Patents Examined by Michelle Lester
  • Patent number: 4606736
    Abstract: An enclosure is disclosed for use with a bodily fluid drainage unit of the type comprising a flexible plastic bag having an upwardly extending flexible filler tube connectible to a patient for receiving bodily fluids, and hanger means extending from the upper end of same for enabling attachment to a receiving surface associated with the patient's environment. The enclosure receives the drainage unit therein to attractively conceal same, while simultaneously not impairing the functioning of the said unit. The enclosure is a generally flattened flexible envelope openable along one end for receiving the drainage unit. The openable end is provided on its opposed facing edges with mateable closures which enable closure of that end, and enable simultaneous nesting of the upwardly extending flexible filler tube of said drainage unit by the surrounding closure means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Van De Weghe Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary R. Van De Weghe
  • Patent number: 4601710
    Abstract: A trocar assembly (70) formed from a trocar tube subassembly (74) and a separable, interfitting trocar subassembly (72). The trocar tube assembly includes a head (112) having a bore (120) into which a trocar tube (116) is fitted and a manually operated slide valve assembly (118) mounted transversely of the bore in the head. The valve has a bore (134) through it that may be aligned with the bore in the head by movement of the valve. The trocar subassembly includes a head (76) that has a bore (92) extending partly through it in which a trocar obturator (82) and a concentric tubular shield (86) are mounted such that the shield is capable of limited axial movement relative to the obturator between a normal, extended position in which the shield effectively covers the piercing tip (84) of the obturator and a retracted position in which the tip is exposed. The obturator and shield are inserted through the bore in the trocar tube subassembly head, the slide valve bore and the trocar tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Endotherapeutics Corporation
    Inventor: Frederic H. Moll
  • Patent number: 4601697
    Abstract: A long indwelling double bore catheter for dilution and sampling of blood on a continuing basis capable of being used for long periods of time. The long indwelling double bore catheter has a small mixing chamber with an opening of a cross-sectional area equal to or less than the combined cross-sectional areas of the double bores, said opening communicating with the body fluid, e.g., blood, to be sampled, and wherein the distance of the mixing chamber from the distal end of the double bores to the end of the catheter is equal to or greater than 2 millimeters. Preferably, the volume of the mixing chamber is between about 3 and about 9.times.10.sup.-5 cubic inches. Preferably, the opening which communicates with the body fluid is a noncircular elongated opening which is equal to or less than twice the combined cross-sectional areas of the double bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Miles Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Mammolenti, Bruce J. Oberhardt
  • Patent number: 4597758
    Abstract: A sealing closure for a male Luer fitment includes a rigid hollow cap and flange means for a pressure lock with the fitment. The sealing closure includes a compressively retained elastomeric insert which deforms over time to compensate for creep between the fitment and the hollow cap. The sealing closure provides a liquid-tight seal over time against a pressurized liquid supply in open communication with the fitment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Aalto, Rick R. Ruschke
  • Patent number: 4596551
    Abstract: A tubing clamp for firmly retaining flexible tubing without occluding flow through it and for forcing the tube into straight and open configuration. The tubing clamp rests on a platform member and comprises a pair of jaws positioned in opposed relation to each other and pivotally mounted on the platform member to be pivotally movable between open and closed positions. Facing surfaces of the jaws defines recesses that together define a tube port in the closed position of substantially the outer diameter of the tubing intended for retention therein. The tube has a parting line, and the jaws also define overlapping members at the parting line to prevent pinching of tubing occupying the tube port in the parting line as the jaws are moved to closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Golinski, Jimmy Miller, John Munsch
  • Patent number: 4596564
    Abstract: A medical applicance of a stationary surgical suction device comprised of an ultramalleable formable tube that may readily be shaped in situ. The tube is comprised of a formable, flexible tubular plastic ultramalleable material, having at least one fluid conveying lumen and includes a parallel oriented malleable member that is disposed within the plastic material so as to be frictionally interrelated to the tubular plastic material. A method of fabricating the lumen includes the steps of furnishing a plastic tubing having at least a pair of lumens, furnishing an elongated malleable member of cross-section complementary to that of one of the lumens and of a size in excess of the size of the lumen, dilating the lumen to allow insertion of the malleable member into the lumen and allowing the lumen to shrink onto the malleable member to effect a frictional engagement with the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: PMT, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Spetzler, Alfred A. Iversen
  • Patent number: 4594074
