Patents Examined by Mark K. Han
  • Medical device and locking mechanism therefor
    Patent number: 6913595
    Abstract: A locking mechanism 10 for a medical sharp device such as a syringe assembly 62 includes a retainer part 12 for retaining a hypodermic needle 22, and a connector part 14. The retainer part includes lugs 46 for engagement with a recess 82 formed in a neck 70 of the syringe assembly. When a plunger 72 of the syringe assembly is pushed fully forwards, the lugs 56 of the retainer part 12 engage behind a ledge 54 of the connector part 14 and the lugs 46 disengage from the recess 82. The plunger 72 may then be retracted, pulling the needle 22 into the barrel 64 of the assembly. The neck portion may be eccentrically mounted on the barrel and means 116,118 may be provided for preventing rotation of the plunger 72 in the barrel 64.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nicodel S.A.
    Inventor: Emmanuel Mastorakis
  • Safety syringe
    Patent number: 6911018
    Abstract: A hypodermic syringe provides a simple mechanism for manually retracting its needle into the syringe after injection has been completed. The syringe preferably has an elastomeric barrel to exert a radial bias to seal on a retractable needle carrier and the plunger. Attachment components on the plunger and needle carrier engage such that withdrawal of the plunger releases the needle carrier for withdrawal into the syringe barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Cosmetic and Medical Inventions, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Gordon
  • Anchoring assembly for a medical instrument
    Patent number: 6908454
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for retaining a cannula or other medical instrument within a body cavity and including an inflatable member selectively disposed between an expanded position and a collapsed position. A mounting assembly is cooperatively disposed and structured with a base, underlying the inflatable member, so as to mechanically attach the inflatable member to an exterior of the cannula. The mechanical attachment is accomplished by one or more retaining segments on the inflatable member being disposed in a compressed or sandwiched orientation between the base and the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Taut, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. McFarlane
  • Identification system for a surgical cassette
    Patent number: 6902542
    Abstract: A surgical system and cassette, the cassette having a series of identifying tabs that are variably opaque to translucent. By varying the opaqueness of the tabs, the surgical system can readily identify the type of cassette being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Raphael Gordon
  • One-way clutch mechanisms and injector devices
    Patent number: 6899698
    Abstract: An incrementing mechanism suitable for use in a medical injector device has a driving member rotatably and slidably mounted within a tubular body and arranged to advance an elongate element in one direction with respect to the tubular body. A one-way clutch includes a generally conical surface and a blocking clutch member engageable with the conical surface. Means are provided to disengage the clutch, including a pressure component arranged and biased to engage the clutch member. Rotation of the driving member with respect to the pressure component causes two sets of inter-engageable teeth to ride over each other, which successively lifts the pressure component to disengage the clutch member from the conical surface and then allows the pressure component to be biased to a position where the clutch member engages the conical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Bernard Sams
  • Ingestible device for the release of substances at distinct locations in alimentary canal
    Patent number: 6884239
    Abstract: The field of the invention is site-specific drug delivery capsules (SSDC's). The disclosure relates to a closure member (14) for a substance reservoir (12) of an SSDC (10). The SSDC (10) includes a retainer that provides a non-linear force resisting opening of the closure member (14). The non-linear force ensures that the closure member (14) unseals the reservoir (12) only when an opening force exceeds a maximal value of the resisting force, thereby preventing premature or accidental emptying of the reservoir (12). The preferred means of providing the resistive force is a rolling, elastomeric o-ring (64) that additionally seals the closure member (14) into an aperture (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Phaeton Research Limited
    Inventors: Peter John Houzego, Peter Neil Morgan, Peter Hanson Hirst, Duncan James Westland, Ian Robert Wilding
  • Huber needle with anti-rebound safety mechanism
    Patent number: 6878136
    Abstract: A safety needle device for protecting a user against inadvertent needle-stick injury. This needle device includes a needle housing having a distal housing opening. An arcuate groove extends within the needle housing terminating adjacent the distal housing opening. A needle is disposed within the arcuate groove having a distal needle portion extending away from the needle housing through the distal housing opening. An elongate sheath assembly surrounds the needle within the groove. A biasing member is disposed within the needle housing and is configured to move the sheath assembly throughout the length of the arcuate groove and through the distal housing opening. The sheath assembly then completely enclose the distal needle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Medical Product Specialists
    Inventors: Michael T. Fleury, Fergie F. Ferguson, Dongchul D. Hyun
  • Delivery apparatus for pressurized medical liquids
    Patent number: 6878133
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus for pressurized medical liquids has a primary reservoir and a primary pressurizing arrangement configured for removably pressurizing medical liquid in the primary reservoir to a delivery pressure. A secondary reservoir has an inlet connected via a valve to receive pressurized liquid from the primary reservoir. As secondary pressurizing arrangement is arranged for supplying a compensating pressure to the received pressurized liquid to maintain it at substantially the delivery pressure as pressure is reduced in the primary reservoir, particularly during refilling with medical liquid from an unpressurized source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventors: Christer Ahlmen, Petter Videbrink
  • Implantable device for injecting medical substances
    Patent number: 6878137
    Abstract: An injection device (1) for injecting medical substances and designed to be implanted in a subcutaneous zone of the body of a patient. The device includes a hollow rigid housing (2) having an opening which is closed hermetically by a membrane (3) so as to define a chamber (12). A duct (4) is connected to the housing to connect the chamber to the outside of the device. The device also has a casing (15) of elastomer material which covers the housing, and the membrane forms an integral portion of the casing. The implantable device is suitable for performing chemotherapy treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne d'etude et de Recherche de Dispositifs pour l'Implantation par Laparoscopie
    Inventor: Salomon Benchetrit
  • Pre-shaped catheter with proximal articulation and pre-formed distal end
    Patent number: 6869414
    Abstract: A catheter employs a pre-formed distal end and a proximal deflection mechanism for steering the catheter. A shaped member extends from a shaped region of the catheter sheath to at least a portion of an anchor region. A steering ribbon extends from a proximal region of the sheath and passes within at least a portion of the anchor region. A distal end of the steering ribbon is joined with a proximal portion of the shaped member. At least one steering tendon is disposed within the sheath and has a first end attached at the anchor region and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath. Movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the deflection region to deflect relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter while the shape of shaped region of the sheath is substantially maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Simpson, Robert C. Hayzelden, Wade A. Bowe
  • Sharp safe hydraulic retractable syringe
    Patent number: 6863659
    Abstract: Sharp safe hydraulic retractable syringe that is supplied with a hypodermic needle (4) fully housed within an elongated hollow barrel (2) which cannot be used until the plunger rod stop (16) has been removed and the plunger rod (1) has been pushed into the loading position to receive the required liquid into the elongated hollow barrel (2). The hydraulic retractable syringe assembly is preceded by a retractable mechanism (6-15) that is pre-assembled. The mechanism is contained by a three-legged retaining clip (11) to hold twin conical helical shape springs (14-14d) separated by a spring separation plate (15) within two spring retaining cups (12-13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Bruce George Sharpe
  • Fibrin applicator pistol
    Patent number: 6863660
    Abstract: An applicator for dispensing a first and second component of a biological adhesive, such as fibrin glue. At least one of said components may contain a suspension of fibrin microbeads (FMB) or a suspension of cells. The present invention uses a single supply of pressurized gas to force the components from the applicator using positive fluid pressure and to atomize them into a convergent spray. Another embodiment of the present invention also provides for the endoscopic application of the biological adhesive directly to tissue defects. The application of positive pressure allows precise metering of the components and application of the adhesive, prevents internal coagulation of the fibrin or clogging by suspended particles and reduces waste and contamination of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hapio Biotech, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Marx
  • Particle delivery device
    Patent number: 6849060
    Abstract: Replaceable components for use with a needleless syringe delivery device are provided. One replaceable component is a cartridge having a source of particles and a source of compressed gas. Another replaceable component is a nozzle assembly having a particle acceleration nozzle and a coaxial filter element. Reusable needleless syringe devices which include these replaceable components are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Powderject Research Limited
    Inventors: Emily L. Brooks, Stuart G. Weekes, Graeme L. J. Paterson
  • Single cell electroporation
    Patent number: 6846306
