Patents Examined by Ronald Stright, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5853399
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a puncture method and a puncture system. More specifically, the objective of the present invention is to carry out the aspiration of a sample from a human organ or an animal organ and the inner examination thereof, without the outward leak of the fluid and the like in the organ.The puncture method and puncture system of the present invention is in the following structure; making a parasol part arranged on a reservoir adhere through an adhesive to the site to be punctured, inserting a needle body through a sealing part of the reservoir into the site to be punctured to draw out the inner fluid, the leak of the fluid can be prevented by the reverse operation of the sealing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5853398
    Abstract: A flow adjusting tube clamp is used with a chamber in a solution administration device. The tube clamp is pivotally mounted to the cap at a second pivot element. The tube clamp includes first and second elongated tube passages that overly the cap inlet ports as the clamp is pivoted. The tube passages define varying cross-sectional open areas therethrough. The passages are arcuate so that they continuously overly the inlet ports as the clamp is pivoted. The inlet ports are configured to receive flexible tube portions that traverse through the tube passages in the clamp. Each tube passage includes at least one open area and at least one occluding portion to establish and terminate flow therethrough. The clamp is pivotable from a prime position to an intermittent flow position and from an intermittent flow position to a continuous flow position, to effect varying flow conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Birendra K. Lal, Lewis E. Daniels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5851203
    Abstract: The neuro-microcatheter is especially adapted for use in the small blood vessels of the brain. The neuro-microcatheter comprises a generally tubular body including a proximal portion, a transition portion and a distal portion and having at least one lumen therein extending from a distal end of the tubular body to a proximal end of the tubular body to which a connecting member can be connected. The tubular body has, in the transition portion, an outer diameter which decreases gradually, over at least part of its length, in the direction from the proximal end of the tubular body toward the distal end of the tubular body. Also, the transition portion increases in flexibility in the direction from the proximal end of the tubular body toward the distal end of the tubular body; and the transition portion has a length of between approximately 0.05 centimeter to approximately 1 meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes Gerardus Maria van Muiden
  • Patent number: 5851198
    Abstract: An improved medication delivery device is a pen sized instrument that is powered by compressed inert gas. The needle-less injector device contains pre-filled and pre-measured medication dosages. The injector device has a pre-filled and self-contained compressed gas for providing pressure to inject the medication into the skin surface without the use of a needle. The injector device has a pressure sensitive deployment mechanism which insures proper seating of the injector face against the skin surface before medication delivery is accomplished. The needle-less injector device assures safe use by inexperienced operators (including children) under adverse conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Visionary Medical Products Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Castellano, Robert Schumacher
  • Patent number: 5851196
    Abstract: A needle protector having a body, a needle hub and a needle. The body includes a first end and a second end. The body consists of a hollow elongated cylinder defined by a continuous wall having a channel extending between the first and second ends. The continuous wall defines a recess adjacent the first end. The needle hub is movably mounted on the body. The needle hub has an external portion, an internal portion and a tracking member extending between the external portions. The tracking member is positioned in the channel. The external portion includes a single locking arm adapted to be received by the recess and the second end. The needle is mounted in the internal portion of the needle hub. Movement of the needle hub from the first end to the second end results in corresponding movement of the needle into the body until the locking arm engages the second end thereby preventing movement of the needle hub and the needle from the second end to the first end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Vadus, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery D. Arnett
  • Patent number: 5851201
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a luer connector which exhibits an improved engagement force, in comparison to a standard luer connector, when a fluid contaminant is present between the contact surfaces of mated luer fitments. The luer connector of the present invention comprises a textured contact surface which is adapted to trap or channel fluid contaminants away from the contact surfaces of mated luer fitments. Also disclosed herein is a method of making a luer connector with a textured contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Acacia Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip L. Ritger, Miguel Leon
  • Patent number: 5843069
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to an implantable containment apparatus made of selectively permeable material. In particular, the implantable containment apparatus is used to contain a therapeutical device, such as a drug delivery device, a cell encapsulation device, or a gene therapy device. A therapeutical device can be easily placed and replaced in an apparatus of the present invention without damaging tissues associated with the selectively permeable material of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Gore Hybrid Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Butler, Daniel F. Davidson, Stanley L. Mish, James W. Moore, III
  • Patent number: 5843041
    Abstract: A needle guard and a method to prevent needle stick injuries are disclosed, for use with a hypodermic syringe or other instrument with a sharp point. The needle guard, comprises a protective sleeve with a fitting, that may be used with or added to a syringe and needle assembly. The interior of the fitting contains an annular core adapted to permanently engage the fitting on the syringe barrel. Radial arms extending from the core align and cooperate with the slidable sleeve. Prior to and during use of the needle, the sleeve remains in a retracted position covering the barrel of the syringe. After the needle has been used, the sleeve is pushed forward into its locked extended position, so that the end of the sleeve extends beyond the tip of the needle. The tip of the needle is thereby shielded, preventing accidental sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Hake, Michael R. Flodman
  • Patent number: 5836921
    Abstract: A needle-syringe assembly comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical barrel which forms a hollow nozzle located at the distal end of the barrel and which opens into the interior of the barrel. A plunger is slidably mounted in the barrel and forms a longitudinal cavity. A needle holder carries a hollow needle on the distal end, and the needle holder is slidably mounted in the longitudinal cavity of the plunger. The needle holder includes a lateral arm which extends between the plunger cavity and the barrel. A spiral channel or slot forms a guide surface which extends along a proximal end portion of the barrel for engaging the lateral arm of the needle holder and retracting the needle holder within the barrel in response to relative rotational movement between the barrel and the needle holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Sakharam D. Mahurkar
  • Patent number: 5836924
    Abstract: A feeding apparatus has a user-activated rotatable feeding valve. The feeding apparatus is used in conjunction with a feeding connector which has a connecting end connected to the user-activated rotatable feeding valve, and which can be turned on or off by rotating the feeding connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: MRI Manufacturing and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kelliher, Thomas Dew, Arturo Fern, Hoang Chi Le, Charles Theurer
  • Patent number: 5836922
    Abstract: A container for delivery of flowable material has a plastic, deformable container body which can be compressed in its longitudinal direction and a neck of smaller diameter attached to one body end with formation of a projection. The delivery through the neck projection corresponds to the volume diminution obtained by the length reduction of the body, for quantitative regulation of the material delivered through the neck. A cup-shaped bushing has its floor engaged on a shoulder projection of the body. The bushing floor has a passage opening for the neck. A piston is slidable in the bushing until it contacts the bushing floor. An indicator arrangement makes a visible indication of the movement path of the piston in the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Bernd Hansen
    Inventors: Bernd Hansen, Willy Leu
  • Patent number: 5833660
    Abstract: Non-reusable syringe having a syringe body, a hypodermic needle and a slidable piston for drawing and discharging fluid through the needle. In one embodiment, the non-reusable syringe includes a movable engagement member. A first position of the movable engagement member permits initial withdrawal of the piston, allowing fluid to be drawn into the syringe. Initial withdrawal of the piston moves the movable engagement member into a second position. After the fluid has been substantially discharged, the second position of the movable engagement member captures the piston and prevents the piston from being withdrawn again. In another embodiment, the movable engagement member is mounted on, and movable with respect to, the piston. The non-reusable syringe can also include a releasable connection between the piston and the piston driver. Once the piston has been captured, a second attempt to use the syringe will separate the piston from the piston driver, further preventing reuse of the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventors: Elizabeth S. Nathan, Gabriella L. Pollack
  • Patent number: 5833674
    Abstract: An injection site and unsharpened drug transfer spike for facilitating coupling a syringe to a fluid line. The injection site has a uniquely designed housing and septum comprised of only two parts. The drug transfer spike has a positive locking member for restricting retraction from the injection site once it is inserted for injecting a medicant. The positive locking member preferably comprises a annular ridge defined about the shaft of the drug transfer spike. The septum includes a pair of axially aligned, oppositely oriented conical recesses with adjacent apices either separated by a thin membrane or intersecting at the time of manufacture. The housing has an inlet for receiving the septum and comprises a plurality of fingers with inwardly extending tabs for constraining the septum therewithin. The septum is ideally adapted to be applied to injection sites, Y-connectors, vial adaptors, single or multi-dose vials and blood collection tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: St. Paul Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Turnbull, Richard L. Globensky
  • Patent number: 5830130
    Abstract: A device is proposed for inserting hemostatic material through a tissue channel and against the outside wall of a blood vessel of a patient, wherein the blood vessel wall has a puncture therein adjacent the tissue channel. The device includes a charge of hemostatic material and a hollow sheath adapted to pass through the tissue channel, the sheath having a cross sectional profile larger than the puncture. The device places the hemostatic material in the hollow sheath and advances the hemostatic material through the sheath to the outside of the vessel wall around the puncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Datascope Investment Corp.
