Patents Examined by Leah Stohr
  • Patent number: 8460242
    Abstract: The application relates to an apparatus for intraocular injection comprising a plate adapted for being brought into contact with an eye and guiding means for guiding a needle into the interior of an eye, characterized in that the plate comprises a cut-out having an edge adapted to be positioned along the limbus delimiting the cornea and the sclera of the eye, so as to adjust the position of the guiding means with respect to the limbus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Fovea Pharmaceuticals, Foundation Ophtalmologiqueadolphe de Rothschild
    Inventors: Michel Paques, Pierre Roy
  • Patent number: 8454599
    Abstract: A treatment apparatus to treat living tissues by applying energy to the living tissues, includes an energy source which supplies energy, a pair of holding faces to hold the living tissues, a joining treatment portion arranged in at least one of the holding faces to join the living tissues held between the holding faces, a detection portion which detects, through the joining treatment portion, living information of the living tissues by supplying energy to the living tissues through the joining treatment portion, a fluid feed portion disposed on at least one of the holding faces to feed fluid to the living tissues, and the fluid fed from the fluid feed portion guides energy to the living tissues, and a control portion to control a feed rate of the fluid fed from the fluid feed portion based on the living information of the living tissues detected by the detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Genri Inagaki, Takashi Mihori, Akinori Kabaya
  • Patent number: 8444608
    Abstract: A balloon catheter having a multilayer catheter shaft is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the inner layer and outer layer are selected from materials that enhance the pushability of the catheter while preserving the flexibility. Using a combination of a high Shore D duromater value material and a lower Shore D duromater value material, various combinations of multilayer catheter shafts are disclosed utilizing different glass transition temperatures and block copolyamides to obtain the desired characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Cardivascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Haslinger, Jeong S. Lee, Neftali Fernandez, John Simpson
  • Patent number: 8439908
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the ablation of regions of the digestive tract to achieve hemostasis and to eradicate chronically bleeding lesions as occur with gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), radiation proctopathy and colopathy, arteriovenous malformations, and angiodysplasia. Ablation is typically provided in a wide-field manner, and in conjunction with sufficient pressure to achieve coaptive coagulation. Ablation, as provided the invention, starts at the mucosa and penetrates deeper into the gastrointestinal wall in a controlled manner. Ablation control may be exerted by way of electrode design and size, energy density, power density, number of applications, pattern of applications, and pressure. Control may also be provided by a fractional ablation that ablates some tissue within a target region and leaves a portion substantially unaffected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David S. Utley, Michael P. Wallace, Brent C. Gerberding
  • Patent number: 8435215
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection device (1) comprising: —a container (5) receiving a product, and provided with an injection needle (6), —a housing (9, 11) receiving said container, said container being movable relative to said housing between an initial position, an insertion position, and a final position, —retaining means (12, 15), for maintaining said container in said insertion position, —deactivating means (20), for releasing said retaining means, said device being characterized in that it comprises: —temporizing means (19, 26, 27), for controlling the release of said retaining means until substantially all of the product contained within said container has passed through said injection needle before said container moves to said final position, and —a needle shield (2) coupled with said housing (9, 11) removal of said needle shield being with limited or no rotation of said needle shield. The invention also concerns a kit comprising such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Herve Abry, Franck Carrel, Guillaume Grunhut, Lionel Maritan, Frederic Perot
  • Patent number: 8430098
    Abstract: A strapless nasal interface device is disclosed. The device is used in conjunction with CPAP, BIPAP, ventilators, or any other suitable device. The device includes a body with a passageway to a ventilating tube, exhalation holes, and a passageway to nostril interface tubes. The nostril interface tubes include a nasal interface element which is an expandable, compressible material such that the user can compress the element, insert it into the end of the nostril and allow it to expand to hold the tube in place. Alternatively, the nasal interface elements are held against the outer edge of the nostrils. Optionally, a skirt is included at the outer side of the nostril to aid in sealing against air leaks. Optionally, flaps are included to assist in holding the device in place, such as side flaps, a front flap, or both. The front flap may be adherable to the exterior of the nose and optionally includes resilient strips to open the nasal passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Venkata Buddharaju
  • Patent number: 8425437
    Abstract: A physical therapy device, in one form, provides rotation, flexion and stretching to rehabilitate patients undergoing physical therapy. The physical rehabilitation apparatus can comprise a base and a track coupled to the base with the track configured to slide along the base. The apparatus can further comprise a bearing coupled to the track, the bearing allowing rotational movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the track and a tread coupled to the bearing. In one form, the apparatus works with a number of attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Abel B. Zaborowski
