Patents by Inventor Brian D. Tracey
Brian D. Tracey 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: 10792419Abstract: A two-stage infusion set inserter system is disclosed. The inserter system includes an inserter assembly including a housing including a rotatable button assembly comprising ramps and and tab indents and a non-rotatable portion of housing, a sliding component comprising sliding component tabs, a needle carrier connected to an introduction needle, the needle carrier slidably movable from a starting position to an injection position and then to a second ending position, a sliding component spring, and a needle spring, wherein the rotatable button assembly rotates from a locked to an unlocked position, wherein when force is applied onto the rotatable button assembly, the sliding component and needle carrier are forced downward by the sliding component spring, and wherein when the needle carrier reaches the injection position, the needle spring forces the needle carrier upward towards the second ending position.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Richard J. Lanigan, Timothy D. Moreau, Brian D. Tracey
-
Patent number: 10780213Abstract: A drain cassette for a dialysis unit has a fluid channel between venous and arterial connection ports, and a valve may controllably open and close fluid communication between a drain outlet port and the venous connection port or the arterial connection port. A blood circuit assembly and drain cassette may be removable from the dialysis unit, e.g., by hand and without the use of tools. A blood circuit assembly may include a single, unitary member that defines portions of a pair of blood pumps, control valves, channels to accurately position flexible tubing for an occluder, an air trap support, and/or other portions of the assembly. A blood circuit assembly engagement device may assist with retaining a blood circuit assembly on the dialysis unit, and/or with removal of the assembly. An actuator may operate a retainer element and an ejector element that interact with the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Kevin L. Grant, Michael J. Wilt, Brian D. Tracey, Brett A. Rudolf, David E. Collins, Lisa A. Gustin, James D. Dale, Jesse T. Bodwell
-
Publication number: 20200292112Abstract: A medium connector including a passage configured to allow for the flow of medium, and a multi-portion engagement surface positioned about the passage. The multi-portion engagement surface includes a first surface portion, and a second surface portion. The first surface portion is configured to provide an interference fit with a corresponding sealing surface of a mating connector. The second surface portion is configured to provide a clearance fit with the corresponding sealing surface of the mating connector. The ratio of the first surface portion and the second surface portion is selected to regulate an engagement force between the medium connector and the mating connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventor: Brian D. Tracey
-
Publication number: 20200282124Abstract: A blood circuit assembly for a dialysis unit may include an organizing tray, a pair of pneumatic pumps mounted to the organizing tray for circulating blood received from a patient through a circuit including a dialyzer unit and returned to the patient, an air trap mounted to the organizing tray arranged to remove air from blood circulating in the circuit, a pair of dialyzer connections arranged to connect to the inlet and outlet of a dialyzer unit, and a pair of blood line connectors, one inlet blood line connector for receiving blood from the patient and providing blood to the pneumatic pumps and the other outlet blood line connector for returning blood to the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Kevin L. Grant, James D. Dale, Michael J. Wilt, Jason A. Demers, David E. Collins, Brian D. Tracey
-
Patent number: 10704714Abstract: A medium connector including a passage configured to allow for the flow of medium, and a multi-portion engagement surface positioned about the passage. The multi-portion engagement surface includes a first surface portion, and a second surface portion. The first surface portion is configured to provide an interference fit with a corresponding sealing surface of a mating connector. The second surface portion is configured to provide a clearance fit with the corresponding sealing surface of the mating connector. The ratio of the first surface portion and the second surface portion is selected to regulate an engagement force between the medium connector and the mating connector.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventor: Brian D. Tracey
-
Patent number: 10697913Abstract: A pump cassette comprising an assembly of a middle plate interposed between a top plate and a bottom plate is disclosed. The assembly forms the cassette and defines a plurality of fluid flowpaths, at least one diaphragm pump, at least one diaphragm valve, and at least one mixing pod. In some embodiments, the cassette includes one or more sensing features for permitting the sensing of various properties of a subject media. In certain such embodiments, the bottom plate comprises one or more sensor ports configured to hold one or more sensor probes that extend through one or more sensor element apertures in the middle plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, N. Christopher Perry, Jason A. Demers, Brian D. Tracey, Arun D. Chawan, Kevin L. Grant
-
Publication number: 20200191132Abstract: A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes a housing having at least one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. The cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps a fluid from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet line. A hollow spike is also included on the housing as well as at least one metering pump. The metering pump is fluidly connected to the hollow spike on the housing and to a metering pump fluid line. The metering pump fluid line is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Jason A. Demers, Michael J. Wilt, Kevin L. Grant, James D. Dale, Brian D. Tracey
-
Publication number: 20200171235Abstract: A method and device for adjusting the unstored length of tubing directed to improving the use of infusion sets that deliver fluids to a user. The device includes a storage module and other features for adjusting, storing and securing the length of the tubing. The method of adjusting the length of the tubing to a desired length typically comprises removably attaching the tubing to the adjuster, adjusting the tubing by wrapping the tubing around a hub or post of the adjuster, and fixing the length of the unstored tubing by attaching the tubing to a securing device such as a friction structure or fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, Larry B. Gray, Matthew C. Harris, Jeffrey L. Klein, Craig R. Steinfels, Brian D. Tracey
-
