Patents Represented by Attorney Jeffrey C. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6261266
    Abstract: A pre-slit injection site (34) includes a housing (40) with a flow path therethrough. A first end (42) of the housing (40) carries a pre-slit septum (52). One form of a blunt cannula (98), usable with the injection site (34), carries a locking member (100). When the pre-slit injection site (34) slidably receives the blunt cannula (98), the locking member (100) latches to the injection site (34) and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula (280) includes a tube having a tapered distal end region (298) and having elongate discharge slots (294) for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post (330), an annular barb (394), and axially oriented grooves (268).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Jepson, Thomas E. Dudar, Michael J. Finley, Vincent C. Desecki
  • Patent number: 6261282
    Abstract: A needless connector is provided which utilizes a resealable preslit septum valve. The valve is resiliently restrained relative to a housing with the valve and housing configured to accept a standard male luer lock having a luer tip which penetrates the valve through the opening to extend within the housing and a luer locking flange of the luer lock extending about the housing. The valve includes a disk shaped upper portion covering the opening, a lower portion spaced from the housing and extending downward from the disk shaped portion into a passageway defined by the housing, and an annular skirt to attach the septum to the housing. The connector exhibits satisfactory leak pressure after multiple connections and disconnects to the luer lock fitting and long periods of indwell of the luer tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Jepson, Thomas E. Dudar, Rodrigo A. Montanez, Algirdas J. Bindokas, Michael J. Finley, Jason J. White, Camille Summers
  • Patent number: 6213996
    Abstract: A pre-slit injection site (34) includes a housing (40) with a flow path therethrough. A first end (42) of the housing (40) carries a pre-slit septum (52). One form of a blunt cannula (98), usable with the injection site (34), carries a locking member (100). When the pre-slit injection site (34) slidably receives the blunt cannula (98), the locking member (100) latches to the injection site (34) and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula (280) includes a tube having a tapered distal end region (298) and having elongate discharge slots (294) for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post (330), an annular barb (394), and axially oriented grooves (268).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Jepson, Thomas E. Dudar, Michael J. Finley, Vincent C. Desecki
  • Patent number: 6202711
    Abstract: An mixing assembly which transfers a number of nutritional fluids from individual source containers into a collection container while noninvasively sensing the type of fluid being transferred is provided. The mixing assembly utilizes a transfer set to establish fluid communication between the source containers and the collection container. A sensing assembly is configured to noninvasively sense a number of the types of fluid flowing through the transfer set to help to prevent improper mixing. For other fluids for which the sensing assembly alone may not be able to distinguish with the desired accuracy, the mixing device utilizes a method to approximate the flow rate of that fluid with the flow rate also providing an indication of that type of fluid. By combining the output of the sensing assembly with the flow rate determination, additional fluids can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Martucci, James R. Hitchcock, Aleandro Di Gianfilippo, Thomas R. Lillegard
  • Patent number: 6199603
    Abstract: A mixing assembly which transfers a number of nutritional fluids from individual source containers into a collection container while noninvasively sensing the type of fluid being transferred is provided. The mixing assembly utilizes a transfer set to establish fluid communication between the source containers and the collection container. A sensing assembly is configured to noninvasively sense a number of the types of fluid flowing through the transfer set to help to prevent improper mixing. For other fluids for which the sensing assembly alone may not be able to distinguish with the desired accuracy, the mixing device utilizes a method to approximate the flow rate of that fluid with the flow rate also providing an indication of that type of fluid. By combining the output of the sensing assembly with the flow rate determination, additional fluids can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Aleandro DiGianfilippo, James R. Hitchcock, Richard S. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6193697
    Abstract: A pre-slit injection site (34) includes a housing (40) with a flow path therethrough. A first end (42) of the housing (40) carries a pre-slit septum (52). One form of a blunt cannula (98), usable with the injection site (34), carries a locking member (100). When the pre-slit injection site (34) slidably receives the blunt cannula (98), the locking member (100) latches to the injection site (34) and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula (280) includes a tube having a tapered distal end region (298) and having elongate discharge slots (294) for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post (330), an annular barb (394), and axially oriented grooves (268).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Jepson, Thomas E. Dudar, Michael J. Finley, Vincent C. Desecki
  • Patent number: 6162206
