Patents Examined by Andrew Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9539412
    Abstract: A catheter hub includes a distal assembly including a distal hub member adapted to be fixedly attached to an outer catheter and a proximal assembly including a proximal hub member adapted to be fixedly attached to an inner catheter disposed through the outer catheter. An elongate member connects the proximal and distal assemblies such that the proximal and distal assemblies can translate longitudinally relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: BIO2 MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Steinmetz, Joseph H. Taber
  • Patent number: 9539398
    Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a needle hub having a needle cannula extending therefrom. At least one shield is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the needle. The shield includes a binding member disposed within the shield and defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the inner needle. The binding member includes at least one drag inducing member that engages the inner needle during slidable receipt to create a drag force. The drag force facilitates rotation of the binding member such that the binding surfaces engage the inner needle to prevent slidable movement. The shield and/or hub includes a retention element engageable between the shield and hub and a sheath retention element. The hub includes a magnifier for viewing fluid flashback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Specialized Health Products, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Mark Ferguson, Donald D. Solomon, Roy L. Barrus, Jeremy W. Snow
  • Patent number: 9539411
    Abstract: An endoluminal device comprises a tubular member and a reinforcement member that is separable from, or together with, a wall of the tubular member, and removable in-situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Brian C. Martonik
  • Patent number: 9539389
    Abstract: A flow rate sensor is provided in a wireless, leadless package. The flow rate sensor includes a MEMs sensor coupled to an ASIC and an antenna. The flow rate sensor is powered by radiation received from a control module adjacent the flow rate sensor. The flow rate sensor is placed within a fluid and monitors the flow rate of the fluid. The control module is not in the fluid and receives flow rate data from the flow rate sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Trombly, Patrick Furlan
  • Patent number: 9533106
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic torsion spring based injection device having a dial-up/dial-down mechanism by which a dose can be set by rotating a dose setting member in a first direction and which dose size can be reduced by rotating the same dose setting member in a second and opposite direction. The dial-up/dial-down mechanism operates a torsion spring which is strained when setting a dose and unstained when rotating the dose setting element in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Torben S. Hansen, Hans Hemmingsen, Christian H. Nielsen, Ebbe Kiilerich, Mikkel Avlund, Matias Melander
  • Patent number: 9533105
    Abstract: A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Frederick Veasey, Robert Perkins, David Aubrey Plumptre
  • Patent number: 9526674
    Abstract: A maneuverable feeding tube system can include: a feeding tube having an internal lumen and distal opening; a maneuverable tube having a flexible distal end being located within the internal lumen of the feeding tube such that the flexible distal end is associated with the distal opening of the feeding tube, wherein the flexible distal end includes one or more flex members; a control member operably coupled to a flexible distal end of the maneuverable tube and extending through the internal lumen of the feeding tube; and a port coupled to a proximal end of the feeding tube with the control member extending therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Kansas
    Inventors: Armand Heyns, Johannes Heyns, Kyli S Beattie, Dan Clinesmith
  • Patent number: 9511187
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device comprises a hydraulic pump chamber having a hydraulic fluid. A fluid reservoir is coupled to the hydraulic pump chamber and is configured to contain a fluid deliverable to a patient. A first actuator is coupled to the hydraulic pump chamber and is configured to pressurize the hydraulic pump chamber and configured to transfer energy through the hydraulic pump chamber to the fluid reservoir. A second actuator is coupled to the hydraulic pump chamber and is configured to pressurize the hydraulic pump chamber and configured to transfer energy through the hydraulic pump chamber to the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: VALERITAS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Gonnelli, Devin V. McAllister, Steven F. Levesque
  • Patent number: 9504603
    Abstract: Injection devices for delivering pharmaceutical compositions into the eye are described. Some devices include a resistance component for controllably deploying an injection needle through the eye wall. The resistance component may be disposed on the injector device, or on a portion of the injection device housing, or on a drug reservoir. Some devices may be removably attached to a drug reservoir, for example, through a luer connector. Other devices may comprise internal luer seal for securely connecting a drug conduit of the device to the luer cavity of a drug reservoir. Yet other devices may comprise a priming-enabling element to facilitate the drug priming of a shielded needle. Related methods and systems comprising the devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: OcuJect, LLC
    Inventor: Leonid E. Lerner
  • Patent number: 9492631
    Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a urinary catheter and a package provided to contain the catheter. The catheter has a mid-section connected between a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the catheter is adapted for insertion into a urinary canal and the distal end of the catheter is connected to a seal. The package includes a proximal compartment section that is removable from a distal section of the package to provide an outlet in the distal section of the package. The catheter is adapted to move relative to the distal section of the package such that (a) the seal at the distal end of the catheter slides relative to the distal section of the package and (b) at least the mid-section of the catheter is movable through the outlet in the distal section of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventors: Allan Tanghøj, Lars Bogelund Jensen
  • Patent number: 9486592
    Abstract: A medicine dispensing device includes a single injection molded part having a body and a cover pivotally interconnected by an articulation. The body has an annular base and a cylindrical encasement. The cover has a cylindrical portion and an upper dome-shaped portion. The cover is pivotal about the articulation so as to receive the body for axial alignment of the body and the cover. The dome-shaped portion is provided with cams which during the pivoting of the cover toward the body push down a springed actuator of a primary medicine packaging received in the body and fixed in the body by fastening and locking means, thereby causing release of the medicine in the primary medicine packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventors: Victor Esteve, Eric Zembrod
  • Patent number: 9486611
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include an elongate tubular member having a proximal region, a distal region, and a slot formed in the tubular member between the proximal region and the distal region. The proximal region of the tubular member may be configured to shift between a first configuration and a collapsed configuration. The guide extension catheter may also include an elongate shaft for shifting the proximal region between the first configuration and the collapsed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Eric M. Petersen, Steven R. Larsen, Wayne Falk, Joel M. Wasdyke, Huisun Wang