  • Patent number: 8419676
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for sealing, or pinching, high-pressure fluid tubing (e.g., braided tubing) that may be used to deliver medical fluid from a powered medical fluid injection device, such as an injector that delivers contrast media and/or saline during angiographic or computed tomography (CT) procedures. In some cases, one or more low-friction, solenoid-based pinch valve mechanisms may be used. One example powered medical fluid injection device comprises an injector head and at least one pinch valve mechanism that is coupled to the injector head. The at least one pinch valve mechanism comprises a plunger, a reciprocating arm driven by the plunger, and a tube pinching area. The at least one pinch valve mechanism, when deactivated by the injector head, is configured to cause the reciprocating arm to pinch fluid tubing that runs through the tube pinching area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: ACIST Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Evans, Marty Hieb, Khoi Le, Chris Lins, Steven Paul Plager, Bill West, Darryl T. Wrolson
  • Patent number: 8419684
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for an injectable substance delivery device comprising a limiter, shoulder or post, that controls how deep the needle is inserted into the tissue. The limiter is sized in proportions that control the maximum insertion depth of the needle into the tissue without excessively restricting the complete insertion of the needle. The system and method further comprises an normalization or stabilizer ring that prevents distortion of the tissue in the vicinity of the infusion, so that the needle length is the major determining factor as to how deep the infusion is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Clarke, M. Lehag Haider, Richard J. Klug, Frank E. Martin
  • Patent number: 8414524
    Abstract: The long nose manipulatable catheter includes a main lumen, a wire lumen with a push-pull wire therethrough, and a flexible joint region. The catheter section includes a control including a handle and a wire control member engaging the push-pull wire for manipulating the flexible joint region. The push-pull wire may be tapered, having a proximal portion of a first diameter and a smaller diameter distal portion. A coil may be placed around the smaller diameter to prevent buckling of the smaller diameter portion. A strapping coil may also disposed around the outside of the catheter, and an outer covering may be disposed around the strapping coil. An outer covering of a mesh may also be disposed around the distal tip of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Micrus Endovascular Corporation
    Inventors: Marc-Alan Levine, Stephen Hebert, Thomas G. Breton, David A. Watson
  • Patent number: 8413651
    Abstract: A device, system and method is provided for dispersing an aerosol formulation comprising a medicament. The device may be useful in administering inhaleable vaccines and the like. The device designed for low cost and applicability to a multitude of patient populations. The device has a spacer (10) is suitable for use with a wide range of aerosolized formulations, particularly powders. The spacer (10) may be an expandable volume spacer (10). The spacer (10) may also be used with other inhalation aids (80). The spacer (10) may include a multi-purpose outlet (40) for use with different groups within the target patient population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Powell, Charles D. Shermer, Michael King
  • Patent number: 8414576
    Abstract: A swivel device for connection to an ESU pencil, an exhaust port of an ESU pencil with an integrated smoke evacuation system, or an exhaust port of an ESU pencil smoke evacuation shroud attachment includes a fixed member attached to a rotating member. The rotating member allows an electrical cord and/or vacuum tube to twist and coil freely during operation of an ESU pencil with or without the smoke evacuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Ioan Cosmescu
  • Patent number: 8409141
    Abstract: The present application relates to a disposable auto injector (10) that can be safely operated for automatic injection of a dose of medication and having a housing (12) for accommodation of a syringe (18) with a needle (20), the syringe being movably positioned in the housing between a first position in which position the needle is accommodated inside the housing and a second position in which position the needle protrudes outside the housing (22), a driver configured for applying a force to the syringe thereby moving the syringe from the first position to the second position, and wherein the driver is also configured for applying a force to the syringe thereby moving the syringe from the second position to a retracted position in which position the needle is accommodated inside the housing upon user operation of a release member (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Bang & Olufsen Medicom A/S
    Inventors: Esben Weldingh Johansen, Jørgen Rasmussen, Christian Maegaard, Jørn Winther Hald
  • Patent number: 8402965
    Abstract: A mass oxygen distribution system (“MODS”) for mass delivery and distribution for of breathing oxygen has a mobile unit that stores a large amount of on board LOX and controls distribution of oxygen from the enclosure at safe pressure to one or more patient end users. An on board oxygen converter source within the enclosure stores preferably up to 75-liters of LOX, ready to be volatilized to provide gaseous oxygen for many hours. The enclosure being supported by wheeled support members, allowing the enclosure to be moved to and through premises where mass distribution to said one or more end users is required and quickly put into use. LOX in the pressurized vessel is provided to one of a dual set of vaporizers converts the liquid oxygen to cold gaseous breathing oxygen. A dual coil heat exchanger warms the cold breathing oxygen to safe breathing temperature. A warning system monitors temperature and pressure of the breathing oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Essex Cryogenics of Missouri, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph E. Scharfenberg, Anthony Francis Giordano