    Inventors: Ernst Janzen, Gunther Ruttgers, Lawrence Saper, Sid Wolvek
  • Patent number: 5820606
    Abstract: A disposable seal assembly for use with a reusable cannula, where the seal assembly is designed for use with the cannula during a single medical procedure and the cannula is designed for multiple uses (each time with a different seal assembly) during a number of medical procedures. The seal assembly includes both a flapper valve fluid seal (for sealing the cannula when no medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly) and at least one instrument seal (for sealing the cannula when a medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly). Preferably, the seal assembly has a body with a flange which can be snapped onto the cannula before use, and readily removed after use. Also preferably, the flapper valve has an over-centered hinge. In other embodiments, the invention is a seal assembly which includes at least one double instrument seal including a sacrificial flange and a sealing flange, and optionally also a flapper valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Origin Medsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Davis, Tim J. Kovac, Thomas Kramer, Bryan Loomas, John To
  • Patent number: 5820594
    Abstract: The intravascular balloon catheter has an elongated shaft defining an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen, as well as a balloon disposed near the distal end of the shaft. The inflation lumen communicates with and provides pressurized inflation fluid to the interior volume of the balloon, and the guidewire lumen is adapted to slidingly receive a guidewire. The shaft is formed of a length of flexible plastic tube, and the inner surface of the guidewire lumen is lined with an inner plastic layer. The plastic materials of the outer tube and inner layers are different, and they may be chemically bonded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos A. Fontirroche, Stephen J. Querns
  • Patent number: 5820598
    Abstract: A syringe for the intramammary administration of veterinary pharmacological compositions, in particular for the treatment of bovine mastitis. The syringe comprises a container body (1), a cannula (3) extending axially from one of its ends, a removable shutter (4) surrounding the initial part of the cannula (3), and a protective cap (6) covering both the cannula (3) and the shutter (4). During use, when the cap (6) is removed, only the end part of the cannula (3) is freed so as to allow insertion into the initial section of the teat; when the shutter (4) is also removed, the entire cannula (3) is freed so as to allow insertion as far as the teat cistern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Fatro S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Gazza, Corrado Zaini
  • Patent number: 5800413
    Abstract: A guiding introducer for the treatment of atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation in the right atrium by use of an ablating and/or mapping catheters guided by the guiding introducer. Also disclosed is a predetermined shape for the guiding introducer for use in the treatment of atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation in the right atrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Daig
    Inventors: John F. Swartz, John D. Ockuly, James A. Hassett
  • Patent number: 5782804
    Abstract: A fluid handling device has a needle retraction assembly which brings about the retraction of a hollow needle after use. A hollow body portion is provided at one end, with an end wall having a mounting portion including a needle passage. A hollow needle having a leading end portion is movable between a first position in which the leading end portion of the needle protrudes from a front end portion of said mounting portion and a second position in which the needle is withdrawn within the hollow body portion. A spring acts to bias the needle into the second, withdrawn position. The needle is provided with a portion of enlarged diameter at a location spaced from the leading end portion. A retainer maintains the needle in its first position until use is completed. The retainer includes an O-ring positioned in a circumferential groove in the portion of enlarged diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: NMT Group PLC
    Inventor: Keith Herd Younie McMahon
  • Patent number: 5725498
    Abstract: A device is proposed for inserting hemostatic material through a tissue channel and against the outside wall of a blood vessel of a patient, wherein the blood vessel wall has a puncture therein adjacent the tissue channel. The device includes a charge of hemostatic material and a hollow sheath adapted to pass through the tissue channel, the sheath having a cross sectional profile larger than the puncture. The device places the hemostatic material in the hollow sheath and advances the hemostatic material through the sheath to the outside of the vessel wall around the puncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Datascope Investment Corp.
    Inventors: Ernst Janzen, Gunter Ruttgers, Lawrence Saper, Sid Wolvek