Patents Examined by G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8821453
    Abstract: A folding panel needle guard comprises front and rear panels coupled together at hinges, a collar attached to the front panels at hinges, a guard base element coupled to the rear panels at hinges, a hub and a spring to unfold and lock the front and rear panels in a co-linear needle shielded configuration. The folding panel needle guard is mountable to a needle or syringe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Safety Syringes, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Christopher Doyle, Philip E. Dowds, James M Verespej, Frederic P. Field
  • Patent number: 8784401
    Abstract: The steerable catheter comprises a flexible tube, inside of which different conducts are arranged: one or more conducts for drug administration, vacuum conducts associated with different radiofrequency electrodes, conducts for the conductive wires that conducts the radiofrequency energy to the distal end of the catheter, conducts for the fiber optic cable/s that conducts the laser energy to the distal end of the catheter, a guiding wire for the catherization, and another components; the steerable catheter being connected from the proximal end to a energy unit and other pressure and/or dosing devices; and the steerable catheter optionally including an inflatable balloon to help occluding the vessel; and it also incorporates one or two electrode/s or conductive layer/s in the distal end of the catheter; the objective of the steerable catheter being the obtaining of better results in the embolization and/or chemoembolization treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Bernard Alfons lucie B. Cambier, Anne Sophie Cecile M. L. De Wulf
  • Patent number: 8764723
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Julian D. Kavazov, Eric M. Lorenzen
  • Patent number: 8753326
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Julian D. Kavazov, Eric M. Lorenzen
  • Patent number: 8747369
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a flexible pushrod that can adjust from a curved configuration to a generally straight configuration. The flexible pushrod is part of a drive system of the pump device so that the flexible pushrod can be controllably and incrementally advanced toward a medicine reservoir to incrementally dispense the medicine therein. In particular embodiments, the flexible pushrod may comprise an anti-rotation mechanism, an anti-torsion mechanism, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Asante Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Morten Mernoe, Mitchell Wenger, James Causey, Todd Kirschen
  • Patent number: 8747368
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a flexible pushrod that can adjust from a curved configuration to a generally straight configuration. The flexible pushrod is part of a drive system of the pump device so that the flexible pushrod can be controllably and incrementally advanced toward a medicine reservoir to incrementally dispense the medicine therein. In particular embodiments, the flexible pushrod may comprise an anti-rotation mechanism, an anti-torsion mechanism, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Asante Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Morten Mernoe, Mitchell Wenger, James Causey, Todd Kirschen
  • Patent number: 8734403
    Abstract: A lock for a dosing mechanism of an injection device, the lock including at least one holding element that interacts with the dosing mechanism, or with a dosing element of the dosing mechanism, whereby an adjustment movement of the dosing mechanism or the dosing element is prevented in a starting position of the lock and is possible only after a movement or displacement of the lock or the holding element. An injection device used in conjunction with a two-chamber ampoule is encompassed, as is a method for preparing the injection device for dispensing a substance wherein the ampoule is introduced into the injection device and a lock is released when the ampoule has been introduced far enough to appropriately mix the substances in the two chambers, whereupon the mixed substances can be dispensed from the ampoule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Juerg Hirschel, Ulrich Moser, Christian Schrul, Markus Tschirren
  • Patent number: 8721331
    Abstract: A drug delivery device 10 has a support structure 20 and a medicine-laden member 100 affixed or otherwise attached to the support structure 20. The device 10 is sized to fit into the mouth and upon exposing the medicine-laden member 100 to saliva, medicaments 101 are released into the mouth. The drug delivery device 10 permits a new method of medication delivery. The method of oral transmucosal drug delivery has the steps of providing a drug delivery device 10 that fits into the mouth, the device 10 having a medicine-laden member 100; wearing the drug delivery device 10; activating release of medicine 101 by contact with saliva; and transmitting the released medicine 101 transmucosally to the bloodstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Puthalath Koroth Raghuprasad
  • Patent number: 8721599
    Abstract: Embodiments of a retractable syringe assembly are provided that include a dual syringe barrel configuration. In one or more embodiments, the assemblies include a fluid barrel for retaining fluid and a retraction barrel for housing the retraction feature and the needle hub assembly. The assemblies include a trigger element that moves with the plunger rod to activate the retraction feature within the retraction mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Ivan Zivkovic, Russell Cole
  • Patent number: 8715235
    Abstract: A dialysis fluid flow control system includes a pumping cassette interface including a pump area operable with a pump chamber of a disposable cassette; the cassette interface further including a volumetric reference chamber used in a volumetric control of a dialysis fluid pumped pneumatically into and out of the pump chamber of the disposable cassette; a heater connected operably to the cassette interface; and a controller connected operably to the heater so as to cause the heater to heat at least a portion of the cassette interface to a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Bruce E. Huitt
  • Patent number: 8715240
    Abstract: A system for convection enhanced delivery of therapeutic comprises one or more flexible, biocompatible microcatheters that are directed to a target location to deliver a therapeutic agent. The microcatheter is releasably coupled to a guide tube and directed to the desired location. The microcatheters are small and flexible in order to reach the target areas, minimize trauma at the injection site, and minimize reflux of the injectable therapeutic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The McLean Hospital Corporation
    Inventor: Miles G. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8702677
    Abstract: Drug depot delivery devices and methods are provided for delivering one or more drug depots to one or more sites beneath the skin of a patient with or without repositioning the cannula. The device has a cannula capable of insertion to the site beneath the skin of the patient and one or more side port openings for delivering a drug depot. The side port openings are spaced a distance from the blunt tip, which will allow the user to implant at a set distance from a nerve. The device may also include an electronic monitor for detecting the proximity of the tip of the cannula to a nerve. In some embodiments, a method of delivering a drug depot is provided by detecting the nerve and delivering the drug depot at or near the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Simonton, Sean M. Haddock, John Myers Zanella, William F. McKay
