Patents Examined by J. P. Lacyk
  • Patent number: 5205811
    Abstract: The infant blanket is of the comforter type and includes therein a foam form having a cavity therein within which a heartbeat simulator rests. The simulator is preferably pressure activated and access to same is provided by means of a zipper strategically placed in one surface of the blanket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Belinda J. Fornarelli
  • Patent number: 5199436
    Abstract: Tympanic temperature measurements are obtained from the output of a thermopile mounted in an extension from a housing. The housing has a temperature display thereon and supports the electronics for responding to sensed radiation. The thermopile is mounted in a highly conductive can which includes a radiation guide and thermal mass. The guide provides a narrow field of view due to a fairly high emissivity. Electronics determine the target temperature as a function of the temperature of the hot junction of the thermopile determined from the cold junction temperature and a thermopile coefficient. The tympanic temperature is adjusted to provide an indication of core temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Exergen Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Pompei, Philip R. Gaudet, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5195953
    Abstract: A thin layer of a drug in a liquid form in a carrier is applied to the skin. Thereafter, 15-30 milliamps of a D.C. current is applied to the skin and drug by an iontophoresis device capable of being hand held and activated by thumb contact with a positive electrode and scalp skin contact with a negative electrode. The device has a two component housing enclosing an electrical circuit connecting the two electrodes. The circuit utilizes a 9 V battery, two load regulators, two capacitors, a momentary switch and a 2V-40V output range DC/DC converter. Alternatively, negative electrodes of varying structure can be plugged into the device to provide multi-purpose application to the scalp and the positive electrode can be separately plugged to the device to free the hand of the treating technician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Richard J. DeMartini
  • Patent number: 5192263
    Abstract: An electromedical apparatus for generating low-frequency magnetic fields for magnetic field therapy or treatments by the Kraus & Lechner method includes an oscillator and amplifier (10, 12) for generating low-frequency electrical oscillations of adjustable frequency and amplitude, and at least one applicator coil (32) for generating a low-frequency magnetic field corresponding to the electrical oscillations. Switching on of the apparatus and initiation of a treatment cycle is by actuating a single key switch (56, 58). The apparatus is normally switched off after expiry of a treatment period by a time switching device (80) but it can also be switched off by a fault detection circuit (88) which automatically switches the apparatus off on occurrence of disturbances. With this step operating errors and damage to the apparatus by disturbances are avoided even when the apparatus is used by laymen at home without supervision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Werner Kraus
  • Patent number: 5176617
    Abstract: It is well known that radiation therapy can reduce the proliferation of rapidly growing cancer cells is a malignant tumor. The present invention utilizes a radioisotope which is integral to a stent which can irradiate the tissue in close proximity to the implantation site of the stent in order to reduce the rapid growth of malignant cells in a vessel, such as a bile duct while simultaneously maintaining vessel patency. The radioisotope could be place inside the stent, alloyed into the metal from which the stent is made, or preferably, it can be coated onto the stent's exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Medical Innovative Technologies R & D Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Patent number: 5176618
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided which utilize either the attracting forces of dissimilar pole magnets, or the repelling forces of similar pole magnets, to keep passageways open in living organisms. These passageways might otherwise collapse and close involuntarily due to dysfunction, thus impeding flow of vital gaseous or liquid fluids. Embodiments are described for both permanently implanted and for removable magnets, which may or may not interact with externally attached magnets, thus maximizing the convenience of utilizing this system for the patient. A method of preventing accidental extubation is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Inventor: George Freedman
  • Patent number: 5144958
    Abstract: A protective cell for use in conducting dermal studies on mammals. The protective cell comprises a shell-like section terminating in a leading edge and a rim section integral to the leading edge of the shell-like section and contoured to form a surface for contacting the animal so that the area of skin to be used for the dermatological study is protected. The cavity of the shell-like section is of a shape and volume sufficient to substantially eliminate contact of the interior surface of the shell-like section with the mammal. A method for conduting dermal studies is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Krueger, Joseph J. Yang
  • Patent number: 5139474