Publication number: 20200171226Abstract: Automated control mechanisms and methods for controlling fluid flow in a hemodialysis apparatus are described. The methods can involve a controller receiving information from a pressure sensor in a control chamber of a reciprocating diaphragm-based blood pump and causing the application of a time-varying pressure waveform on a diaphragm of the blood pump during a fill-stroke of the blood pump. The controller can be configured and programmed to monitor a pressure variation in the control chamber measured by the pressure sensor and to compare the measured pressure variation to a pre-determined value. Based on such comparison, the controller can initiate a procedure to pause or stop a dialysate pump of the hemodialysis apparatus if the magnitude of the measured pressure variation deviates from the pre-determined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Michael J. Wilt, Dirk A. van der Merwe, James D. Dale, Brian D. Tracey, Kevin L. Grant, Jason A. Demers, Catharine N. Flynn
-
Publication number: 20200139031Abstract: Systems for monitoring fluid flow in an extracorporeal blood circuit are described. The blood circuit of such systems can include plod pump having a pumping chamber of the blood pump separated from a control chamber of the blood pump by a flexible diaphragm. The control chamber can be configured to transmit positive or negative pressure to operate the diaphragm. The system can include a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the control chamber of the blood pump, and a controller configured to receive information from the pressure sensor and to control the delivery of pressure to the control chamber of the blood pump. The controller can also be configured to cause the application of a time-varying pressure waveform on the blood pump diaphragm during a fill-stroke of the blood pump, and to monitor a pressure variation in the control chamber measured by the pressure sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Michael J. Wilt, Dirk A. Van der Merwe, James D. Dale, Brian D. Tracey, Kevin L. Grant, Jason A. Demers, Catherine N. Flynn
-
Publication number: 20200086040Abstract: An infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, Brian D. Tracey
-
Publication number: 20200086035Abstract: Hemodialysis systems are described. A hemodialysis system may include a dialysate flow path through which dialysate is passed from a dialysate reservoir, which includes a valved vent to atmosphere, to an ultrafilter. The dialysate flow path includes a pneumatically actuated diaphragm-based dialysate pump for pumping fluid from the dialysate reservoir to the ultrafilter. The hemodialysis system may include a controller for controlling pneumatic actuation pressure delivered to the dialysate pump and at least one valve connecting the dialysate reservoir vent to the atmosphere. The hemodialysis system may be configured to actuate the dialysate pump and the at least one valve to introduce air into the dialysate flow path and expel liquid from the dialysate flow path to a drain.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: MICHAEL J. WILT, Jason A. Demers, Kevin L. Grant, Brian D. Tracey, James D. Dale
-
Patent number: 10549027Abstract: A method and device for adjusting the unstored length of tubing directed to improving the use of infusion sets that deliver fluids to a user. The device includes a storage module and other features for adjusting, storing and securing the length of the tubing. The method of adjusting the length of the tubing to a desired length typically comprises removably attaching the tubing to the adjuster, adjusting the tubing by wrapping the tubing around a hub or post of the adjuster, and fixing the length of the unstored tubing by attaching the tubing to a securing device such as a friction structure or fastener.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Kevin L. Grant, Larry B. Gray, Matthew C. Harris, Jeffrey L. Klein, Craig R. Steinfels, Brian D. Tracey
-
Patent number: 10537671Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus comprising diaphragm pumps for the movement of both dialysate and blood, and under the control of a controller, is capable of detecting blood flow conditions that give rise to an alarm and implement procedures to adjust, pause, or halt the pumping of dialysate and/or blood. The controller can direct the application of a time-varying pressure to fluid in the control chamber of a blood pump, and monitor the resulting pressure waveform during a fill stroke of the blood pump. A deviation of the measured pressure variation from an expected value can give rise to an alert to a user and to the initiation of an adjustment, pause, or cessation of the dialysate pump's activity.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Michael J. Wilt, Dirk A. van der Merwe, James D. Dale, Brian D. Tracey, Kevin L. Grant, Jason A. Demers, Catharine N. Flynn
-
Publication number: 20200009331Abstract: A system for priming an infusion pump is disclosed. The system includes a priming cap including a septum and configured to matably connect with a male part comprising a needle and attached to a length of tubing for fluid, wherein when matably connected with the male part, the priming cap occludes the tubing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Dean Kamen, Marc A. Mandro, Kevin A. Durand, Gregory R. Lanier, Kevin L. Grant, Larry B. Gray, Brian D. Tracey
-
Patent number: 10500327Abstract: A blood circuit assembly for a dialysis unit may include an organizing tray, a pair of pneumatic pumps mounted to the organizing tray for circulating blood received from a patient through a circuit including a dialyzer unit and returned to the patient, an air trap mounted to the organizing tray arranged to remove air from blood circulating in the circuit, a pair of dialyzer connections arranged to connect to the inlet and outlet of a dialyzer unit, and a pair of blood line connectors, one inlet blood line connector for receiving blood from the patient and providing blood to the pneumatic pumps and the other outlet blood line connector for returning blood to the patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Kevin L. Grant, James D. Dale, Michael J. Wilt, Jason A. Demers, David E. Collins, Brian D. Tracey
-
Publication number: 20190351133Abstract: A disposable housing assembly. The disposable housing assembly includes a reservoir cavity, a needle located within the reservoir cavity, a fluid path fluidly connected to the needle, and a cover, wherein the cover is in a first position, the reservoir cavity and needle are exposed and when the cover is in a second position, the reservoir and needle are not exposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, JR., Brian D. Tracey, Patrick Poisson
-
Publication number: 20190323492Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfectants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Brian D. Tracey, Larry B. Gray, Jason A. Demers, James D. Dale, N. Christopher Perry, Michael J. Wilt, Scott A. Leonard
-
Patent number: D872260Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Brian D. Tracey, Kevin L. Grant
-
Patent number: D892314Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Brian D. Tracey, Kevin L. Grant