Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Fangrow

Thomas F. Fangrow 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: 11963932
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial comprises a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Seifert, Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11951293
    Abstract: Bubble traps for use in medical fluid lines and medical fluid bubble trap systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the bubble trap is configured to trap gas (e.g., air) that flows into the bubble trap from a fluid line. In some embodiments, the bubble trap includes an inlet and an outlet and a chamber between the inlet and the outlet. For example, in some embodiments, the bubble trap is configured to inhibit gas from flowing into the outlet once gas flows into the chamber from the inlet. In some embodiments, the bubble trap is in fluid communication with a source container, a destination container, and/or a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow, Jay Hachey
  • Publication number: 20240108873
    Abstract: A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway. A valve member with sealing rings helps preclude undesired accumulation of fluid within the connector. A branched connector includes a fluid diverter extending away from a port of the branched connector. The fluid diverter is configured to divert fluid flowing through the branched connector and into a medical connector attached thereto, flushing a distal portion of the medical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: David Nelson, Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20240091104
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor comprises a housing configured to couple the adaptor with a vial, an access channel, a regulator channel, and a regulator assembly. The access channel is configured to facilitate withdrawal of fluid from the vial when the adaptor is coupled to the vial. The regulator channel is configured to facilitate a flow of a regulating fluid from the regulator assembly to compensate for changes in volume of a medical fluid in the vial. In some embodiments, the regulator assembly includes a flexible member configured to expand and contract in accordance with changes in the volume of the medical fluid in the vial. In some embodiments, the flexible member is substantially free to expand and contract. In some embodiments, the flexible member is not partly or completely located in a rigid enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11931539
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a medical connector having a backflow resistance module configured to prevent fluid from being drawn into the connector when a backflow inducing event occurs. In some embodiments, the backflow resistance module can include a variable-volume chamber configured to change in volume in response to a backflow-inducing event and a check valve configured to resist backflow. In some embodiments, the medical connector can include a fluid diverter configured to direct fluid flowing through the medical connector into the variable volume chamber to prevent fluid stagnation therein. In some embodiments, the medical connector includes a body member, a base member, a seal member, a support member, and a valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20240050730
    Abstract: Antiseptic caps that can be used to disinfect and/or protect medical connectors are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the antiseptic cap can include a first chamber configured to be removably attached to the medical connector. Delivery systems for use with medical articles are also disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the delivery system comprises various dispensing systems for antiseptic caps and/or antiseptic cap holder assemblies. In some embodiments, the delivery system can be configured to permit the medical articles to be individually removable from the delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11896795
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to medical connectors with a housing comprising a proximal body member and a base member that form an internal cavity with a proximal abutment surface. An elastomeric seal without a guide member is positioned within the internal cavity. A rigid, hollow elongated portion is located within the internal cavity such that in an open configuration, a tip of the elongated portion is more proximal than a proximal surface of the elastomeric seal. A distal portion of the elastomeric seal is seated radially within a region surrounded by a plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ICU MEDICAL, INC
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20240033447
    Abstract: Bubble traps for use in medical fluid lines and medical fluid bubble trap systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the bubble trap is configured to trap gas (e.g., air) that flows into the bubble trap from a fluid line. In some embodiments, the bubble trap includes an inlet and an outlet and a chamber between the inlet and the outlet. For example, in some embodiments, the bubble trap is configured to inhibit gas from flowing into the outlet once gas flows into the chamber from the inlet. In some embodiments, the bubble trap is in fluid communication with a source container, a destination container, and/or a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow, Jay Hachey
  • Patent number: 11883623
    Abstract: A soft grip medical connector comprises a housing with an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof. A flexible member comprises a valve portion integrally formed with a sleeve portion. The valve portion is positioned within a section of the housing and is configured to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen. The sleeve is inverted to envelope at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing. In some embodiments the gripping portion is integrally formed with the valve portion. In some embodiments, the connector is also generally configured to create a positive pressure in a catheter lumen upon removal of a syringe or other medical device from the upstream end of the connector. Methods of making a medical fluid connector generally comprise forming a valve member with a sleeve extending there from, and assembling the valve, sleeve and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20240024652
    Abstract: A luer connector including a rigid housing having a first end and a second end. The housing further including a rigid tubular male portion at the first end, a rigid tubular female portion at the second end, and a longitudinal opening therethrough. The male portion is configured to be engageable with a female connector. The female portion is configured to be engageable with a male connector and to prevent the disengagement of the male connector from the female portion. In some embodiments, the female portion is configured to maintain a fixed rotational position when the male connector is being threaded therewith, but to rotate with the male connector once the male connector has become fully engaged with the female portion so as to prevent the male connector from becoming unthreaded from the female portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow, JR., George A. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20240011588
