Patents Examined by Roz Ghafoorian
  • Patent number: 6767340
    Abstract: A sealing valve assembly is provided for medical products. The valve assembly includes a valve member mountable within a passageway of a medical product body element, the valve member defining a peripheral portion spaced from a central axis and including two walls extending from the peripheral portion toward the central axis, the walls including ends that contact each other to preclude flow through the passageway toward the second end. The valve member further includes at least one stiffening member extending from at least one of the walls to urge the valve member toward the closed position when disposed in the medical product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan F. Willis, Alan Conlin
  • Patent number: 6764469
    Abstract: A syringe including a barrel for retaining fluid and having a dispensing port for permitting fluid flow therethrough. A plunger is received within the barrel and is axially moveable relative thereto for controlling fluid flow through the dispensing port. A dosing indicator is carried by the plunger and includes indicia thereon collectively representing a dosing range of the fluid based upon a correlation between the indicia and a therapeutic treatment variable for a preselected group of patients. The indicia cooperate with the plunger and barrel for measuring a medically correct dose of the fluid to be administered to a patient from the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: James B. Broselow
  • Patent number: 6723072
    Abstract: A device for delivering fluid, such as insulin, to a patient. The device includes an exit port assembly, a syringe-like reservoir including a side wall extending along a longitudinal axis towards an outlet connected to the exit port assembly, and a plunger assembly received in the reservoir. The plunger assembly includes a two-way shape memory element connecting first and second lateral segments, and having a changeable length decreasing from an uncharged length to a charged length when at least one charge is applied to the shape memory element. Successively applying a charge and removing the charge from the two-way shape memory element causes longitudinal movement of the plunger assembly towards the outlet of the reservoir in order to cause fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir to the exit port assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Insulet Corporation
    Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Christopher Carter Gregory, Derek Dwayne Mahoney, John Michael Margicin
  • Patent number: 6723065
    Abstract: An intraocular surgical apparatus including an introduction tube for introducing perfusate into a closed intraocular affected part, a discharge tube for discharging the affected part and the perfusate, a perfusate feed passage connected to the introduction tube and incorporating a perfusate reservoir for feeding the perfusate with a predetermined rest liquid head pressure, a valve for controlling the amount of perfusate fed from the reservoir to the introduction tube, and a discharge passage connected to the discharge tube and incorporating a suction pump. The perfusate feed passage further incorporates, at a passage portion thereof from the control valve to an outlet opening of the introduction tube, a pressure-reduction compensating means for feeding supplementary perfusate into the closed intraocular affected part through a supplementing passage having a smaller passage resistance than the perfusate feed passage in the event of and in association with abnormal pressure reduction inside the affected part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Makoto Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 6719750
    Abstract: An therapeutic agent delivery device that can allows is particularly suitable for delivery of a therapeutic agent to limited access regions, such as the posterior chamber of the eye and inner ear. Preferred devices of the invention are minimally invasive, refillable and may be easily fixed to the treatment area. Preferred delivery devices of the invention also include those that comprise a non-linear shaped body member body housing one or more substances and a delivery mechanism for the sustained delivery of the one or more substances from the non-linear shaped body member to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Signe Erickson Varner, Eugene DeJuan, Jr., Terry Shelley, Aaron Christopher Barnes, Mark Humayun
  • Patent number: 6706010
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a balloon catheter in which the inner tube is prevented from slackening after balloon inflation, improving the rewrapping of the balloon, discontinuity in the rigidity of the joined portions of the outer tube and the balloon is lessened, which prevents breakage, and the catheter advances through blood vessels better and passes more easily through narrow segments, preventing the catheter from “accordioning” and enhancing insertion force transmission. The balloon catheter pertaining to the present invention has a catheter shaft (1) with a double-tube structure comprising an outer tube (4) and an inner tube (5), and a balloon (3) disposed at the distal end portion of this catheter shaft (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Miki, Kohei Fukaya, Takuji Nishide, Masato Hashiba, Ryoji Nakano, Hiromi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6706012
