Patents Examined by Theodore J. Stigell
  • Patent number: 11707296
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are sealing devices configured for improving sealing functionality with an engaged extension member of an apparatus. More specifically, disclosed herein are trocar sealing devices configured for improving insufflation gas containment in relation to trocars (and/or other related type of devices) that are used for enabling a surgical instrument such, for example, a laparoscope, to gain access to an abdominal cavity (or other body cavity). By providing for such improved insufflation gas containment, sealing devices as disclosed herein are particularly advantageous, desirable and useful in view of long-standing reasons for limiting insufflation gas leakage and in view of newly recognized reasons stemming from outbreak of COVID-19 disease for limiting insufflation gas leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ClearCam, Inc.
    Inventors: James Landon Gilkey, Christopher Robert Idelson
  • Patent number: 11701495
    Abstract: Methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel. Devices include axially concentric assemblies of a piercing needle and a dilator that guides an outer catheter into a vessel, such as a blood vessel. The assemblies described herein can include retraction mechanisms and/or lock mechanisms to control needle positioning during catheterization processes as well as improved valves that prevent leakage of fluid from the proximal end of the devices. The devices and method include the use of novel valves to prevent undesired leakage of fluids through the proximal end of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: I-V Access Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Clint Solomon
  • Patent number: 11701254
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes an injector cannula having a soft injector tip. A retractable tip protector tube is slidably disposed on the flow cannula between an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip. Accordingly, the tip protector tube protects the injector tip from being damaged while advancing the injector tip to a target injection site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ALTAVIZ, LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Matthew Flowers, Tammo Heeren, Hien Nguyen, John C. Huculak, Eric Anderfaas
  • Patent number: 11701476
    Abstract: A medical injector including a cap remover or second cap is disclosed. The medical injector includes an injector housing defining a reservoir, a plunger rod, and a stopper engaged with a portion of the plunger rod and slidably disposed within the reservoir. The stopper being sized relative to an interior of the injector housing to provide sealing engagement with a sidewall of the injector housing. The medical injector further includes a needle having a sharpened first end and a second end in communication with the reservoir, a first cap covering the sharpened first end of the needle, and a second cap covering at least a part of the first cap. The second cap is engaged with the first cap such that removal of the second cap simultaneously removes the first cap from the first end of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France S.A.S.
    Inventor: Emilie Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11701500
    Abstract: An apparatus, assembly and method for controlling release of a drug from a drug-eluting balloon during delivery of a drug-eluting balloon to a situs within a body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a diametrically expandable sleeve having a first non-diametrically unexpanded state in which drug retained on or in a drug-eluting balloon is protected from release by a sleeve and a second diametrically expanded state in which drug retained on or in the drug-eluting balloon is exposed for focal release in the body by diametric expansion of the sleeve, exposing openings in the sleeve during diametric expansion and closing the openings in the sleeve when the sleeve is in its diametrically unexpanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Vactronix Scientific, LLC.
    Inventors: Christian G. Palmaz, Julio C. Palmaz, Scott P. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 11701494
    Abstract: Disclosed catheter insertion systems enable the user to identify the location of the needle based on the electrical properties of subcutaneous tissue relative the electrical properties of other fluids such as blood or air. Disclosed systems can include one or more of the following features: 1) the catheter assembly is modular (e.g., the catheter can be connected and disconnected from the detection unit at will); 2) the detection unit employs an electrical circuit that allows for the discernment between subcutaneous tissue and blood; 3) the system assists the end user with catheter advancement. Some embodiments can be used to insert catheters into a spaces where the needle passes first through subcutaneous fat and muscle before entering fluid or air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Cameron Dezfulian, William W. Clark, Ehsan Qaium, Dennis Wist
  • Patent number: 11701040
    Abstract: A venous access device includes a hub and a bifurcated cannula. The hub includes a bifurcated connecting arm, a blood sampling arm connected to the bifurcated connecting arm, a fluid transfer arm connected to the bifurcated connecting arm, a blood sampling channel and a fluid transfer channel. The blood sampling channel passes through the blood sampling arm and the bifurcated connecting arm. The fluid transfer channel passes through the fluid transfer arm and the bifurcated connecting arm. The bifurcated cannula is coupled to the bifurcated connecting arm and includes a blood sampling lumen having a blood sampling port, a fluid transfer lumen having a fluid transfer port, and a dividing member separating the blood sampling lumen from the fluid transfer lumen. The blood sampling port is 2 mm to 20 mm proximal from the fluid transfer port. The blood sampling channel is fluidly connected to the blood sampling lumen, and the fluid transfer channel is fluidly connected to the fluid transfer lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Site Saver, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer A. Jones, David DePoyster, David L. Nichols, Christopher A. Richardson, Kelli L. Shada