    Abstract: Disclosed is a first medical connector configured to be removably attachable with a second medical connector to permit fluid flow between the first and second medical connectors. The first medical connector can include a first region with a luer-compatible connection portion being configured to engage luer-compatible medical devices, and a second region comprising a resilient seal and a first luer-incompatible connection portion. The first luer-incompatible connection portion can inhibit engagement with luer-compatible medical devices and permit engagement with a second luer-incompatible connection portion of the second medical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11865295
    Abstract: An example of a method of enabling medical fluid transfer between a source container and a destination container can comprise the steps of providing a closed-system fluid transfer module comprising a first closeable, resealable medical connector and a second closeable, resealable medical connector, a multidirectional fluid control valve with a driving interface configured to interface with an electromechanical driver of an electronic medical fluid transfer device, and an intermediate container or an intermediate pumping region; and instructing a user to couple the closed-system fluid transfer module to the electronic medical fluid transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11857499
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor comprises a housing configured to couple the adaptor with a vial, an access channel, a regulator channel, and a regulator assembly. The access channel is configured to facilitate withdrawal of fluid from the vial when the adaptor is coupled to the vial. The regulator channel is configured to facilitate a flow of a regulating fluid from the regulator assembly to compensate for changes in volume of a medical fluid in the vial. In some embodiments, the regulator assembly includes a flexible member configured to expand and contract in accordance with changes in the volume of the medical fluid in the vial. In some embodiments, the flexible member is substantially free to expand and contract. In some embodiments, the flexible member is not partly or completely located in a rigid enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20230355476
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor comprises a housing configured to couple the adaptor with a vial, an access channel, a regulator channel, and a regulator assembly. The access channel is configured to facilitate withdrawal of fluid from the vial when the adaptor is coupled to the vial. The regulator channel is configured to facilitate a flow of a regulating fluid from the regulator assembly to compensate for changes in volume of a medical fluid in the vial. The regulator assembly can include a valve configured to transition between a closed configuration and an opened configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11808389
    Abstract: A connector system for medical fluid includes a male connector and a female connector that have a closed configuration when detached from one another. The first end of the male connector is configured to mate with a first end of the female connector. When the male connector is coupled with the female connector, complementary structures engage to move seals away from ports in the male connector and the female connector, opening a fluid pathway through the connectors. The mating ends of the connectors are not exposed to the medical fluid when the connectors are coupled so that when the connectors are disconnected, the mating ends are substantially free of residual medical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11806308
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein related to a device for transferring precise amounts of fluid from at least one source container to at least one target container. In some embodiments, the fluid is first transferred from the source container (e.g., a vial) through a connector to an intermediate measuring container (e.g., a syringe). In some embodiments air can pass through an air inlet and enter the vial to compensate for the volume of fluid withdrawn from the vial. An air check valve or a bag or a filter can prevent the fluid from escaping through the air inlet. The precisely measured amount of fluid can then be transferred from the intermediate measuring container to the target container (e.g., an IV bag). In some embodiments the connector can include a source check valve and a target check valve to direct fluid first from the source container to the intermediate measuring container and then from the intermediate measuring container to the target container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Thomas F. Fangrow, Peter Leissling, Matthias Janssen
  • Publication number: 20230349484
    Abstract: A fluid transfer device can include a first attachment portion configured to engage a first port of a source container and a second attachment portion configured to engage a second port of an intermediate container. The first attachment portion can include a first projection defining a first fluid passage and the second attachment portion can include a second projection defining a second fluid passage. The fluid transfer device can further include a selector portion for selectively transitioning the fluid transfer device from a first configuration in which a flow path between the first and second fluid passages is closed to a second configuration in which the flow path between the first and second fluid passages is open. The fluid transfer device can further include a limiter configured to inhibit the selector portion from selectively transitioning the fluid transfer device from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow, Amanda Punim, David Nelson, Erik Scott Shauver, Christopher James Hughes
  • Patent number: 11786716
    Abstract: A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway. A valve member with sealing rings helps preclude undesired accumulation of fluid within the connector. A branched connector includes a fluid diverter extending away from a port of the branched connector. The fluid diverter is configured to divert fluid flowing through the branched connector and into a medical connector attached thereto, flushing a distal portion of the medical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nelson, Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: D1003434
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: D1018849
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow