Patents Examined by Teena Mitchell
  • Biohazard mask suitable for civilians
    Patent number: 7152600
    Abstract: A biohazard mask for civilian use comprises bidirectional HEPA filtering to protect both personal and public health during an outbreak. Several measures are taken to maximize comfort and wearability, such as comfort-fit through a gel seal, anti-fogging protection through separation of the eye volume from the mouth-nose volume and through eye moisture release valves, heat-dissipation through a net suspension, and overpressure release valves to maintain the face seal during coughing or sneezing. Wicking exhalation filters promote moisture abatement around the mouth and nose. Attractive and stylish designs, combined with accommodation for telephone communication or audio entertainment, helps wearers keep the mask on during an outbreak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Biokidz USA NFP
    Inventors: David Richard Freriks, Leonard F. Czuba
  • Tube for use in an anesthetic system
    Patent number: 7146980
    Abstract: A tube for use in an anesthetic system has an essentially cylindrical housing. More effective take-up of carbon dioxide is achieved by an absorbent for carbon dioxide that is arranged within the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventor: Mario Loncar
  • Inhalation device
    Patent number: 7143765
    Abstract: An inhalation device for delivery of a powdered medicament comprising a suction tube (21) and one or more doses of powdered medicament. The suction tube (21) has a distal end (28) and a proximal end (29) with an air passage (30) therethrough, the distal end (28) having an air inlet and the proximal end (29) having an air outlet which forms the mouthpiece of the device. The inhalation device further comprises a means for drying air (23) drawn by a user into the inhalation device prior to contact with the aggregated powdered medicament such that a dose of powdered medicament will be dispersed in dried air for delivery at the proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Lars Asking, Ian Harwigsson, Mikael Jonströmer
  • Graft fixation system and method
    Patent number: 7144413
    Abstract: A graft fixation device, system and method are disclosed for reconstruction or replacement of a ligament or tendon preferably wherein a soft tissue graft or a bone-tendon-bone graft is received and implanted in a bone tunnel. The graft fixation system includes a fixation device comprising a threaded body which is rotatably connected to a graft interface member. One embodiment of the implant/graft interface member includes an enclosed loop for holding a soft tissue graft. Another embodiment of the interface member includes a bone cage comprising a cage bottom and removable cage top to hold a bone block at one end of a bone-tendon-bone (BTB) graft. An additional embodiment of the interface member includes a one-piece bone cage which may be crimped or stapled to a bone block. The fixation device holds a graft in centered axial alignment in a bone tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Troy Wilford, Cory W. Carter
  • Conduit overheating detection system
    Patent number: 7140367
    Abstract: This invention relates to respiratory humidifiers and heated breathing conduits used to couple a patient to the humidifier. A conduit overheating detection system for a conduit having heating wire or element is disclosed. The overheating detection system may be utilized with a in a single limb conduit system or dual limb system. In each of these systems the conduit overheating detection system monitors the current in the heating element(s) and alters the power to the heating element(s) to prevent the occurrence the heating element(s) and/or conduit from overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healtcare Limited
    Inventors: Craig Karl White, Duncan James Rumbold
  • Inhalation apparatus
    Patent number: 7140365
    Abstract: An inhaler is instantly activated upon its removal from a cover or cover unit, and by rotating a cartridge component of the inhaler with respect to a mouthpiece portion, so as to create a flow pathway for ambient air and particles. The cartridge component includes a chamber, whose contents typically include dry powders or the like. Upon creation of the flow pathway, the contents of the chamber are instantly accessible for immediate inhalation by a user through the mouthpiece portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: MannKind Corporation
    Inventors: Trent Poole, Solomon S. Steiner
  • Expiratory limb for a breathing circuit
    Patent number: 7140366
    Abstract: A breathing circuit component includes an inlet, an outlet and an enclosing wall. The enclosing wall defines a gases passageway between the inlet and the outlet. At least a region of the enclosing wall is formed from a breathable material that allows the passage of water vapor without allowing the passage of liquid water or respiratory gases. The breathing circuit component may be the expiratory limb of a breathing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher & Payke Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Daniel John Smith, Gavin Walsh Millar, Kevin Blake Powell, David Peter Baldwin
