Patents by Inventor Tim Nieman
Tim Nieman 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: 10092740Abstract: A safety needle assembly for skin puncturing. A plurality of needles driven by a reciprocating drive shaft extend and retract through an opening in one end of the assembly. Eleven or twelve needles are configured so as to minimize potential surface tension and reduce stress applied to the skin. The opening may be rounded or scalloped to reduce friction on the skin. An elastomeric or mechanical spring is used to assist in retracting the needles. Various alignment tabs and features are used to ensure proper alignment of the drive shaft within the assembly, and alignment of the needle assembly when attached to a handpiece during use. Safety tabs on the needle assembly prevent reuse. A protective sleeve may be used to cover the exterior of the needle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Medmetics, LLCInventors: Jared Spendlove, Tim Nieman, Michael Anderer, Michael Morgan, Jeremy Jones, Chad Milton
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Patent number: 9623204Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrolysis apparatus that includes an anode electrically connectable to a direct current electrical source. The apparatus also includes a cathode comprising a proximal segment and a distal segment. The proximal segment is electrically connectable to the direct current electrical source. Further, the apparatus includes a hydrogen collector receptacle that limits generation and collection of hydrogen at the cathode to a specified amount. The hydrogen collector receptacle encompasses a portion of the cathode. Also, the apparatus includes a delivery device that receives hydrogen from and is connected to the hydrogen collector receptacle. According to one embodiment, the hydrogen gas generated in the electrolysis apparatus and collected in the collector receptacle is less than about 4.5% of a user's breath.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Inventors: Bruce J McGill, Stephen Doughty, Tim Nieman
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Patent number: 9532704Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for safe, easy and cost effective means of placing and verifying proper placement of nasogastric and nasoenteric feeding tubes. Specifically, an integrated feeding device including a tube operable to deliver a nutritional and/or medicinal substance to the gastrointestinal tract, an optical system including a light source, flexible optical fibers or a camera, and a lens, and a steering system is disclosed. The components of the system, namely the optical system and the steering system, may be integrated into the tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF UTAHInventors: John Fang, Mark Adams, Dylan McCreedy, Tim Nieman, Omar Galiano, Brett Richins, Shawn Andrus
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Publication number: 20150151098Abstract: A safety needle assembly for skin puncturing. A plurality of needles driven by a reciprocating drive shaft extend and retract through an opening in one end of the assembly. Eleven or twelve needles are configured so as to minimize potential surface tension and reduce stress applied to the skin. The opening may be rounded or scalloped to reduce friction on the skin. An elastomeric or mechanical spring is used to assist in retracting the needles. Various alignment tabs and features are used to ensure proper alignment of the drive shaft within the assembly, and alignment of the needle assembly when attached to a handpiece during use. Safety tabs on the needle assembly prevent reuse. A protective sleeve may be used to cover the exterior of the needle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: JARED SPENDLOVE, TIM NIEMAN, MICHAEL ANDERER, MICHAEL MORGAN, JEREMY JONES, CHAD MILTON
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Publication number: 20140048067Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrolysis apparatus that includes an anode electrically connectable to a direct current electrical source. The apparatus also includes a cathode comprising a proximal segment and a distal segment. The proximal segment is electrically connectable to the direct current electrical source. Further, the apparatus includes a hydrogen collector receptacle that limits generation and collection of hydrogen at the cathode to a specified amount. The hydrogen collector receptacle encompasses a portion of the cathode. Also, the apparatus includes a delivery device that receives hydrogen from and is connected to the hydrogen collector receptacle. According to one embodiment, the hydrogen gas generated in the electrolysis apparatus and collected in the collector receptacle is less than about 4.5% of a user's breath.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Hydro Healer, LLC.Inventors: Bruce J McGill, Stephen Doughty, Tim Nieman
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Patent number: 8361041Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for safe, easy and cost effective means of placing and verifying proper placement of nasogastric and nasoenteric feeding tubes. Specifically, an integrated feeding device including a tube operable to deliver a nutritional and/or medicinal substance to the gastrointestinal tract, an optical system including a light source, flexible optical fibers or a camera, and a lens, and a steering system is disclosed. The components of the system, namely the optical system and the steering system, may be integrated into the tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: John Fang, Mark Adams, Dylan McCreedy, Tim Nieman, Omar Gallano, Brett Richins, Shawn Andrus
