Patents Examined by Michelle N. Lester
  • Patent number: 4645494
    Abstract: A system for use in peritoneal dialysis consisting of a rigid tubular implantable device, a stabilizing tool and an access set. The implantable device includes a centrally positioned, outwardly projecting cannula spike whose side openings are normally closed by a resilient sleeve member. A stabilizing tool having a broad load distributing base is locked to an upper flange of the implanted device. An access set connected to a dialysis solution system includes a septum which is penetrable by the cannula spike. Penetration simultaneously depresses the resilient cannula sleeve exposing the side openings which allows fluid flow. The access set, stabilizing tool and implant device are locked together whenever fluid is able to flow between the peritoneal cavity and the dialysis solution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Renal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lee, Felix J. Martinez
  • Patent number: 4634428
    Abstract: A cover for a disposable syringe having a needle includes a cover body matchable with the syringe for covering therein the needle and a device, mounted in the cover body, for bending and retaining thereon the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Inventor: Cwo-Liang Cuu
  • Patent number: 4632673
    Abstract: A pierceable port for injecting or withdrawing a fluid through a hollow needle inserted into a container. The port has a covering film securing a sterile pad of resealable material to a wall of the container having a portion pierceable by a needle. A tear strip is heat welded to the cover so as to form a removable tab comprised of a welded tear strip section, a welded cover section and an unwelded lap forming a grip for removing the tab. The tab is connected to an unwelded portion of the cover by a tear joint of substantially less tear strength than either the tab or the unwelded cover portion. The cover and the base member define a chamber for maintaining the sterility of the pad until the tab is removed to expose a sterile portion of the pad for insertion of the needle. A method for making the port is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Hantaaki Oy
    Inventors: Juha K. Tiitola, Juhani A. Ikonen, Heikki S. Suominen, Juha A. Henttonen
  • Patent number: 4629448
    Abstract: A tube set intended for extracorporeal treatment of blood and similar perishable liquids, e.g. by dialysis, includes a spacer adapted to rigidly connect an inlet end of a pump segment for a tube pump to an outlet end of the pump segment. The spacer is adapted to transfer liquid to and from the pump segment. Ports may be provided in the spacer for the purpose of withdrawing liquid samples from the spacer or supplying reagents or priming fluids to the liquid flowing through the spacer. A stay formed integrally with the spacer supports the spacer against the tube pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Per-Oloy A. V. Carlsson, Rolf E. Karlberg, Thore E. Falkvall
  • Patent number: 4629455
    Abstract: A medical instrument, comprising a female connector member incorporating a female taper portion capable of being joined to a medical instrument member having a male connector member incorporating a male taper portion and a ring member provided to said male connector member so as to encircle said male taper portion and having at least one threaded ridge formed on the inner circumferential surface thereof, which medical instrument is characterized by having formed on the outer periphery of said female connector member at least one threaded groove capable of being helically fitted on said threaded ridge of said ring member and having formed at a desired position in said threaded groove a rib adapted to engage with said threaded ridge when said threaded groove is being helically fitted on said threaded ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michio Kanno
  • Patent number: 4627841
    Abstract: A venipunture or similar infusion device comprises a blunt-ended catheter telescopically received in a sharp-tipped hollow needle, the catheter and needle being connected respectively to associated hubs which are spring-biased toward each other. In passive condition, with the hubs substantially in contact, the blunt end of the catheter protrudes from the sharp tip of the needle. For insertion of the device into a vein or other tissue, a wedge attached to one of the hubs is manipulated to wedge the hubs, and the catheter and needle attached thereto, a sufficient distance apart to cause the sharp tip of the needle to protrude beyond the blunt end of the catheter. After insertion, release of the wedge permits the spring to return the hubs to passive condition, with the blunt end of the catheter protruding from the sharp tip of the needle. Thus, during the indwelling period, the sharp tip of the needle is effectively covered and can do no damage to a vein or other tissue in which it is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Inventor: Robert T. Dorr
  • Patent number: 4626241
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for controlling the flow rate in the parenteral administration of medical fluids, wherein a stored energy solenoid is utilized to move a pincher element against and away from a flexible IV tube in a repetitive manner to thereby control the flow of fluids through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Ivac Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Campbell, Izrail Tsals, David Matsuura
  • Patent number: 4624664