  • Laryngeal mask airway device with position controlling tab
    Patent number: 7134431
    Abstract: The disclosed laryngeal mask airway device includes an inflatable cuff, an airway tube, and a tab. The cuff defines a central opening at least when inflated. The cuff is insertable through a mouth of a patient to an inserted location within the patient. The cuff surrounds a glottic opening of the patient when inflated and at the inserted location. The airway tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The airway tube defines an internal passage. A sealed airway passage extends from the proximal end of the tube through the internal passage to the glottic opening when the cuff is inflated and at the inserted location. The tab is fixed to the airway tube near the proximal end of the airway tube. The tab is disposed outside of the mouth of the patient when the cuff is at the inserted location. The tab extends outwardly from the airway tube in a first direction when the cuff is at the inserted location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Indian Ocean Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Archibald I. J. Brain
  • Infant breathing aid apparatus
    Patent number: 7134432
    Abstract: A breathing aid for an infant is adapted for delivery of inhalable medication in a gentle flow to an area immediately adjacent the baby's nasal passageway. An oral member formed as a pacifier carries a hollow tube, the open top end of which extends just above the upper rim of the mouth guard of the pacifier. A swivel connector secured to the bottom of the tube allows easy adjustment of the position of the breathing aid in relation to the mouth guard and to a connecting hose, through which oxygen or other medication is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Olsen
  • Medical devices and methods of selectively and alternately isolating bronchi or lungs
    Patent number: 7121280
    Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods for selectively and alternately isolating one of a pair of bronchi or lungs are provided. A main body has proximal and distal ends defining a lumen, a side port and opening formed near the distal end. An insert having first and second ends, and an aperture located near the second end, is configured to have the second end placed in the main body lumen. The insert aperture permits passageway to at least one of the main body side port or distal opening, while an exchangeable insert permits passageway to the other main body side port or opening, or optionally one insert moves between first and second positions to selectively and alternately permit passageway to the one or other main body side port or opening. Kits and methods are provided for selectively and alternately isolating one of a pair of bronchi or lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Cook Critical Care Incorporated
    Inventor: Garry Wayne Kyle, Jr.
  • Filter cartridge with integrated inhalation and exhalation valves
    Patent number: 7114496
    Abstract: The present invention is a filter cartridge with integrated inhalation and exhalation valves. The exhalation valve integrated into the filter cartridge prevents unfiltered air from being inhaled. The inhalation valve(s), also integrated into the filter cartridge, effectively reduces the dead space inside the filter cartridge and thereby limits re-breathing of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: TMR-D, LLC
    Inventors: Todd A Resnick, Richard L Stein
  • Dispenser with doses' counter
    Patent number: 7107986
    Abstract: There is provided a dispenser suitable for dispensing medicament, particularly medicament for use in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The dispenser comprises a housing having a support; a container, locatable within said housing, having an outlet, wherein said container dispenses through said outlet in response to movement of the container relative to the housing; and an actuation indicator having an indexing mechanism actuatable by movement of the container relative to the housing. A couple mechanism is provided which couples the indexing mechanism to the container to compensate for any variation in pre-actuation positionings of the indexing mechanism and container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Rand, Peter John Brand, James William Godfrey
  • Rigid air ducting for respirator hoods and helmets
    Patent number: 7104264
    Abstract: A respirator hood 1 that has an air chamber 6 arranged above the head of a user for delivery of breathable air. The air chamber 6 has an air inlet 13 connected to an air supply hose 5 and an air outlet 17 The outlet 17 is arranged to direct air away from the eyes of the user. The air chamber 6 forms an air duct 12 that substantially covers the top of the hood 1 above the user's head. The duct 12 is collapse-resistant so that the duct shape is maintained in use and air flow through the duct 12 is substantially unrestricted. As a result, a substantially uniform air flow can be achieved in use, which air flow pattern is repeatable from day to day and from hood to hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Lee, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Connection component for a respirator product
