Patents by Inventor Robert Hitchcock

Robert Hitchcock 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: 10166339
    Abstract: A disinfecting cap accepts a needleless injection site to apply an antiseptic agent. The cap includes a breakable seal located in a chamber between the proximal and distal portions so as to be spaced away from the opening. The cap body may include a compliant wall that deforms when a needleless injection site is inserted into the opening to removably hold the cap on the needleless injection site. In lieu of a compliant wall, a flexible skirt may extend from the cap body into the proximal portion, so that when a needleless injection site is inserted into the opening, the flexible skirt engages the outer diameter of the needleless injection site to removably hold the cap on the needleless injection site. A carrier strip may be used, wherein each of the plurality of disinfecting caps is removably attached at its proximal end to the carrier strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Mahender Avula, Robert Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 10155056
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect both a male medical connector and needleless injection site when not in use or when disconnected from each other. The caps contain a disinfecting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett
  • Patent number: 10154785
    Abstract: A system and method for fluorescence imaging of tissue in vivo and in situ, e.g., for minimally invasive diagnosis of patients. A fluorescent imaging system is provided that has a dye carrier coupled to the distal end of a probe containing a fiber optics bundle, which allows for the introduction of at least one fluorescent dye therein the dye carrier into a portion of the tissue of interest of a subject or patient when the dye carrier is selectively brought into contact with the portion of the tissue of interest. The resulting fluorescence images permit the acquisition of diagnostic information on the progression of diseases at cellular/tissue level in patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Frank B. Sachse, Robert Hitchcock, Chao Huang, Aditya K. Kaza
  • Publication number: 20180256881
    Abstract: A male-disinfecting cap is configured to couple with and apply an antiseptic agent to medical male luer-lock connector of the type including a post having a lumen. The cap includes a receiving portion which defines a chamber. The post of the male luer-lock connector is received into a single opening of the chamber. The receiving portion is configured to fit within the skirt of the male luer-lock connector when the post is received into the receiving portion. At least one vent is defined on the internal surface of the receiving portion and extends from the opening into the chamber, where an antiseptic is disposed. Protrusions on the external surface of the receiving portion engage helical threads of the internally helically threaded skirt. The male-disinfecting cap also includes a seal that prevents evaporation of the antiseptic agent in the chamber prior to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Hitchcock, Mahender Avula
  • Publication number: 20180214684
    Abstract: Medical devices including a cap for a medical connector are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cap comprises a disinfectant, such as an antiseptic fluid and an insert configured to seal or partially seal the medical connector as it is engaged with the cap. In some embodiments the cap insert has a segment which is deformable under axially applied pressure as an end-user attaches the cap to the medical connector. In some embodiments this insert is configured to improve the exposure of antiseptic to the outer surface of the medical connector while minimizing exposure of the antiseptic inside the medical connector open lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Mahender Avula, Richard P. Jenkins, Kenneth Sykes, Robert Hitchcock, F. Mark Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9809355
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect both a male medical connector and needleless injection site when not in use or when disconnected from each other. The caps contain a disinfecting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett
  • Patent number: 9554888
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing scaffolds are disclosed. The system includes a polymer solution and a non-solvent, which are sprayed into receiving portions of support elements. After scaffolds are formed on the support elements, the support elements permit elongation of the scaffolds. Composites formed from a plurality of scaffolds are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: James P. Kennedy, Robert Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20160144118
    Abstract: A disinfecting cap accepts a needleless injection site to apply an antiseptic agent. The cap includes a breakable seal located in a chamber between the proximal and distal portions so as to be spaced away from the opening. The cap body may include a compliant wall that deforms when a needleless injection site is inserted into the opening to removably hold the cap on the needleless injection site. In lieu of a compliant wall, a flexible skirt may extend from the cap body into the proximal portion, so that when a needleless injection site is inserted into the opening, the flexible skirt engages the outer diameter of the needleless injection site to removably hold the cap on the needleless injection site. A carrier strip may be used, wherein each of the plurality of disinfecting caps is removably attached at its proximal end to the carrier strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Mahender Avula, Robert Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20160106968
    Abstract: Some assemblies can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which can be used to cover separated medical connectors. In certain arrangements, a male cap can include a movable carriage that transitions from a retracted position when an assembly with which the male cap is associated is in a closed state to an extended position when the assembly is in an open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Donald R. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9242084
    Abstract: Some assemblies can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which can be used to cover separated medical connectors. In certain arrangements, a male cap can include a movable carriage that transitions from a retracted position when an assembly with which the male cap is associated is in a closed state to an extended position when the assembly is in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9238360
    Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Tracy Kucaba, Dana Pulvino, Robert Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20150374968
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect both a male medical connector and needleless injection site when not in use or when disconnected from each other. The caps contain a disinfecting agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett
  • Patent number: 9114915
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect both a male medical connector and needleless injection site when not in use or when disconnected from each other. The caps contain a disinfecting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett
  • Patent number: 9079692
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect both a male medical connector and needleless injection site when not in use or when disconnected from each other. The caps contain a disinfecting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett
  • Publication number: 20150119708
    Abstract: A system and method for fluorescence imaging of tissue in vivo and in situ, e.g., for minimally invasive diagnosis of patients. A fluorescent imaging system is provided that has a dye carrier coupled to the distal end of a probe containing a fiber optics bundle, which allows for the introduction of at least one fluorescent dye therein the dye carrier into a portion of the tissue of interest of a subject or patient when the dye carrier is selectively brought into contact with the portion of the tissue of interest. The resulting fluorescence images permit the acquisition of diagnostic information on the progression of diseases at cellular/tissue level in patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Frank B. Sachse, Robert Hitchcock, Chao Huang, Aditya K. Kaza
  • Patent number: 8961475
    Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect medical connectors. Some caps can create a seal with the medical connectors to prevent antiseptic from entering a fluid paths defined by a connector. Support members can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Paul Kennedy, Richard Lasher
  • Publication number: 20150000543
    Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Tracy Kucaba, Dana Pulvino, Robert Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 8833249
    Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Kucaba, Dana Pulvino, Robert Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20140248182
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect both a male medical connector and needleless injection site when not in use or when disconnected from each other. The caps contain a disinfecting agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett
  • Patent number: D770614
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W Howlett, Robert Hitchcock