded state for working within the sterile environment, and a patient-interfacing portion including a fenestration configured for placement directly over an area of interest of a patient, the fenestration having a sealed state and an unsealed state for access to the area of interest from within the sterile environment. The support system can be coupled to the patient-interfacing portion of the barrier such that it is positioned on at least opposite sides of the fenestration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Teresa Ta, Michael Davis, Kyle G. Thornley, James D. Beal, Daniel B. Blanchard, Glade H. Howell
  • Publication number: 20240050706
    Abstract: Rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICCs”) including catheter assemblies and methods thereof are disclosed. For example, a RICC assembly includes a RICC and an introducer. The RICC includes a catheter tube, a catheter hub, and one or more extension legs coupled in the foregoing order. The catheter tube includes a side aperture that opens into an introducing lumen that extends from at least the side aperture to a distal end of the RICC. The introducer includes a retractable-needle device, a syringe, and a coupling hub that couples the retractable-needle device and the syringe together proximal of the side aperture in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC assembly. The retractable-needle device includes an introducer needle. A needle tip in a distal-end portion of a shaft of the introducer needle extends beyond the distal end of the RICC when the RICC assembly is in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Glade H. Howell, Jason R. Stats
  • Patent number: 11890429
    Abstract: Rapidly inserted central catheters (“RICC”), and methods thereof. A RICC can include a catheter tube including a first section in a distal-end portion of the catheter tube, a second section in the distal-end portion of the catheter tube proximal of the first section, and a junction between the first and second sections of the catheter tube. The first section of the catheter tube can be formed of a first material having a first durometer. The second section of the catheter tube can be formed of a second material having a second durometer less than the first durometer. The first and second sections of the catheter tube can have a column strength sufficient to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when inserted into an insertion site and advanced through a vasculature of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Glade H. Howell
  • Patent number: 11890236
    Abstract: Disclosed are enclosures for establishing a sterile environment over a patient for a medical procedure, as well as systems and methods thereof. An enclosure can include an expandable portion of a barrier separating a sterile environment inside of the enclosure from a non-sterile environment outside of the enclosure and a patient-interfacing portion of the barrier. The enclosure can also include a support system coupled to the patient-interfacing portion of the barrier in some embodiments. The patient-interfacing portion of the barrier can include one or more fenestrations for placement directly over one or more areas of interest of the patient, as well as for access to the areas of interest from within the sterile environment. When present, the support system can flank the fenestration. The support system is configured to support the enclosure on a surface when placed over an appendage of the patient or a main body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa Ta, Michael Davis, Kyle G. Thornley, James D. Beal, Daniel B. Blanchard, Glade H. Howell
  • Publication number: 20240009427
    Abstract: A two-step rapid insertion central catheter (“RICC”) system that can include an introducer placement system, a docking station and a catheter placement system. The introducer placement system can place an introducer within a vasculature, which is supported by a docking station that detaches from a distal end of the introducer placement system. A catheter placement system can be configured to couple with the docking station, and a catheter can be advanced through the introducer into the vasculature. The introducer can then be split and retracted before the catheter placement system disengages the docking station. The docking station can be configured to split and disengage from the catheter. The RICC system can include a guidewire hub to prevent guidewire embolisms, collapsible sterile barriers to prevent contamination, and locking features to prevent premature advancement of guidewires, dilators and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Glade H. Howell, Zachary S. Hastings, Kent Diasabeygunawardena, Jon B. Taylor, Taylor C. Tobin, Jacquelyn N. Phelps, Daniel Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11850380
