Patents Examined by Ian K Holloway
  • Patent number: 8663215
    Abstract: A high-frequency cauterization power source is an electrosurgical apparatus for joining biological tissues. The electrosurgical apparatus includes a high frequency power supply portion for supplying a high frequency power that is applied to biological tissues; a detection portion for detecting a voltage and a current of a high frequency power that is output from the high frequency power supply portion; a tissue impedance calculating portion that calculates an impedance of biological tissue based on respective values for voltage and current detected at the detection portion; and a control portion that controls so as to substantially stop supply of the high frequency power from the high frequency power supply portion based on whether or not an increase greater than or equal to a predetermined value in the impedance that is calculated at the tissue impedance calculating portion occurs two times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Akinori Kabaya, Takashi Mihori
  • Patent number: 8052659
    Abstract: A catheter device has an elongate body and a chamber positioned within the elongate body. The chamber has a chamber opening, and a barrier, such as a gate, moves over the chamber opening. The barrier moves between an uncovered position uncovering the chamber opening and a covered position covering the chamber opening. The catheter has at least one cutting edge by the chamber opening. In particular, the at least one cutting edge may be on the barrier, where the at least one cutting edge is guided over the chamber opening with movement of the barrier between the uncovered position and the covered position. The cutting edge cuts away a fibrin sheath blocking the chamber opening. The catheter may have multiple chambers connected by channels that allow the chambers to be flushed to prevent microbial colonization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Phase One Medical LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Ravenscroft, Yimin Yang, Michael Igoe
  • Patent number: 8052642
    Abstract: A pumping apparatus and pump set for use to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The feeding set has a conduit for the nutrient liquid and a safety interlock device associated with the conduit. The pumping apparatus has a pumping device and a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source is operatively connected to the control system of the pump for emitting an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking the safety interlock device of the feeding set. The safety interlock device being adapted to affect the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and provides an indication to the control system that the feeding set conduit is properly positioned in the feeding pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: James M. Harr, Joel D. Wiesner, Christopher A. Knauper, Glenn G. Fournie, Ricky A. Sisk, Joseph A. Hudson, Robert B. Gaines, Kevin C. Meier, James G. Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8007475
    Abstract: A flush syringe assembly comprises a barrel including a cylindrical side wall having an inside surface defining a chamber for retaining fluid, an open proximal end and a distal end including an elongate tip extending distally therefrom having a passageway in fluid communication with the chamber. A plunger including an elongate body portion has a stopper at its distal end. The stopper is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with the inside surface of the barrel for driving fluid out of the chamber. The distal end of the stopper is configured to collapse while fluid is being driven though the passageway through motion of a plunger and to continue to drive fluid through the passageway after motion of the plunger has stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Anthony J. Kosinski
  • Patent number: 8002732
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a suction evacuation system, or smoke evacuation system, for incorporation into hand-held surgical devices. In particular, the system according to embodiments of the invention can be used in hand-held surgical suction-irrigation devices that may also include electrical systems which deliver energy to effect cutting, ablation and coagulation effects at the surgical site. Embodiments of the invention provide a smoke evacuation system that can be incorporated into a hand-held surgical device wherein the smoke evacuation system is structurally and functionally integrated with the suction control system of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Allegiance Corporation
    Inventor: Peter L. Visconti
  • Patent number: 7993323
    Abstract: Devices and systems are described for treating intraluminal locations such as in a patient's lung. The device has an elongated shaft with an inner lumen, preferably defined by an inner tubular member, formed of heat resistant polymeric materials such as polyimide. The device also has an outer surface formed of heat resistant material. High temperature vapor is directed through the inner lumen into the intraluminal location to treat tissue at and distal to the location. An enlarged or enlargeable member, such as a balloon, is provided on a distal portion of the shaft to prevent proximal flow of the high temperature vapor upon discharge from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: Uptake Medical Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Barry, Dean Corcoran, Brian Cran, Michael Hoey, Sheldon Lee, Peter Lyons
  • Patent number: 7988656
    Abstract: In order to control the pressure in an abdominal cavity of a patient and a pressure in a hollow organ, a medical system includes: a first pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a gas in the abdominal cavity; a first port for insufflating and evacuating the abdominal cavity; a second pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a gas in the hollow organ; a second port for insufflating and evacuating the hollow organ; an air supply apparatus connected to the second port for controlling the air supply and evacuation based on the output by the first and second pressure sensors; a third port connected to the second pressure sensor in the air supply apparatus; an endoscope connected to the air supply apparatus; a pneumoperitoneum needle connected to the first port; and a puncture needle connected to the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Takefumi Uesugi, Kenji Noda, Takayasu Mikkaichi, Kunihide Kaji, David E. Barlow
  • Patent number: 7981081
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting fluid into areas having high density tissue that creates a high backpressure resistance on the injection device is disclosed. The high backpressure resistance is overcome through a mechanical advantage achieved by using a secondary reservoir having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of a primary reservoir. Exemplary injection device reservoir housings may comprise a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, a check valve, a septum penetrating cannula, travel limits, a pen needle connecting portion, sliding seal guide ribs, a sliding seal, a pen needle assembly, a needle stop, and a patient needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Marsh, Mark Follman, Edward P. Browka
  • Patent number: 7976494
