Patents Assigned to Smiths Medical International Limited
  • Publication number: 20170112528
    Abstract: A needle assembly has a needle having an echogenic feature proximate to its distal sharp tip mounted to an echogenic cannula, with the echogenic tip of the needle extending beyond the distal end of the cannula. The echogenic tip provides guidance for the movement of the needle assembly under ultrasound observation so that the needle assembly may be more readily maneuvered inside a body. Once correctly positioned, the needle is removed and further confirmation may be made under ultrasound observation that the cannula has been correctly positioned inside the body. The echogenic feature of the needle may be at least one spiral groove that is tilted at an angle relative to the tip of the needle to effect a substantially 180° reflection of the ultrasound. An alternative echogenic feature to improve reflected echogeneity has crisscrossing grooves each having a predetermined pitch density formed at a neutral position on the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Crisman, Stephen James Field, Alysa Lauren Granata, Neil Adam Tookman
  • Publication number: 20170095629
    Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (20, 120, 220 51, 61) inserted into and removable from the tube. The inner cannula has a constant internal diameter along its length and has at its patient end (22, 122, 222) a seal member (23, 123, 223) extending around the cannula. The seal member may be a separate ring 23 of resilient material attached to the outside of the shaft of the cannula or it may be formed of the material of the shaft (121, 221) itself. Alternatively, the seal member (50, 60) may be of a kind that expands when exposed to an elevated temperature or humidity, and may include a shape memory effect material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Bateman, Stephen James Field, Andrew Thomas Jeffrey
  • Publication number: 20170087318
    Abstract: A cuffed tracheostomy tube has a sealing cuff 10, 10?, 100, 100? attached to a shaft 1, 1, 1? of the tube towards its patient end by a rear end collar 30, 55, 103 bonded with the outside of the shaft. In one embodiment the patient end collar 31, 31? is folded unattached around the patient end face 60, 60? of the shaft and is attached to the inside of the tube. When inflated, the cuff inflates slightly away from the patient end face to cushion the tip of the tube. In another embodiment the cuff 100 is formed integrally with the shaft 51. In a further embodiment the cuff 100? has an integral portion 102 of a soft material that forms a patient end extension of the shaft 1?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Bateman, Andrew Thomas Jeffrey, Christopher Stratton Turnbull
  • Publication number: 20170065781
    Abstract: An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube is made by extruding tubing (41) and cutting into separate lengths or preforms (42). Each preform (42) is placed in a mould (50, 51, 52) and blow moulded to expand the preform into contact with an inner surface (53, 54) of the mould which is shaped to produce a pattern on the outside of the preform of two intersecting diagonal corrugations (211, 212) that act to strengthen the blow moulded preform against lateral forces. The inner surface of the mould may also be textured so that the blow moulded preform is given a texture (213) to reduce friction with the outer tube (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen James Field, Christopher Stratton Turnbull
  • Publication number: 20170028155
    Abstract: A coupling (2) for a tracheostomy tube (1) has first component (21) with a short sleeve (23) at its patient end that it fitted on the patient end of the machine end coupling (17) on the tube so that the machine end of the coupling extends within a part-spherical formation (24) at the opposite end of the first component. The coupling (2) includes a second component (22) with a male tapered fitting (27) at its machine end and a part-spherical formation (28) at its patient end that is a close sliding fit inside the part-spherical formation (24) on the first component (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Bateman, Stephen James Field, Mark Andrew Graham, Andrew Thomas Jeffrey
  • Publication number: 20170028160
    Abstract: An expiratory therapy device (100) has a disc (21) mounted at right angles in the expiratory gas passage (9). The disc (21) is rotated about an axis at right angles to the passage (9) by an electric motor (23) at a speed that is independent of the respiratory pressure exerted by the patient during use. The motor (23) and its control (30) are located in a drive unit (25) that can be removed from the device (100) for reuse on another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Charles OLIVER
  • Publication number: 20170020776