    Abstract: A medical treatment device is disclosed which includes a medical treatment member and resilient securing members which adjust to conform to the particular dimensions of the portion of the patient's anatomy which is to be treated. The resilient securing members move outwardly away from the patient to conform to the size of the patient and ensure that the patient is centered within the treatment device. The medical treatment members are thus accurately positioned with respect to the patient. This is particularly important in treatments involving the application of magnetic fields to the patient. In addition, the disclosed medical device is relatively comfortable and can be worn by a patient for a relatively long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: IatroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Lamond, Bert Heinzelman
  • Patent number: 5135480
    Abstract: A transdermal device having a detachably mounted electrode with a first surface adapted for contact with human skin and through which a drug substance contained in the electrode passes to the skin under the influence of an iontophoretic or electro-osmotic force and a second surface which is electrically conducting, the electrode has a surface area in contact with the skin, in use, in the range 0.1 to 30 cm.sup.2 and a drug dissolved or dispersed in a hydrophilic medium at a concentration in the range 0.1 to 15% (w/v) based on the hydrophilic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Elan Transdermal Limited
    Inventors: Yvonne B. Bannon, John Corish, Owen I. Corrigan, Joseph G. Masterson
  • Patent number: 5133343
    Abstract: Apparatus, having an outlet port insertable within a user's mouth, has housed therein an automatically actuated commercially available and replaceable inhaler for discharging a medicated vapor through the outlet port into the user's mouth upon inhalation. The apparatus includes a housing having ribs for slidably supporting the inhaler, which inhaler is a cylindrical aerosol can containing medication under pressure. The housing is detachably attached to the apparatus to permit replacement of the inhaler and for cleaning purposes. A conduit extends from the housing for insertion into a user's mouth. On inhalation by a user, the apparatus will be actuated to slidably reposition the inhaler and effect discharge of a spray of medication through the conduit into the user's oral cavity and lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventors: John J. Johnson, IV, John J. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5131905
    Abstract: An external cardiac assistance device is provided for augmenting cardiac contractions. The device includes a flexible, non-distensible shell adapted to be positioned over the base of the heart. A distensible membrane is mounted within the shell to define an inflatable space so that the device can be used on various sized hearts. Inflatable compartments are formed within the shell adjacent the membrane so as to engage the left and right ventricles of the heart. The device can be manually held in position on the heart by a handle for short-term use, or by a plurality of straps for intermediate and long term use. The device is operatively connected to an EKG machine which actuates a fluid pump in response to the QRS waves of the heart so as to rhythmically inflate and deflate the compartments to assist with the contractions of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Ronald K. Grooters
  • Patent number: 5129879
    Abstract: A handhole latch is disclosed for use with an infant incubator and which is damped by one or more elastomeric O-rings to reduce noise and vibration that could startle the infant. The O-rings are positioned between a moving piston latch and a housing such that the O-rings are sandwiched between the moving piston latch and the housing as the piston latch snaps, by spring bias, into its position holding the handhole door closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Boc Health Care, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Mattson
  • Patent number: 5125402
    Abstract: A powered respirator of self-contained form for use in oxygen-sufficient atmospheres comprises a visored helmet (10) defining in use a passageway (15) extending from a rear opening (16) across the user's head (13) and face, an electric fan (17) and filter (19) located adjacent the opening to pass respiration air through the passageway, a fan battery (18) housed forwardly of the helmet, and an exhaust valve (20) mounted in the passageway near the user's mouth, the valve operating to open in response to gas pressure similar to that of normal exhalation and including a spring closure mechanism having a decreasing spring rate during opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventor: George K. Greenough
  • Patent number: 5123899
    Abstract: A system for altering the states of human consciousness involves the simultaneous application of multiple stimuli, preferable sounds, having differing frequencies and wave forms. The relationship between the frequencies of the several stimuli is exhibited by the equationg=s.sup.n/4 .multidot.fwhere:f=frequency of one stimulus;g=frequency of the other stimuli of stimulus; andn=a positive or negative integer which is different for each other stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: James Gall
  • Patent number: 5116305
