Patents by Inventor Brian C. Case

Brian C. Case 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).

  • Publication number: 20170290972
    Abstract: A fluid processing cassette and sensor coupling system is disclosed, comprising a cassette comprising a cap having an opening formed by an inner cylindrical wall having a first diameter, an outer cylindrical wall having a second diameter, and a contact surface connecting the inner and outer cylindrical walls. The contact surface includes a varying diameter that decreases from the second diameter to the first diameter. A sensor post comprises a ring disposed around a cylindrical body and is positioned to engage with the contact surface of the cap to form a seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Richard L. West, Randy K. Murphey, Christopher J. Bishof
  • Patent number: 9731302
    Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying a disposable flow circuit in a blood processing system. At least a portion of the disposable flow circuit is positioned within a centrifuge that is rotatable about a rotational axis and has a high-G outer wall with a window facing radially away from the rotational axis. The disposable flow circuit is monitored through the window to detect the presence of an expected identification feature and/or an expected alignment feature. If the expected feature is detected, a blood separation procedure is initiated, with the procedure including monitoring the disposable flow circuit through the window to detect characteristics of a fluid within the disposable flow circuit. If the expected feature is not detected, an alarm condition is generated and initiation of the blood separation procedure is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, William H. Cork, Jonathan Prendergast
  • Publication number: 20170225177
    Abstract: An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in a centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit. A controller combines two or more of the images received by the light detector to generate a two-dimensional output. The output is used to control the separation of blood within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may also be used to verify that the disposable flow circuit is suitable for use with the centrifuge or that the disposable flow circuit is properly aligned within the centrifuge. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, William H. Cork, Jonathan Prendergast
  • Patent number: 9727696
    Abstract: A system and method processes blood donation data for presentation on an operator interface. A handheld computing device has a touch screen display and a processing circuit to provide an icon associated with an executable application on a first display screen, the icon configured to be positioned along with icons for other executable applications on the first display screen. The processing circuit is to retrieve an indication of a need for a particular blood component, wherein the particular blood component is selected from the group comprising whole blood, double red cells and plasma. The processing circuit is to provide the indication of the need for a particular blood component to the display. The processing circuit is to provide to the touch screen display a remaining time or a date the blood donor is next eligible to donate a blood component based on a donation eligibility guideline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Fenwel, Inc
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Jonathan Prendergast, John W. Barry, Jr., Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9662665
    Abstract: An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system having a yoke that rotates an umbilicus about a rotational axis at a first speed, which causes rotation of an associated centrifuge at a second speed about the rotational axis that is different from the first speed. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in the centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit to detect the location of an interface between separated blood compenents within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge and is configured to be in a fully operational mode for interface detection only when a transparent portion of the centrifuge is visible to the monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, William H. Cork, Jonathan Prendergast
  • Publication number: 20170043080
    Abstract: Centrifugation systems and methods are provided for separating blood into its constituent parts. Inner and outer walls of a centrifuge each include a projection which extends toward the other wall. A separation chamber is received in the centrifuge between the walls, with the chamber including an inlet port for flowing blood into the chamber, a plasma outlet port for flowing plasma out of the chamber, and a red cell outlet port for flowing red blood cells out of the chamber. With the chamber received in the centrifuge between the walls, the first projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the plasma outlet port and prevents cellular blood components from flowing into the plasma outlet port. The second projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the red cell outlet port and prevents plasma from flowing into the red cell outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown, John T. Foley, Brian C. Case
  • Patent number: 9533089
    Abstract: Centrifugation systems and methods are provided for separating blood into its constituent parts. Inner and outer walls of a centrifuge each include a projection which extends toward the other wall. A separation chamber is received in the centrifuge between the walls, with the chamber including an inlet port for flowing blood into the chamber, a plasma outlet port for flowing plasma out of the chamber, and a red cell outlet port for flowing red blood cells out of the chamber. With the chamber received in the centrifuge between the walls, the first projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the plasma outlet port and prevents cellular blood components from flowing into the plasma outlet port. The second projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the red cell outlet port and prevents plasma from flowing into the red cell outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown, John T. Foley, Brian C. Case
  • Publication number: 20160296688
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a therapeutic red blood cell exchange procedure are disclosed. In one aspect, a system includes a first flow path for flowing whole blood from a patient. A separator communicates with the first flow path for separating at least red blood cells from plasma. Second and third flow paths communicate with the separator for respectively flowing the separated plasma and red blood cells from the separator. A flow controller is associated with the flow paths to control fluid communication between the flow paths. The controller is configured to perform the procedure to achieve a target fraction of patient cells remaining, target hematocrit, and a target patient fluid volume change at the completion of the procedure based on data input by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Lan T. Nguyen, John T. Foley, Brian C. Case
