Patents by Inventor Robert E. Helm
Robert E. Helm 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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Patent number: 11969570Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one aspect of the invention, mounting handle/dressing assemblies and kits are disclosed for creating a sterile sealed environment around a catheter insertion site. For example, the dressings of the present invention can be pre-disposed around a mounting handle and connector. The connector is joined to the proximal end of the catheter and then the dressing can be slid along the mounting handle until it surrounds the insertion site. Once the dressing is adhesively applied to the skin and locked into place by an annular fitting between the dressing and the connector, the handle can be removed and discarded, leaving only the dressing, and catheter connector in place. The catheter connector preferably has a needle-free connector port at its proximal end for connection to IV lines or other infusion devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: One IV Solutions, LLCInventor: Robert E. Helm, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230248945Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods used to seal and secure a medical device at an insertion site are disclosed. The systems include a mating dressing device, a central connector, and a compression lock collar. The mating dressing device includes an adhesive plate portion that forms a first circumferential seal around the insertion site and a mating body portion that the central connector form fits to. The compression lock collar compresses the mating body portion against the central connector to form a second circumferential seal. The systems can also include a segment of intravenous tubing coupled to the central connector and used for application of the mating dressing device and compression lock collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Robert E. Helm, Gregory A. Helm
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Publication number: 20200398039Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one aspect of the invention, mounting handle/dressing assemblies and kits are disclosed for creating a sterile sealed environment around a catheter insertion site. For example, the dressings of the present invention can be pre-disposed around a mounting handle and connector. The connector is joined to the proximal end of the catheter and then the dressing can be slid along the mounting handle until it surrounds the insertion site. Once the dressing is adhesively applied to the skin and locked into place by an annular fitting between the dressing and the connector, the handle can be removed and discarded, leaving only the dressing, and catheter connector in place. The catheter connector preferably has a needle-free connector port at its proximal end for connection to IV lines or other infusion devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventor: Robert E. Helm
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Publication number: 20200330732Abstract: Catheter dressing-related devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. The devices may be configured to maintain sterility and to stabilize an inserted catheter to decrease catheter complication and failure rates. The devices may form two circumferential seals around the catheter to partially define a sealed chamber surrounding the catheter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventor: Robert E. Helm
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Patent number: 10682507Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one aspect of the invention, mounting handle/dressing assemblies and kits are disclosed for creating a sterile sealed environment around a catheter insertion site. For example the dressings of the present invention can be pre-disposed around a mounting handle and connector. The connector is joined to the proximal end of the catheter and then the dressing can be slid along the mounting handle until it surrounds the insertion site. Once the dressing is adhesively applied to the skin and locked into place by an annular fitting between the dressing and the connector, the handle can be removed and discarded, leaving only the dressing, and catheter connector in place. The catheter connector preferably has a needle-free connector port at its proximal end for connection to IV lines or other infusion devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: One IV Solutions, LLCInventor: Robert E. Helm
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Publication number: 20190247623Abstract: A device for sealing and securing a catheter at its insertion site in order to provide for optimum safe catheter function, and to achieve maximum catheter longevity/dwell time is described. The sterile seal achieved by this device fully protects the catheter and its insertion site from external contamination. The unique sterile seal also functions to fully stabilize and secure the catheter, thereby minimizing traumatic catheter injury and loss. A means of continuously viewing the insertion site is also provided, as well as mechanisms for maintaining sterility of the sterile chamber that is formed around the catheter insertion site by the integrated sealing and securing device. Together these features allow for improved catheter safety and function, and allow catheters to safely remain in place for an extended period of time. The need to change catheter dressings at intervals is minimized or eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Robert E. Helm, Karl Leinsing, Joseph M. Durant
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Patent number: 9808601Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one embodiment, a catheter dressing is provided that includes an adhesive plate configured for attachment to the skin of a patient and a flexible sheath that extends proximally from the adhesive plate. The sheath can be capable of longitudinal extension from a compressed to an extended state and can be configured in its extended state to surround an external segment of a catheter implanted in the patient and circumferentially seal to a portion of the external segment at a distance from the adhesive plate. The dressing can also be configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the catheter while at the same time permitting non-longitudinal movement. One-piece rigid or semi-rigid dressing bodies are also disclosed, as are various methods and devices for facilitating removal and or replacement of a catheter dressing.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventor: Robert E. Helm, Jr.