    Abstract: A resealable access site (10) is provided for allowing a cannula (18) multiple accesses to an internal cavity (35) defined by a container (12). The access site (10) includes a first conduit (28) defining a passageway (29) forming a fluid path to the cavity within the container. Sealingly attached to the conduit (28) is a housing (26) with a lower portion (26a) and a lower flange (68) attached to a lower end of the lower portion and extending radially inward from the lower portion. A septum (24) is disposed and compressed within the lower portion, with the septum defining an opening (46) extending upward through at least a portion of the septum. The opening (46) is sized for insertion of the cannula (18) through the septum (24) with the septum sealing about the exterior of the cannula. The septum (24) is maintained in the housing by the support provided by the opposing flange (68) and conduit (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Algirdas J. Bindokas, Birendra K. Lal, Ray Brausam, Thomas A. Stonis, Steven C. Jepson, Michael W. Scharf, David V. Bacehowski, Michael T. K. Ling, Hugh M. Forman, Daniel J. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 6100302
    Abstract: Formulations of intravenous anesthetic propofol emulsions are provided which contain sufficiently low concentrations of soybean oil to produce a stable emulsion and simultaneously provide reduced nutrients, which inhibit microbial growth thereby providing protection against accidental microbial contamination during long-term IV infusions. In addition to the inhibition of microbial growth due to a reduction of nutrients, the formulation exhibits unanticipated additional microbial inhibition due to an increased availability of propofol. The low concentration of soybean oil also provides a formulation that reduces the chances of fat overload when administered over an extended period of time to chronically ill patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Satish K. Pejaver, Rajeshwar Motheram, Barrett E. Rabinow, Josben C. dela Rosa
  • Patent number: 6079462
    Abstract: An mixing assembly which transfers a number of nutritional fluids from individual source containers into a collection container while noninvasively sensing the type of fluid being transferred is provided. The mixing assembly utilizes a transfer set to establish fluid communication between the source containers and the collection container. A sensing assembly is configured to noninvasively sense a number of the types of fluid flowing through the transfer set to help to prevent improper mixing. For other fluids for which the sensing assembly alone may not be able to distinguish with the desired accuracy, the mixing device utilizes a method to approximate the flow rate of that fluid with the flow rate also providing an indication of that type of fluid. By combining the output of the sensing assembly with the flow rate determination, additional fluids can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Martucci, James R. Hitchcock, Aleandro Di Gianfilippo, Thomas R. Lillegard
  • Patent number: 6047108
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the controlled heating of fluid comprises a general elongated electrically heating core (16) with an exterior surface (36) formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity and frustoconically shaped to slidingly receive an assembly (14) so that the assembly envelops the surface along at least a portion of the length of the core. The assembly (14) forms a sealed passageway (46) for generally unidirectional sheet-like flow upward along the core (16). A control system (20) selectively operates the heating core (16) so that the fluid, under varying flow rates, is warmed to a desired temperature without overheating, before the fluid flows from the passageway (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Jay Sword, John M. Collins, Ronald J. Forni, Michael A. Reed, Jose Tadeo de Castro
  • Patent number: 5964785
    Abstract: A cannula and injection site coupling system comprising a cannula or piercing member assembly having a blunt cannula partially surrounded by a protective shield. The protective shield is spaced apart from the blunt cannula and includes a bayonet arm, a bayonet barb, a bayonet lock and an opening or gap. The injection site has a septum with a opening and an arm. When the cannula assembly and injection site are coupled, the injection site arm is lodged within the cannula assembly lock opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent C. Desecki, Thomas E. Dudar, Michael J. Finley
  • Patent number: 5957898
    Abstract: A needless connector is provided which utilizes a resealable preslit septum valve. The valve is resiliently restrained relative to a housing with the valve and housing configured to accept a standard male luer lock having a luer tip which penetrates the valve through the opening to extend within the housing and a luer locking flange of the luer lock extending about the housing. The valve includes a disk shaped upper portion covering the opening, a lower portion spaced from the housing and extending downward from the disk shaped portion into a passageway defined by the housing, and an annular skirt to attach the septum to the housing. The connector exhibits satisfactory leak pressure after multiple connections and disconnects to the luer lock fitting and long periods of indwell of the luer tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Jepson, Thomas E. Dudar, Rodrigo A. Montanez, Algirdas J. Bindokas, Michael J. Finley, Jason J. White, Camille Summer, Samuel Ding, Lewis E. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5947932
