Patents by Inventor Bruce R. Heymann

Bruce R. Heymann 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: 20030154989
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system for thermally treating a sterile medium is controlled via a controller selectively manipulable by a user during system operation. The system facilitates entry of a desired temperature range for thermally treating the sterile medium and includes an alarm to notify the user of a status of the measured temperature relative to the desired temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann
  • Publication number: 20030114795
    Abstract: An IV line temperature controlled warming device includes a housing and a fluid cassette or cartridge that receives fluid from an IV line and includes intravenous line tubing arranged in a preformed configuration. The configuration includes tubing sections arranged in generally circular and concentric portions and a central serpentine tubing section that basically reverses fluid flow and facilitates flow in opposing directions within adjacent tubing sections. The fluid cassette is retained within the device on a base plate partially disposed within a device housing interior, while a housing cover is selectively opened and closed to permit access to the base plate. The base plate includes a heater plate disposed thereon, while the cover and heater plate each include heating elements to apply heat to opposing surfaces of the tubing cassette. The heating elements are controlled by a controller in response to measured temperatures of the heater plate and fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries,, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Patent number: 6566631
    Abstract: An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20030075183
    Abstract: A drape including a sensing device is disposed over a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein to form a drape container or receptacle within the basin for collecting a sterile medium. The thermal treatment system may either heat or congeal the sterile medium. The sensing device is typically disposed through the drape to provide a signal indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, the sensing device may be affixed to a plural basin drape utilized for a multiple basin thermal treatment system. The drape forms a drape receptacle within each basin, while a sensing device is typically disposed within each drape receptacle to detect the presence of liquid and/or a leak within that drape receptacle to facilitate control of system operation in substantially the same manner described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20030000939
    Abstract: A temperature controlled system according to the present invention includes a housing with a compartment defined therein that includes a heating assembly with a generally ‘U’-shaped heating plate and corresponding heater. The heating plate is configured to evenly distribute heat to a medical item (e.g., a medical solution container, etc.) placed thereon, while a limit switch facilitates control of heater actuation in response to placement of a medical item on the heating plate. A controller facilitates entry of desired temperatures and controls the heating assembly based on a comparison of the desired temperature with a temperature of the medical item measured by a temperature sensor. The system housing may further include a storage compartment for receiving and retaining medical items prior to being heated within the heating compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20020185136
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system for thermally treating a sterile medium is controlled via a foot actuated switch to thermally treat the sterile medium to a desired temperature and/or form (e.g., slush). The thermal treatment system includes a basin recessed in a system top surface, while a surgical sterile drape is placed over the system and within the basin to form a drape container for containing the sterile medium. The basin may be configured to cool the sterile medium and form sterile surgical slush, or heat the sterile medium to provide warm sterile liquid. A dislodgment mechanism may be employed within a cooling basin to manipulate the drape and dislodge frozen pieces of sterile medium adhered to the drape. Information pertaining to the sterile medium and system operation may be displayed on a system display that has dimensions sufficient to provide visibility of the information to users located within extended ranges from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann
  • Publication number: 20020158058
    Abstract: A surgical warming system includes at least one and generally two or more compartments, whereby each compartment is separately heatable and controllable over its own range of temperatures. The compartments may be implemented as separate warmer units in stacked relation. Alternatively, the compartments may be constructed into a single cabinet structure. The heat within each compartment is provided by forcing air through a heating chamber and into the compartment whereby the forced air is recycled and mixed with make-up air. Each individually controllable compartment enables an operator to simultaneously maintain the individual compartments of the same warming system at different desired temperatures. In addition, the warming system further includes for each compartment a display and a tray or drawer with individual receptacles and corresponding monitoring assemblies in order to indicate the temperature and residence time of each item heated within that compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Patent number: 6467953
    Abstract: An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20020147426
    Abstract: A system for controlling pressurized infusion and temperature of intravenous fluids according to the present invention includes a housing, a heating assembly and a flexible cover. The heating assembly is recessed within the housing and includes a generally U-shaped configuration to surround and uniformly heat fluid within a fluid container placed thereon. The cover wraps around a portion of the fluid container to secure the fluid container against the heating assembly. The cover includes a pressurization member to apply a desired pressure to the fluid container to achieve a desired flow rate of intravenous fluid from the fluid container to an infusion site on a patient. The system further includes a controller to control the heating assembly and pressure within the pressurization member in accordance with desired temperature and pressure information entered into the controller for system operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Patent number: 6384380
    Abstract: A temperature control system includes a cabinet or system housing having a plurality of heating compartments for containing intravenous solution bags or other medical items. Each heating compartment is independently heat controlled via a controller, and includes a heating assembly including a heater, a U-shaped heating plate, a temperature sensor and a cut-out switch for disabling the heater when a threshold temperature is exceeded. The desired or set point temperature for each heating compartment may be independently entered to the controller via an input device. The heating plate has a generally U-shaped configuration with a thermally conductive bottom wall and thermally conductive side walls extending therefrom. The heater is typically affixed to the underside of the bottom wall, wherein, upon heating of the bottom wall, heat is conducted through the side walls to provide an even distribution of heat to medical items placed within the heating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Patent number: 6376805