    Abstract: A single cell electroporation assembly and method involve delivery of a substance into a single cell. The substance is combined into an electroporation fluid and placed into a container having a distal opening. The distal opening of the container is placed in proximity to a target cell. Electrical pulses are delivered between a first electrode which is at least partially disposed in the container, and a second electrode outside the cell, the cell being positioned between the distal opening and the second electrode. The electrical pulses induce temporary formation of pores in the cell membrane and the substance enters the cell through the pores by passive diffusion or by active electrophoretic motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
    Inventors: Kurt Haas, Wun Chey Sin, Ashkan Javaherian, Zheng Li, Hollis Cline
  • Needle protector device
    Patent number: 6846302
    Abstract: A needle protector device comprising a protector tube slidingly disposed in an outer tube and slidingly disposed over a syringe comprising a needle, the protector tube comprising at least one abutment initially in engagement with the outer tube such that the protector tube is constrained from moving distally with respect to the syringe, a biasing device disposed inside the outer tube operative to provide an urging force on the protector tube in a direction that tends to urge the protector tube distally towards a tip of the needle, and a release mechanism operative to move the at least one abutment out of engagement with the outer tube upon distal pushing of a plunger of the syringe, such that when the at least one abutment is out of engagement with the outer tube, the biasing device urges the protector tube distally towards the tip of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Teva Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Eli Shemesh, Menahem Kraus
  • Valve arrangement
    Patent number: 6843780
    Abstract: A valve arrangement is described for providing clinical nutrition. The arrangement comprises a split flushing valve. Also described are a method of production of the valve arrangement, use of the valve arrangement in providing nutrition to a patient and a method of treatment of a patient that comprises administering an effective amount of a composition via the valve arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ignacio Larrain, Michael Jedwab
  • Protective sheath for winged needles and sheath and needle assembly
    Patent number: 6824527
    Abstract: A sheath and needle assembly of the type including a length of tube with a hollow needle at one end, and a pair of outwardly projecting flexible wings adjacent the end of the tubing with the needle and a protective sheath slidably disposed on the tube and adapted to be slid over the needle to cover the needle after use. The sheath has a hollow generally tubular body slidably received on the tube. A forward end of the body has at least two fingers defining slots extending from the forward end of the body toward a rearward end through which the flexible wings slide so that the needle after use is substantially covered by the fingers. At least one of the slots having a z-shaped bend through which at least one of the wings slides into a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Gollobin
  • Device for externally retaining a gastrostomy feeding tube against a patient and method of using said device
    Patent number: 6814716
    Abstract: A device for externally retaining a gastrostomy feeding tube comprises a clip. In one embodiment, the clip is a generally rectangular, unitary structure shaped to include a first end wall, a second end wall spaced apart from and extending parallel to the first end wall, a lower wall extending perpendicularly between and interconnecting the first end wall and the second end wall, and an upper wall having a first end connected to the first end wall and a second end spaced apart from the second end wall. The first end wall, the second end wall, the lower wall and the upper wall together define a tubing storage cavity, with the space between the upper wall and the second end wall defining an inlet to the tubing storage cavity. The first end wall has a top surface, a bottom surface and a bore extending between said top surface and said bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Laddvanh Bouphavichith, Michael S. H. Chu, Laurence D. Brenner, William L. Churchill
  • Suction sequences for a breastpump
    Patent number: 6808517
    Abstract: A breastpump is provided with one or more novel suction sequences which are considered to produce advantageous particularized results. Such sequences include a suction method for increased milk production and an improved suction method in general.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Andy Greter, Michael Larsson
  • Aspiration method
    Patent number: 6805692
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of a stenosis or an occlusion in a blood vessel in which an occlusive device is first delivered and activated at a site distal to the occlusion to at least partially occlude the vessel. A therapy catheter is then introduced to treat the occlusion and a debris removal device is delivered to aspirate debris from the vessel. The present invention eliminates the need for a separate irrigation catheter and irrigation fluid which allows the procedure to be performed quickly and efficiently, and is especially useful in the removal of occlusion from saphenous vein grafts, the coronary and carotid arteries, arteries above the aortic arch and vessels of similar size and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic AVE, Inc.
    Inventors: Ketan P. Muni, Gholam Reza Zadno-Azizi, Celso Bagaoisan