Patents by Inventor Charles Neer

Charles Neer 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: 8882704
    Abstract: An injector automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector as determined by the selection of a flow rate; a syringe cradle having a warming capability; a purge/retract trigger for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e., forward for injecting, reverse for filing), non-contact control transmission through the housing of an injector for an improved seal integrity, a speed lock, and/or the ability to change the concentration and/or flow rate of media or other fluid during an injection procedure; a switch to determine when the drive ram is in a “home” position; a “soft” on/off power switch separate from the injector; and a structure to prevent rotation of the drive ram about its axis of symmetry. Additionally, the injector system includes software for the control of various components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, Charles Neer, Jonathon D. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20110184281
    Abstract: An injector automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector as determined by the selection of a flow rate; a syringe cradle having a warming capability; a purge/retract trigger for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e., forward for injecting, reverse for filing), non-contact control transmission through the housing of an injector for an improved seal integrity, a speed lock, and/or the ability to change the concentration and/or flow rate of media or other fluid during an injection procedure; a switch to determine when the drive ram is in a “home” position; a “soft” on/off power switch separate from the injector; and a structure to prevent rotation of the drive ram about its axis of symmetry. Additionally, the injector system includes software for the control of various components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, Charles Neer, Jonathon D. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 7854726
    Abstract: An injector that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes a drive ram movable along its longitudinal axis, and a control system that controls operation of the injector. The control system has an enabled state that allows an injection procedure to be performed, and a disabled state that does not allow an injection procedure to be performed. The control system transitions from the disabled state to the enabled state in response to movement of the drive ram along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Frank M Fago, Charles Neer
  • Publication number: 20100063390
    Abstract: Syringes for use with medical fluid injectors. In certain aspects, the syringe includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a forward end, and a rearward end. At least one syringe mating section is coupled to the body of the syringe and is adapted to operatively engage an injector. In some embodiments, the syringe mating section includes first, second, and third flanges extending outwardly from the body along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the syringe mating section includes a first flange having a cross-section of a parallelogram and a second flange having a tapered surface. In some embodiments, the syringe mating section includes a flange having an L-shaped cross-section. Other embodiments of the syringe mating section may include yet other appropriate designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, Charles Neer
  • Patent number: 7632246
    Abstract: An injector 20 that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes the following features: (1) a syringe mount 26 for attachment of a syringe 28 to the injector 20; (2) display 34 and controls 90 for volume and flow rates; (3) automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector 20 as determined by the selection of a flow rate; (4) a syringe cradle 48 having a warming capability; (5) a purge/retract trigger 36 for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, Charles Neer, Jonathon D. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20090036771
    Abstract: An injector 20 that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes the following features: (1) a syringe mount 26 for attachment of a syringe 28 to the injector 20; (2) display 34 and controls 90 for volume and flow rates; (3) automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector 20 as determined by the selection of a flow rate; (4) a syringe cradle 48 having a warming capability; (5) a purge/retract trigger 36 for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, Charles Neer, Jonathon D. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20080114302
    Abstract: A contrast media injection system detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT INC.
    Inventor: Charles Neer
  • Publication number: 20080108941
    Abstract: A contrast media injection system detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT INC.
    Inventor: Charles Neer
  • Publication number: 20070250005
    Abstract: An injector that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes a drive ram movable along its longitudinal axis, and a control system that controls operation of the injector. The control system has an enabled state that allows an injection procedure to be performed, and a disabled state that does not allow an injection procedure to be performed. The control system transitions from the disabled state to the enabled state in response to movement of the drive ram along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT INC.
    Inventors: Frank Fago, Charles Neer
  • Publication number: 20070106153
    Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT INC.
