Patents Examined by Ian Holloway
  • Patent number: 8295922
    Abstract: An iontophoresis device may be capable of preventing or reducing the generation of gas, or the production of undesirable ions, due to an electrode reaction occurring in an electrode assembly; or the alteration of an active agent due to a chemical reaction upon energization. A doping layer made of a substance such as a conductive polymer that effects an electrochemical reaction due to the doping or de-doping of an ion, may be formed in an electrode in an active electrode assembly or counter electrode assembly of an iontophoresis device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: TTI ellebeau, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kanamura, Takehiko Matsumura, Mizuo Nakayama, Hidero Akiyama, Akihiko Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8292883
    Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus in the present invention has a high frequency power generation section which generates high frequency power to be applied to a living tissue, a voltage detection section which detects the voltage of the high frequency power, a current detection section which detects the current of the high frequency power, an impedance computation section which computes the impedance of the living tissue on the basis of the voltage and the current, and a control section which, when the impedance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, performs control for increasing the frequency of the high frequency power stepwise on the high frequency power generation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Akinori Kabaya, Takashi Mihori
  • Patent number: 8262643
    Abstract: An intravascular port access device includes a first component having a chamber configured to attach reversibly to an intravenous line port. A second component reversibly attaches to the first component and contains a disinfecting agent and an applicator material. The second component is configured to be reversibly received over external surfaces of the intravenous line port. A method of cleansing an intravenous line port includes providing a port cleaning device having a first component with a chamber containing a first cleaning agent. A second component includes a second cleaning agent. A third component has a microbiocidal agent and is reversibly attached to the first component. The second component is removed from the device, the external surfaces of the port are contacted with the second cleaning agent, the first cleaning agent is ejected from the chamber into the port, and the third component is used to cap the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hyprotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick O. Tennican
  • Patent number: 8257301
    Abstract: This device comprises a tube (22) containing several substantially parallel channels extending along the entire length of tube of which one end, referred to as distal, is connected with a connection element to the patient, thereby forming a mixing chamber for the various liquids, and of which the other end, referred to as proximal, is connected to a housing (3) provided with connection means (9) for several containers each containing a liquid, wherein the housing has liquid delivery lines (7), wherein each delivery line (7) is intended to be connected to a container and to a channel of the tube (22) respectively. At least one delivery line (7) of the housing is provided with a check valve (12) intended to prevent the passage of liquid from the channel of the corresponding tube into the corresponding container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Philippe Buisson
  • Patent number: 8257314
    Abstract: A spiral catheter device and mechanism for placement thereof. The spiral catheter device comprises a catheter body including at least one helically coiled portion, with the interior region of the helix forming a tracking region for passage of a wire guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Charles W. Agnew
  • Patent number: 8251951
    Abstract: The invention provides a cartridge-type injection needle and injector. The injection needle cartridge has a substantially columnar retaining member for retaining the injection needle penetrating therethrough and a pair of holder members forming a containing space for containing the retaining member. The paired holding members are formed by a first holder member having a first bottom plate and a first slider section and a second holder member having a second bottom plate facing to the first bottom plate and a second slider section. The containing space is axially extendable and retractable in the state in which the slider sections are alternately displaced along the outer periphery of the retaining member and is not axially retractable in the state in which the extreme end faces of the slider sections face to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Suzuken Company Limited
    Inventor: Ichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8251949
    Abstract: A catheter for delivering a stent includes an outer tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a wall defining a lumen; an inner tube disposed within the outer tube and defining a lumen for a guidewire, wherein a portion of a length of the inner tube is wrapped around with a spiral-shaped wire; a balloon sealingly connected to the inner tube and the outer tube adjacent the distal ends thereof, the balloon defining an interior volume and having an exterior surface; and a marker made from a wire of a highly radiopaque and ductile material, wherein the wire is wrapped in a plurality of at least partially overlapping layers such that the marker is flexible along the length of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Boris Warnack
  • Patent number: 8246574
    Abstract: A support catheter that can be used to aid positioning of a guidewire and other medical devices. The support catheter includes a catheter body having a length, and a supporting structure formed or disposed in or on the catheter body. The catheter support structure, whether alone or in combination with the other portions of the support catheter, provides flexibility, stiffness, and torqueability to the support catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: James M. Jacobs, Randolf von Oepen, Richard Newhauser, Travis Yribarren
  • Patent number: 8235945
    Abstract: A safety device for the needle of intravenous catheter apparatus comprising of a tip blocker which blocks the needle tip, a spring assembled in compressed state held by a disc inside the groove of the tip blocker which pushes the tip blocker downwards and a bush fitted in the needle passageway which does not allow the needle to come out of the safety device. The safety device is capable of locking inside it and covering the needle tip so that the needle of intravenous catheter apparatus can be disposed of safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Rishi Baid
  • Patent number: 8226699
    Abstract: A flexible reusable thermal pack for therapeutic purposes. A flexible, insulative sealed pouch is partially filled with hollow balls containing freezable or heatable liquid and metal balls of substantial mass. The thermal pack slowly returns to ambient temperature while it conforms to be a body part needing therapeutic thermal treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Snowflake Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Sharon Evans
  • Patent number: 8221356