    Abstract: A closure system includes a connector and a protective cap in which there is a liquid antiseptic. As the cap and connector are joined together, multiple seals are formed to trap the liquid antiseptic within the cap and force the antiseptic into the bore of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Travenol European Research and Development Centre (TERADEC)
    Inventors: Francesco Peluso, Patrick Balteau
  • Patent number: 4624667
    Abstract: An improved additive transfer device for storing and subsequently transferring a fluid material from an additive container to a rigid or semirigid solution container having an exposed closure. The improved additive transfer device is mounted on the additive container and includes a closure assembly fabricated from three components; a pierceable stopper, a slidable piercing pin and a hood member. The closure assembly is adapted to be positioned on the solution container. The two ended slidable piercing pin is disposed in a central opening in the pierceable stopper so that one end will pierce a diaphragm contained in the pierceable stopper. Resistance elements are provided between the slidable piercing pin and the central opening in the pierceable stopper to hold the slidable piercing pin away from the diaphragm in the pierceable stopper in one position and allow the slidable piercing pin to pierce the diaphragm and retain it within the central opening in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Sangvorn Rutnarak
  • Patent number: 4623334
    Abstract: An intravenous drug administration apparatus is provided which automatically delivers a drug with an exponentially decreasing concentration from a high loading concentration down to a patient maintenance concentration followed by continued infusion at the maintenance concentration rate. The apparatus includes a large container, such as an intravenous solution bag, which holds the low maintenance concentration, and a smaller vessel containing the high loading concentration. The low concentration solution is passed from the large volume container into the lower end of the smaller vessel so as to obtain a continuous mixing action within the vessel, and the mixed and progressively diluted solution is continuously removed from the vessel for delivery and infusion to the patient. The inlet to the vessel may be provided by a short length hypodermic needle and the outlet by a long length hypodermic needle which extends into the upper portion of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: James G. Riddell
  • Patent number: 4623333
    Abstract: Apparatus for the rapid infusion of physiologic solutions into the human body which have been warmed by said apparatus to normothermic temperature. The apparatus includes an extracorporeal heat exchanger which warms cold bank blood and other physiologic solutions to normothermic temperature. Bank blood and blood products enter the apparatus through a filtered infusion line. Crystalloids and synthetic colloids enter the apparatus through an unfiltered infusion line. Bank blood, blood products, crystalloids, and synthetic colloids flow through PVC tubing, filtered drip chambers, and the extracorporeal heat exchanger at a flow rate of approximately 1500 milliliters per minute or greater. Said flow rate is regulated by PVC tube clamps and a fluid shut-off valve. The apparatus also embodies a macrodrip administration set for the infusion of drugs and other physiologic solutions at a slower infusion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Inventor: Steven J. Fried
  • Patent number: 4622032
    Abstract: In a blood reservoir comprising a hollow rectangular container for containing blood therein, a projected portion is provided on one vertical side of the container that is remoter from blood inlet means and nearer to blood outlet means by projecting into the container space substantially from the intersection between the one side and a horizontal extension of the blood inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiro Katsura, Kazuhiko Hagiwara, Osamu Nomura
  • Patent number: 4619651
    Abstract: The present invention comprehends the provision of a fluid tight holding chamber which accumulates solution (1) from the vial that aspirates or is pressured out of the vial upon extraction of the cannula from the vial or (2) is aspirated from the syringe before the cannula is removed from the holding chamber. The holding chamber is defined in the neck of the vial by an insert. The insert may be one piece or two piece and has an inner end sealing the contents of the vial from the holding chamber and an outer end sealing the aspirated medicament in the holding chamber. The insert has a luer seal for sealing against the luer connector on the syringe during the practice of certain procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventors: Rudolph J. Kopfer, Robert E. Smith
  • Patent number: 4619650
    Abstract: A plasma transfer bag for containing plasma, the bag having a line of weakness extending from the top to the bottom of the bag, the bag being made from two sheets of translucent flexible material which is flexible at -40.degree. C., the sheets being welded together around the edges and across the bottom to provide plasma containment means, the sheets extending from the bottom weld to form an extension having a break therein, the bag may be held and pulled transversely to enable the bag to be torn from the break to the top of the bag along the line of weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Miles Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard A. Wisdom
  • Patent number: 4619642