  • Patent number: 9480796
    Abstract: A system and method for providing closed loop infusion formulation delivery which accurately calculates a delivery amount based on a sensed biological state by adjusting an algorithm's programmable control parameters. The algorithm calculates a delivery amount having proportional, derivative, and basal rate components. The control parameters may be adjusted in real time to compensate for changes in a sensed biological state that may result from daily events. Safety limits on the delivery amount may be included in the algorithm. The algorithm may be executed by a computing element within a process controller for controlling closed loop infusion formulation delivery. The biological state is sensed by a sensing device which provides a signal to the controller. The controller calculates an infusion formulation delivery amount based on the signal and sends commands to an infusion formulation delivery device which delivers an amount of infusion formulation determined by the commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Starkweather, Ronald J. Lebel, Rajiv Shah, Michael E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9474866
    Abstract: The invention refers to an auto-injector for delivering a liquid medicament, comprising: an elongate housing arranged to contain a syringe with a hollow injection needle and a stopper, wherein the syringe is slidably arranged with respect to the housing, spring means capable of, upon activation: pushing the needle from a covered position inside the housing into an advanced position for insertion into the injection site, operating the syringe to inject the dose of medicament, and advancing a needle shroud over the needle for providing needle safety, activating means arranged to lock and release the spring means, wherein the spring means is a single drive spring in the shape of a compression spring grounded distally in the housing and proximally bearing against a thrust collar arranged to transmit load from the spring means via a plunger to the syringe and/or the stopper for needle insertion and injection, wherein the plunger is engageable to the thrust collar for joint axial translation, wherein the plunge
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GMBH
    Inventors: Yannick Hourmand, Simon Francis Brereton, Thomas Mark Kemp, Rosie Burnell, Matthew Ekman
  • Patent number: 9463304
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner catheter that is coupled to a handle and defines a lumen configured to receive a guidewire. An outer catheter is movably coupled to the handle and defines a first lumen in fluid communication with a distal opening and that is configured to introduce a therapeutic agent through the distal opening and into a target pancreatic artery(ies). The outer catheter defines a second lumen configured to receive at least a portion of the inner catheter. An actuator is coupled to the handle and configured to move the outer catheter relative to the handle. A first occlusion element is coupled to the inner catheter and a second occlusion element is coupled to the outer catheter and disposed proximal to the first occlusion element. A distance between the first occlusion element and the second occlusion element is adjustable when the outer catheter is moved relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: RenovoRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramtin Agah, Kamran Najmabadi, Marta Gaia Zanchi
  • Patent number: 9463273
    Abstract: A drug delivery device which includes a fluid drug reservoir, a catheter, a controllable fluid transfer device, e.g., a pump mechanism or valve, and a drug delivery control means: The drug delivery control means comprises a controller, e.g., a microprocessor or microcontroller which is operable to automatically reduce the rate of drug delivery over a certain reduction interval (e.g., multiple days) from an initial dosage value to a final dosage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Medallion Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Michael Shelton
  • Patent number: 9463272
    Abstract: An infusion pump unit includes a housing sized to allow the pump unit to be carried as a portable unit. The housing contains a controllable pumping system for pumping fluid. The pump actuator is lighter, smaller, quieter and less power consuming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Bigfoot Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventor: Morten Mernoe
  • Patent number: 9457171
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner catheter that is coupled to a handle and defines a lumen configured to receive a guidewire. An outer catheter is movably coupled to the handle and defines a first lumen in fluid communication with a distal opening and that is configured to introduce a therapeutic agent through the distal opening and into a target pancreatic artery(ies). The outer catheter defines a second lumen configured to receive at least a portion of the inner catheter. An actuator is coupled to the handle and configured to move the outer catheter relative to the handle. A first occlusion element is coupled to the inner catheter and a second occlusion element is coupled to the outer catheter and disposed proximal to the first occlusion element. A distance between the first occlusion element and the second occlusion element is adjustable when the outer catheter is moved relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: RenovoRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramtin Agah, Kamran Najmabadi, Marta Gaia Zanchi
  • Patent number: 9457149
    Abstract: According to the invention, a back-end device of an auto-injector adapted to be attached to a packaged syringe comprises a plunger arranged to abut against a stopper of the packaged syringe to translate an injection needle of the packaged syringe in a proximal direction and to expel a dose of a medicament contained in the packaged syringe through the injection needle, a drive means capable of, upon release, driving the plunger in the proximal direction towards a proximal position, a rotary sleeve with a cam surface adapted to be engaged by a plunger follower formed to the plunger, a torsion spring arranged to exert a torque upon the rotary sleeve and a release element capable of, upon manual actuation, releasing the engagement of the plunger follower with the cam surface. The plunger follower is arranged to engage the cam surface to prevent the rotary sleeve from rotating with respect to the chassis in an initial state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Mark Kemp, Douglas Jennings, Matthew Ekman
  • Patent number: 9452263
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plunger rod for an injection device, having a distal element slidingly coupled to a proximal element having at least one radially flexible branch. The plunger rod includes a lock for selectively locking the distal element and the proximal element in a plurality of relative axial positions defining a plurality of intermediate positions of the plunger rod, wherein the lock is movable from a locked state, in which the distal element and the proximal element are fixed with respect to each other in the axial direction, and an unlocked state, in which the distal element and the proximal element are displaceable in the axial direction with respect to each other, when the at least one radially flexible branch is displaced radially. The invention also relates to an injection device having such a plunger rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France
    Inventor: Guillaume Grunhut