    Abstract: An intra aortic balloon pumping device comprises a pumping balloon, an attached inflation catheter, a supporting member which is disposed within and extends from the catheter into the balloon. The balloon membrane of the invention resists the formation of membrane folds in the tail section of the balloon. This characteristic of the balloon membrane is believed to result from the addition of tension to the balloon membrane. Tension may be applied to the membrane by ensuring that the portion of the support member which is disposed within the balloon is equal to the length of the outer curve of the balloon wall such that it resides on an outer curve of the wall. Alternatively, tension may be applied by extending the support member within the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Fredric L. Milder, Meir Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 5105822
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of applying a selected range of high frequency acoustic energy to the apical end of the eardrum of an ear canal at a predetermined, substantially absolute sound pressure level at any frequency in the range of interest. The selected range of frequencies is generated at a location remote from the ear canal and the sound pressure level of each frequency is varied at the time of generation in accordance with a calibration function to ensure the frequencies reaching the apical end of the eardrum are at the predetermined sound pressure level.The calibration function is calculated by transmitting an acoustic pulse of broad frequency spectrum into the ear canal, measuring the sound pressure of the transmitted acoustic pulse and reflection thereof adjacent the entrance of the ear canal, and removing from the spectrum of the measured sound pressure the destructive interference effects between the transmitted and reflected acoustic pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Sensimetrics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth N. Stevens, David M. Green, Robert A. Berkovitz
  • Patent number: 5099836
    Abstract: An improved system for delivering oxygen on demand to a user comprises a pressure transducer for sensing pressures during the breathing cycle of a user and for creating an electrical signal proportional to said sensed pressures, an electronic amplifier for amplifying the signal to at least 10,000 times the original signal strength, electronic filters for regulating the amplitude of the signal and for correcting the point of the signal where expiration stops and inspiration begins to correspond to zero respiratory pressure, an on/off switching circuit and cooperating valve drive circuit for switching to an on condition in response to a preselected first pressure and to an off condition in response to a preselected second pressure, and a valve driven by the valve drive circuit means for directing oxygen from an oxygen source to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Hudson Respiratory Care Inc.
    Inventors: Robert O. Rowland, Thomas C. Loescher
  • Patent number: 5100380
    Abstract: An infusion system for administering multiple infusates at individually programmable rates, volumes, and sequences in any order from any one or more of plural fluid input ports through a patient output port and into the circulatory system of a patient. Infusates may be either continuously or time sequentially administered, and infusates may be either intermittently administered at selectively regular intervals or in time overlap to administer a dilution. Various error conditions are automatically detected and alarms generated in the event of conflicts between infusates, to identify times of no infusions, and to identify system malfunctions. The system is selectively operable, among others, in a priming mode, a maintenance mode, a normal-on mode, and a manual override mode. The system is operative to adapt actual to desired flow rates in normal operation. All fluids flow through a unitary disposable cassette without making any other system contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Paul Epstein, Harry Petschek, Eric LaWhite, Clair Strohl, Henry Coyne, Edward Kaleskas, George Adaniya
  • Patent number: 5097840
    Abstract: A system and method for multiplexing two lumens of a catheter to a single pressure transducer and monitor setup such that the pressure found in either of the two lumens may be alternately monitored. Included in the present invention is a pressure multiplexing valve provided with a four-port body and a rotor which may be selectively rotated to either of two monitoring positions. The rotor is provided with passageways that interconnect the ports. In one embodiment both catheter lumens are always connected to a medical infusion device regardless of which lumen is connected to the transducer. In another embodiment, one lumen is shut off when not connected to the transducer. The present invention provides a compact system removably mounted on a single carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Utah Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Wm. D. Wallace Wallace, Jon Neese
  • Patent number: 5098380
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for detecting an occlusion of a liquid transfusion tube in which a pump section is provided in a liquid transfusion tube for connecting an infusion liquid container with a body infusion element. An occlusion of the liquid transfusion tube is detected according to an amount of displacement of the liquid transfusion tube displaceable under a pressure of a liquid transfused to the liquid transfusion tube by an operation of the pump section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Aizawa, Akira Fujitani, Tetsuya Miyatake, Kazumi Yokoyama, Shigeru Tanaka