    Abstract: A device for administering a fluid product, the device including a first housing part provided with a receiver for the product, a second housing part detachably connectable to the first housing part, a piston rod held such that it can be displaced for the exertion of an emptying movement, an actuatable or releasable drive element for the piston rod, a coupling element including a coupling input element that couples the drive element to the piston rod in a coupling engagement, transmits a driving force of the drive element to the piston rod, and triggers the emptying movement, and a decoupling element displaceably connected to the second housing part and coupled to the first housing part such that it is displaced, by a movement of the housing parts in relation to each other when the housing parts are separated into a decoupling position wherein the piston rod is decoupled from the coupling input element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Philippe Kohlbrenner, Daniel Kuenzli, Christoph Meier, Peter Stettler, Juergen Wittmann, Martin Wittwer
  • Patent number: 7976508
    Abstract: A medication safety system includes a panel mounted to an IV pole above a multi-channel infusion pump also mounted to the IV pole. The panel includes multiple RFID readers for reading the RFID tags placed on each of the medication containers mounted to the panel. The pump includes a controller that communicates with the RFID readers at the panel to receive the information read by the RFID readers and automatically program the respective pump channel. A verification program verifies that the medication delivery information from the containers matches the patient identified for the pump and the programming parameters of the pump fall within acceptable ranges. In another aspect, the panel contains multiple vibration devices to impart vibrations to the medication of each of the containers mounted to the panel. Those vibrations are sensed by the particular pumping channel to confirm that the correct channel has been programmed for that medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Hoag
  • Patent number: 7976499
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for automatic injection of a product (3) and a needle (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Guillaume Grunhut, Lionel Maritan, Frederic Perot
  • Patent number: 7972322
    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: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hyprotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick O. Tennican
  • Patent number: 7963952
    Abstract: An expandable catheter accommodates a medical device that is being removed from a body with a larger diameter than the catheter. The same catheter may be used to reposition a device within the body to an alternative delivery site. A catheter or sheath may be used to deliver a medical device, surgical instrument, or biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: John A. Wright, Jr., Todd A. Peavey, Andrea B. Kolber, Lee A. Core
  • Patent number: 7951118
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use with an access device includes a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a longitudinal opening to permit passage of instrumentation through the seal housing. A gimbal mount is at least partially accommodated within a space defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the seal housing. The gimbal mount includes a seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of a surgical instrument. The gimbal mount is adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument while substantially maintaining the sealed reception of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Robert C. Smith, David C. Racenet, Gene A. Stellon
  • Patent number: 7942845
    Abstract: Needle-free injection devices having a drive assembly to provide an operative force to effect an injection and a dosing assembly to prepare the device for a subsequent injection. In some embodiments, the dosing assembly is configured to transfer injectate from an injectate source to the injectate assembly. In some embodiments, a portion of energy available to the drive assembly urges the injectate towards the injectate assembly. In some embodiments, the device includes a nozzle assembly having one or more ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Bioject, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Williamson, Ryan R. Beylund, Keith K. Daellenbach
  • Patent number: 7935092
    Abstract: A self-introducing medical device that can be used for delivering drugs or other therapeutic fluids at a uniform rate over an extended area to an internal anatomical location of a patient's body. The device can also be used for aspirating excess fluid from an internal anatomical location of a patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Twin Star Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Mathew Odland, Scott R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7931643
    Abstract: A miniature drug delivery pump utilizes a shape memory Ni—Ti alloy. A flow restrictor is provided and the pump is refillable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Olsen, Mark S. Lent, James G. Skakoon, Richard T. Stone, Laetitia Mayor, Dale F. Seeley, Michael T. Hegland
  • Patent number: 7914500
    Abstract: A container for storing a product to be injected, e.g., a therapeutic or diagnostic liquid, wherein the container includes a container body and a piston body arranged in the container body in a sliding manner, the piston body moveable between a rear end position that determines a maximum filling of the container and a front end position to dispense the product, and wherein the container has a maximum opening ratio H/L of approximately 1.25 to 1.0, H corresponding to the maximum height of the container body and L corresponding to the maximum distance between the lateral wall or walls of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG
    Inventors: Simone Gafner-Geiser, Rudolf Zihlmann, Hanspeter Heiniger
  • Patent number: 7914481
    Abstract: An epidural needle for placement of a pain management electrode includes an elongated bevel having a heel segment defined by a proximal rounded inner edge in which the heel has an electropolished radius of at least about 0.002 inch extending substantially continuously along the inner edge that defines the heel; a method for fabricating the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Spectra Medical Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Arrigo, Raymond T. Charbonneau
  • Patent number: 7914513
    Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter assembly with a two-piece hub is disclosed. The catheter includes a distal portion having a plurality of catheter lumens, wherein each of the plurality of catheter lumens includes a distal tip and a proximal lumen portion. The distal portion further includes a distal hub portion slidably disposed over the proximal lumen portion, wherein the distal hub portion includes a pivoting locking member. The catheter assembly further includes a proximal portion having a plurality of catheter extensions, wherein each of the plurality of catheter extensions fluidly communicates with at least one of the plurality of catheter lumens. The proximal portion also includes a proximal hub portion having a locking receiver, wherein the pivoting locking member is releasably engaged with the locking receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl W. Voorhees, Jr.