    Abstract: A process, apparatus and system for making a sterile connection between thermoplastic tubes. A section of each tube is flattened and a cutting means is urged through the flattened sections. The tubes are aligned with each other and then the cut tube ends are melted, sterilized, and urged together to form a joint between the tubes for each pair of tube ends to be connected. Each joint is cooled and then subjected to light stress to open the temporary seal in each tube, thereby providing fluid communication therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Dudley W. C. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4617016
    Abstract: Injection device for medical purposes, designed for injection by using a manual hypodermic syringe. It includes a barrel part which in one end has a syringe needle and in the other end a flange; a plunger part having a plunger displaceable in the barrel part, said plunger performing movements, enabling medicine to be sucked into and respectively injected from the barrel portion, and having a gripping part connected with the plunger by means of a plunger rod. The device has an opening in one end, through which the injection syringe can at least partly be introduced into a cavity, and an inner part which is provided with a holding device for the barrel part which is changeable between a releasing position and a holding position, in which the barrel portion is held against movements in its longitudinal direction relative to the inner part. A displacement device is provided for displacing the plunger part between a fore and a rear displacement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Anders Blomberg
  • Patent number: 4617012
    Abstract: This connection apparatus shows two arrangements for receiving a connector assembly of effluent and influent halves, with this apparatus providing for the transfer and alignment of the connected halves. These assembled halves are brought to the apparatus and the halves are manipulated to effect separation, after which the effluent connector half is moved to bring the effluent connector half into alignment and axial coincidence with a new and sterile influent connector half. By and through manipulation, the halves are secured into a fluid-tight condition whereat the fluid may be caused to flow through the connected halves. In a first arrangement, the apparatus includes a sliding action, with the apparatus having a tongue-and-groove construction. The other arrangement utilizes a rotary action, with a disc-like member associated with a cup-like member. Relative movement of the two members is made to effect the transfer and alignment of the effluent and influent halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Manresa, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent L. Vaillancourt
  • Patent number: 4615694
    Abstract: A vented cone filter for use with intravenous liquids which may contain undesired particles as well as gas such as air therewith. A vented chamber of elongated tubular construction and provided with a pointed input opening at one end thereof receives a complementary mating end cap having an output opening therewith. Mounted within the chamber of the main body and supported by the end cap is a cone filter of plastic framework supporting a hydrophilic filter element therewith. Around the ouside of the chamber body appropriate openings are provided and a hydrophobic membrane encompasses same for allowing blocked gas within the chamber to be vented to the outside. Preferably, a sleeve is molded over the hydrophobic membrane once installed for securement and protection thereof.As well as the structure of the present invention, the method of making of same is also encompassed by this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Burron Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Raines
  • Patent number: 4613325
    Abstract: A flow rate sensing device, particularly for use in regulating the rate of flow in a system for parenteral administration of liquids to patients. The liquid emerges from a storage reservoir and is fed into a housing through an upstream flow passage portion and then is made to pass through a narrow throat passage wherein the velocity of the liquid increases while its pressure decreases. The liquid then emerges into a downstream flow through passage and flows through an outlet from the housing. In an intravenous fluid administration system, the housing outlet is connected to a terminal tubing section and an intravenous needle. A pressure transducer, consisting of two chambers separated by a resilient deformable diaphragm, has its upstream chamber in fluid and pressure communication with the upstream flow path portion and its downstream chamber in fluid and pressure communication with the flow emerging from the throat passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Abrams
  • Patent number: 4610683
    Abstract: This suction needle device is used to transfer liquids such as cytotoxic drugs from a stoppered container to a syringe. This device has a sharpened needle which is conventionally attached to a hub. A housing is adapted and is mounted on the shank of this needle and a tubular sleeve is disposed in a telescope fashion around this shank and one end of the sleeve is secured in this housing. The stopper is disposed to be entered by the sharpened needle and sleeve and provides a seal when so penetrated. A crimping tool provides opposed and longitudinally displaced localized crimps to deform the sleeve to the extent that a positive engagement with the shank of the needle is made. The crimps are limited enough to provide positive securing of the sleeve without bending or otherwise affecting the interior capacity of the needle. The shank of the needle is sealed against exterior air reaching the conduit between the outer diameter of the needle and inner diameter of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: MANRESA, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent L. Vaillancourt