    Abstract: A medical article, such as a catheter, is secured with respect to a patient with a securement device. The securement device may include a retainer and anchor pad. Certain devices may further include, for example, straps, flaps, dressings, slots, and recesses for securing the medical article to the patient. The retainer may include a recess and/or a channel. At least one surface of the retainer may be coated with an adhesive. A support member may be coupled to the retainer. The support member may include a channel configured to receive a proximally extending portion of the medical article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Glade H. Howell, Matthew W. Bown, Jeremy A. Pearce, Anthony S. Elangovan
  • Patent number: 11826526
    Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step rapid insertion central catheter (“RICC”) system that can include an introducer placement system, a docking station and a catheter placement system. The introducer placement system can place an introducer within a vasculature, which is supported by a docking station that detaches from a distal end of the introducer placement system. A catheter placement system can be configured to couple with the docking station, and a catheter can be advanced through the introducer into the vasculature. The introducer can then be split and retracted before the catheter placement system disengages the docking station. The docking station can be configured to split and disengage from the catheter. The RICC system can include a guidewire hub to prevent guidewire embolisms, collapsible sterile barriers to prevent contamination, and locking features to prevent premature advancement of guidewires, dilators and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glade H. Howell, Zachary S. Hastings, Kent Diasabeygunawardena, Jon B. Taylor, Taylor C. Tobin, Jacquelyn N. Phelps, Daniel Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11819638
    Abstract: Rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICCs”) including catheter assemblies and methods thereof are disclosed. For example, a RICC assembly includes a RICC and an introducer. The RICC includes a catheter tube, a catheter hub, and one or more extension legs coupled in the foregoing order. The catheter tube includes a side aperture that opens into an introducing lumen that extends from at least the side aperture to a distal end of the RICC. The introducer includes a retractable-needle device, a syringe, and a coupling hub that couples the retractable-needle device and the syringe together proximal of the side aperture in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC assembly. The retractable-needle device includes an introducer needle. A needle tip in a distal-end portion of a shaft of the introducer needle extends beyond the distal end of the RICC when the RICC assembly is in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glade H. Howell, Jason R. Stats
  • Publication number: 20230301626
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system configured to simultaneously capture one or more ultrasound images and sterilize a skin surface within a target area via ultraviolet light. The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe having an ultrasound array configured to capture the one or more ultrasound images of a target area. A sterilizing system of the ultrasound probe includes a plurality of ultraviolet light sources. Logic of the ultrasound imaging system governs the operation of the ultraviolet light sources including activation, deactivation, intensity modulation, and/or pulsing modulation. Contact and motion sensors provide input to the logic and the logic governs operation of the ultraviolet light sources in accordance input received from the contact and motion sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventor: Glade H. Howell
  • Publication number: 20230293854
    Abstract: A catheter containment system configured for securing a proximal portion of a catheter placement system within a sterile field. This relieves the clinician from holding the proximal portion to prevent them for falling outside of the sterile field. Further, the proximal portion can be secured out of the way from the insertion site providing a clear field of view. Embodiments include a body, having a channel configured to releasably engage an extension leg or guidewire, and a securement feature to secure the body to a portion of a drape or similar item of the sterile field. Exemplary securement features can include clips, clasps, pins, magnetic elements, adhesives, twist ties, zip ties, snap fasteners, hook and loop attachments, mechanical grasping devices or adhesive pads. The system can further include anchor tabs that can be adhered to the drape to provide an anchor point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Vincent, Luke Robbins, Norihiko Inoue, Jim Roberts, Kyle G. Thornley, Joe Spataro, John Stokes, Glade H. Howell, Lisa I. Bailey, Jonathan W. Rutledge, David Brashares, Hannah Gracie O'neill
  • Publication number: 20230293857
    Abstract: A catheter containment device configured to retain a proximal portion of a catheter placement system, such as a catheter, hub, extension leg, luer lock, or guidewire. The device includes a handle configured to engage a digit of the clinician to couple the device and the proximal portion of a catheter placement system thereto. This allows the clinician to retain the proximal portion within the sterile field without reducing dexterity or obstructing the clinician's view of the insertion site or the catheter placement system. Further the device can allow the clinician to manipulate the proximal portion of the catheter system while mitigating dropping or tangling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Luke Robbins, Christopher Vincent, Norihiko Inoue, Kyle G. Thornley, Glade H. Howell, Joe Spataro, Eric W. Lindekugel, Lisa I. Bailey, Jonathan W. Rutledge, David Brashares, Hannah Gracie O'neill
