Patents Examined by Henry A. Bennett
  • Orthopedic traction tower system
    Patent number: 7131955
    Abstract: An orthopedic traction tower system, and components thereof, for use in surgery, fracture repair, and/or radiography. The traction tower system may include a base for receiving the proximal end of a patient's limb, a tower arm for applying tractive forces to a distal end of a patient's limb, and a joint that movably connects the base and the tower arm such that the tower arm can be positioned for surgical access and/or for applying different types of traction, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventors: Geoffrey M. Price, Matthew C. Sucec, William B. Geissler
  • Gymnastic apparatus for pectoral muscles
    Patent number: 7128695
    Abstract: A gymnastic apparatus for pectoral muscles is equipped with two push arms (20) fitted to oscillate from initial positions to final positions and normally maintained in initial positions by means of a weight unit (2); a support element (32) for the user's forearm fitted to each push arm (20) to oscillate with respect to the push arm (20) at least during part of the movement of the push arm (20) from initial to final positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Panatta Sport S.R.L.
    Inventor: Rodolfo Panatta
  • Cervical spine brace and traction device
    Patent number: 7128724
    Abstract: A cervical spine brace and traction device incorporates a forwardly open head and jaw brace which is adjustably supported vertically above a forwardly collar member. The brace and the collar member have cooperating lateral wall sections having mating arcuate surfaces that are juxtaposed and which include interengaging means that assure they remain precisely angularly aligned with each other while the vertical spacing between them is being changed. Support of the brace and adjustment is by pairs of laterally extending brackets which interconnect with rotatable rod mechanisms that carry coaxial right-handed and left-handed lead screw surfaces. A miter gear affixed to each rod in a central location mates with a cooperative miter gear affixed to a horizontal shaft that carries a starwheel at one end which permits smooth and accurate patient adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ohana Medical Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: M. Lou Marsh
  • Ankle brace
    Patent number: 7128725
    Abstract: A rear entry ankle brace for providing support and stability to an ankle includes a rigid internal support member covered on both sides by a soft durable material. The ankle brace is secured about a leg with an adjustable strap. A flexible heel is provided for facilitating walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: David Rabe
  • Heat sink for enhanced heat dissipation
    Patent number: 7124806
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes a block formed of a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material includes thermally conductive polymer. A heat conduit (e.g., a heat pipe) extends through a substantial portion of the block. In one example arrangement, airflow channels extend through portions of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: NCR Corp.
    Inventors: David G. Wang, P. Keith Muller
  • Device for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea
    Patent number: 7124758
    Abstract: A device that prevents obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. The device includes a headband and two belts. The headband is placed on the head of a user and the belts are attached to the front of the headband, the belts are crossed over the top of the users head and then are made to go from the back of the users neck to cross under the users chin and then to attach to the front part of the headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Simon Jacob Frank
  • Ankle-foot orthotic device and method
    Patent number: 7125392
    Abstract: Provided is an ankle-foot orthotic device and method for preventing foot drop of a person wearing footwear. The device includes an elongated member adapted to extend along an anterior portion of the lower leg and conforms to a portion of the dorsal surface of the foot. The elongated member is further adapted to secure to an upper outer region of the person's footwear. Securing the device to the lower leg and footwear of a person maintains the foot in a dorsiflexion position. The elongated member may include an upper portion positionable relative to an intermediate portion providing an ankle-foot orthotic device variable in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Oregon Orthotic System, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle R. Scott
  • Systems and methods for electrokinetic delivery of a substance
    Patent number: 7127285
    Abstract: A system for delivering a substance into a body at a treatment site that includes an alternating current source and a plurality of electrodes. Circuitry is connected between the alternating current source and the electrodes for supplying current to the electrodes when the electrodes are in electrical contact with said body so that a uni-directional current flow for delivering the substance into the body is maintained at the treatment site and a bi-directional current flow is maintained throughout the body. At least one of the electrodes is divided into sub-electrodes to, for example, reduce hazards associated with current concentration. These and other systems and methods are adaptable for large treatment areas and/or use a convenient and low-cost arrangement of electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Transport Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: Julian L. Henley, Kuo Wei Chang, Joseph Potter, Dennis I. Goldberg, James Derouin
  • Respiratory circuit support arm
    Patent number: 7124755
    Abstract: A support arm for use in a respiratory circuit is provided. The support arm includes a plurality of arm segments that are movably connected with one another such that the arm segments are adjustable with respect to another. At least one inflatable bladder is provided. The bladder is operably disposed at a point of connection between at least two of the arm segments. The arm segments are locked into position with respect to one another upon inflation of the bladder. The arm segments are released and positionable with respect to one another upon deflation of the bladder. Also, a respiratory support member is attached to one of the arm segments. The respiratory support member is configured for engaging the respiratory circuit to support the respiratory circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: D. Theron Van Hooser
  • Medical device for overcoming airway obstruction
    Patent number: 7124757
    Abstract: A medical device for overcoming upper airway obstruction when a patient is placed in a supine position, featuring a flat rectangular support base that attaches to the support frame perpendicularly, and a variation of lower jaw supports that attach to the support frame after encircling the patient's lower jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Simon Jacob Frank
  • Medical device for overcoming airway obstruction
    Patent number: 7124756
    Abstract: A medical device for overcoming upper airway obstruction when a patient is placed in a supine position, featuring a flat rectangular support base that attaches to the support frame perpendicularly, and a variation of lower jaw supports that attach to the support frame after encircling the patient's lower jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Simon Jacob Frank
  • Heat sink assembly
    Patent number: 7121327
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes a plurality of fins (10), a pair of ducts (20), and a frame (30) receiving the fins and the ducts therein. Each fin defines a pair of through holes (11) therein. A tapered tab (14) and a plurality of locating tabs (15) extend from each fin around a periphery of each through hole. A pair of locating portions (16) extends horizontally from opposite ends of each fin, for forming intervals between the fins. The ducts are inserted into the corresponding through holes of the fins, and are in thermal contact with the tabs. The fins and the ducts are then placed into the frame to form the heat sink assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun Lung Chen
  • Contraceptive device with wearing aid
    Patent number: 7121281
    Abstract: The present invention provides a condom with a wearing aid comprising a natural or synthetic rubber condom and a wearing aid, wherein, when the outer peripheral wall of the condom is rolled up from the open end of the condom toward the closed end thereof so as to be turned inside, a band-shaped elastic material is stacked on the outer periphery near the open end and rolled up together into the inside of an rolled up part, where the elastic material is selected from (1) a band shaped elastic high polymer material, as Material A provided with a number of cut off aperture parts or a number of cuts almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the band, or (2) an expandable bandage or an band-shaped non-woven stretch fabric as Material B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Shoei Limited Co.
