Patents by Inventor Gordon Howard Epstein

Gordon Howard Epstein 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: 7207969
    Abstract: A filling device and method, particularly for two-component sealants such as fibrin sealants, which enables two fluids to be separately and directly filled to the reservoirs of a dual syringe fluid applicator from two storage containers, which can be standardized, sealed, sterilized bottles. The device has a connector which engages with the fluid applicator, is keyed to orient the applicator's fluid reservoirs in a predetermined manner and holds the containers in side-by-side alignment with the applicator. Two fluid conduits whose downward ends may be pointed to pierce seals on the bottles, extend between the applicator and the bottles and can each have a transverse reach to accommodate the girth of the bottles. The bottles may be tilted by the device to enable the conduits to draw maximal fluid from a lowermost point of the bottle. Tilting can be effected by a downward movement of the device supporting the applicator which movement can introduce the fluid conduits into the bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard Spero, Adam Hagmann
  • Patent number: 7081103
    Abstract: A filling device for connecting a dispensing instrument having multiple fluid reservoirs to multiple containers is disclosed. More particularly, the present invention discloses a connecting device capable of coupling the individual reservoirs of a dispensing instrument to multiple fluid containers. The apparatus includes a body, a collar extending from the body, a plurality of tubes in fluid communication with a plurality of inlet ports formed in the body, and a hood adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality of containers therein. The containers are positioned within the hood to allow the plurality of tubes to simultaneously and separately draw fluid from the fluid containers and transferring the material into the individual reservoirs of the dispensing instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard Spero
  • Patent number: 6926695
    Abstract: A sealant applicator suitable for dispensing a coagulable sealant, for example a two-component fibrin sealant mixed in the applicator, employs impulse clearing to remove residual coagulated or coagulating material from the dispensing pathway and mixing chamber, if present. Impulses may be generated by manual application of a clearing member such as a plunger which can enter into the dispensing pathway to engage, dislodge and discharge residuals or can generate a gas impulse to impact the residuals to similar effect. A clearing valve having a clearing port can be operated by movement of the clearing member to provide access to the dispensing pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell E. Levinson, Gordon Howard Epstein
  • Patent number: 6921380
    Abstract: A multi-component sealant applicator comprises a dual catheter for delivering sealant. Each catheter communicates with one of a pair of fluid sealant agent sources and comprises a mixing volume within the dual catheter for mixing multiple components of a multi-component sealant prior to discharge from a distal end of the catheter and a clearing system to clear undesired material from the mixing volume or the vicinity of the mixing volume, wherein one catheter is mounted for longitudinal movement within the other and the inner catheter is usable as a plunger to remove clogs. The catheter may comprise a reciprocal drive mechanism proximally coupled with the dual catheter to move one catheter longitudinally with respect to the other. The drive mechanism may comprise a ratchet and pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson
  • Patent number: 6770050
    Abstract: Multipurpose fluid applicators, particularly suitable for surgical purposes, are disclosed. The applicators are specifically designed for dispensing various combinations of sterile pressurized gas, suction, irrigation and sealant agents, including a mixed liquid sealant agent. Preferred embodiments employ a dual-acting valve selectively to control the flow of gas or suction which valve is capable of simultaneously varying flow from a source and the venting of that flow to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Howard Epstein
  • Patent number: 6733472
    Abstract: Multipurpose fluid applicators and applicator tips, particularly suitable for surgical purposes, are disclosed. The applicators and applicator tips are specifically designed for dispensing various combinations of sterile pressurized gas, suction, irrigation and sealant agents, including a mixed liquid sealant agent. Preferred embodiments employ a dual-acting valve selectively to control the flow of gas or suction which valve is capable of simultaneously varying flow from a source and the venting of that flow to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard K. Spero
  • Publication number: 20030229305
