Patents Assigned to Zevex
  • Patent number: 6902541
    Abstract: An enterostomy device for providing fluids and nutrients through a stoma formed through the abdominal wall of a patient is described. The enterostomy device, which may be configured as either a gastrostomy device or a jejunostomy device, comprises a low-profile retaining member which is configured to be unobtrusively positioned within the stomach or the intestine, and which is configured to provide sufficient surface area for contacting the stomach or intestine to prevent unintentional removal or release of the enterostomy device from the patient. The enterostomy device is also structured with a low-profile port hub for facilitating the inflation of the retaining member and feeding and venting through the stoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. McNally, Alejandro Flores
  • Patent number: 6852094
    Abstract: A feeding set adaptor and related system for delivering solutions utilize a feeding set adaptor which engages a pump engaging portion of an infusion set and the feeding set adaptor structure to provide monitoring portions for detecting pressures within the infusion set, a sample cell for determining the presence of air within an infusion set, and an anti-freeflow device for selectively preventing freeflow through the infusion set. The feeding set adaptor is configured for mounting on an infusion pump which moves solution through the infusion set for delivery to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: ZEVEX, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent F. Beck, James A. Malmstrom, Scott D. Miles
  • Patent number: 6749591
    Abstract: A pinch clip occluder system for infusion sets includes a housing and a clamp movably disposed within the housing to selectively occlude an infusion set. The pinch clip nests in an adapter placed on an enteral feeding pump such that when the pinch clip occluder is properly position, flow is allowed through the infusion set, but when the pinch clip occluder is not properly positioned in the adapter, flow through the infusion set is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. McNally, Al Halbert
  • Patent number: 6685670
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Miles, Kent F. Beck, James Malmstrom
  • Patent number: 6636010
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing system increases the precision, reliability, and safety of dispensing medications and other liquids. An electronic brake grounds a power terminal of a pump motor to absorb the kinetic energy of the motor and other mechanically coupled components. The electronic brake reduces overage and overage variation in the dispensing of liquids at very little cost or complexity. A watchdog circuit monitors a controller heartbeat signal and disables the motor in the absence of a regular beat. The watchdog circuit along with redundant power switches greatly reduce the possibility of motor runaway in the event of component failure. A controller begins or ends each dispensing cycle with a diagnostic which determines whether the liquid dispensing system is fully operational. If not, the controller may disable the motor, emit an alarm tone, and display an alarm message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: James Malmstrom, David Soss
  • Patent number: 6623447
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Miles, Kent F. Beck, James Malmstron
  • Patent number: 6595950
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Miles, Kent F. Beck, James Malmstrom
  • Patent number: 6572567
    Abstract: A mobile lift system includes a platform configured for receiving a patient, an attachment rail which extends from the platform, and an attachment member for holding a belt to the attachment rail, and for selectively moving to point along the rail at which the belt is attached. The attachment rail can be removably attached to the platform, or may be pivotable with respect to the platform to facilitate storage and transport of the mobile lift system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Carroll, Benjamin Vance
  • Patent number: 6531708
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes a sample cell through which a fluid flows, an optical sensor formed by an optical emitter and an optical detector. The sample cell and the optical sensor use light refraction to determine the presence and size of a bubble passing through the sample cell. A housing may also be included to provide better control over light refraction and to protect the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Malmstrom, Kent F. Beck, Scott D. Miles
  • Patent number: 6523414
    Abstract: An optical pressure monitoring system includes a tube from an infusion set and an optical signal sensor disposed to detect changes in the diameter of the tube and thereby determine pressure changes within the tube. By selecting the position of the tube relative to the optical signal emitter and optical signal receiver, the optical signal sensor can both detect pressure changes and provide an integrity check for both the functioning of the optical signal sensor and the placement of the tube. By modifying the tube to exaggerate changes in tube diameter responsive to pressure changes, the sensitivity of the optical signal sensor can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Malmstrom, Kent F. Beck, Scott D. Miles
  • Patent number: 6506035
    Abstract: An improved roller for peristaltic pumps includes a central portion and a plurality of projections extending radially outwardly from the central portion. The projections enable use of a roller having a larger diameter, while ensuring that the tube carrying the solution is effectively pinched off. The larger diameter roller provides a greater moment arm and decreases current draw. The small projections used to accomplish the seal also severely deforms a smaller amount of tubing and thus requires less current draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent F. Beck, Scott D. Miles, James A. Malmstrom
  • Patent number: 6328720
    Abstract: An enterostomy device for providing fluids and nutrients through a stoma formed through the abdominal wall of a patient is described. The enterostomy device, which may be configured as either a gastrostomy device or a jejunostomy device, comprises a low-profile retaining member which is configured to be unobtrusively positioned within the stomach or the intestine, and which is configured to provide sufficient surface area for contacting the stomach or intestine to prevent unintentional removal or release of the enterostomy device from the patient. The enterostomy device is also structured with a low-profile port hub for facilitating the inflation of the retaining member and feeding and venting through the stoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. McNally, Alejandro Flores
  • Patent number: 6227047
    Abstract: An isometric testing apparatus for performing isometric strength tests on individual muscles or joints of a patient includes a base, a seat coupled to the base, a vertical member coupled to the base, a horizontal arm coupled to the vertical member, and a force measuring device coupled to the horizontal arm. The base is configured for conserving space and allowing for placement proximal a corner. The chair is adjustably coupled to the base and may be adjusted to be located within the testing area, outside the testing area, and adjacent the testing area so that the chair may be used as needed or moved out of the way. The force measuring device is adjustably coupled to the base through the horizontal arm and vertical member and is horizontally and vertically adjustable for proper placement of the force measuring device. The force measuring device is pivotally mounted to the horizontal arm and pivots in a vertical plane to correct for any deflection of the vertical arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Tracy Livingston
  • Patent number: 6192752
    Abstract: A disposable sensor is disclosed for non-invasively detecting and characterizing a container's contents. By generating microwave frequency signals, electromagnetic fields are produced by a sensor and penetrate a container. The EM fields are analyzed in regards to how they are perturbed by the container contents. Analysis of the perturbed EM fields enables determination of content level, content purity, content density, content temperature, container pressure, and content conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventor: David Blaine
  • Patent number: D501924
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cise, David J. McNally, Kent Beck, Scott D. Miles
  • Patent number: D503799
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: ZEVEX, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Beck
  • Patent number: D503978
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Beck
  • Patent number: D504506
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent F. Beck, Scott D. Miles
  • Patent number: D505199
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent F. Beck, Scott D. Miles
  • Patent number: D455489
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent F. Beck, Scott D. Miles