    Abstract: A device for expressing milk from one or more breasts has at least one, and preferably two expressers and a pump. The expressers each have a cup for fitting on the breasts and a cup outlet to which a vacuum created by the pump can be connected. The cups have a flexible liner which collapses around the breast to establish the vacuum. Pulsating pressure is applied to the outside of the liner to increase the vacuum and stimulate milk production. The pressure is applied through lines which are vented to maintain adequate, consistent pressure pulses without stalling the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce McKendry, Wallace Charles Seaman, Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 6699218
    Abstract: A device for delivering fluid to a patient including a passageway having a proximal fluid transport tube, a distal fluid transport tube, and a tubular expansion member coupling the fluid transport tubes. A penetrating member is positioned within the expansion member for axial movement between the fluid transport tubes, and has a sharpened distal tip. The device also includes a dispenser for causing fluid from a reservoir to flow to the proximal fluid transport tube, a housing containing the dispenser and the passageway and including an exit port receiving the distal fluid transport tube, and a connecting member secured to the penetrating member. The connecting member is movable by a user from an exterior of the housing and arranged such that movement causes the penetrating member to move between an extended position for subcutaneously inserting the distal fluid transport tube into a patient, and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Insulet Corporation
    Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, John T. Garibotto
  • Patent number: 6692463
    Abstract: A syringe holder has a barrel (1) with a sleeve (2) screwed over its forward end. A syringe is entered into the rear end of the barrel (1), needle (20) first, with the sleeve (2) at its rearmost position. A coned needle cap (23) snaps through an aperture (13) at the forward end of the sleeve as a flange (18) at the rear of the syringe tube (17) abuts the rear end of the barrel (1). Screwing the sleeve (2) forwards eases the cap (23) off the needle (20), and screwing it back again leaves the assembly ready to use. The barrel (1) has finger grips (10) to facilitate thumb operation of the syringe plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Owen Mumford Limited
    Inventors: Denis Marteau, Glenn Davison
  • Patent number: 6689088
    Abstract: An irrigator used in a celioscope surgery comprises a main casing, a water pumping stud and a water control stud which are engaged with the main casing. An interior of the main casing has a pumping opening and a suction opening, and a water outlet channel and a pumping flow channel which are vertical to the pumping opening and suction opening. Thereby, the water outlet channel and pumping flow channel are at an upper portion of the main casing. Thereby, dirty water accumulated in the affected part can be pumped out from a water outlet tube through the pumping flow channel. Since the water is pumped out along a straight way, it is prevented that dirty water is left in some bending portions. Therefore, dirty water can be pumped out completely. Furthermore, users may hold it by any hand conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Qi-Zhao Guo
  • Patent number: 6689096
    Abstract: Multipurpose catheter including a small diameter cylindrical body including a first end, a second end, and at least three internal non-coaxial channels. A connection mechanism is disposed adjacent the first end for communicating with the non-coaxial channels. The connection mechanism comprises an ergonomic monobloc head which is sealingly attached to the first end of the cylindrical body. The monobloc head comprises a bulged wall having at least three independent inlets for communicating with the three non-coaxial channels via bores and two walls which continue from the bulged wall. An inwardly curved connecting wall is also included. The connecting wall is disposed adjacent the first end of the cylindrical body and connects the two walls. The two walls comprise first opposite facing inclined surfaces and second opposite facing inclined surfaces having a different inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Soprane S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Loubens, Antoine Watrelot
  • Patent number: 6676638
    Abstract: An indwelling needle includes: a container barrel having a retraction mechanism (an actuator and urging element etc.,) for retracting the inner needle after use; and an outer needle support lid element for prohibiting the outer needle from being withdrawn into the container barrel. The outer needle support lid element has a gutter-like portion, which is a short cylinder formed in part with a cutout portion with its inside dimension designed so as to allow the inner needle to pass therethrough and be smaller than the outside dimension of the needle base (more exactly, the outer dimension of the flange of the needle base) of the outer needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha, Nipro Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takagi, Kentaro Takemae, Kunihiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6673059
    Abstract: A male luer-lock connector (1) for medical fluid lines comprising an elongated tubular body (2) with an end portion with external luer cone (10) and an internally threaded bushing mounted so that it can turn and slide on a portion with a cylindrical external surface (9) of the tubular body (2). The axial travel of advance (C) of the bushing (3) has a reduced length, and the portion with a cylindrical external surface (9) of the tubular body (2) has an annular widened portion (13) that can be elastically engaged by friction by the bushing (3) upon screwing of the latter on a female luer-lock connector (L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Industrie Borla SpA