    Abstract: A surgical warming system heats medical items of various sizes, independently and simultaneously for immediate use. The warming system includes a plurality of compartments, each separately heated and controlled. The compartments may be modular and stackable, or multiple compartments of varying size may be formed into a single cabinet structure so as to receive different sized intravenous bags or bottles. Each compartment is heated by forcing a controlled mix of recycled and outside air through a heating chamber and then into the compartment. Each compartment includes a heating unit and controller allowing the simultaneous maintenance of different temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Patent number: 6371121
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system for thermally treating a sterile medium is controlled via a foot actuated switch to thermally treat the sterile medium to a desired temperature and/or form (e.g., slush). The thermal treatment system includes a basin recessed in a system top surface, while a surgical sterile drape is placed over the system and within the basin to form a drape container for containing the sterile medium. The basin may be configured to cool the sterile medium and form sterile surgical slush, or heat the sterile medium to provide warm sterile liquid. A dislodgment mechanism may be employed within a cooling basin to manipulate the drape and dislodge frozen pieces of sterile medium adhered to the drape. Information pertaining to the sterile medium and system operation may be displayed on a system display that has dimensions sufficient to provide visibility of the information to users located within extended ranges from time system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: O.R. Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann
  • Publication number: 20020041621
    Abstract: A temperature sensing device measures the temperature of a fluid at selected locations along an IV fluid line. The device is secured to a selected portion of the IV line and includes a temperature sensor for measuring fluid flowing within that line. The device is coupled to a temperature display device to display the measured temperature. The temperature sensing device may include: a housing with a lower cover to engage the line and a temperature sensor; a holder movable along the line and including a temperature sensor; a housing with a lower member including a tip to pierce and measure temperature of fluid within the line; a resilient member with a spiral configuration and a tip to pierce and measure temperature of fluid within the line; a ‘T’-type fitting including a temperature sensor; or a ‘Y’-type fitting including a temperature sensor in the form of a needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20020034212
    Abstract: An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20020024990
    Abstract: An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20020021741
    Abstract: An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20010042743
    Abstract: A surgical warming system heats medical items of various sizes, independently and simultaneously for immediate use. The warming system includes a plurality of compartments, each separately heated and controlled. The compartments may be modular and stackable, or multiple compartments of varying size may be formed into a single cabinet structure so as to receive different sized intravenous bags or bottles. Each compartment is heated by forcing a controlled mix of recycled and outside air through a heating chamber and then into the compartment. Each compartment includes a heating unit and controller allowing the simultaneous maintenance of different temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Patent number: 6294762
    Abstract: A surgical warming system heats medical items of various sizes, independently and simultaneously for immediate use. The warming system includes a plurality of compartments, each separately heated and controlled. The compartments may be modular and stackable, or multiple compartments of varying size may be formed into a single cabinet structure so as to receive different sized intravenous bags or bottles. Each compartment is heated by forcing a controlled mix of recycled and outside air through a heating chamber and then into the compartment. Each compartment includes a heating unit and controller allowing the simultaneous maintenance of different temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Patent number: 6259067
    Abstract: A temperature control system includes a cabinet or system housing having a plurality of drawers for containing intravenous solution bags or other medical items. Each drawer is individually controlled, and generally includes a window and a plurality of sub-compartments with each sub-compartment accommodating an intravenous solution bag or other medical item. The drawers are each pivotable relative to the system housing to permit access to the sub-compartments, while the drawer windows enable the intravenous solution bags to be viewed during heating. A heating element is typically disposed beneath each drawer bottom wall to apply heat to walls of corresponding sub-compartments and evenly distribute heat to intravenous solution bags contained within those sub-compartments. Each drawer is associated with a controller that controls the heating element to apply heat to the corresponding drawer sub-compartments in accordance with a comparison between desired and measured temperatures associated with that drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Patent number: 6255627
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system warming basin for warming a sterile liquid or medium includes a heating pad disposed on the exterior surface of the basin floor in various configurations (e.g., spiral, ‘I’, ‘X’ or serpentine configurations, multiple heating pad segments disposed about the basin floor, etc.) to prevent damage to a sterile surgical drape placed over the system when objects are placed within the basin. The configurations cover a portion of the basin floor to permit the basin to absorb thermal energy that may otherwise be absorbed by and cause damage to the drape. In addition, a thermal treatment system and corresponding sterile surgical drape may include a variety of mechanisms to ensure sterility of a sterile liquid within a basin. In particular, the drape may include a reflective material segment to reflect infrared light emitted from an infrared light source toward a detector to indicate the proper positioning and/or presence of the drape on the thermal treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: O.R. Solutions, INc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship