Patents Examined by Paula Craig
  • Patent number: 8247642
    Abstract: A fluid management device for use in a mammalian body has at least one fluid transport element capable of interfacing with a mammalian body element to provide a substantially uninterrupted fluid conduit. The fluid conduit provides a fluid path between at least one fluid transport element and the storage element. A distal portion of the at least one fluid transport element is capable of extending away from the fluid storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Chase, Erin Marsee, Tara Glasgow
  • Patent number: 8241262
    Abstract: A flexible unit for collecting and transporting liquid to a collection point or to an area of use, and especially for facilitating management of urinary incontinence is provided which includes a flexible pad adapted to be positioned under an incontinent patient or worn under an undergarment. The pad is provided with an outer liquid permeable polymeric film layer, an outer liquid impermeable polymeric film layer and an intermediate cellular layer made up of a series of individual, spaced, thin wall, liquid impermeable polymeric cells. An aspiration assembly is connected to the pad for removing urine from the interior of the pad, which collects in the spaces between the individual cells. A disposable porous sheet, preferably comprising Dry-Weave® material, is releasably positioned over the outer permeable film layer of the pad. The pad may be sanitized and reused multiple times with only replacement of the Dry-Weave® sheet being required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Mahnensmith
  • Patent number: 8235963
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems. In an embodiment, a disposable wearable absorbent article includes an absorbent core and an anchoring system configured to anchor the absorbent core to a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Richard Worthington Lodge, Fred Naval Desai, Donald Carroll Roe, Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Anna Macura, Fred Langdon, Luke Magee
  • Patent number: 8231597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a one-piece bottle containing enteral feeding material and having a top end with a threaded section and a bottom end comprising a funneled connector port; and a threaded cap dimensioned to mate with the threaded section of the one-piece bottle; wherein the funneled connector port connects to an enteral feeding assembly; wherein the threaded cap provides a leak proof seal when tightened on the threaded section of the one-piece bottle, and allows venting of the bottle when loosened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Codan US Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas F. Knight
  • Patent number: 8221393
    Abstract: A surgical drain tube assembly and its associated method of manufacture. The drain tube assembly has an extruded intake tube that defines multiple internal conduits. The intake tube has a first end and an opposite second end. The internal conduits run between the first end and the second end. The extruded intake tube contains multiple slices that run from the first end to a termination point. Each of the slices communicates with a different one of the internal conduits inside the intake tube. The internal conduits are therefore transformed into open grooves that are capable of draining fluids at any point along their lengths. The extruded intake tube can also be cut into separate arms that converge at the termination point. The intake tube is coupled to a single conduit collection tube that draws fluid from all the conduits of the intake tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Otto J. Placik
  • Patent number: 8216195
    Abstract: A dispenser cap for an eye-drop container includes a cap holder, an eyelid-engaging member, and a cap enclosure pivotally extended from the cap holder alongside the eyelid-engaging member. The eyelid-engaging member has topside adapted for contacting with an eyelid of a user to maintain the eyelid in an opened position. The cap enclosure is outwardly folded away from the eyelid-engaging member for exposing the dispensing nozzle and is folded in to engage with the eyelid-engaging member to create a nozzle cavity for enclosing the dispensing nozzle. Therefore, the dispenser cap not only provides a sealing device for enclosing the dispensing nozzle of the eye-drop container but also forms an eyelid retractor for maintaining the eyelid of the user in an opened position and aligning the dispensing nozzle to the eye of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Roger Li-Chung Wu
  • Patent number: 8211078
    Abstract: A catamenial device. The device comprises a topsheet having a body facing surface, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises three zones differing in stiffness, at least one of the zones comprising laterally-oriented portions where material from the core has been removed, the portions defining slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventor: John Richard Noel
  • Patent number: 8211072
    Abstract: The invention provides an ostomy bag assembly including an outer bag and an inner bag secured to one side of a flange. The inner bag is removable to facilitate disposal. The flange has a polymeric backing film and a layer of bioadhesive for securing the ostomy bag assembly to the body of a patient. The flange includes an orifice to enable bodily waste to be received by the inner bag. The outer bag is detachably bonded to a first attachment zone on the flange and the inner bag is secured to a second attachment zone on the flange. The outer bag is mounted to the flange by an annular bonding element is formed from a multilayer polymeric material comprising first and second ethylene vinyl acetate layers and a polymeric support layer interposed there between. A method of fabricating ostomy bags is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Welland Medical Limited
    Inventors: Rory James Maxwell Smith, Paul Bird, Owen May
  • Patent number: 8202263
    Abstract: The vaginal barrier and female urethral catheterization assisting device system may include a semi-rigid member that is configured for positioning within a vagina. The system may include a generally longitudinal base member that is affixed to the semi-rigid member. The generally longitudinal base member may define a recessed portion distal to the semi-rigid member. The recessed portion may be configured to allow a catheter to be inserted into a urethra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Feloney
  • Patent number: 8188332
    Abstract: The invention refers to a disposable cover for use in an incubator for premature infants comprising a moisture-pervious surface layer and a preferably moisture-impervious back sheet, wherein the total weight of the cover before use is communicated to the caregiver by indication on said cover, a label accompanying said cover or on the package for said cover. The cover may further be provided with a wetness indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Ingemar Fernfors, Anna-Gerd Doverbo
  • Patent number: 8167869
    Abstract: A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a wound includes a wound dressing adapted for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject to apply a subatmospheric pressure to the wound and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism may be portable and adapted to be carried or worn by the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Scott Wudyka
  • Patent number: 8168852
    Abstract: A substrate that contains an odor control composition is provided. The odor control composition includes activated carbon for adsorbing one or more odorous compounds to reduce odor. The odor control composition also contains a water-soluble binder for increasing the durability of the activated carbon when applied to a substrate. In addition to improving durability, such a water-soluble binder may also provide good drapability and low residual odor in the resulting coated substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Bradshaw Quincy, III
  • Patent number: 8168853
    Abstract: An absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a topsheet, an outer cover, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The outer cover may comprise an extrusion bonded laminate. The EBL may comprise a multi-layer coextruded elastomeric film and a nonwoven. The film may comprise a core layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer, wherein the core layer is between the first and second outer layers. The nonwoven may comprise fibers and/or filaments. The first outer layer may be non-adhesively joined to the nonwoven via extrusion coating. Further, the outer cover may be elastic to at least about 50% engineering strain. The nonwoven may have high chemical affinity for the first outer layer. The first outer layer may have a low chemical affinity for the core layer; and the multi-layer coextruded elastomeric film may have a basis weight no greater than about 40 gsm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Marie Autran, Iyad Muslet, David G. Bland, Leopoldo V. Cancio, Janet Neton, Todd Leon Mansfield
  • Patent number: 8147467
    Abstract: A device enables a patient to perform non-invasive punctal occlusion by applying firm pressure to the skin external to the lacrimal canaliculi during the administration of eyedrop medicine, for the purpose of prolonging the medicine retention time. The device of this invention may be adjusted to fit the nasal aspect of the orbital rims where the lacrimal canaliculi are located. The pressure to be applied on the lacrimal canaliculi is adjustable to meet the optimal pressure requirement. The device also has a visual reference attachment that provides visual referencing points for positioning the tip of the eyedrop bottle towards the eyes. This device enables a hands-free operation and does not interfere with the wearing of eyeglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen C Chen
  • Patent number: 8133193
    Abstract: A disposable swab tipped medication applicator containing one or more pharmacologically active agents in an anhydrous crystalline or powdered form at the swab. A method for use of the swab tipped applicator provides for delivery the pharmacological agent(s) to an area of the skin, such as the external auditory canal, preferably after showering or bathing, so that the dry agent is dampened so as to treat conditions of the skin. A package of the prepared applicators is provided in one embodiment, while in another embodiment applicators having two different medicaments are provided in a single package for treatment of a condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Ted Gerard Van Acker
  • Patent number: 8100887
    Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for enclosing and providing reduced pressure treatment to a portion of a body of a patient. The reduced pressure treatment appliance may be used to treat wounds and other conditions, such as lymphedema, varicose veins, venous insufficiency and stasis, and other infirmities. In some embodiments, the appliance includes an enclosure that encloses the portion of the body to be treated for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the enclosed portion of the body. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the portion of the body to be treated in the volume under the enclosure. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the treatment appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bluesky Medical Group Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Scott Weston, Timothy Robert Johnson, Michael Seth Miller
  • Patent number: 8080705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to superabsorbent polymer particles with improved surface cross-linking and their use in absorbent articles. Superabsorbent polymers of the invention comprise polymer chain segments, wherein at least a part of these polymer chain segments are cross-linked to each other through direct covalent bonds. Moreover, the invention relates to a process for making these superabsorbent polymer particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Andreas Flohr, Torsten Lindner
  • Patent number: 8070744
    Abstract: A nasal aspiration device for clearing nasal passages is provided. The nasal aspiration device comprises a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of slots are formed in the proximal end of the housing. A fan is mounted within the housing and a power mechanism powers the fan. An activation mechanism activates the power means. A nose cone is removably connectable to the distal end of the housing, the nose cone having an opening wherein upon powering the fan, air travels into the opening in the nose cone, through the housing, and out of the housing the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Clara C. Clements
  • Patent number: 8066682
    Abstract: An eye drops container including a container body filled with a drug solution along with a pressurized gas and including a valve mechanism discharging a fixed amount of drug solution; a nozzle member coupled with a stem for open operation of the valve mechanism and including a drug solution drop nozzle; an operating member including an operating piece and attached to the container body; a guide member contained in the operating member and guiding the nozzle member in the axial direction; and a ball contained in the guide member. The nozzle member includes an outer flange for suspending a skirt on the lower surface thereof; the guide member includes a ring-like bottom groove into which the forward end of the skirt enters; and the ball falls into the bottom groove in an upright state to block the open operation of the valve mechanism, and falls onto the outer flange in an inverted state to permit the open operation of the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Teika Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Toyo Aerosol Industry Co., Ltd., Shinko Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahito Kimura, Kazuhide Maeda, Nobuyuki Hanai, Tomoyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8034036
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter that fits over a convenient water source. The adapter includes a tube that provides a passageway for the fluid to reach the top of the adapter. At the top, there is an eye-cup with an internal delivery means for directing the fluid to a user's eye. In this manner, a user can flush their eye in a convenient, portable, and clean manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Tom Osborne