Patents Examined by G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9028491
    Abstract: An electrosurgical handpiece comprising a squeezable handle connected to extend and retract bipolar electrodes from a rigid tubular member. The bipolar electrodes comprise active separable distal ends and connecting links configured such that when the handle is unsqueezed, the active distal ends protrude from the distal end of the first tubular member and are adjacent one another, and when the handle is fully squeezed, the active distal ends are fully extended outwardly from the first tubular member and separate, and when the handle is relaxed but still partially squeezed, the active distal ends come together and touch first at their extreme ends and then touch over a broader area in a position to grasp tissue for receiving electrosurgical currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Alan G. Ellman
  • Patent number: 9017289
    Abstract: A transdermal fluid delivery device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The housing defines a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. A fluid reservoir is disposed at the proximal end of the housing in communication with the passageway of the housing and is adapted for retaining a fluid therein. A base member is positioned at the distal end of the housing. A microneedle assembly including a plurality of microneedles extending distally therefrom is also provided. The microneedle assembly is selectively moveable with respect to the housing between a retracted position, wherein the microneedles are disposed within the housing, and an extended position, wherein the microneedles are advanced distally to penetrate the base member and extend distally therefrom for puncturing the patient's epidermis and delivering the fluid into the patient's bloodstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Larry P. Backes
  • Patent number: 9011410
    Abstract: Delivery devices and methods related thereto may be used in humans for spinal delivery of cells, drugs or vectors. The patient population may include patients with spinal traumatic injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, spinal ischemia and any other spinal neurodegenerative disorders which will require spinal cell, vector or drug delivery. Unlike conventional methods which require multiple injection sites to make multiple, localized substrate deliveries, the delivery devices and methods of the present invention may allow for multiple substrate delivery locations with homogeneous substrate delivery with a single injection site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Martin Marsala
  • Patent number: 9011376
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drug delivery device comprising a drug reservoir chamber (15) containing a substance (16) to be delivered in fluid connection with a drug administration means (17) and (18), and a hydraulic control chamber (9) containing an electrically controlled, non-gassing, volume changing means (13), a coupling means (14) coupling said hydraulic control chamber (9) to said drug chamber (15), the arrangement being such that a change in the electrical control means (11) causes a change in the volume of the volume changing means (13), the volume change being conveyed by the coupling means (14) to the drug chamber (15) such that the substance (16) is expelled from the drug chamber (15) towards the drug administration means (17) and (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: SteadyMed Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Genosar, Jonathan Goldstein
  • Patent number: 9011377
    Abstract: The control device is used to control delivery of fluids from a multi-fluid delivery system during a medical injection procedure. The fluid delivery system includes an injector used to deliver injection fluids to a patient. The control device is operatively associated with the injector for controlling discrete flow rates of injection fluids delivered to the patient. The control device includes a housing, first and second actuators associated with the housing, and an electronic substrate disposed within the housing and having a conductive pattern. The first actuator is operatively associated with the conductive pattern. The conductive pattern includes a plurality of predetermined digital values corresponding to discrete flow rates of injection fluids to be delivered by the injector. The second actuator is operatively associated with the electronic substrate and initiates output signals to the injector corresponding to desired mixture ratios of the injection fluids to be delivered by the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer Medical Care Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Thomas P. Joyce, Michael Riley, William D. Barlow
  • Patent number: 8998848
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to access bone marrow at various target areas. Such apparatus may include an intraosseous device operable to penetrate bone at a selected target area and a depth limiter operable to control depth of penetration of the intraosseous device into bone and associated bone marrow. A manual driver and a guide may be included to optimize optimum insertion of the intraosseous device at a selected insertion site on a sternum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, Robert W. Titkemeyer, David S. Bolleter, Ruben Trevino, Matthew T. Harmon, Christopher Kilcoin
  • Patent number: 8986250
    Abstract: A drug delivery platform is provided for delivering a controlled infusion of a drug to an individual. The drug delivery platform includes a reservoir for receiving the drug therein and a pressure source engageable with the reservoir. The pressure source is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the pressure source exerts a pressure on the reservoir to urge the drug therefrom. An output conduit is provided for transmitting the drug into the individual. An actuation mechanism is operatively connected to the pressure source and the output conduit. The actuation mechanism is movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position wherein pressure source moves from the first configuration to the second configuration and wherein the input of the output conduit communicates with the drug and the output end of the output conduit is receivable in the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Ration, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Benjamin J. Moga, Tony Escarcega, Kent Chase
  • Patent number: 8979810
    Abstract: A nasal aspiration system for removing secretions from the user's nasal canals includes a port having a cap and a vacuum canister coupled on opposite ends. The cap includes two aspiration tubes extended therefrom. The aspiration tubes are configured for inserting into a user's nasal canals. The port includes a valve disposed therein, where the valve is operable to control the flow of nasal secretion from the aspiration tubes into the vacuum canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Craig Beyer
  • Patent number: 8974411
    Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided having a conical diffuser tip for use in rapid infusion procedures. The conical diffuser tip provides a flared opening whereby the velocity of an infusant is decreased as the infusant travels through the catheter tip and exits into the vascular system of a patient. This decrease in velocity proportionately reduces the backpressure and/or recoil force of the catheter assembly thereby permitting the use of higher infusion rates. The catheter tip is introduced into the vasculature of a patient via a splittable introducer needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Austin Jason McKinnon
  • Patent number: 8926565
