Patents by Inventor Charles S. Neer

Charles S. 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).

  • Publication number: 20190201619
    Abstract: A powerhead (50) of a power injector is disclosed that includes a syringe housing (110) that contains a capacitive fluid detector (112). The capacitive fluid detector (112) may be operable to detect fluid within a syringe (116) installed on the syringe housing (110). The output of the capacitive fluid detector (112) may be used to estimate the volume of fluid within the syringe (116). The capacitive fluid detector (112) may include a plurality of discrete capacitors (118a-118h) arranged serially along a longitudinal axis (120) of the syringe (116). Each of the plurality of capacitors (118a-118h) may be operable to produce an electric field extending into the syringe (116). Each of the plurality of capacitors (118a-118h) may be formed on a printed circuit board (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Gibson, Charles S. Neer
  • Publication number: 20180361059
    Abstract: A powerhead (50) of a power injector is disclosed that includes a syringe housing (110) that contains a capacitive fluid detector (112). The capacitive fluid detector (112) may be operable to detect fluid within a syringe (116) installed on the syringe housing (110). The output of the capacitive fluid detector (112) may be used to estimate the volume of fluid within the syringe (116). The capacitive fluid detector (112) may include a plurality of discrete capacitors (118a-118h) arranged serially along a longitudinal axis (120) of the syringe (116). Each of the plurality of capacitors (118a-118h) may be operable to produce an electric field extending into the syringe (116). Each of the plurality of capacitors (118a-118h) may be formed on a printed circuit board (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Chad M. Gibson, Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 9849237
    Abstract: A powerhead (50) of a power injector is disclosed that includes a syringe housing (110) that contains a capacitive fluid detector (112). The capacitive fluid detector (112) may be operable to detect fluid within a syringe (116) installed on the syringe housing (110). The output of the capacitive fluid detector (112) may be used to estimate the volume of fluid within the syringe (116). The capacitive fluid detector (112) may include a plurality of discrete capacitors (118a-118h) arranged serially along a longitudinal axis (120) of the syringe (116). Each of the plurality of capacitors (118a-118h) may be operable to produce an electric field extending into the syringe (116). Each of the plurality of capacitors (118a-118h) may be formed on a printed circuit board (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Gibson, Charles S. Neer
  • Publication number: 20160354538
    Abstract: A multi-dose injection system is disclosed that allows for vacuum-assisted removal of air from an interconnected tubing set and syringes and subsequent filling with fluid. The injection system may include a bulk fluid container holder module operable to hold one or more bottles of fluid for administration to a patient. The holder module may include a vacuum source that is selectively fluidly interconnectable to the tubing set. Air may be removed from the tubing set and syringes by fluidly interconnecting the vacuum source to the tubing set. Then the vacuum source may be fluidly isolated from the tubing set and the bottles fluidly interconnected to the tubing set, thereby allowing fluid from the bottles to fill the at least partially evacuated tubing set and syringes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 9375557
    Abstract: A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, James E. Knipfer, Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 9168335
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: MALLINCKRODT LLC
    Inventors: Charles S. Neer, Robert J. Ziemba, David M. Brooks, James R. Small, Jonathan D. Gibbs, John Kevin Bruce, Gary S. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20150231325
    Abstract: A power injector that incorporates at least one signal transmission connector in a movable joint (e.g., between a powerhead and a support or stand; between at least one adjacent pair of support sections of a support for the powerhead) is disclosed. Such a signal transmission connector may be in the form of a slip ring module, but in any case is part of the signal transmission link to the powerhead. At least that portion of a signal transmission conduit that is adjacent to the powerhead may be disposed within the interior of the corresponding portion of the support or stand, thereby reducing the potential that an individual will grab onto the signal transmission conduit when attempting to move at least part of the power injector, to change the position of the powerhead, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT LLC
    Inventors: Charles S. Neer, Louis Francis Wourms
  • Patent number: 9101708
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: James R. Small, David M. Brooks, Charles S. Neer, Frank M. Fago
  • Publication number: 20150025374
    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: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT LLC
    Inventors: Charles S. Neer, Robert J. Ziemba, David M. Brooks, James R. Small, Jonathan D. Gibbs, John Kevin Bruce, Gary S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8900187
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: James R. Small, David M. Brooks, Charles S. Neer, Frank M. Fago, Gary S. Wagner, Elaine Borgemenke, Sean Lafferty
  • Publication number: 20140142537
    Abstract: A powerhead (50) of a power injector is disclosed that includes a syringe housing (110) that contains a capacitive fluid detector (112). The capacitive fluid detector (112) may be operable to detect fluid within a syringe (116) installed on the syringe housing (110). The output of the capacitive fluid detector (112) may be used to estimate the volume of fluid within the syringe (116). The capacitive fluid detector (112) may include a plurality of discrete capacitors (118a-118h) arranged serially along a longitudinal axis (120) of the syringe (116). Each of the plurality of capacitors (118a-118h) may be operable to produce an electric field extending into the syringe (116). Each of the plurality of capacitors (118a-118h) may be formed on a printed circuit board (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Gibson, Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 8726910
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: Charles S. Neer, Robert J. Ziemba, David M. Brooks, James R. Small
  • Patent number: 8663164
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: Charles S. Neer, James R. Small
  • Patent number: 8663166
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: James R. Small, David M. Brooks, Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 8657787
    Abstract: A powered injector that stores energy at a low rate when not in use and delivers energy at a high rate during injection. Energy may be stored in a highly responsive energy storage device, such as a capacitor, for rapid delivery of power to the injector motor. In certain embodiments, wires connecting the powered injector to a power supply may be relatively small and inexpensive because the current and voltage loads placed on the wires are relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventor: Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 8486008
    Abstract: A medical fluid injector and methods for operation thereof. In certain embodiments, the medical fluid injector includes a medium that is expandable and contractible in response to a thermal gradient, a thermal device coupled to the medium, and a syringe interface coupled to the medium. The thermal device may include a heater, a cooler, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventor: Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 8431074
    Abstract: An injection system (108) includes a sterilization port (130) operable to sterilize a tube set connector (116) inserted therein. The sterilization port (130) may include a single sterilization port opening (132) through which the tube set connector (116), in an unconnected state, may be inserted. The sterilization port (130) may include an ultraviolet light source (158) capable of irradiating the tube set connector (116) with ultraviolet radiation when the tube set connector (116) is disposed within the sterilization port (130). The sterilization port (130) may include a movable member or door (136) capable of closing around the inserted tube set connector (116) and/or a tubing (118) connected to the tube set connector (116) to reduce the amount of ultraviolet light that may escape from the sterilization port (130). A sensor (194) may be included to determine if the tube set connector (116) has been inserted into the sterilization port (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventor: Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 8366670
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventor: Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 8366671
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventor: Charles S. Neer
  • Publication number: 20120283561
    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: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Charles S. Neer, Robert J. Ziemba, David M. Brooks, James R. Small