  • Patent number: 9421096
    Abstract: An expandable venous valve having a support structure that is configured to enlarge the area adjacent to the valve structure such that the flow patterns of retrograde flow are modified in a way that facilitates the flushing of the pockets at the base of the valve area to prevent stagnation of bodily fluid, which in the venous system, can lead to thrombus formation. The enlarged pocket areas can be created by forming an artificial sinus adjacent the valve structure in an unsupported section of vessel wall between two support frame sections or the support frame can comprise an expanded-diameter intermediate or proximal section that forms an artificial sinus adjacent the valve structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Michael L. Garrison, Andrew Hoffa, Darin G. Schaeffer, Jacob A. Flagle
  • Publication number: 20160213376
    Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and systems for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Further described are certain reduced or low profile procedures and devices for the percutaneous occlusion of the saphenous vein, such as in the treatment of a varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Ram H. Paul, JR., Brian C. Case, Jacob A. Flagle
  • Publication number: 20160184835
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9327296
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9326871
    Abstract: Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Darin G. Schaeffer, Jacob A. Flagle, Michael L. Garrison, Brian C. Case, Andrew K. Hoffa
  • Publication number: 20160103968
    Abstract: A system and method processes blood donation data for presentation on an operator interface. A handheld computing device has a touch screen display and a processing circuit to provide an icon associated with an executable application on a first display screen, the icon configured to be positioned along with icons for other executable applications on the first display screen. The processing circuit is to retrieve an indication of a need for a particular blood component, wherein the particular blood component is selected from the group comprising whole blood, double red cells and plasma. The processing circuit is to provide the indication of the need for a particular blood component to the display. The processing circuit is to provide to the touch screen display a remaining time or a date the blood donor is next eligible to donate a blood component based on a donation eligibility guideline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Jonathan Prendergast, John W. Barry, JR., Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9307995
    Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and systems for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Further described are certain reduced or low profile procedures and devices for the percutaneous occlusion of the saphenous vein, such as in the treatment of a varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Devices and procedures can involve an endoluminal delivery device having an atraumatic distal end, that is advancable through a vascular vessel, and an occlusion device received on the endoluminal delivery device. The endoluminal delivery device can have one or more adaptations for releasably receiving the occlusion device. The occlusion device can include a sponge form material. The occlusion device can include a remodelable material or a synthetic material. The occlusion device can include an anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ram H. Paul, Brian C. Case, Jacob A. Flagle
  • Publication number: 20160051746
    Abstract: A system of authenticating a medical solution used in a blood processing procedure, comprising a blood processing system having a user interface and access to a database of medical solutions identifiable by identifiers, wherein the blood processing system guides a user through steps of the procedure and the user interface prompts the user to execute an action as part of a step; a fluid circuit having an inlet for a medical solution, wherein the fluid circuit is coupled to the fluid processing system; wherein a step of the blood processing procedure comprises drawing a solution into the circuit, wherein the interface receives a user input of an identifier of the solution prior to the fluid processing system executing the step; wherein the fluid processing system is configured to compare the received identifier to medical solution identifiers within the database and, based on a result of the comparison, executing the step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz
  • Patent number: 9078746
    Abstract: A valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, is described. The valve prosthesis has a support frame formed from a cannula and an attached covering that defines an opening adapted to move between a first position in which the opening is open to fluid flow and a second position in which the opening is closed to fluid flow. The support frame includes a leaflet support portion and a circumferential centering support element disposed adjacent the leaflet support portion with respect to a lengthwise axis of the support frame and mirroring the leaflet support portion with respect to a transverse axis of the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Dusan Pavcnik, Brian C. Case, Jacob A. Flagle, Michael Garrison, Andrew K. Hoffa, Raymond B. Leonard, II, Thomas A. Osborne, Ram H. Paul, Jr., Darin G. Schaeffer, Richard B Sisken
  • Publication number: 20140379070
    Abstract: Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Darin G. Schaeffer, Jacob A. Flagle, Michael L. Garrison, Brian C. Case, Andrew K. Hoffa
  • Publication number: 20140357465
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing blood or a fluid containing blood plasma and platelets. The blood or fluid is continuously added into a fluid separation chamber, which is used to isolate platelet-rich plasma therein. At least a portion of the platelet-rich plasma is automatically transferred from the fluid separation chamber into an injection device, with the fluid separation chamber and the injection device comprising components of a disposable flow circuit, which may be a closed system. One or more injection devices may be connected to a collection container or a pump device of the disposable flow circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: John W. Barry, JR., Brian C. Case, Jonathan Prendergast, Lan T. Nguyen, John Foley
  • Patent number: D752759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Chung, Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Gregory Pieper, Patrick Flanagan