Patents by Inventor Andy Witschi

Andy Witschi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8673212
    Abstract: A self contained unit and system for determining whether medical equipment or devices such as endoscopes, minimally invasive surgical instruments (MIS), etc., are blocked, or substantially free flowing, or are disconnected or leaking before they are subjected to cleaning and/or a disinfecting process that is either sequential or simultaneous. The apparatus has a manifold that generally receives predetermined amounts of a gas and/or liquid for dispensing to one and preferably a plurality of channels. Advantageously, the test apparatus of the present invention can be utilized as a stand-alone unit that is able to monitor the noted medical equipment or devices with regard to the flow of a gas and/or liquid therethrough such as large or small lumens and such flow can also be automatically verified by a system independent of human intervention. Alternatively, the test apparatus can be utilized as part of a comprehensive system in conjunction with other devices for testing, cleaning, and/or disinfecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Steris Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald McDonnell, Andy Witschi
  • Publication number: 20110290034
    Abstract: A self contained unit and system for determining whether medical equipment or devices such as endoscopes, minimally invasive surgical instruments (MIS), etc., are blocked, or substantially free flowing, or are disconnected or leaking before they are subjected to cleaning and/or a disinfecting process that is either sequential or simultaneous. The apparatus has a manifold that generally receives predetermined amounts of a gas and/or liquid for dispensing to one and preferably a plurality of channels. Advantageously, the test apparatus of the present invention can be utilized as a stand-alone unit that is able to monitor the noted medical equipment or devices with regard to the flow of a gas and/or liquid therethrough such as large or small lumens and such flow can also be automatically verified by a system independent of human intervention. Alternatively, the test apparatus can be utilized as part of a comprehensive system in conjunction with other devices for testing, cleaning, and/or disinfecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: STERIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald McDonnell, Andy Witschi