    Abstract: The invention comprises a closed system blood sampling device comprising a bifurcated capillary tube which has a first branch having a cannula shaped end for withdrawing and conveying blood to a communicating blood collection zone. The blood collection zone is for storing a quantity of withdrawn blood. It also feeds an initial fraction of withdrawn blood to a communicating blood disposal chamber which has an air permeable liquid sealed end. The second branch of the bifurcated capillary tube is connected to and is in fluid communication with the blood collection zone. It terminates in an opening adapted to receive a blood withdrawal device. Also disclosed is a method of sampling blood from a patient having an artery fitted with a venipuncture device which is attached to an injection site which contains the closed blood sampling device described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent C. Desecki, Glennie Browne
  • Patent number: 5941848
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for introducing a reconstituted drug in a drug vial into a medical liquid while venting any gas within the vial to the atmosphere. The assembly includes a receptacle disposed in the middle of a fluid conduit for the medical fluid and which has an upper chamber and lower chamber. The assembly also has a cannula assembly which mounts upon and pierces a septum of the receptacle and also a pierceable stopper of the drug vial. The cannula assembly includes a pair of coaxial cannulas which pierce the stopper of the drug vial and establish a first flow path from the upper chamber to the drug vial and a second flow path from the drug vial to the lower chamber. The cannula assemble also includes a cannula that forms a vent passage in fluid communication with an upper portion of the vial, upon the piercing of the drug vial, with an end of the vent passage communicating with the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Nishimoto, Kazumasa Maeda, Haruki Kazama, Thomas A. Fowles
  • Patent number: 5927349
    Abstract: An mixing assembly which transfers a number of nutritional fluids from individual source containers into a collection container while noninvasively sensing the type of fluid being transferred is provided. The mixing assembly utilizes a transfer set to establish fluid communication between the source containers and the collection container. A sensing assembly is configured to noninvasively sense a number of the types of fluid flowing through the transfer set to help to prevent improper mixing. For other fluids for which the sensing assembly alone may not be able to distinguish with the desired accuracy, the mixing device utilizes a method to approximate the flow rate of that fluid with the flow rate also providing an indication of that type of fluid. By combining the output of the sensing assembly with the flow rate determination, additional fluids can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Martucci, James R. Hitchcock, Aleandro Di Gianfilippo, Thomas R. Lillegard
  • Patent number: 5924452
    Abstract: A valve assembly for permitting fluid flow in a first direction and for preventing fluid flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The valve assembly includes an upper housing, a lower housing coupled to the upper housing to form a generally axially extending housing assembly, and a valve seating section defined within an inner peripheral portion of the lower housing. The valve seating section includes an axially extending inner peripheral surface and a transversely extending surface substantially normal to the axially extending inner peripheral surface. A valve member is seated within the valve seating section of said lower housing. The valve member includes a flange that extends from the valve member in a transverse direction and defines an axially oriented outer peripheral surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Szpara, Sarah L. Corbin, James C. Richardson, Lewis E. Daniels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5899888
    Abstract: A pre-slit injection site (34) includes a housing (40) with a flow path therethrough. A first end (42) of the housing (40) carries a pre-slit septum (52). One form of a blunt cannula (98), usable with the injection site (34), carries a locking member (100). When the pre-slit injection site (34) slidably receives the blunt cannula (98), the locking member (100) latches to the injection site (34) and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula (280) includes a tube having a tapered distal end region (298) and having elongate discharge slots (294) for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post (330), an annular barb (394), and axially oriented grooves (268).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Jepson, Thomas E. Dudar, Michael J. Finley, Vincent C. Desecki
  • Patent number: 5897530
    Abstract: An ambulatory pump (10) for dispensing a liquid under pressure at a predetermined flow rate includes a housing (12) having first and second end caps (14, 16) positioned on the housing (12) and enclosing the housing (12). Each end cap (14,16) has a port (18,20) formed therein. A pressurizable bladder (22) is carried by the housing (12) for receiving and dispensing the liquid. The bladder (22) is expandable between an unexpanded condition and an expanded condition. The bladder (22) has a free end (30) defining an opening in flow communication with the second end cap port (20) and a fixed end defining an opening in flow communication with the first end cap port (18). A section of flexible tubing (40) is carried by the housing (12) and extends between and is in flow communication with the bladder free end (30) opening and the second end cap port (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Roger W. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5886239
    Abstract: A method of preparing fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl ether (sevoflurane) and structurally related monofluoromethyl ethers in which the monochloromethyl ether precursor thereof is reacted with a sterically hindered tertiary amine hydrofluoride salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Linas V. Kudzma, Ralph A. Lessor, Leonid A. Rozov, Keith Ramig
  • Patent number: D439657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Mark M. Bridle