    Abstract: A medication delivery system, comprising: a movable part (230, 232) adapted to move relative to a stationary part; at least two conductors (234, 236) which are arranged such that an electrical characteristic is defined by the mutual position of the movable and the stationary part and/or by movement of one of said parts relative to the other; and a detector for detecting a change of said electrical characteristic, wherein the parts are stationary relative to each other during dose setting and in that the parts are moved relative to each other during dose ejection, such that that detector provides a signal indicative of the actual amount of the ejected dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Christian Peter Enggaard, Preben Nielsen, Bodo von Munchow
  • Patent number: 8216178
    Abstract: A breast pump set for expressing human breastmilk comprises a breastshield (1) to be placed on the female breast with a coupling part (12) for connection to a milk collection container (2), and an electrically driven suction pump (4, 4?). The breastshield (1) is provided with an actuator (5) for actuating the suction pump. The inventive breast pump seat allows easy handling of the suction pump and eliminates the need for the mother to have a hand free for handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventor: Daniel Thommen
  • Patent number: 8206343
    Abstract: A reinforced medical catheter (10) includes an elongated tubular outer wall reinforced by an internal helical coil spring (36). Successive loops of the coil spring adjoining the distal end are longitudinally separated, and a working lumen extends longitudinally through the catheter. A longitudinally extending reinforcing cable is captured in the tubular outer wall against the exterior of the coil spring. A steering cable operably interconnected with the distal end of the coil spring extends proximally from the distal end of the coil spring freely through the working lumen to the proximal end of the catheter. The reinforcing cable and the steering cable may constitute a continuous elongated filament. Withdrawing the steering cable proximally through the working lumen causes the distal tip of the catheter to be deflected laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Custom Medical Applications, Inc.
    Inventor: N. Sandor Racz
  • Patent number: 8206355
    Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus having an anti-rotation component prevents the medical needle from rotating relative to a safety shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Specialized Health Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David L Thorne
  • Patent number: 8202248
    Abstract: A device and methods for treating renal failure are disclosed. One embodiment of the device is an implantable peritoneal dialysis device. When in use, the device can have a semi-permeable reservoir implanted in the peritoneal cavity. The reservoir can receive blood waste and drain through one or more conduits, via a pump, to the biological bladder. Solids and/or a solution benefiting dialysis can be pumped to the reservoir and/or implanted in the peritoneal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sequana Medical AG
    Inventors: Daniel R. Burnett, Gregory W. Hall
  • Patent number: 8202249
    Abstract: An injection device with a puncture function includes, in a single casing, a cylindrical cartridge in which insulin is enclosed, a cartridge holder to which the cartridge is inserted, a needle inserted at a front end of the cartridge, a reciprocation unit for reciprocating the cartridge toward the needle, and an extrusion member for extruding the insulin from a rear end of the cartridge toward the needle, and the motion speed and the motion amount of the reciprocation unit are made variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Iio, Yoshinori Amano
  • Patent number: 8195286
    Abstract: Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical circuitry for ultrasonic vibrating the needle. A power source provides pulsed electrical power to the handpiece electrical circuitry and an input is provided for enabling a surgeon to select an amplitude of dislighted pulses and a pulse width. A control system and pulse duty cycle is provided for controlling the off duty cycle to insure heat dissipation before a subsequent pulse is activated, including a foot pedal switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Kadziauskas, Paul Rockley
  • Patent number: 8162899
    Abstract: An intravascular port access device includes a first component having a chamber configured to attach reversibly to an intravenous line port. A second component reversibly attaches to the first component and contains a disinfecting agent and an applicator material. The second component is configured to be reversibly received over external surfaces of the intravenous line port. A method of cleansing an intravenous line port includes providing a port cleaning device having a first component includes a second cleaning agent. A third component has a microbiocidal agent and is reversibly attached to the first component. The second component is removed from the device, the external surfaces of the port are contacted with the second cleaning agent. the first cleaning agent is ejected from the chamber into the port, and the third component is used to cap the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hyprotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick O. Tennican
  • Patent number: 8142399
    Abstract: A safety interlock for use in a medical device includes a central tubular portion defining a fluid passage for passing fluid through the safety interlock. An outer ring portion is adapted for mounting on the medical device. The outer ring portion is formed of a light transmitting material and includes at least one interposing surface. A connector portion connects the central tubular portion to the outer ring portion so that the outer ring portion is spaced radially outwardly from the central tubular portion in opposed relation with at least a portion of the central tubular portion. The safety interlock device is adapted for mounting in medical device in a path of electromagnetic radiation from a source of electromagnetic radiation for reflecting the electromagnetic radiation to a electromagnetic radiation detector when properly loaded on the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: James G. Hanlon, Joel D. Wiesner
  • Patent number: 8142404
    Abstract: A controller for operating a pumping apparatus to supply fluid to a patient through a pump set includes a processor programmed to instruct a first source of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation in a direction for striking a safety interlock of the pump set. The processor activates a first electromagnetic radiation detector to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source. The processor instructs a second source of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation in a direction for striking the safety interlock. The processor activates a second electromagnetic radiation detector to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the second source. The processor controls the pumping apparatus to operate for pumping fluid in the pump set only when electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source is detected by the first detector and when the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the second source is not detect by the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Christopher A. Knauper, Joel D. Wiesner, James M. Harr, Glenn G. Fournie