  • Patent number: 11696818
    Abstract: A system for mass vaccination includes a plurality of portable electronic injectors, a mobile process manager and a database. Each portable electronic injector includes at least one needle to administer a measured amount of at least one vaccine to a body skin/tissue and an indicator system to provide an indication when either an injection error occurs or when a vaccination indication is required. The mobile process manager is in wireless communication with the plurality of injection devices and controls a mass vaccination. The process manager transmits task data to all injection devices in parallel via WI-FI, receives the vaccination indications from each injector in real time, also receives injection errors and vaccination process data, alerts a vaccination process overseer generally in real-time of the errors and transmits the injection data from each injector via cellular and/or internet transmission to the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SyrinJector Ltd
    Inventor: Nahum Cohen
  • Patent number: 11690947
    Abstract: A device and a method for a lavage-type introduction of a stool transplant or of another, local or topically effective substance through the anus into the colon of a patient, wherein the substance to be introduced is flushed also into the upper parts of the colon of the patient in a torrent-like manner through correspondingly large-lumen catheters; said device comprises an ano-rectal placed head part remaining inside the patient from the beginning until the end of the application and a system of exchangeable bags, which are connectable to the head part, whereby two different types of bags can be applied, one of which is designed for the cleaning lavage, while the another is designed for the introduction of a substance or a transplant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: Fred Göbel
  • Patent number: 11690957
    Abstract: A method for needle-free injection and a needle-free injector device are provided. The method includes automatically injecting an injectable into a surface in contact with the needle-free injector in response to a skin compression parameter of an end of the needle-free injector. A needle-free injector device (102) includes predefined structures formed on it to inject an injectable through a non-porous material. The predefined structures engage an airlock mechanism such that an airlock in the non-porous material and operably coupled to the airlock mechanism can only be opened and closed to enable needle-free injection through the non-porous material without disrupting an integrity of the non-porous material by the needle-free injector device. Other functions, embodiments and methods for using and programming the needle-free injector device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: MIRACLE MANAGEMENT PTE LTD
    Inventors: Ping Derg Chuang, David Samuel Leon Chuang
  • Patent number: 11690961
    Abstract: A needle cap and a dialysis circuit priming device with increased safety and convenience in the cleaning and priming of a blood circuit are provided. According to the present invention, a needle cap is provided including two needle connecting parts, and a flow path connecting the two needle connecting parts. A dialysis circuit priming device is also provided including two needles, two needle connecting parts each arranged with the two needles respectively, and a flow path for connecting the two needle connecting parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: ARTISAN LAB CO., LTD., NIPRO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Shibata, Hiroyuki Nakagami, Tatsuya Kudo, Naoya Kataoka
  • Patent number: 11690974
    Abstract: A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is provided. The method comprises inserting a delivery tool containing the therapeutic agent through an anterior portion, a lateral portion, or an anterolateral portion of an annulus fibrosus and into the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc; and delivering the therapeutic agent to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Devices and kits are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Reves, Todd M. Boyce, Daniel A. Shimko, Jared T. Wilsey
  • Patent number: 11690939
    Abstract: A container for collecting, storing and dispensing fluid, as in enteral feeding and/or medication deliver to neonatal infants. The container includes a hollow tube with a body, a first end, a second end, and an outer diameter. The hollow tube is configured to receive a movable plunger that advances and retracts therein to define a variable contained volume. The container also includes a sealing head assembly removably mounted at an end of the hollow tube. The sealing head assembly has a diameter or outside dimension that is substantially similar or identical to a corresponding outside diameter or dimension of the hollow tube, so that the container lies flat within the receiver of an enteral feeding pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Avent, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron N. Ingram, Anthony C. Lair, Mark Martin Costello, Tony Doherty
  • Patent number: 11690649