    Abstract: A respiratory therapy system includes a vibratory expiratory therapy device through which the patient exhales to set up vibrations within the chest. An array of piezoelectric vibration sensors is mounted on the patient's chest and supplies vibration outputs to a processor, which in turn provides an output to a display indicative of impedance of different regions of the chest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Mohammad Qassim Mohammad Khasawneh, Mark Charles Oliver, Mark Sinclair Varney
  • Publication number: 20160339202
    Abstract: A gas-powered, pneumatic ventilator (1) is driven by compressed air from a compressor (2) and its outlet (11) is connected via corrugated tubing (30) to a patient valve (34) and face mask or the like. A source (4) of pure oxygen, such as from an oxygen cylinder (40), is connected via small bore tubing (38) to a gas inlet (37) adjacent the air inlet (33) of the patient valve (34) so that supplementary oxygen is mixed with the air. The patient valve (34) closes and a patient dump valve (16) in the ventilator opens during the exhalation phase to allow oxygen supplied to the patient valve (34) to fill the corrugated tubing (30) from the patient end (32) and displace air in the tubing out of the patient dump valve (16) so that a volume of oxygen is collected in the tubing and is dispensed to the patient during the next inspiratory phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert James Burchell, David James Baker, Clive John Millward, Mark Sinclair Varney
  • Publication number: 20160331919
    Abstract: The sealing cuff (10) on a tracheal tube has a collar (31) at its patient end inverted within the inflatable part (32) of the cuff and attached with the shaft 1 immediately adjacent its patient end (6). The cuff (10) has a patient end region (33) of frusto-conical shape inclined to the axis of the shaft at about 30° and extending by about half the length of the inflatable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Steve Chambers
  • Publication number: 20160331917
    Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an oscillating expiratory therapy device (100) and pressure and flow sensors (20 and 21) in the patient inlet (7) connected to supply signals to a processor (24). The processor (24) includes artificial intelligence software to correlate the output signals with prescribed values and control a feedback device (26) that prompts the patient accordingly to adjust use of the device as necessary. The feedback device (26) may be of a visual, audible or tangible kind. The processor (24) may also automatically adjust a setting dial (5) of the therapy device (100) by means of an actuator (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul James Leslie Bennett, Robert James Burchell, Mohammad Qassim Mohammad Khasawneh, Mark Charles Oliver, Mark Sinclair Varney
  • Publication number: 20160302828
    Abstract: An embryo transfer syringe has a roller (30) coupled with the rear end of its plunger (15). The roller (30) is displaceable along an elongate housing (20) extending from the rear of the barrel (10) of the syringe. The roller (30) can be manually engaged through a slot (23) along the housing (20) to rotate it and roll it along the housing thereby smoothly and controllably displacing the plunger (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen James Field
  • Publication number: 20160287834
    Abstract: A patient valve (31) for use with a resuscitator (1) has a first valve (45) opened by expiratory pressure and a second valve (71) downstream of the first that is opened by gas pressure passed by the first valve during expiration. Two pressure monitoring channels (32) and (33) extend from opposite sides of the second valve (71) to respective pressure sensors (320) and (330). A processor (340) receives the outputs of the sensors (320) and (330) to compute a differential pressure signal from which an indication of expiratory gas flow is derived. Expiratory tidal volume is derived by integrating the flow over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul James Leslie Bennett
  • Publication number: 20160287826
    Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1) is made from a first component (20) of a relatively hard plastics material that is overmoul - ded with a second component (29) of a softer plastics material (26). The first component (20) provides a machine end coupling (6) and a helical reinforcement member (23, 23?) extending along the region (3) that will, in use, extend through the tracheal tissue. The second component (29) extends along the reinforcement member (23, 23?) and beyond it to form the patient end (2) of the tube (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen James Field
  • Publication number: 20160213868
    Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an expiratory therapy device (100) that produces an oscillating resistance to breathing. The device has a vibration sensor (20) mounted on its housing (2) that transmits signals to a receiver (200) indicative of operation of the device. An accelerometer (201) is secured to the chest of the patient; this also transmits signals to the receiver (200). The apparatus prompts the user to use the device (100) at each of its different settings and the receiver (300) monitors the effect of the different settings and computes which gives the most benefit. The receiver (300) then prompts the user to select the optimum set ting for further therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Mohammad Qassim Mohammad Khasawneh, Jeevan Sagoo, Mark Sinclair Varney
  • Publication number: 20160193436
    Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an expiratory vibratory therapy device (100) of the kind that produces an alternating resistance to expiration through the device. The apparatus also includes a sensor (30) that is strapped to the chest of the patient. The sensor (30) includes a three-axis accelerometer (36) responsive to vibration in the chest and a display (34) on which the frequency of chest vibration and the length of the therapy session are represented. The display (34) can be switched between an upright and inverted configuration so that it can be viewed by the patient looking down at the sensor (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Mohammad Qassim Mohammad Khasawneh
  • Publication number: 20160151086
    Abstract: A needle assembly of a metal shaft (10, 10?) and an outer plastics sleeve (12) is made by extruding the sleeve onto the outside of the shaft. The sleeve contains gas bubbles (13), preferably with a size in the range 5 ? to 10 ?, to increase the ultrasound visibility of the assembly. A sharp, penetrating tip (18) may be formed on the shaft either before or after the sleeve is extruded on the shaft. The metal shaft (10) may be supplied to the extruder 1 to 5 in a continuous length and cut to the size of the needle assemblies after extrusion of the sleeve (12). Alternatively, pre-cut lengths of metal shafts (10?) could be supplied to the extruder 1? to 5?, the sleeve being cut between the shafts after extrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen James Field, Thomas Cuthbert Mills
  • Publication number: 20160136366
    Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes device (100) with a rocker arm (12) supporting a valve (11) that opens and closes an expiration opening (10) so that an oscillating resistance to flow is produced accompanied by an alternating sound at the frequency of oscillation. The apparatus also includes a sensor (20) with a microphone (21) that detects sound from the device (100) transmitted through air. The sensor (20) computes the frequency of the detected sound and represents this on a display (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul James Leslie Bennett
  • Publication number: 20160136367
    Abstract: A vibratory PEP respiratory therapy device (100) includes a valve element (11) on a rocker arm (12) that opens and closes an opening (10) during exhalation through the apparatus. An accelerometer (20) including a piezoelectric beam (22) supported at one end (23) is mounted on the outside of the housing (2) of the device to respond to vibration transmitted though the housing caused by oscillating movement of the rocker arm (12). The output of the accelerometer (20) is supplied to a circuit (28), (29) that determines when the device (100) is used and the duration and quality of use of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Sinclair VARNEY
  • Publication number: 20160106308
    Abstract: A video introducer (2) is inserted in an endotracheal tube (1) and is retained by engagement of a connector (28) at the rear end of the introducer with a connector (16) inserted in the rear end (13) of the tube. The introducer (2) includes a shaft (21) integral with the connector (28) and having a channel (22) along its length. A cable (34) connected to a video camera (33) at the patient end of the shaft extends along the channel (22) to an electrical connector (35). The forward end (25) of the shaft (21) projects from the forward end (10) of the tube to provide a leading extension for inserting the tube in the trachea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen James Field
  • Publication number: 20160081539
    Abstract: A laryngoscope (10) includes a video camera ((13) at the patient end of its blade (11) that supplies video signals to a processor (14) in the handle (12). The processor (14) supplies signals to a display (15) supported on the handle (15). The laryngoscope also has a connector (17) on its handle (12) to which is connected the output of a video bougie guide (20) used with the laryngoscope. A switch (18) on the handle (12) enables the user to select which video output is shown on the display (15). Alternatively, images from both the bougie (20) and the laryngoscope (10) can be shown at the same time side-by-side on the display (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Eric Pagan