Patents Examined by Melissa A Snyder
  • Patent number: 10350362
    Abstract: An automatic medication injection device (20) including injecting progress indicators (82-85) visible along a periphery of the device housing (23). The injecting progress indicators include a flag element (100) which is movable as a drive mechanism (60) of the device advances a sealing plunger (58) within a container of medication (50). The injecting progress indicators are configured to indicate sequentially during a single injection as the flag element moves to cooperatively complete different injecting progress indicators at different times during the single injection, whereby injecting progress of the injection may be monitored by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Dennis, Jr., Jessica Diane Modlich
  • Patent number: 10335552
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piercing means protective device for a syringe having a syringe body and a piercing means arranged at the distal end of the syringe body, comprising a dimensionally stable sleeve element, which extends along an axial direction and at least partially encloses an inner element extending along an axial direction, wherein the inner element consists of a resilient material and at least partially encloses the piercing means. The piercing means protective device is characterized in that a connection element connected to the sleeve element has at least one projection extending in an axial direction, which projection is received at least in portions in a recess of the inner element, so that a connection with a force fit and/or an interlocking fit exists between the sleeve element and the inner element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Gerresheimer Regensburg GMBH
    Inventor: Jörg Grosser
  • Patent number: 10335544
    Abstract: A fluid delivery Y-site is described that is configured to receive and control delivery of two or more fluid flows. Fluid flow is controlled within a chamber by a valve and float. Flow of a primary fluid into the chamber is reduced or halted by the movement of a valve. The valve may occlude a first flow port into the chamber in response fluid flowing from a second flow port into the chamber. A float is moveably disposed within the chamber and configured to engage the valve in response a fluid flow into the chamber from the second flow port. As fluid flow from the second flow port into the chamber is reduced or ceases, the valve and float allow the flow from the primary flow port to once again enter the chamber and exit from an outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: George Mansour
  • Patent number: 10328203
    Abstract: A system for use with a drug delivery device includes a sensor unit and a deactivation unit operatively coupled to an output of the sensor unit and to a drug-retaining region of the drug delivery device, wherein the drug-retaining region contains a drug. The sensor unit is configured to detect a characteristic of a local environment and generate an output corresponding to a value of the detected characteristic. The deactivation unit is configured to render the drug ineffective when the output of the sensor unit satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott Albert Uhland, Eric Peeters, Bryan Thomas Preas, Joerg Martini
  • Patent number: 10327997
    Abstract: A connector for coupling to a base of an indwelling device equipped with a circular hub having a radius, a top surface, a side surface, and a circumferential recess defined in the side surface. The connector has a resilient assembly including a plurality of release buttons extending from the resilient assembly and may include a conduit defining a fluid pathway through the connector. Each release button has a finger contact zone and a catch. The catch is configured to releasably engage the circumferential recess. The connector is coupled by positioning the connector on the circular hub and depressing the connector until the catches engage the circumferential recess such that the connector is configured to rotate completely about the circular hub. The connector is decoupled from the hub by pressing the release buttons to reversibly displace the respective catches radially to disengage from the circumferential recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Avent, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan C. Griffith, Donald J. McMichael, John A. Rotella, Scott M. Teixeira
  • Patent number: 10300265
    Abstract: A needleless connector includes a body having a fluid path, a vent path, and a male fitting. The needleless connector also includes a valve disposed within the male fitting. The valve is configured to move between a first configuration, in which the fluid path is blocked, and a second configuration, in which the fluid path is open. The needleless connector further includes a seal disposed around the valve. The seal is configured to separate the fluid path from the vent path in the first and second configurations. Moving the valve from the first configuration to the second configuration also opens the vent path. The seal maintains the separation between the fluid path and the vent path when the valve moves from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: George Michel Mansour, Tyler Devin Panian
  • Patent number: 10286187
    Abstract: Provided is a catheter, which can protect a medical personnel and a patient from a needle stick injury when it is disposed of after use. In an example embodiment, the catheter includes a needle, a plug having a front end coupled to the needle, a first case formed to enclose the needle, a socket coupled to a front end of the first case, a gear vertically coupling the first case and the socket to each other and having a tooth formed on an outer periphery of one side and a needle groove formed therein to allow the needle to pass therethrough, a catheter hub fastened by the tooth of the gear, and a tube coupled to the front end of the catheter hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: MEDIFIRST CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keun Shik Kim