    Inventors: Charles Neer, Jonathan Gibbs, John Bruce, Robert Ziemba, David Brooks, James Small, Gary Wagner
  • Publication number: 20070100282
    Abstract: A dual head contrast media injection system performs a patency check or test injection, determining flow rate and/or flow volume from the programmed protocol. The tubing that connects syringes to a patient shares only a short common section near to the patient. Appropriate injection steps are taken to compensate for tubing elasticity. A wireless remote control and a touch screen control are provided, improving functionality and information delivery. The display brightness is controlled based on the ambient light, and the display panel includes a double swivel permitting re-orientation. The orientation of the display may also be controlled based on, e.g., the current step, the tilt angle of the powerhead, or a manual control. Furthermore, the display is customizable to identify the type of fluid (contrast, saline, etc.) on either side of the injector, to provide matched color coding, and to provide a folder/tab analogy for retrieving injection protocol parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventors: James Small, David Brooks, Charles Neer, Frank Fago, Gary Wagner, Elaine Borgemenke, Sean Lafferty
  • Publication number: 20060264744
    Abstract: An animal fluid injector replaceable syringe and method of replacement of the syringe in the injector are provided in which the syringe is loadable and unloadable into and from the injector through the front of the injector, thereby permitting replacement without retraction of the syringe plunger drive or disconnection of the injection tubing. A mechanism in the injector, which includes, for example, a key on cam ring operated by a lever with one hand of an operator, interacts with structure such asymmetrically spaced notches on the back end of the syringe to, for example, rotate the syringe and simultaneously translate or rotate a coupling on the syringe plunger into and out of engagement with jaws of the plunger drive in the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Neer, Frank Fago, Paul Dieterlen, James Goethel
  • Patent number: 7081104
    Abstract: An animal fluid injector, replaceable syringe and method of replacement of the syringe in the injector are provided in which the syringe is loadable and unloadable into and from the injector through the open front end of a pressure jacket of the injector, thereby permitting replacement without retraction of the syringe plunger drive or disconnection of the injection tubing. The syringe is provided with a pressure restraining front end, such as an integral or removable cap with structure such as threads that lock the syringe to the front end of the jacket by mating with threads on the jacket. A mechanism in the injector, which includes, for example, a key on cam ring operated by a lever with one hand of an operator, interacts with structure such asymmetrically spaced notches on the back end of the syringe to, for example, rotate the syringe and simultaneously translate or rotate a coupling on the syringe plunger into and out of engagement with the plunger drive in the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Charles Neer, Frank M. Fago, Paul E. Dieterlen, James H. Goethel
  • Publication number: 20060079768
    Abstract: A dual head contrast media injection system performs a patency check or test injection, determining flow rate and/or flow volume from the programmed protocol. The tubing that connects syringes to a patient shares only a short common section near to the patient. Appropriate injection steps are taken to compensate for tubing elasticity. A wireless remote control and a touch screen control are provided, improving functionality and information delivery. The display brightness is controlled based on the ambient light, and the display panel includes a double swivel permitting re-orientation. The orientation of the display may also be controlled based on, e.g., the current step, the tilt angle of the powerhead, or a manual control. Furthermore, the display is customizable to identify the type of fluid (contrast, saline, etc.) on either side of the injector, to provide matched color coding, and to provide a folder/tab analogy for retrieving injection protocol parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: James Small, David Brooks, Charles Neer, Frank Fago
  • Publication number: 20060079766
    Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Charles Neer, James Small
  • Publication number: 20060079765
    Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Charles Neer, Jonathan Gibbs, John Bruce, Robert Ziemba, David Brooks, James Small, Gary Wagner
  • Publication number: 20060079842
    Abstract: A dual head contrast media injection system performs a patency check or test injection, determining flow rate and/or flow volume from the programmed protocol. The tubing that connects syringes to a patient shares only a short common section near to the patient. Appropriate injection steps are taken to compensate for tubing elasticity. A wireless remote control and a touch screen control are provided, improving functionality and information delivery. The display brightness is controlled based on the ambient light, and the display panel includes a double swivel permitting re-orientation. The orientation of the display may also be controlled based on, e.g., the current step, the tilt angle of the powerhead, or a manual control. Furthermore, the display is customizable to identify the type of fluid (contrast, saline, etc.) on either side of the injector, to provide matched color coding, and to provide a folder/tab analogy for retrieving injection protocol parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: James Small, David Brooks, Charles Neer, Frank Fago, Gary Wagner, Elaine Borgemenke, Sean Lafferty
  • Patent number: 6929619
    Abstract: An injector 20 that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes the following features: (1) a syringe mount 26 for attachment of a syringe 28 to the injector 20; (2) display 34 and controls 90 for volume and flow rates; (3) automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector 20 as determined by the selection of a flow rate; (4) a syringe cradle 48 having a warming capability; (5) a purge/retract trigger 36 for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarshiem Company
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, Charles Neer
  • Publication number: 20050148867
    Abstract: An intravenous contrast injector which stores different syringe definitions in firmware includes a software routine that permits a service technician to update the syringe definitions without requiring the installation of new firmware. These syringe definitions can then be used when the injector performs operational routines such as filling a syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventor: Charles Neer
  • Publication number: 20050038386
    Abstract: An injector 20 that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes the following features: (1) a syringe mount 26 for attachment of a syringe 28 to the injector 20; (2) display 34 and controls 90 for volume and flow rates; (3) automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector 20 as determined by the selection of a flow rate; (4) a syringe cradle 48 having a warming capability; (5) a purge/retract trigger 36 for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Applicants: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Fago, Charles Neer, Jonathon Gibbs