Patents Examined by Melanie J Hand
  • Patent number: 7195617
    Abstract: A collection device for collecting material during a surgical procedure includes a collection chamber defined by an encompassing wall and having an opening sufficient for permitting collection of the material during the surgical procedure. A wicking material is positioned outside the collection chamber and is in fluid association therewith sufficient to wick fluid from within the collection chamber. The device also includes a scoop wall extending from the collection chamber and having a distal end portion for positioning proximate a source of the material and for guiding the material to the collection chamber wherein the scoop wall includes curved sidewall portions that are separated from the encompassing wall such that the scoop wall is bendable with respect to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Six-O, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lew Papendick, Thomas Blue
  • Patent number: 7182758
    Abstract: An apparatus for drainage of a wound or surgical site of a human or animal fits anatomically, passes from inside the wound or surgical site percutaneously or covering an open wound surface and extends externally for accumulation of fluids. A plurality of fibers each with an internal end, middle and an external end is elongate with a thickness and a length wherein its thickness is substantially less than its length for flexibility. The fibers form a loose bundle with gathered external ends and with internal ends unrestrained for spreading divergently inside the wound or surgical site. A collector is positioned in fluid communication with the gathered external ends for accumulating bodily fluid guided along and amongst the fibers from the internal ends along the middle and to the external ends during drainage. Vacuum connects to draw fluid from the collector. A method has steps of providing fibers with the internal ends unrestrained, the external ends gathered in a collector to accumulate drained fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: John B. McCraw
  • Patent number: 7160281
    Abstract: An absorbent article for personal wear has an outer cover, a bodyside liner adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's skin, and an absorbent structure disposed between the liner and the outer cover. The absorbent structure is secured to at least one of the liner and the outer cover within a securement zone. A central portion of the securement zone is disposed generally within a central region of the article and at least one outer portion of the securement zone is disposed longitudinally outward of the central portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa LeMinh, Christopher P. Olson
  • Patent number: 7153294
    Abstract: A vacuum canister for use in surgical or other applications. The vacuum canister of the invention includes a shell that defines an interior volume. An integral handle is provided to assist in manipulating the vacuum canister. The shell has an open top, a bottom surface and a plurality of rows of recessed structures. The plurality of rows of recessed structures defines a plurality of circumferential horizontal reinforcement ribs and a plurality of vertical reinforcement ribs therebetween. A cap is provided to seal the open top of the vacuum canister. The cap defines a vacuum orifice and a pair of instrument orifices, i.e., an ortho orifice and a patient orifice. Additionally, the cap defines a drain orifice, which is preferably of a larger size than the instrument orifices. The cap further defines a filter receptacle in communication with the vacuum orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: H2OR, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Farrow
  • Patent number: 7111371
    Abstract: An improved embalming method and apparatus functions to prevent leakage of bodily fluids and other fluids during embalming and to preserve the dignity of the deceased during memorial services. The improved embalming method and apparatus includes a trocar button, Calvarian clamp, ligature dispenser, defrigerant liquid, and an elevation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas M. Adkins
  • Patent number: 7105715
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of absorbent articles for feminine hygiene. The absorbent articles of the present invention are capable to perform colour changes in response to an external stimulus. These colour changes are visible to the users of such articles. The external stimuli herein are pressure, temperature and light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Carlucci, Carlo Toro
  • Patent number: 7104980
    Abstract: A device and method of using the device to assist in inserting a catheter in a female. The device includes a main body portion configured to be placed adjacent the pubic bone of a female, a pair of legs extending downwardly from the main body portion, a slot located between the legs, and a flange extending longitudinally along each of the legs. The flanges may extend along inner sides of the legs adjacent the slot. The device may also include a catheter guide formed at the upper end of the slot. The catheter guide may include a curved surface that extends along a portion of the main body member and each of the legs. The device may further include a gripping portion at an upper end of the main body. In one embodiment, the main body defines a plane, and the legs extend outwardly at an angle to the plane. A portion of the flanges may extend substantially transverse to the plane defined by the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventors: Dennis M Laherty, Nancy A Laherty
  • Patent number: 7077833
    Abstract: A convenient urology undergarment pant system for collecting urine discharge comprising of an undergarment that extends from around the waist and down the thighs. The undergarment can be used with urine collection devices from the urethra area (male condom-like coupling or female external receiving device), from the bladder by means of an ileoconduit system, and from the kidney(s) by means of a nephrostomy system. The undergarment includes a sewn inner pouch formed from an additional piece of fabric that holds the leg bag in place without the need for leg straps. There is an opening in the crotch area of the undergarment that provides means for placing the leg bag inside the inner pouch. The undergarment also includes a lower opening to accommodate the release valve of the leg bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: URO Concepts Inc.
    Inventor: Celeste V. Bonham
  • Patent number: 7077834
    Abstract: A pant-like disposable garment for absorbing human discharge is disclosed. The pant-like garment includes a front panel, a back panel, and an absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly includes a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween. The absorbent assembly further including a pair of end edges and is secured to the front panel and to the back panel. The front and back panels are joined together by a pair of seams to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The garment also includes a pair of perforation lines formed in the front panel with each being aligned non-parallel to one of the seams. The garment further includes a pair of attachment members which overlap the pair of perforation lines. The pair of perforation lines and the pair of attachment members function to allow the waist opening to be easily opened and closed more than once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Fleger Bishop, Bridget Ann Balogh, Mary Jo Meyer
  • Patent number: 7066916
    Abstract: A disinfectant delivery system and method of providing alcohol-free disinfection to a body to be disinfected, as well as a method of infection reduction by preparation of a patient before an invasive procedure. A blended cloth comprising first fibers and second fibers is provided with the first fibers generally being greater in quantity by weight than the second fibers. A disinfectant solution impregnates the blended cloth, with the disinfectant solution having chlorhexidine gluconate as an active ingredient and having no alcohol. In the method according to the invention, at least one impregnated blended cloth is used to disinfect at least a portion of a body. A plurality of blended cloths can be provided for disinfecting discrete portions of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Sage Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Keaty, Jr., Barbara T. Skiba, Paul H. Hanifl
  • Patent number: 7057085
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a pantiliner, is provided having excellent resistance to bunching. The absorbent article exhibits a Bunching Resistance in the range of about 205 g to 450 g and may be formed with an absorbent core comprising at least two absorbent layers having different Gurley Stiffnesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Kofi Ayensu Bissah, Michelle Renee Corley, Jutta S. Haarer
  • Patent number: 7044938
    Abstract: Apparatus for skin treatment using abrasion lotion with particulate includes an appliance and an applicator. The appliance includes a motor for actuating the applicator by rotating or oscillating. The applicator includes a surface made from a substantially unresilient or inabsorbent material for impressing and urging the particulate upon the skin. In operation, the abrasion lotion is applied either on the surface of the applicator or directly to the skin, the surface placed against skin, and the motor activated. When in motion, the surface impresses particulate of the lotion upon the skin and urges the impressed particulate across the skin abrading and exfoliating it. The surface may include a field and a plurality of bosses disposed on it with channels between adjacent bosses, or a relief field. When the applicator is in motion, the bosses urge and push the abrasion lotion, and the relief field vectors particulate upon the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventors: Kerrie L. La Bianco, Richard A. La Bianco