Patents Examined by David J. Cho
  • Patent number: 6113583
    Abstract: A connector device is disclosed for establishing fluid communication between a diluent container having sidewalls and a drug vial. The connector has a piercing member having a first end and a second end and a central fluid pathway. The piercing member is mounted to the liquid container and has fluid accessing portions hermetically sealed from an outside environment. A vial receiving chamber is associated with the piercing member and is dimensioned to connect to the vial. The vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member. Means are provided for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 6110157
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a disposable absorbent article which has an integrated fastening system. The disposable absorbent article comprises an outer cover, a bodyside liner, an absorbent core disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover and an integrated fastening system. The integrated fastening system comprises a pair of belt segments which are provided by and at least partially detachable from the longitudinal end portions or side portions of the absorbent article. Each of the belt segments includes a free end which is configured to be detachable from the absorbent article. The integrated fastening system also comprises a fastening means for attaching the free end of each of the belt segments to the absorbent article to maintain the absorbent article about a waist of a wearer when in use. A reinforcement panel may also be located on the portion of the absorbent article used to provide the belt segments to reinforce the belt segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheila Abel Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6106503
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter valve for permanently or discontinuously draining body cavities and discharging urine. The catheter valve consists of a two-component housing having a cylindrical portion and a conical portion. The conical portion houses a shaft that slides along the longitudinal axis of the housing. At a tip of the conical portion is a urine inlet opening that allows urine or other bodily fluids to flow into the catheter. At an opposite end, is a urine outlet opening that allows the fluid to flow out of the catheter. The shaft controls the flow of fluid through the catheter by selectively sealing the urine outlet opening on the catheter. In addition, a locking mechanism is provided to keep the shaft apart from the outlet valve thus allowing free flow of fluid through the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: CareMed Medical Produkte AG
    Inventors: Klaus Pfeiderer, Peter Heise
  • Patent number: 6100441
    Abstract: A material having a high absorptive capacity, for use in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, tampon, incontinence protection, and nappy produced by a highly compressed cellulose-based absorptive material in reel form being finely divided into fragments, and included as a component having a high absorptive capacity in the absorbent structure within the absorbent product, displays good absorptive and swelling properties such as a high assimilation capacity and a high degree of surface dryness the absorbent structure may also contain conventional fluff cellulose pulp and binding fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Peter Blomstrom, Anette Buschka
  • Patent number: 6090092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container; and a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable axially with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position. A second attaching member is provided on the second end of the second sleeve and adapted to fixedly attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members are also provided projecting from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6090085
    Abstract: A compact hand-held skin treatment device has a porous, slowly movable surface mounted on its housing that applies steam vapor condensate to the skin, thereby providing a light cleansing buffing action. Steam vapor is generated within a narrow vertical boiling chamber by a small compact electric heating assembly within the housing and located close to the movable porous surface. It provides a sufficient amount of vapor to coat the rotating surface with a layer of condensate to be applied to the skin. The housing also contains a small liquid reservoir, a battery operated power supply and a small motor to provide a self-contained readily operated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas L. Mehl, Sr., Anton H. Clemens
  • Patent number: 6090093
    Abstract: A connector assembly for a vial is disclosed. The connector assembly features a protective cap, a collar attachable to the rim of the vial, and a crimp cap for securing the collar to the rim. The collar features a flexible skirt provided adjacent the proximal end of the collar that is foldable about the underside portion of the vial rim. One or more ribs are provided adjacent a distal portion of the collar to seal against the stopper obturating the vial. The crimp cap can be supplied preattached to the collar in an uncrimped condition. When crimped, the crimp cap exerts a force against the distal end of the collar and the flexible skirt folded about the rim to secure the collar to the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Jean Claude Thibault, Hubert Jansen, Herve Abry
  • Patent number: 6089865
    Abstract: A device for applying cleaning and/or irrigating liquid directly to the base of the tongue includes a plurality of rigid mechanical fingers which gently part the taste buds when they are moved across the surface of the tongue. The fingers have openings in the ends through which liquid passes while the taste buds are parted whereby the liquid is applied directly to the portion of the tongue under the taste buds. The device is connected to a source of liquid which may be a liquid reservoir or a pulsating water irrigation system. The device may take the form of a hollow unitary structure of high impact injection molded plastic. A tongue scraper blade may be attached to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Gary W Edgar
  • Patent number: 6090091
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg, Thomas J. Progar
  • Patent number: 6090086
    Abstract: An eye drop applicator which has an adjustable guide arm. The guide arm defines a semi-rigid member attached to an eye drop container. The guide arm serves as a point of tactile reference to the user who seeks to dispense liquid eye medicament. It further serves as a retractor of the lower eyelid, thereby allowing the user to place eye drops accurately and efficiently into the conjunctiva. The eye drop applicator can be manipulated with one hand, and avoids the necessity of the user placing his or her fingers near the eye socket, thereby maximizing the sterility and effectiveness of the medicament. Moreover, its configuration can be adjusted so as to conform to the shape of the user's face. The eye drop applicator also presents an improved closure system. A cap is placed over the nozzle of an eye drop container to seal the contents. Access to the eye drops is obtained by opening a cover at the end of the cap. Removing the cover exposes an opening in the cap through which eye drops are dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Amos Bolden