    Abstract: Trocar retractor apparatus and methods for use are described where an apparatus for positioning an instrument may generally include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an instrument positioning guide projecting from the first surface of the substrate, and one or more suction assemblies positioned along the second surface and in fluid communication with an interior of the substrate. The one or more suction assemblies may be attachable to a tissue region via a vacuum force applied through the one or more suction assemblies. The apparatus may also have the substrate configured to maintain a predetermined configuration when the vacuum force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Tautona Group IP Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Rimsa, Geoffrey C. Gurtner
  • Patent number: 11684727
    Abstract: A pen needle (30, 110) is disclosed for coupling to a delivery device (10) and piercing a septum on the delivery device. The pen needle includes a collar (32, 112) having a side wall (36, 116), an open proximal end (38), and a distal end (40, 118) having a coupling member (50). The pen needle also includes a needle hub (34, 114) having a proximal end (50, 124) and a distal end (58, 126), where the proximal end of the needle hub has a coupling member coupled to the distal end of the collar. The needle hub rotates independently of the collar. A needle (52) extends from the distal end of the needle hub, and a projection (76, 126) extends from the proximal end of the needle hub for piercing a septum (106) of a delivery device. The collar (32, 112) rotates independently from the needle hub (34, 114) so that the collar screws onto the threaded end of the delivery device while the needle hub does not rotate and the projection advances to pierce the septum (106) without rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Embecta Corp.
    Inventor: Victor Politis
  • Patent number: 11684724
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an auto-injector for administering a medicament. The auto injector comprising: a housing; a cartridge receiver configured to receive a cartridge comprising a first stopper; a drive module coupled to move a plunger rod between a retracted plunger rod position and an extended plunger rod position, the plunger rod being configured to move the first stopper; a resistance sensor configured to provide a resistance signal indicative of resistance against movement of the plunger rod; and a processing unit coupled to the drive module and to the resistance sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Ascendis Pharma A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Egesborg, Steen Jensen, Martin Nørgaard Larsen, Johnny Elkjær, Bjørn Knud Andersen
  • Patent number: 11672922
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses and methods for using a tip member to deposit or collect a supply of material from within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tip body defining an annular chamber. A tip receptacle is configured to be joinable with a lumen and to receive a fluid flow therethrough and to convey the fluid flow into the annular chamber. A material distribution element is fluidly coupled with the annular chamber, wherein when the fluid flow is introduced into the annular chamber. The material distribution element diffusively passes the fluid flow out of multiple egress points in at least one of a distal end and a lateral surface of the tip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Nickeson, Christopher R. Ralph
  • Patent number: 11672919
    Abstract: A protection device for a needle comprising an inner casing defining a cavity and an outer casing surrounding the inner casing, wherein the outer casing is provided with stabilizing means capable of cooperating with a substantially horizontal surface of a support so as to maintain the inner casing in a substantially vertical direction, in which an access to the cavity is left free. An assembly comprising such a protection device and a needle fixed on the needle tip of a drug delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France
    Inventors: Lionel Maritan, Jamieson Crawford
  • Patent number: 11666731
    Abstract: In some examples, a catheter includes a catheter body including an outer jacket and an inner liner. The inner liner may include a proximal section including a proximal end of the inner liner and a distal section including a distal end of the inner liner. The distal section may include an inner liner defining a plurality of cuts. Each cut may extend at least partially through the liner wall. The one or more cuts defined in the liner wall of the distal section of the inner liner may increase a bending flexibility of the distal section relative to the proximal section of the inner liner, while maintaining a suitable tensile strength of the distal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ujwal Jalgaonkar, Edwin Wang, David P. Marchesiello
  • Patent number: 11666734
    Abstract: A stabilisation system for securing a medical device such as a catheter to tissue, in particular skin, the stabilisation system comprising a main body having a first section and a second section displaceable relative to one another to translate the system between an undeployed state and a deployed state, each section including an array of microneedles extending from a tissue contacting surface of the body and which penetrate the skin in response to the above displacement, the stabilisation system further comprising a closure member displaceable between an open position exposing a retention zone on the body and a closed position at least partially occluding the retention zone, within which retention zone the catheter or other medical device may be captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN
    Inventors: Nicky Bertollo, Seamus Morris, Eoin O'Cearbhaill