    Inventor: Wataru Tsugawa
  • Surgical bandage and methods for treating open wounds
    Patent number: 7122712
    Abstract: A surgical bandage for treating a wound that allows various fluids or fluid-like substances including cyanoacrylate adhesives to be applied. The surgical bandage has a wound treatment portion for being placed over a wound and a place for a flowable cyanoacrylate adhesive or any other fluid or fluid-like substance to be applied to the underlying wound (laceration, surgical incision or other tissue separation). A source is used to apply the cyanoacrylate or other fluid to the wound treatment portion flowing through at least one opening of the wound treatment portion to the underlying wound and its surrounding area either by direct application or from a non-contact distance. The surgical bandage allows for direct visualization before, during and after its application. The surgical bandage allows for removal of blood or any fluid that may be present in, on or around the wound by blotting or wiping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas P. Lutri, John C. Bush, Jr.
  • Personal oxygen concentrator
    Patent number: 7121276
    Abstract: An oxygen separator for separating oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process has a mass of less than 2.3 kg. A carrier is mountable on a person to support the oxygen separator for ambulatory use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Vbox, Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore W. Jagger, Nicholas P. Van Brunt, John A. Kivisto, Perry B. Lonnes
  • Knee brace immobilizer
    Patent number: 7122016
    Abstract: An adjustable knee brace for immobilization of a patient's knee in multiple adjustment angular inclinations for use in therapeutic applications. The knee brace has a sheet of cushion material which is adapted to be wrapped about and secured to the patient's leg by a pair of interconnected rigid upper and lower leg engagement plates and associated straps. The leg engagement plates are determined to be registerably engaged against the medial aspect of the leg above and below the knee and have adjustable articulated locking interconnecting hinge and pivot fitting assemblies extending therebetween for both saggital and frontal plane brace adjustment. An independent knee engagement pad provides knee stabilization in cooperation with leg engagement plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Anatomical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: William DeToro, Brian Perala
  • Dressing and a method for making and applying a dressing
    Patent number: 7119247
    Abstract: A film dressing for catheter sites and a method for applying and making such a dressing are provided. Preferably, the film dressing has a foam layer. A moisture vapor semi-permeable film may be secured to the foam layer. A window in the foam layer allows for viewing of the catheter site. The moisture vapor semi-permeable film may be coated with an adhesive for application to a catheter site. The adhesive may vary in strength and pattern. The dressing may further have a liner coated with silicone for use in protection of the semi-permeable film. A label may be removable attached to the silicone coated liner. The dressing may further have additional foam pieces for use in the application of the dressing to a patient. The dressing may have different colors indicating, for example, the strength of the adhesive used with the dressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: George Medical, LLC
    Inventor: George Worthley
  • Orthopedic block for and with an elevation device for positioning an extremity
    Patent number: 7118544
    Abstract: An elevation device for resiliently supporting an extremity of a patient that utilizes the packaging for the device to form the finished product. The elevation device includes a support cushion and a planar surface for supporting the support cushion at a desired elevation. At least one guide member is associated with the planar surface for positioning the support cushion on the planar surface. An orthopedic block comprising an upright foot block is removeably positioned on the support cushion and is held in place by buckling opposed ends of a web belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Scott L. Murray
  • Orthosis closure system with mechanical advantage
    Patent number: 7118543
    Abstract: A closure system for orthoses that permits a first body member conforming to a portion of a patient's torso to be connected through the closure system, with a second body member conforming to another portion of a patient's torso. The closure system includes a first connector member with a first series of plastic molded channels and a second connector member with a second series of plastic molded channels with an elongated flexible pull member operatively weaving around the respective first and second series of plastic molded channels to provide a mechanical force advantage when tightened by the patient to draw the first body member and the second body member against the patient's torso to exert compression forces. The elongated flexible pull member can comprise a cord such as a polyester cord with an exterior braided configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Top Shelf Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Telles, Craig J. Koloske, Chad M. Sindel
  • Aerosol generator and methods of making and using an aerosol generator
    Patent number: 7117867
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.