    Abstract: An improved, non-occluding high fluid flow enteral feeding tube including a non-collapsible bolus carried on a distal end of the tube. The bolus having at least one opening defining a tube outlet. The one opening being defined by generally vertical bolus side walls having a selected transverse sectional height ranging from a height equal to at least one-half the inner diameter of the tube to no more than a height equal to the sum of the tube inner diameter and the thickness of the tube wall. The bolus further including an upwardly inclining internal bolus floor to gradually direct fluid from the tube, through the bolus and out of the opening minimizing disturbance of fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Viridian, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Andersen, Robert B. Edwards, II, David G. Quinn
  • Patent number: 4589879
    Abstract: A cannula assembly especially for medical use is disclosed which virtually eliminates coring during the piercing of a barrier. The cannula assembly includes a hollow cylindrical shank and a piercing tip removably mounted in and closing one end of the shank. Pressurized introduction of fluid through the shank forces the piercing tip out of engagement with the shank, placing opposite sides of the barrier in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Pearson
  • Patent number: 4559034
    Abstract: A method for treating blood uses a tubular body fluid passageway member at least part of which is made of a flexible material, an outer tubular member which is made of a nonflexible material and contains said tubular body fluid passageway member hermetically enclosed therein, a pressure detecting member for monitoring the pressure of the flowing body fluid by means of a fluid filled in the hermetically closed space between the outside surface of said tubular body fluid passageway member and said outer tubular member without substantial contact of the body fluid with air, and a body fluid filtering member comprising a filter. The method is especially useful for non-anticoagulant hemodialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignees: Kawasumi Laboratories, Inc., Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuzo Kirita, Masaru Kawahashi, Keiki Kariu, Kimihisa Sunahara, Hidemune Naito
  • Patent number: 4543091
    Abstract: For pre-operative radiography preparatory to stereotaxic lateral extradural disc puncture (e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,127) the patient is placed on his side and a radiographic film is exposed from which the surgeon calculates position and angle of needle approach to the disc before the actual operation begins. An X-ray opaque marker device similar to a ruler is located parallel and adjacent to the patient at the level of the midsaggital plane. Markings and numbers on the marker device show on the exposed film. With prolonged X-ray exposure, the image of the marker may be "burned". The present device provides a series of radiopaque shields which may be interposed between the marker and the film to reduce burn-out of the image of the marker on the film. A convenient stand supports and stores the marker and one or more shields so that they may be individually and selectively raised and turned into operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Edward C. Froning
    Inventors: Edward C. Froning, Gregory S. Graham
  • Patent number: 4534758
    Abstract: Valved adaptors are disclosed permitting the introduction of a drug-containing vial in the delivery tube of an I.V. administration set. The adaptors have a three position operation characterized by a bypass mode, a dilution mode, and a delivery mode, the adaptors being manually changed from mode to mode. The disclosed adaptors include gravity operated valves, reciprocating spool valves, and rotating spool valves, each including a spike to penetrate the stopper of a vial and a vent to permit air to escape the vial as liquid is introduced to dilute the vial contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Eli Lilly & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Akers, William W. Hargrove, Dale C. Harris, Charles R. Sperry
  • Patent number: 4531935
    Abstract: A cardioplegia/air aspiration cannula assembly for delivering cardioplegic fluid to and for aspirating air from the aorta during surgery. The assembly includes a hub having a single needle portion. The needle portion has an inner cannula which extends through the hub and defines an inner lumen through which the cardioplegic fluid is injected. An outer cannula is coaxially positioned over the inner cannula and is diametrally spaced therefrom to define an outer lumen. A plurality of holes are formed in the sides of the outer cannula through which air can be aspirated. The outer lumen defined by the space between the inner and outer cannulae is in fluid communication with a passageway passing through a side branch of the hub which can be connected to a vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Med-West, Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard Berryessa
  • Patent number: 4522621
    Abstract: The invention relates to "insemination guns" comprising an elongate body (1) at the front end of which is fixed an insemination tube (10) ("paillette") and within which is slidingly mounted an ejection rod for ejecting the tube, while an air supply is connected by an air flow passage to the tube (10) at the front end (5a) of the body.The problem posed is to provide such an apparatus which is easy to manipulate and simple to maintain.According to the present invention, the ejection rod (6) has at least one flat (16) cooperating with the circular section wall of the conduit (5) in which the ejection rod is mounted to define the air flow passage (17) beside the ejection rod (6) in the conduit.The invention is especially applicable to inseminating turkeys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignees: Bertrand Cassou, Robert Cassou, Maurice Cassou
    Inventor: Bertrand Cassou
  • Patent number: 4515586