  • Patent number: 10265215
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a therapeutic fluid to devices implanted in the body, for example to containers of devices implanted in the eye of a patient. The methods and apparatus may comprise an injector to increase an amount of therapeutic agent injected into the device implanted in the eye, or a structure to receive the therapeutic fluid within the device implanted in the eye, or combinations thereof. The device implanted in the eye may comprise a reservoir chamber having a fluid with a density different than the therapeutic fluid, and the apparatus can be adapted to at least partially separate the implanted device fluid from therapeutic fluid within the reservoir chamber to increase and amount of therapeutic fluid placed in the reservoir chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: ForSight Vision4, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Jr., Yair Alster, Kathleen Cogan Farinas, K. Angela Macfarlane, Cary J. Reich, Randolph E. Campbell, Darren Doud, Signe Erickson, Mike Barrett, David Batten, Christina Skieller, Greg Stine
  • Patent number: 10258501
    Abstract: A sorption-based, adhesive contact apparatus and method for contact cooling a patient via conductive thermal exchange are described. The apparatus includes a pad, having a fluid containing layer and adhesive contact surface, and a sorption-based device, fluidly interconnectable to the fluid containing layer, for vaporizing fluid contained in the fluid containing layer and for sorping the vaporized fluid. The fluid vaporization and the vapor sorption cools the adhesive contact surface of the pad. A port control member may selectively establish fluid interconnection between the fluid containing layer and sorption-based device. An internal pressure of the sorption-based device may be established lower than an internal pressure of the fluid-containing layer prior to fluid interconnection therebetween. A fluid retention member and path defining members may be included to facilitate vaporization, vapor diffusion and vapor sorption, thereby enhancing uniform cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Medivance Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary A. Carson
  • Patent number: 10251734
    Abstract: The saliva management system is a device that can be worn at night while sleeping to help alleviate dry mouth syndrome. The device utilizes a wind-up timer to periodically release a burst of water mist directly into the mouth, under the tongue. The water comes from a reservoir located within the housing of the saliva management system. The device comprises teeth clips and a strap to hold it in place. A built-in, finger-operated pump pressurizes the water to force it out of the reservoir via misting nozzles. A valve release is included to allow easier draining and cleaning of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Douglas McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 10245359
    Abstract: A handheld tool for providing irrigation and/or suction is provided. In certain embodiments, the tool has a single cannula for providing both suction and irrigation, while in others there are separate suction and irrigation cannulas. In some embodiments, flush water is supplied by actuating a flush button which both pinches closed a suction hose and opens a flush hose. If present, the irrigation cannula may be opened by actuating an irrigation button. In certain embodiments, the irrigation and/or flush button may be provided with blade tips to pinch closed the irrigation or flush hoses in cooperation with a blade extending from the tool housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventor: Peter L. Bono
  • Patent number: 10245413
    Abstract: Distal access aspiration guide catheter system and methods for delivering implantable devices, catheters, or substances in or near and/or restoring flow through body lumens, such as blood vessel lumens are described. A Distal access aspiration guide catheter having a proximal, medial, and distal possessing high flexibility, high resistance to kinking and a large lumen to wall thickness ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Lynn Shimada, Seferino Torres, Brian Strauss, Jeffrey Valko
  • Patent number: 10245387
    Abstract: A multi-dose medicament delivery device is presented having a housing, a medicament container assembly, a dose drum, a plunger rod, and an activation assembly. The dose drum is supported in the housing via a threaded connection, wherein the dose drum is axially movable with respect to the housing in a backward direction from an initial position to at least one dosing position when rotated in a first direction in order to set a dose to be delivered, and axially movable with respect to the housing in a forward direction from said dosing position to the initial position when rotated in a second, opposite direction in order to deliver the dose set. The plunger rod is operationally associated with the stopper and supported in the housing via a threaded connection, wherein the threaded connection is configured to axially guide the plunger rod toward the device front end when the plunger rod is rotated in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SHL MEDICAL AG
    Inventors: Slobodan Stefanov, Thad Miley
  • Patent number: 10231788