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Publication number: 20160158499Abstract: A catheter and dressing assembly is disclosed including a dressing having a distal adhesive plate configured for attachment to a skin region surrounding a catheter insertion site to provide a first circumferential seal around the catheter at the insertion site, a dressing body extending from the adhesive plate and configured to surround a catheter segment external to the insertion site and a proximal sealing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventor: Robert E. Helm
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Publication number: 20160158523Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one aspect of the invention, mounting handle/dressing assemblies and kits are disclosed for creating a sterile sealed environment around a catheter insertion site. For example the dressings of the present invention can be pre-disposed around a mounting handle and connector. The connector is joined to the proximal end of the catheter and then the dressing can be slid along the mounting handle until it surrounds the insertion site. Once the dressing is adhesively applied to the skin and locked into place by an annular fitting between the dressing and the connector, the handle can be removed and discarded, leaving only the dressing, and catheter connector in place. The catheter connector preferably has a needle-free connector port at its proximal end for connection to IV lines or other infusion devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventor: Robert E. Helm
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Publication number: 20150352331Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve a sterile catheter-dressing system that allows for integrated injection of fluids, e.g., a saline flush, during the process of catheter insertion and sterile dressing placement. Such methods and devices can be used as a fully integrated catheter insertion system, or to convert existing catheter insertion devices and methods into integrated flush and sterile sealing catheter-dressing systems. Such methods and devices can greatly simplify the catheter insertion process, and can allow the reproducible placement of a fully sterile and flushed vascular catheter, as well as the placement of a durably sterile circumferentially sealing and securing dressing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventor: Robert E. Helm, JR.
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Patent number: 9180275Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve a sterile catheter-dressing system that allows for integrated injection of fluids, e.g., a saline flush, during the process of catheter insertion and sterile dressing placement. Such methods and devices can be used as a fully integrated catheter insertion system, or to convert existing catheter insertion devices and methods into integrated flush and sterile sealing catheter-dressing systems. Such methods and devices can greatly simplify the catheter insertion process, and can allow the reproducible placement of a fully sterile and flushed vascular catheter, as well as the placement of a durably sterile circumferentially sealing and securing dressing.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Inventor: Robert E. Helm
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Patent number: 9138525Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Inventor: Robert E. Helm, Jr.
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Patent number: 8715242Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for inserting a sterile catheter, and for maintaining a sterilely sealed catheter and catheter insertion site over time. In one embodiment, a four-part integrated system is provided that includes (1) a novel vascular catheter with integrated uniform diameter mounting, capping, and needle safety procurement features, (2) a novel vascular catheter dressing designed to specifically mate with and seal to this vascular catheter to achieve a sterile seal both at the catheter-skin insertion site and the catheter-dressing exit site, (3) a hub protection and sterilizing apparatus that serves to stabilize, protect, and sterilize the working end of the catheter hub as it protrudes from the sterile dressing, and that also helps to improve the ergonomics of the catheter-dressing complex in order to avoid snagging on clothing etc., and (4) a whole dressing accessory secondary cover and securement device.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventor: Robert E. Helm, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130178825Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve a sterile catheter-dressing system that allows for integrated injection of fluids, e.g., a saline flush, during the process of catheter insertion and sterile dressing placement. Such methods and devices can be used as a fully integrated catheter insertion system, or to convert existing catheter insertion devices and methods into integrated flush and sterile sealing catheter-dressing systems. Such methods and devices can greatly simplify the catheter insertion process, and can allow the reproducible placement of a fully sterile and flushed vascular catheter, as well as the placement of a durably sterile circumferentially sealing and securing dressing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventor: Robert E. Helm, JR.
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Publication number: 20130098839Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventor: Robert E. HELM, JR.
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Publication number: 20120232489Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one embodiment, a catheter dressing is provided that includes an adhesive plate configured for attachment to the skin of a patient and a flexible sheath that extends proximally from the adhesive plate. The sheath can be capable of longitudinal extension from a compressed to an extended state and can be configured in its extended state to surround an external segment of a catheter implanted in the patient and circumferentially seal to a portion of the external segment at a distance from the adhesive plate. The dressing can also be configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the catheter while at the same time permitting non-longitudinal movement. One-piece rigid or semi-rigid dressing bodies are also disclosed, as are various methods and devices for facilitating removal and or replacement of a catheter dressing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventor: Robert E. Helm, JR.
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Publication number: 20120197204Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for inserting a sterile catheter, and for maintaining a sterilely sealed catheter and catheter insertion site over time. In one embodiment, a four-part integrated system is provided that includes (1) a novel vascular catheter with integrated uniform diameter mounting, capping, and needle safety procurement features, (2) a novel vascular catheter dressing designed to specifically mate with and seal to this vascular catheter to achieve a sterile seal both at the catheter-skin insertion site and the catheter-dressing exit site, (3) a hub protection and sterilizing apparatus that serves to stabilize, protect, and sterilize the working end of the catheter hub as it protrudes from the sterile dressing, and that also helps to improve the ergonomics of the catheter-dressing complex in order to avoid snagging on clothing etc., and (4) a whole dressing accessory secondary cover and securement device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventor: Robert E. Helm, JR.
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Patent number: 8187215Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Inventor: Robert E. Helm, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110106014Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one embodiment, a catheter dressing is provided that includes an adhesive plate configured for attachment to the skin of a patient and a flexible sheath that extends proximally from the adhesive plate. The sheath can be capable of longitudinal extension from a compressed to an extended state and can be configured in its extended state to surround an external segment of a catheter implanted in the patient and circumferentially seal to a portion of the external segment at a distance from the adhesive plate. The dressing can also be configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the catheter while at the same time permitting non-longitudinal movement. One-piece rigid or semi-rigid dressing bodies are also disclosed, as are various methods and devices for facilitating removal and or replacement of a catheter dressing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventor: Robert E. Helm, JR.
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Publication number: 20090118659Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2009Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventor: Robert E. HELM, JR.