    Inventor: Gianni Guala
  • Patent number: 6669682
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting fluid between a reservoir and a natural body cavity. The direction of flow can be in either direction. In a preferred embodiment the reservoir is fitted with a pump to advance fluid from the reservoir into the cavity. A locator forming a part of the apparatus is adapted so at least part of it is fitted through a natural orifice and retained within the natural body cavity. The apparatus includes a securing device which holds it in place on an animal during the normal cavities of that animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Bryher Holdings Limited
    Inventors: David John Michael Gibson, Christopher Seton Norris
  • Patent number: 6669703
    Abstract: A vaginal suppository delivery device includes a pincer body having upper and lower clamp members that cooperate to confine a passage, a sleeve member, and a push rod. The clamp members have connecting and clamp end sections. The sleeve member is movable toward the connecting and clamp end sections of the clamp members so as to permit the clamp end sections to move away from and toward each other, thereby permitting a suppository to be disposed and clamped in a drug receiving groove in the passage. The push rod has an operating end that is operable so as to enable a drug pushing end to push the suppository to move out of the passage after the pincer body has been inserted into a vaginal cavity, thereby delivering the suppository into the vaginal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Jeng Shue
  • Patent number: 6666849
    Abstract: A self-use medical injector has a knob at the rear end of a barrel which is rotated from a zeroed position to set the dose and which rotates back again, to the zeroed position, when the injector is fired. A scale is provided on the knob (2) or barrel (1) and a datum mark or indicator on the barrel or knob co-operates with the scale. There is a raised stud (3, 11, 12, 16) providing the indicator or the zero mark of the scale. An annular member (4, 10, 14, 17) fitted over the knob if the stud is on the barrel or over the barrel if the stud is on the knob, has a projection (9, 12, 15, 18) which is registered with a mark on the scale corresponding to the required dose. This projection abuts the stud when the knob is rotated and thus sets the knob for the correct does.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignees: Owen Munford Limited, Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Marshall, Paul E Jansen
  • Patent number: 6666853
    Abstract: A low profile adaptor for use with a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube. In one embodiment, the adaptor comprises a body, a clamp and a cap. The body includes a base portion and a sleeve portion, the base portion being dimensioned to engage the skin of a patient and having a transverse bore, the sleeve portion extending upwardly from the base portion and having a longitudinal slot aligned with the transverse bore and a transverse slot intersecting the longitudinal bore. The clamp, which is slidably mounted on the base portion and across the transverse slot of the sleeve, comprises a plate having a transverse opening. The transverse opening has a wide region alignable with the longitudinal bore and correspondingly dimensioned and a narrow region alignable with the longitudinal bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. H. Chu, Laddvanh Bouphavichith
  • Patent number: 6652482
    Abstract: An improved injection device is operated in a manual mode in which it delivers a liquid drug to a patient at a rate determined all the time by a control member, and a cruise control mode in which the preselected rate is maintained by the controller after the control member is released by a clinician. The control member may be used to select one of two liquid delivery rates, or alternatively a delivery rate may be selected which may have values between an upper and a lower limits. If the device is operated in the cruise control mode, an override switch must be activated to reset the rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Milestone Scientific Inc
    Inventor: Mark N. Hochman
  • Patent number: 6652490
    Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a compact needle shield is provided wherein the needle includes a discontinuity thereon, which may take the form of an enlarged diameter portion. The needle shield includes a spring clip that engages the enlarged diameter portion to prevent unwanted proximal and distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Glade H. Howell
  • Patent number: 6652568
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a balloon for an intracorporeal catheter having at least a portion of its walls having radiopaque properties. The balloon is formed of a polymeric material, which has a single wall thickness of at about 0.001 inches to about 0.0125 inches while deflated. The radiopaque portion of the balloon has a thickness of about 0.00025 inches to about 0.012 inches, specifically about 0.002 inches to about 0.003 inches. The balloon is constructed of layers. The radiopaque material may be embedded within the film or deposited on the film to create radiopaque properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon A. Becker, Christopher C. Pfaff