Patents Examined by Adam J. Cemak
  • Patent number: 5437650
    Abstract: A securing collar is used in combination with two tubular flow connectors to prevent the inadvertent disconnection of I.V. tubing sets. The securing collar includes a housing supported by one of the connectors, a radial flange extending from the housing, a tubular collar having a outwardly splayed end, at least two notches that separates the splayed collar into at least two elongated segments, a transition portion on the exterior of the collar, and a sliding annular locking ring. The locking ring slides on the collar from the proximal end over the transition portion to the distal segments so that the annular locking ring forces the splayed and segmented distal portions radially inward to grip the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Mark E. Larkin, Dvid E. Kramer, Warren P. Frederick
  • Patent number: 5334168
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible, elongated tubular member and a tube arranged to lie inside the tubular member. The tube has a lumen extending along the central axis of the tubular member. In one embodiment, the tube is made of a temperature-activated shape memory metal. In another embodiment, the tube is made of superelastic nitinol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Catheter Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad G. Hemmer
  • Patent number: 5236422
    Abstract: A cylindrical antiseptic cuff with an inner shaft to be placed along a urinary catheter within the patient's distal urethra for preventing infection associated with bacterial migration along the catheter surface. In a preferred embodiment, a thin infusion port is provided for charging or repleting the cuff with antimicrobial substance. The antiseptic cuff imparts a sterile, occlusive interface between catheter shaft and distal urethral mucosa, and precludes incidental sliding movements of the catheter. In an alternative embodiment, an antiseptic cuff is constructed of several concentric layers of antiseptic material, sequential outer layers being manually removable for eradicating surface pathogens while the catheter remains in position. A longitudinally directed cleft may be implemented to afford opening of the cuff for lengthwise mounting onto a catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Inventor: James D. Eplett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5188618
    Abstract: A thrombus-mobilizing thoracostomy tube includes fenestrations to enable drainage when introduced into a thoracic cavity, the tube including a balloon which may be inflated to dislodge and move blood clots, the balloon being connected to a first tube to enable a suitable fluid to be introduced to inflate the balloon progressively from a distal end to a proximal end, and a second tube parallel to said first tube to enable the introduction of a flushing fluid into the thoracostomy tube, whereby blood clots may be dislodged and removed from the thoracostomy tube without removing any portion of the thoracostomy tube from the user's body, thereby substantially reducing the risk of contamination while maintaining sterile conditions. The flushing fluid may include a heparin solution, a saline solution, a heparinized saline fluid, or a urokinase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Bruce W. Thomas