    Abstract: A pre-filled chamber having a piston plug at one end and a stopper at the other end. The chamber is filled with a powdered medicament that is to be intermixed with a diluent in a container. Rotatable attachments join the chamber containing the powder with a receptacle on the container. The powdered medicament is expelled from the chamber by the force of a plunger acting on the piston plug. The stopper at the end of the chamber containing the powder serves as a mounting for a piercing tip which breaks a membrane over the neck of the container allowing fluid connection between the chamber and the container and transferral of the powdered medicament from the chamber to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Douglas W. Mendenhall, Ping Li
  • Patent number: 4478218
    Abstract: A ligating clip is provided with first and second legs joined at their proximal ends by a hinge and terminating at their distal ends by a latch means for holding the clip latched closed when the legs are squeezed together. One of the legs is provided with a base defining guide means for engaging portions of an instrument that may be used to apply the clip. An instrument is provided to apply the clip and includes first and second handles mounted together for pivotal movement. Each handle extends beyond the pivot axis to form a clip closing jaw. The first handle includes a guideway for receiving a plurality of the open clips. A pusher member is provided within the first handle to push the clips to the jaw region. A spool is mounted for rotation in the first handle jaw and includes a forward flange and a rearward flange between which the front clip of the row of clips may be positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Mericle
  • Patent number: 4454887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument for withdrawal of tracheobronchial secretions or for introduction of curative agents, tubes, guiding elements, probes, endoscopes, catheters and the like into the respiratory tract of a patient.A tube which is flexible and morphologically stable in cross-section, is inserted via the patient's mouth and pharynx cavities, and may be inserted with a distal extension as far as into the esophagus. Above the extension, the tube has an opening which is lined up laterally with the larynx cavity of the patient when the instrument is being inserted and through which the secretion is extracted. Also, the curative agents, guiding elements, tubes, probes, endoscopes, catheters and the like are inserted through this opening into the respiratory tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: Christian Kruger
  • Patent number: 4433973
    Abstract: A two-part connector assembly for connecting two tubes which prevents the entry of contaminates in the tubes during use and subsequent reuse of one part is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a reusable first connector member having an elongate housing and a sterile inner tubing located inside the housing. A reusable second connector member is also provided and includes an elongate housing, a sterile inner tubing located inside of the housing, and a sterile cover tubing located around the sterile inner tubing and also located inside of the housing. A connecting means is provided for holding the first connector member and the second connector member together such that no contaminates reach the inner tubing of either housing during use. The connector members can be reused as no contaminates reach the inner tubing of the reused connector member as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: BioResearch Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard D. Kurtz, Joseph M. LiCausi
  • Patent number: 4405315
    Abstract: A spike exchanger to move a spike from one peritoneal dialysis bag to another. A pair of peritoneal dialysis bags are mounted to a base having clamps for releasably closing the tubular ports of each bag. A patient connectable tube with a spike shaped end is removably mounted to a bar slidably mounted on the base and guided by means of a slot and roller combination to the tubular port of either bag. Three embodiments of the slot roller mechanism guide the spike shaped end to the tubular ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Stephen R. Ash
    Inventor: Alan E. Handt
  • Patent number: 4392851
    Abstract: A sterile container for a medicinal material which is to be intermixed in an I.V. solution wherein the container serves as a mixing device as well as a portion of an I.V. administration apparatus. The device of this invention includes a container which is closed at opposing ends by pierceable diaphragm portions. Extending from one end is a piercing pin having a diaphragm piercing portion which can pierce the diaphragm when it is moved inwardly into the container and also provide a fluid passageway for the container contents. At the opposing end a diaphragm is housed in a closure with a tubular guide section for the piercing pin of an I.V. administration set. The container therefore serves a dual function of holding a fluid material such as a powder in a sterile condition yet serving as a component of an I.V. set to thereby afford a quick and simple procedure for mixing additive components into an I.V. administration set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Allen M. Elias
  • Patent number: 4392850
    Abstract: A sterile container for a medicinal material which is to be intermixed in an I.V. solution wherein the container serves as a mixing device as well as a portion of an I.V. administration apparatus. The device of this invention includes a container which is closed at opposing ends by pierceable diaphragm portions. Extending from one end is a piercing pin having a diaphragm piercing portion which can pierce the diaphragm when it is moved inwardly into the container and also provide a fluid passageway for the container contents. At the opposing end a diaphragm is housed in a closure with a flexible end wall and a tubular guide section for the piercing pin of an I.V. administration set. The container therefore serves a dual function of holding a fluid material such as a powder in a sterile condition yet serving as a component of an I.V. set to thereby afford a quick and simple procedure for mixing additive components into an I.V. administration set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Allen M. Elias, Joseph N. Genese