    Abstract: A robotic system for manipulating a catheter with a plurality of steering wires longitudinally situated within a length of the catheter includes a user interface configured to display a view of an anatomical model and to receive one or more user inputs; a catheter manipulator assembly configured to linearly actuate one or more control members of a catheter; and a robotic controller configured to provide a view of an anatomical model to the user interface; accept one or more user inputs from the user interface; register the one or more user inputs to a coordinate system associated with the anatomical model; compute one or more actuator commands from the one or more registered inputs; and cause the catheter manipulator assembly to linearly actuate one or more control members of a catheter in accordance with the computed actuator commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Olson, John A. Hauck, Nicholas A. Patronik, Mark B. Kirschenman, Cem M. Shaquer, Yusof Ganji
  • Patent number: 10232113
    Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary method of operating an infusion device capable of delivering fluid to a user involves determining a current amount of active fluid in the body of the user, determining a threshold amount of active fluid in the body of the user, and automatically altering operation of the infusion device to modify delivery of the fluid to the user based on a relationship between the current amount and the threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: Cesar C. Palerm
  • Patent number: 10226580
    Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided comprising a container, a first product and a second product. The device is configured to mix the first product and the second product with each other within the container for forming a drug mixture. The device is further configured for dispensing the drug mixture. The device comprises a mixing member. The device is switchable from a first state, in which the first product and the second product are separated, into a second state, in which the first product and the second product are mixed. The mixing member is configured to exert a force onto the container in order to move the container to mix the first product and the second product with each other. Furthermore, a method for maintaining a predetermined property of a drug mixture to be dispensed from a drug delivery device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Schabbach, Graham Jay
  • Patent number: 10213581
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methodologies are disclosed for delivering a chemical agent to tissue, e.g., for delivering an anti-restenotic agent to tissue comprising a wall of a blood vessel. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a delivery member is disclosed comprising a body that includes a plurality of discrete, separable sections, wherein each section includes a housing defining an internal cavity, and a penetrating member that extends from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas McPeak, William Whealon
  • Patent number: 10207052
    Abstract: An autoinjector having a piston rod for a piston of a reservoir, the piston rod movable between a primed position and an injection position; an injection spring urging the piston rod towards its injection position; and an injection lock including a control sleeve containing the piston rod and the injection spring. The piston rod includes a radial recess receiving a substantially-spherical blocking element movable between a blocking and unblocking position and urged radially outwards by the piston rod and held in its blocking position by a blocking ring; and a support member fastened in the control sleeve and having a ring with an axial end in contact with the injection spring, the other axial end supports the blocking element. The blocking ring is engaged on the support member and disengaged by the control sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: APTAR FRANCE SAS
    Inventor: Anthony Saussaye
  • Patent number: 10195342
    Abstract: A cannula insertion device is disclosed. The device includes a needle carriage, a rail device on which the needle carriage is slidable, a yoke having a channel, a linkage connected to the needle carriage and extending into the channel, a torsion spring with one end connected to the linkage, and locking device for locking the torsion spring in tension and maintaining the needle carriage and the linkage in a locked position prior to activation. Upon release of the locking device, the tension of the torsion spring is released, which causes the linkage to move in the channel and slide the needle carriage along the rail device. A catheter carriage may also be provided for actuation by the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Russell Cole, Alyssa Jackson
  • Patent number: 10188808
    Abstract: A motion-compensated injector system includes a handheld tool having a hollow shaft with a distal end for insertion into tissue of a subject. The system also includes an optical coherence tomography-based optical detection system having an optical fiber with a distal end at a fixed distance from the distal end of the hollow shaft, and an optical sensor to receive a signal from the optical fiber. The system further includes an actuator to move the hollow shaft in an axial direction, and a control unit to control the actuator. The optical detection system can monitor a distance between the distal end of the optical fiber and a reference portion of the tissue of the subject, and the control unit can control the actuator to move the hollow shaft to compensate for relative motion between the handheld tool and the portion of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jin U. Kang, Peter L. Gehlbach