  • Patent number: 8403924
    Abstract: A system for reducing radiated emissions the system including a microwave generator that supplies microwave energy at a fundamental frequency, a coaxial transmission cable that transmits microwave energy between the microwave generator and a microwave energy delivery device and an isolation apparatus connected between the microwave generator and the coaxial transmission cable. The isolation apparatus is configured to electrically isolate the coaxial transmission cable from the microwave generator and capacitively couple the microwave generator ground to the coaxial transmission cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, Tom E. McMunigal
  • Patent number: 8403880
    Abstract: A dialysis machine includes: (i) a source of peritoneal dialysis solution; (ii) a patient line for passing the peritoneal dialysis solution to the peritoneal cavity of a patient; (iii) a pump for pumping the peritoneal dialysis solution to the peritoneal cavity via the patient line; (iv) a heater for heating the peritoneal dialysis solution prior to the dialysis solution reaching the patient line, the heater including first and second heating elements; (v) a voltage input from a remote power source; and (vi) a control scheme responsive to the voltage input and configured to (a) automatically maintain a proper dialysis solution temperature for the patient via the first and second heating elements regardless of the voltage input wherein the control (b) account for an inlet temperature of the dialysis solution to the heater and (c) account for heater efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Peter Hopping, Alex Anping Yu
  • Patent number: 8398399
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flossing device includes a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion. An engine is disposed within the housing and is configured to convert input energy into ultrasonic energy and an electronic driving circuit is coupled to both the engine and the power source. A power source is electrically coupled to the engine and is configured to deliver input energy to the engine. At least one acoustic transformer is coupled to the engine, the at least one acoustic transformer being configured to amplify the ultrasonic energy. A main fluid reservoir is configured to store a fluid therein, the main fluid reservoir being coupled to the at least one acoustic transformer such that, upon activation, the fluid transmits the ultrasonic energy to a treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Richard H. Paschke
  • Patent number: 8398585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-use injector and to a two-chamber system, wherein at least one first chamber is part of a cylinder-piston unit that can be received in the single-use injector, and wherein the second chamber is part of a container having at least one opening, and closed at least intermittently by means of a stopper and place in a container adapter releasably supported on the single-use injector. To this end, the stopper and the container adapter can be permanently latched to each other. When the container is inserted, the container adapter closes off the opening and displaces the stopper. When the container is inserted into the container adapter, the adapter connects the interior of the cylinder-piston unit to the interior of the container. By means of the present invention, a single-use injector and a two-chamber system having a reduced number of components is developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Matusch
  • Patent number: 8398571
    Abstract: A cover (150) for a vibratory pad (10) comprises a pocket or pouch (158) faced with dressing fabric material and sized to accommodate a vibration pad, a closure (154e) to retain the cover on the pad, in use, and a strap (146,148) integral with the cover suitable for connecting the cover (and a pad retained therein) to the limb (29) of a patient. The strap has an (adhesive) connector (176) that is capable of being secured so as to pressure the pad against the limb and so that, once made, the connection cannot be unmade without disabling the connector against making subsequent connections. Thus the cover can only be used once. A system (12?150?) includes the vibration device and comprises means to disable the device after a cover has been employed for a period of time or number of treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Philip James Ellin
  • Patent number: 8394064
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter introducer comprising: a tube-like introducer sheath; an introducer hub having a distal section and a proximal section, wherein the distal section is joined to the proximal end of the introducer sheath and the proximal section defines a chamber; a needle extending through the introducer hub and the introducer sheath and having opposite proximal and distal ends, the distal end forming a needle tip; a needle hub attached to the proximal end of the needle; a needle safety device slidably arranged on the needle, wherein the needle safety device is retained in the chamber of the introducer hub when the needle extends through the introducer hub and the introducer sheath, and removable from the introducer hub once the needle tip is received in the needle safety device upon withdrawal of the needle from the introducer sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Poly Medicure Ltd.
    Inventor: Rishi Baid