  • Patent number: 6083209
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a wound treatment apparatus including a flexible transparent envelope of generally elongated configuration having a first end and a second end, a primary opening at the first end of the envelope, the primary opening having a peripheral margin therearound, the margin including a securement band for securement of the flexible envelope to a portion of the body being treated. The apparatus includes a first access port through the envelope, a wound fluid applying gun having an elongated barrel juxtaposable in a close fitting relationship to the first access port, to supply a pressurized wound treatment fluid onto any body portion attached to the envelope, and a drain port in communication with a collection chamber for draining any effluent fluid, tissue and/or gas from that envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Patrick V Marasco, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6080136
    Abstract: A front-load syringe injector system includes a front-load injector apparatus having mounted on a front face thereof a detachably engageable adapter. A driving head is engaged with a drive mechanism of the injector and the driving head disengageably engages a plunger mounted in an angiographic syringe mounted on the adapter. At least one of the plunger and driving head and syringe elements interacts with the adapter to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head and syringe with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: PolyTen Plastics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Trull, Richard L. Abbott
  • Patent number: 6071267
    Abstract: A patient interface system includes a fluid transfer subsystem comprising a primary fluid transfer element fluidically communicating with the wound and a secondary fluid transfer element/manifold in contact therewith. A drape subsystem covers the fluid transfer elements and includes a film material membrane. A fluid conveying subsystem includes a vacuum source connected to the secondary fluid transfer element/manifold by a suction tube for creating a negative, sub-atmospheric pressure within the interface system for extracting fluids collected in the interface system. A fluid supply is provided for supplying various types of fluids to the interface system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Zamierowski
  • Patent number: 6071269
    Abstract: A combined arterial-venous blood flow set comprises connected lengths of flexible tubing for receiving blood from a patient, for conveying the blood to a blood processing device such as a dialyzer or an LDL filter, and for returning the blood to the patient. An optional first bubble trap chamber is connected in series flow between two of the lengths of tubing at a flow position downstream from the patient and upstream from the blood processing device. A second bubble trap chamber is connected in series flow between two of the lengths of tubing at a flow position downstream from the blood processing device and upstream from the patient. A first portion of the tubing which is in a flow position upstream from the blood processing device extends by the second bubble trap chamber, and is physically, laterally connected to it without direct flow connection. This helps to stabilize the positioning of components of the flow set and to reduce confusion in set-up and priming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Medisystems Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Schnell, David S. Utterberg
  • Patent number: 6071270
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6063068
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg, Thomas J. Progar
  • Patent number: 6060638
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a matched permeability liner/absorbent structure system, suitable for use in absorbent articles, in which the permeability of the bodyside liner is correlated with the permeability of the subjacent layer of the absorbent structure, such as a surge layer. The inventors have observed that by appropriately matching the permeability of the liner material to the permeability of the subjacent layer, liquid intake performance of the liner and subjacent layer materials can exceed liquid intake performance of the subjacent layer material alone. Thus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the permeability of the bodyside liner is set within a specified range of that of the subjacent layer such that the liner/subjacent layer liquid intake performance is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Carol Paul, Philip Anthony Sasse, David George Crowther, Eric Mitchell Johns
  • Patent number: 6059761
    Abstract: A simple automatic opening and closing type of urination apparatus (10) comprises a cylinder (2), a pressure responsive plunger (3), a resilient member (4), a protective casing (5), and a lock mechanism (6). The cylinder (2) is provided in a front end with an inlet port (21), on a rear end with a cylinder flange (22), and in an outer peripheral wall of an intermediate portion with a plurality of outlet ports (23). The pressure responsive plunger (3) is slidably received in the cylinder (2) and provided on a front end with a liquid-sealing portion (31), on a rear end with a plunger flange (32), and on an intermediate portion with a plurality of ribs (33) which extend longitudinally and cross each other radially. At least one of the ribs (33) is provided with serrated teeth (331) which are aligned at a given pitch in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Tsukada Medical Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Tsukada, Yasuhiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6056731
    Abstract: A suction device for body fluids comprises a container (10) being airtightly closable by means of a cover (11). A bag (14) is connected to a cylindrical projection (12) of the cover (11) by means of a support ring (13). A suction opening (15) is provided in the cover (11) to produce a low pressure in the bag (14). Furthermore, the suction opening (15) comprises a branching (31) to produce a low pressure in the container (10) as well. Additionally, the cover (11) comprises an outlet opening (17) enclosed by a hollow body (37). The hollow body (37) can be pushed into the container (10) to empty the bag (14) so that the fluid contained in the bag (14) can be poured out via openings (40, 41) of the hollow cylinder (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Claus-Dieter Koetke, Martin Sippel, Volker Klute
  • Patent number: 6056729
    Abstract: An ornamental article for transdermal delivery includes a ring-shaped member adapted to be put around a body to be treated. The ring-shaped member has at least one drug storing cavity formed therein, and at least one drug delivery channel communicated with the drug storing cavity and extending to an inner periphery of the ring-shaped member. A drug stored in the drug storing cavity can be released via the drug delivery channel to the skin of the body when the ring-shaped member is moved upon movement of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventors: Min-Tseng Yu, Yung-Sheng Lin