    Abstract: A sealant applicator suitable for dispensing a coagulable sealant, for example a two-component fibrin sealant mixed in the applicator, employs impulse clearing to remove residual coagulated or coagulating material from the dispensing pathway and mixing chamber, if present. Impulses may be generated by manual application of a clearing member such as a plunger which can enter into the dispensing pathway to engage, dislodge and discharge residuals or can generate a gas impulse to impact the residuals to similar effect. A clearing valve having a clearing port can be operated by movement of the clearing member to provide access to the dispensing pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Mitchell E. Levinson, Gordon Howard Epstein
  • Publication number: 20030139774
    Abstract: A filling device and method, particularly for two-component sealants such as fibrin sealants, which enables two fluids to be separately and directly filled to the reservoirs of a dual syringe fluid applicator from two storage containers, which can be standardized, sealed, sterilized bottles. The device has a connector which engages with the fluid applicator, is keyed to orient the applicator's fluid reservoirs in a predetermined manner and holds the containers in side-by-side alignment with the applicator. Two fluid conduits whose downward ends may be pointed to pierce seals on the bottles, extend between the applicator and the bottles and can each have a transverse reach to accommodate the girth of the bottles. The bottles may be tilted by the device to enable the conduits to draw maximal fluid from a lowermost point of the bottle. Tilting can be effected by a downward movement of the device supporting the applicator which movement can introduce the fluid conduits into the bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard Spero, Adam Hagmann
  • Patent number: 6575205
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a syringe-type applicator having multiple material reservoirs are disclosed. The method and apparatus permits the individual component reservoirs to be simultaneously filled without risk of contamination or unintentional component mixing. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in the preparation and delivery of multiple component tissue sealants such a fibrinogen adhesive compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Baxter International
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Alan Plyley, Russell James Redmond
  • Patent number: 6575940
    Abstract: A sealant applicator suitable for dispensing a coagulable sealant, for example a two-component fibrin sealant mixed in the applicator, employs impulse clearing to remove residual coagulated or coagulating material from the dispensing pathway and mixing chamber, if present. Impulses may be generated by manual application of a clearing member such as a plunger which can enter into the dispensing pathway to engage, dislodge and discharge residuals or can generate a gas impulse to impact the residuals to similar effect. A clearing valve having a clearing port can be operated by movement of the clearing member to provide access to the dispensing pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Baxter Healthcare Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchell E. Levinson, Gordon Howard Epstein
  • Publication number: 20030083606
    Abstract: A filling device for connecting a dispensing instrument having multiple fluid reservoirs to multiple containers is disclosed. More particularly, the present invention discloses a connecting device capable of coupling the individual reservoirs of a dispensing instrument to multiple fluid containers. The apparatus includes a body, a collar extending from the body, a plurality of tubes in fluid communication with a plurality of inlet ports formed in the body, and a hood adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality of containers therein. The containers are positioned within the hood to allow the plurality of tubes to simultaneously and separately draw fluid from the fluid containers and transferring the material into the individual reservoirs of the dispensing instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard Spero
  • Patent number: 6488650
    Abstract: A filling device and method, particularly for two-component sealants such as fibrin sealants, which enables two fluids to be separately and directly filled to the reservoirs of a dual syringe fluid applicator from two storage containers, which can be standardized, sealed, sterilized bottles. The device has a connector which engages with the fluid applicator, is keyed to orient the applicator's fluid reservoirs in a predetermined manner and holds the containers in side-by-side alignment with the applicator. Two fluid conduits whose downward ends may be pointed to pierce seals on the bottles, extend between the applicator and the bottles and can each have a transverse reach to accommodate the girth of the bottles. The bottles may be tilted by the device to enable the conduits to draw maximal fluid from a lowermost point of the bottle. Tilting can be effected by a downward movement of the device supporting the applicator which movement can introduce the fluid conduits into the bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard Spero, Adam Hagmann
  • Publication number: 20020173744
