Patents Examined by Jerome R. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4589872
    Abstract: A flow regulator for use in medical apparatus for quickly adjusting the flow of fluid in which there are coacting male and female threads for adjusting the position of the flow regulating device, a female threaded portion being yieldable. The position of the flow regulating device can be rapidly changed in either direction by exerting pressure on the valve stem to force the yieldable threaded portion outwardly to enable the threads of the male portion to pass over the threads of the female portion. The portion of the flow regulating device can be adjusted more precisely by turning the valve stem in the conventional manner to cause forward or reverse movement of the flow regulating device. The yieldable female threaded portion can either be integral with the main valve body but yieldable with respect thereto, or the yieldable portion may be a separate member yieldably secured to the main valve body by a spring clip or by an elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Inventors: Matthew E. Bellin, Joseph A. Marino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4586920
    Abstract: A continuous flow peritoneal dialysis system and process is disclosed which includes a source of sterilized peritoneal dialysis system in the form of a gravity feed head vessel (32). A by-pass valve (34) connects the head vessel to an inflow/outflow directional valve 40 which controls the inflow and outflow of the sterilized dialysis fluid to a peritoneal catheter (12). The peritoneal catheter is implanted into the peritoneal membrane (14) of the peritoneal cavity (15). A connectable/disconnectable inflow line (42) and outflow line (48) are connected to an inflow catheter (44) and outflow catheter (46), respectively, of the double peritoneal catheter (12). A pressure monitor (50) in the outflow line (48) monitors the pressure within the cavity (15) and adjusts the inflow and outflow accordingly to maintain a predetermined volume and pressure of dialysis fluid in the cavity to maintain the membrane (14) properly distended at all times for maximum dialysis efficiency and patient comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Inventor: Alan M. Peabody
  • Patent number: 4578065
    Abstract: Protective sealing compositions in the form of molded rings or sheets, which comprise gelled mixtures of water-absorbing particulate hydrocolloid gum and non-toxic liquid polyhydroxy alcohol are provided with increased resistance to the drained fluid (viz. urine or intestinal fluids) by incorporating a small amount of fumed silica or colloidal silica gel. By controlling the amount of silica added appreciable reductions in the wet tack and/or dry tack of the composition can be avoided. The compositions can be used with ostomy, wound drainage and incontinence devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Hollister Incorporated
    Inventor: Wagdi W. Habib