  • Patent number: 8704034
    Abstract: A limb wound treatment device is described having a first end, a second end and an interior therebetween for accommodating a treatment gas. The device can include a flexible housing that can be inflated or a rigid housing. The first end can include an inflatable cuff seal for hermetically sealing against the limb being treated. The second end can include a closed end or an access port that is releasably sealed with a clamping mechanism. Further, the device can include a controller that can inflate that housing, inflate the cuff seal and provide treatment gas to the interior, in response to pressures within the cuff seal and the housing. Further, the device can accommodate different types of wound treatments, such as hyperbaric therapy, compression therapy or negative pressure therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: AOTI, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Loori, George Hovorka, Francis Rossi
  • Patent number: 8690831
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for removing fluid from a surgical access device and/or from surgical instruments passed therethrough, and for preventing such fluid from accumulating. For example, in one embodiment, an exemplary device can include a body defining a working channel that is configured and sized to allow for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough. A number of seals can be disposed in the working channel so as to contact the inserted surgical instrument. One or more outlets can be oriented to direct gas, such as air or an insufflation gas, into the working channel so as to remove fluid on the seals, or other parts of the surgical access device, as well as the surgical instruments themselves. In some embodiments, constant flows of gases can be arranged to act as shields to help prevent fluid from accumulating on the surgical access device and/or surgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel H. Duke
  • Patent number: 8690832
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods of manufacture of a retrofitted neural injection system. Various embodiments may include acquiring an injection needle comprising a hollow cannula with an open distal end. Then, forming an at least one side port in the hollow cannula proximate to the distal end. Then, sealing the open distal end of the hollow cannula with a bio-compatible sealant so as to eliminate fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the hollow cannula via the distal end. In some embodiments, the bio-compatible sealant may be comprised of a thermosetting material. In some embodiments, the bio-compatible sealant may be comprised of a cured epoxy resin. In some embodiments, the bio-compatible sealant may be comprised of an aliphatic polymer. In some embodiments, the bio-compatible sealant may be comprised of an polyfluorocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Custom Medical Applications
    Inventor: Nicholas Sandor Racz
  • Patent number: 8679071
    Abstract: An injection device with a housing and an operating element or coupling element mounted in the housing in such a way that the operating element or coupling element may be retained in a first position by a first holding connection and may be displaced into a second position that is axially offset relative to the first position after introducing an ampoule. In some embodiments, the operating element or coupling element may be retained by a second holding connection in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Juerg Hirschel, Ulrich Moser, Christian Schrul, Markus Tschirren
  • Patent number: 8656924
    Abstract: The subject devices and methods retain surgical instruments and sterile portions of any accompanying cables within sterile surgical fields. One such surgical device includes a surgical instrument for performing surgical procedures within a sterile field. A cable is attached to the surgical instrument for connecting the surgical instrument located within the sterile field to support equipment located outside the sterile field. A self-retracting coil is operatively connected to the surgical instrument. The self-retracting coil is adapted and configured to be anchored within the sterile field to ensure that the surgical instrument and the sterile portion of the cable remain within the sterile field during performance of the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tenzin, LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Glazer
  • Patent number: 8647307
    Abstract: A needle protection device including a needle holder for operable coupling to an injection device and from which an injection needle projects, a blocking device which projects from the needle holder and is radially distanced from the injection needle, a needle protection element which can be moved into a first position and, from the first position, to a protection position in which it surrounds the injection needle, and which can be blocked from leaving the protection position by the blocking device, and a safety member arranged between the injection needle and the needle protection element in such a way that it can be displaced in relation to the injection needle, wherein the needle protection element includes an engagement element and the safety member includes a counter-element, the engagement element and counter-element mutually engaging when the needle protection element is moved into the first position, the needle protection element thereby entraining the safety member during movement of the needle prot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Christian Gratwohl, Martin Wymann
  • Patent number: 8641682
    Abstract: An applicator, for example an injector (100), includes a flow control means including a first member (2) and a second member (6) for controlling flow from an inlet (4) to an outlet (5). A hinged linkage (17) is provided having a first end (18) rotatably engaged with the first member and a second end (19) rotatably engaged with the second member. The linkage (17) is moveable between a collapsed position and an over-center locked position which prevents relative movement of the first member (2) towards the second member (6). Linkage unlocking means (28) are provided which move the hinge (22) away from the over-center locked position so that the first and second members can be moved together. A similar linkage (10) prevents unwanted movement of a needle shroud (8). A needle shroud (8) which can be used to remove the needle (7) from the injector (100) is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Simcro Tech Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney G. Walker, Todd D. Ebbett, Colin A. Standing
  • Patent number: 8636687
    Abstract: An improved method and equipment for tissue/vessel sealing is disclosed for the sealing, coagulation and transection of tissue during surgical procedures. The improvement is accomplished through better management of heat and moisture present during tissue treatment by having tissue grasping surfaces comprised of an outer non-conducting region and an inner conductive region, and including channels in the jaw assembly to direct steam and moisture away from surrounding tissue. The outer region follows the perimeter each jaw, isolating the treatment zone and preventing steam and excess heat from leaving the tissue treatment zone, reducing thermal margins and unintended patient burns. The outer region also prevents surrounding moisture from affecting the treatment zone and allowing more consistent results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Spinnaker Medical LLC
    Inventor: Scott T. Latterell