    Abstract: A medical fluid suctioning device for selectively applying varied levels of suction pressure at a device-tissue interface includes a direct “trumpet”-type control mechanism in conjunction with a “venturi”-type control. A valve manifold is adapted to couple a vent pathway and a suction pathway simultaneously to the vacuum conduit adapted for connection to a vacuum source. The amount of resistance to flow due to vacuum pressure is adjusted simultaneously in both the vent pathway and the suction pathway in order to achieve controlled, selected levels of suction. Similarly shaped valve apertures are provided in inverse and reciprocal orientation along an axis of motion of a valve manifold. The apertures translate across ports to the suction and venting pathways simultaneously to vary applied suction to those pathways inversely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Gordon Howard Epstein
  • Patent number: 6475183
    Abstract: A filling device for connecting a dispensing instrument having multiple fluid reservoirs to multiple containers is disclosed. More particularly, the present invention discloses a connecting device capable of coupling the individual reservoirs of a dispensing instrument to multiple fluid containers. The apparatus includes a body, a collar extending from the body, a plurality of tubes in fluid communication with a plurality of inlet ports formed in the body, and a hood adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality of containers therein. The containers are positioned within the hood to allow the plurality of tubes to simultaneously and separately draw fluid from the fluid containers and transferring the material into the individual reservoirs of the dispensing instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard Spero
  • Patent number: 6471667
    Abstract: A medical fluid suctioning device for selectively applying varied levels of suction pressure at a device-tissue interface includes a direct “trumpet”-type control mechanism in conjunction with a “venturi”-type control. A valve manifold is adapted to couple a vent pathway and a suction pathway simultaneously to the vacuum conduit adapted for connection to a vacuum source. The amount of resistance to flow due to vacuum pressure is adjusted simultaneously in both the vent pathway and the suction pathway in order to achieve controlled, selected levels of suction. Similarly shaped valve apertures are provided in inverse and reciprocal orientation along an axis of motion of a valve manifold. The apertures translate across ports to the suction and venting pathways simultaneously to vary applied suction to those pathways inversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Howard Epstein
  • Patent number: 6461361
    Abstract: A gas-driven spray applicator particularly suitable for spray delivery of mixed fibrin sealants for surgical use has a spray nozzle wherein droplets or a stream of mixed sealant agents are entrained in a stream of gas such as sterile compressed air. Gas entrainment of the mixed sealant overcomes problems of ineffective mixing which may occur when the sealant agents are separately discharged into overlapping spray patterns. A spray tip assembly is disclosed which is suitable for attachment to an applicator body having manually dischargeable reservoirs for the sealant agents. Clogs may be cleared by suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Howard Epstein
  • Publication number: 20020072714
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a syringe-type applicator having multiple material reservoirs are disclosed. The method and apparatus permits the individual component reservoirs to be simultaneously filled without risk of contamination or unintentional component mixing. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in the preparation and delivery of multiple component tissue sealants such a fibrinogen adhesive compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Alan Plyley, Russell James Redmond
  • Patent number: 6331172
    Abstract: A medical fluid applicator for dispensing a fluid onto biological tissues in tissue adhesive or sealant applications includes a dispensing pathway with an audible loudness indicator that signals the cumulative amount of fluid delivered by varying the pitch or tone of audible signals emitted at discrete volumetric increments. A suction pathway is also included for applying vacuum pressure to the applicator tip contemporaneous with the fluid application. The medical fluid applicator further includes a clearing pathway for retrogradedly withdrawing coagulated mixed fluids, such as mixed two-part tissue adhesives, from the applicator tip. A valve manifold and a shuttle valve are actuated to adjust the operation of vacuum pressure in the device between the various suctioning, clearing, and venting conduits of the device. The valve manifold is also adapted to couple a vent pathway and the suction pathway simultaneously to the vacuum conduit adapted for connection to a vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Alan Plyley, Russell James Redmond
  • Patent number: D462437
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Alan Kirby Plyley, Russell James Redmond
  • Patent number: D462758
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Howard Epstein, Alan Kirby Plyley, Russell James Redmond