    Abstract: An intravenous catheter securement device to secure an IV cannula, IV tubing, and attachments in place and to reduce the need for adhesive tape application, including a protective dressing body that secures an intravenous catheter between a cover flap and a lower portion thereof; a continuous pocket disposed between cover flap and the lower portion inner sides for securing a splint for immobilizing an IV site with minimal interference of the dressing body; an opening centrally disposed on the lower portion that serves as a viewing port over an IV site; a vertical slit centrally disposed on the lower portion between the front side and the opening that permits the dressing body to pass either side of a cannula and IV tube; and various attachment strips and tabs that secure an IV line to prevent kinking thereof and to prevent the IV line from weighing down on the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Loris Barbara Cusworth
  • Patent number: 8920386
    Abstract: A one-way valve (1) comprises a seat (5) and a membrane (4) having an inner portion (4a) that is stretched over the seat, wherein, in use, the inner membrane portion is selectively deflected from the seat such that a fluid path is created from one side of the membrane to the other so as to open the valve, and wherein an outer peripheral portion (4b) of the membrane is stiffer than the inner portion such that the membrane deflection is substantially restricted to only the inner portion. The one-way valve may be used in a pump for an infusion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cellnovo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph John Cefai, Julian Llewellyn Shapley
  • Patent number: 8894629
    Abstract: Valves for regulating fluid flows through medical devices are provided. In some embodiments, the valves are adapted for use in high flow applications and multiple valve elements disposed across a plurality of fluid flow paths branching from and into one or more inlets and outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Navilyst Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Lareau, Benjamin D. Bell
  • Patent number: 8870824
    Abstract: An aspiration catheter includes an aspiration tube and an aspiration lumen extending between and opening to the distal and proximal ends of the aspiration tube, and a guidewire tube bonded to the outer surface of the aspiration tube on a distal end portion of the aspiration tube, with at least a portion of the guidewire tube being parallel to the aspiration tube. A guidewire lumen extends through the guidewire tube and opens at a proximal opening located at a proximal end of the guidewire tube. The outer surface of the aspiration tube has a flat portion where the outer surface is parallel to an axial direction of the aspiration lumen, and the proximal opening of the guidewire lumen is located at the flat portion of the outer surface of the aspiration tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha, Terumo Clinical Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 8864703
    Abstract: A drug introduction sleeve is disclosed that includes a selectively expandable body portion. The body portion is defined by a first open end and a second open end. A hollow interior is formed within the body portion. The body portion is selectively expandable from a first unexpanded configuration to a second expanded configuration whereby the volume of the hollow interior is increased when the body portion is expanded to the second expanded configuration, sufficient to temporarily retain a drug bolus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark D. LaBelle
  • Patent number: 8858512
    Abstract: The present invention related to an injector is provided. The injector includes a case body, a dose setting, a first engagement, a second engagement, an elasticity element, and a button. The dose setting is used to preset a dose. The first engagement is connected with the dose setting. The elasticity element is connected between the first engagement and the second engagement. When the elasticity element is in an extension state, the first engagement and the second engagement are separated. When the button is pushed, the elasticity element is entered into a compress state to combine the first engagement and the second engagement, and then push the dose setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taidoc Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin Huang, Chih-Chiang Yang, Chao-Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 8852160
    Abstract: A venous access port assembly having a housing base, a flange, and a septum. The housing base defines an interior reservoir. The flange includes integrally molded X-ray discernable indicia identifying that the assembly is rated for power injection. The X-ray discernable indicia may extend through a height of the flange from a top surface to a bottom surface of the flange. According to one aspect, the flange may be formed from X-ray discernable material, and the X-ray discernable indicia may be formed from the X-ray discernable material of the flange, or they may be formed by voids in the X-ray discernable material. According to another aspect, the flange may be formed from a radiotransparent or radiolucent material and applied with a radiopaque agent, and the X-ray discernable indicia may be one or more voids in the radiopaque agent or may be portions of the flange applied with the radiopaque agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Schweikert, Raymond R. Bizup, Kevin E. Sanford, Kenneth M. Zinn
  • Patent number: 8852151
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Some embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. The device comprises a capsule sized to be swallowed and pass through the intestinal tract. The capsule can include at least one guide tube, one or more tissue penetrating members positioned in the guide tube, a delivery member, an actuating mechanism and a release element. The release element degrades upon exposure to various conditions in the intestine so as to release and actuate the actuating mechanism. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Rani Therapeutics, LLC
    Inventor: Mir Imran
  • Patent number: 8840591
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a medication delivery device containing a resilient member and having a rotation member configured to be rotated in a first direction during setting of a dose of a medication and to be rotated in a second direction during delivery of the dose, where rotation member is coupled to a drive member that is coupled to a piston rod such that on dose delivery the piston rod is displaced in a distal direction to dispense a medicament and where the resilient member prevents movement of the drive member and the piston rod during dose setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Raab, Ulrich Brueggemann
  • Patent number: 8834431
    Abstract: An injection device having a delivery element with an inner thread may be driven by rotation and includes a cylindrical outer wall region, which is substantially smooth. Such features provide a delivery element configured such that it is less intimidating to patients than known threaded rods, and may facilitate easy cleaning. The delivery element may be non-rotatably guided and axially spring-loaded, and may be inserted axially into the housing when the reservoir is replaced. The driving thread element for the delivery element may be mounted in the vicinity of the distal end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Philippe Kohlbrenner, Peter Stettler, Patrick Hostettler, Juergen Wittmann, Martin Wittwer
  • Patent number: 8827979
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems, devices and methods for injection of drugs, substances and/or chemicals to a patient and for improving their effectiveness once they are injected are disclosed. Additional treatment can be applied to a tissue region on the patient into which a drug (e.g., insulin) is injected, to expose the tissue region to various forms of energy or a substance to improve the drug's pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Insuline Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Benny Pesach, Gabriel Bitton, Ram Weiss, Ron Nagar