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Patent number: 8137260Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting with contraction of the heart muscle. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, one or more flexible strips are attached to the surface of the heart, each strip having a plurality of electromagnets alternating with a plurality of permanent magnets. The electromagnets are electrically coupled to a control device and a power supply for generating current in the electromagnets. The control device controls the current in the electromagnets in such a way that the electromagnets are periodically activated to attract the adjacent permanent magnets to assist with contraction of the heart muscle. In some embodiments a sensor is provided for sensing the sinus rhythm so that the control device can activate the electromagnets based on the sensed sinus rhythm.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventor: Tim Nieman
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Publication number: 20100305503Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for safe, easy and cost effective means of placing and verifying proper placement of nasogastric and nasoenteric feeding tubes. Specifically, an integrated feeding device including a tube operable to deliver a nutritional and/or medicinal substance to the gastrointestinal tract, an optical system including a light source, flexible optical fibers or a camera, and a lens, and a steering system is disclosed. The components of the system, namely the optical system and the steering system, may be integrated into the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: John Fang, Mark Adams, Dylan McCreedy, Tim Nieman, Omar Gallano, Brett Richins, Shawn Andrus
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Publication number: 20090292160Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting with contraction of the heart muscle. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, one or more flexible strips are attached to the surface of the heart, each strip having a plurality of electromagnets alternating with a plurality of permanent magnets. The electromagnets are electrically coupled to a control device and a power supply for generating current in the electromagnets. The control device controls the current in the electromagnets in such a way that the electromagnets are periodically activated to attract the adjacent permanent magnets to assist with contraction of the heart muscle. In some embodiments a sensor is provided for sensing the sinus rhythm so that the control device can activate the electromagnets based on the sensed sinus rhythm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATIONInventor: Tim Nieman
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Patent number: 7226558Abstract: A high density microwall ePTFE structure and a method for making, involving the manipulation of a standard extruded ePTFE graft. The final product has the desired characteristics of high density, reduced wall-thickness, above-average radial strength and enhanced suture retention.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Tim Nieman, Randy Earl Saylor, Robert Hunkins, Robert Calcote
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Publication number: 20050288654Abstract: Ablation instruments and methods are disclosed for ablating diseased tissue such as cardiac tissue. The ablation device can remotely apply ablative energy to biological tissue and comprises a flexible elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal lumen extending therebetween. An energy emitting element is disposed within the longitudinal lumen of the flexible elongate member. The energy emitting element has a proximal end and a distal end for emitting energy along at least a portion of its length. The device is configured to emit a variable amount of energy along a length of the flexible elongate member. The method includes introducing the flexible elongate member into a predetermined tissue site to ablate a target tissue. The target tissue is ablated, coagulated or photochemically modulated without damaging surrounding tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2005Publication date: December 29, 2005Inventors: Tim Nieman, Ninh Dang, Tazi Pruitt, Jim Ward, Erik Bulman, Mathew Williams, John Murphy
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Publication number: 20050273090Abstract: Ablation instruments and methods are disclosed for ablating diseased tissue such as cardiac tissue. The method includes introducing a flexible elongate member into a predetermined tissue site with a flexible elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal lumen extending therebetween. A slidable conductor is positioned through the lumen proximate to the tissue site and energy is transmitted to the distal end of the elongate member through the conductor. The flexible elongate member is both longitudinally flexible and resists twisting during bending. The target tissue is ablated, coagulated or photochemically modulated without damaging surrounding tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Inventors: Tim Nieman, Ninh Dang, Tazi Pruitt, Erik Bulman, Mathew Williams, Jim Ward, John Murphy
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Publication number: 20040164445Abstract: A high density microwall ePTFE structure and a method for making, involving the manipulation of a standard extruded ePTFE graft. The final product has the desired characteristics of high density, reduced wall-thickness, above-average radial strength and enhanced suture retention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Bard Peripheral Vascular, IncInventors: Tim Nieman, Randy Earl Saylor, Robert Hunkins, Robert Calcote