  • Patent number: 11759170
    Abstract: A probe head-cover applicator and method for applying a probe head-cover to a probe head of an ultrasound probe. A probe head-cover applicator can include a tray including a cavity, an insert of a compressible material suspended over the cavity, and a probe head-cover adhered to the insert. The insert can include a first adhesive on an outward-facing surface of the insert facing away from the cavity. The probe head-cover can be adhered to the insert by the first adhesive. The probe head-cover can include a second adhesive on an outward-facing surface of the probe head-cover facing away from the insert. The second adhesive can be configured to adhere the probe head-cover to a probe head of an ultrasound probe when the probe head is inserted into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Glade H. Howell
  • Publication number: 20230285049
    Abstract: An intraosseous access system including an intraosseous driver coupleable with access assembly that includes an obturator assembly having an obturator and an access assembly needle assembly having a needle lumen defining a needle lumen. The access assembly further includes an extension set having an extension tube having extension tube hub and a bag attachment member coupled with the extension tube at opposite ends. The extension tube hub forms a rotating seal with the access assembly. The access assembly and the bag attachment member are contained within separate sterile packages with the extension tube extending therebetween. A fluid pathway extends between the bag attachment member and the needle lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventor: Glade H. Howell
  • Publication number: 20230277813
    Abstract: Tissue-cutting devices and methods thereof, where a tissue-cutting device is coupleable with a needle used to define a needle tract. The tissue-cutting device includes a blade that cuts the skin during insertion of the device in a needle track to enlarge to needle tract. The tissue-cutting device can be configured for lateral separation from an elongate medical device (e.g., a guidewire). The tissue-cutting device can include a channel for receiving the elongate medical device. The channel can be configured to (i) retain the elongate medical device within the channel in the absence of a deliberate action by the clinician and (ii) facilitate lateral removal of the elongate medical device from the channel in response to the deliberate action. A needle assembly includes a needle coupled with the tissue-cutting device. The tissue-cutting device may include a sheath extending along a distal portion of the tissue-cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventor: Glade H. Howell
  • Publication number: 20230277212
    Abstract: Tissue-cutting devices and methods thereof, where a tissue-cutting device is coupleable with a catheter. The tissue-cutting device includes a blade that cuts the skin during insertion of the device in a needle track to enlarge to needle tract. The tissue-cutting device is configured for lateral separation from the catheter and/or a guidewire. The tissue-cutting device includes a channel for receiving the catheter and/or a guidewire. The channel can be configured to (i) retain the catheter/guidewire within the channel in the absence of a deliberate action by the clinician and (ii) facilitate lateral removal of the catheter/guidewire from the channel in response to the deliberate action. A catheter assembly includes a catheter coupled with the tissue-cutting device. The tissue-cutting device may include a sheath extending along a distal portion of the tissue-cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventor: Glade H. Howell
  • Publication number: 20230277812
    Abstract: Assemblies of guidewires for automatic withdrawal of stylets can include stylet and catheter assemblies. For example, a stylet assembly can include a guidewire disposed in a stylet. The guidewire can include a proximal portion having a first outer diameter, a distal portion including a dilated section having a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter, and a guidewire tip in the distal portion of the guidewire. The stylet can include a stylet tip and a stylet lumen therethrough with a stylet inner diameter commensurate with the first outer diameter of the guidewire. At least the proximal portion of the guidewire can be disposed in the stylet lumen of the stylet with a corresponding orientation. The dilated section of the guidewire can be configured to butt against the stylet tip when the guidewire is proximally withdrawn from a catheter for automatic withdrawal of the stylet from the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Glade H. Howell, Kyle G. Thornley