    Patent number: 7093596
    Abstract: A connection component for a detachable component on a respirator product is provided with which the component can be connected to the respirator product in a simple manner. A bayonet connection (6, 7) is provided between the component and the respirator product. The bayonet connection can be connected in a preferred position and has a first connection part (9) with projecting tongues and a second connection part (10) with recesses designed corresponding thereto. A centering ring (14) is provided on the first connection part (9). The centering ring is arranged around the tongues. A cylindrically designed circumferential surface (11) is provided on the second connection part (10). The circumferential surface is designed as a surface that can be introduced into a groove (13) at the centering ring (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Rüdiger Müller, Jürgen Falk, Joachim Schlobohm
  • Snorkel mouthpiece set
    Patent number: 7089929
    Abstract: A mouthpiece set of a snorkel including a base, a connector, and a mouthpiece, wherein the base connecting to the snorkel and the connector having an upper end connecting to the mouthpiece and a lower end including a sphere inserted into a concentric hollow cylinders of the base, thereby enabling the mouthpiece rotating freely through the free rotation sphere of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Li-Jen Feng
  • Determining suitable ventilator settings for patients with alveolar hypoventilation during sleep
    Patent number: 7089937
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining suitable settings for a servo-ventilator to be used during sleep. Respiratory characteristics of a patient are measured during an awake learning period. With these measured characteristics, a target ventilation setting may be calculated by alternative methods. The calculated setting may then be used for enforcing a minimum ventilation during a treatment period where ventilatory support is provided with a servo-controlled ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Michael Berthon-Jones, Peter Bateman, David Bassin, Gordon Malouf
  • Endotrachael tube with suction catheter and system
    Patent number: 7089942
    Abstract: An endotracheal tube and suction catheter system having an inflatable cuff with a collection pocket formed in the cuff for collecting pooled secretions and a railing system for controllably guiding a suction catheter along the tube and into the pocket for aspirating pooled secretions. The cuff has an elongated parallelogram-like shape to counter the rocking phenomenon caused by a patient coughing or turning to keep the cuff in contact with the trachea wall so secretions do not leak past the cuff balloon. The railing system allows the suction catheter to be replaced without having to remove the endotracheal tube from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Christopher Grey
  • Inhalation device
    Patent number: 7089935
    Abstract: A medicament cartridge for use in an inhalation device comprising a carrier having a plurality of medicament retainers in a spiral path arrangement. Typically, the carrier is substantially planar. In one embodiment the carrier comprises an elongate carrier storable in a flat spiral configuration and extendable as a helix. There is also provided an inhalation device comprising a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, an airway therebetween and a medicament carrier having a plurality of medicament retainers in a spiral path arrangement. A mover is provided for moving the medicament carrier relative to the housing so as to bring successive medicament retainers individually into communication with the airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventor: Paul Kenneth Rand
  • Face mask support
    Patent number: 7089941
    Abstract: A face mask support for continuous positive airway pressure comprises a circumferential band with biasing means support at the crown of the head on the medial line of the head. The circumferential edge of the cap extends from just below the forehead of a patient to below the inion protrusion at the nape of the neck. A biasing means which is preferably of length of spring steel is formed so as to extend from the biasing means support hold a nasal or face mask apposed to the face of a patient. The circumferential band is stabilized by a band extending from the circumferential band at the region of the ear to the biasing means support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Steven S. Bordewick, David Markovich, Laurel D. Brandt, Mark J. Weimholt, Amy Raatikka
  • Mask
    Patent number: 7086400
    Abstract: A mask comprising a mask main body and a face seal, wherein the outer periphery part of the main body and the outer periphery part of the face seal are adhered, said face seal is composed of a sheet prepared by laminating soft resin such as polyurethane resin on one surface of elastic fabric made of nylon or polyester fibers, and said laminated sheet is cut off to have a modified ring shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Shigematsu Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Shigematsu, Kenichi Ono, Shuichiro Shimada