Patents by Inventor Clarence Walker
Clarence Walker 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).
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Patent number: 7927012Abstract: A cassette of tympanic thermometer probe covers includes a frame and probe covers releasably attached to the frame. The probe covers can be individually attached over a probe of a tympanic thermometer to protect the probe from contamination. The probe covers are constructed to releasably secure themselves to the probe. The force required to secure the probe covers to the frame is less that the force which is required to detach the probe covers from the frame so that the probe cover is held by the frame while being attached to the thermometer probe. The probe cover is connected to the frame by frangible connections that are arranged to inhibit pivoting of the probe cover when being attached to the thermometer probe. A method of securing a probe cover to a probe of a tympanic thermometer is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: James M. Harr, Mitchell H. Babkes, Clarence Walker
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Patent number: 7686506Abstract: Probe cover cassettes having a plurality of probe covers releasably attached to a frame are capable of being stacked so that probe covers attached to a first of the frames are nested within probe covers attached to a second of the frames. The vertical space occupied by the cassettes is reduced allowing more cassettes to be stacked in a given space. The frames of the cassettes are particularly constructed to resist twisting and bending motion when probe covers are detached from the frames using a tympanic thermometer probe.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Clarence Walker, Kevin C. Meier, James M. Harr, Mark A. Davis
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Patent number: 7556424Abstract: A cassette of probe covers that can be removed from the set for covering a probe of a tympanic thermometer can be securely retained in a cassette holder, and readily removed when necessary. The cassette includes a retaining system that can have a detent on the cassette holder and a detent receptacle on the cassette. The detent snaps into the receptacle when the cassette is inserted into the holder. The holder is configured so that grips on the cassettes are readily accessed to grasp and hold the cassettes for removal from the holder.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Clarence Walker, Mitchell H. Babkes, Kevin C. Meier, Mark A. Davis
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Patent number: 7546993Abstract: A clamping apparatus of the present invention is used in a medical environment to rotationally and releasably secure a device to a support member. The clamping apparatus includes a device clamp having first and second clamp elements and a connector interconnecting the clamp elements. The clamp elements define a first receptacle for receiving a support and a second receptacle for receiving a mounting structure. At least one clamping element defines a device catch in the second receptacle. The connector is selectively moveable between a first position in which relative rotation between the flexible shaft, device clamp and device is resisted, and a second position in which the device is permitted to rotate without releasing connection to the support. A method of supporting a medical device on a support to permit selective rotation of the medical device relative to a flexible shaft without loss of interconnection is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventor: Clarence Walker
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Publication number: 20090092172Abstract: A cassette of tympanic thermometer probe covers includes a frame and probe covers releasably attached to the frame. The probe covers can be individually attached over a probe of a tympanic thermometer to protect the probe from contamination. The probe covers are constructed to releasably secure themselves to the probe. The force required to secure the probe covers to the frame is less that the force which is required to detach the probe covers from the frame so that the probe cover is held by the frame while being attached to the thermometer probe. The probe cover is connected to the frame by frangible connections that are arranged to inhibit pivoting of the probe cover when being attached to the thermometer probe. A method of securing a probe cover to a probe of a tympanic thermometer is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: SHERWOOD SERVICES AGInventors: James M. Harr, Mitchell H. Babkes, Clarence Walker
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Patent number: 7478946Abstract: A cassette of tympanic thermometer probe covers includes a frame and probe covers releasably attached to the frame. The probe covers can be individually attached over a probe of a tympanic thermometer to protect the probe from contamination. The probe covers are constructed to releasably secure themselves to the probe. The force required to secure the probe covers to the frame is less that the force which is required to detach the probe covers from the frame so that the probe cover is held by the frame while being attached to the thermometer probe. The probe cover is connected to the frame by frangible connections that are arranged to inhibit pivoting of the probe cover when being attached to the thermometer probe. A method of securing a probe cover to a probe of a tympanic thermometer is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: James M. Harr, Mitchell H. Babkes, Clarence Walker
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Patent number: 7434991Abstract: A tympanic thermometer includes a thermally conductive nozzle extending from a distal end of the thermometer. A base of a sensor can is thermally connected to the nozzle to define a path of conductive heat transfer from the nozzle to the base of the can thereby minimizing a thermal gradient between proximal and distal ends of the sensor can when temperature is measured in the ear.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: James M. Harr, Clarence Walker
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Patent number: 7354194Abstract: A probe cover for a tympanic thermometer probe comprises a generally tubular body having an opening for receiving the thermometer probe and an infrared transparent window at a distal end thereof. In one embodiment, a film support extends radially inward from the distal end of the body and supports an infrared transparent film spanning the window. The film support has an inner edge that is substantially free from corners turning in the plane of the window. A plurality of end ribs are spaced apart and disposed about an inner circumference of the distal end of the body to engage a distal end of the thermometer probe and form an insulating gap by preventing contact of the film by the thermometer probe. The insulating gap also extends proximally into spaces between the end ribs, reducing thermal contact between the thermometer probe and a circumferential inner surface of the probe cover.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Clarence Walker, Kevin C. Meier, Wayne Schuessler, David Rork Swisher
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Publication number: 20070268956Abstract: A cassette of probe covers that can be removed from the set for covering a probe of a tympanic thermometer can be securely retained in a cassette holder, and readily removed when necessary. The cassette includes a retaining system that can have a detent on the cassette holder and a detent receptacle on the cassette. The detent snaps into the receptacle when the cassette is inserted into the holder. The holder is configured so that grips on the cassettes are readily accessed to grasp and hold the cassettes for removal from the holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2006Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: SHERWOOD SERVICES AGInventors: Clarence Walker, Mitchell H. Babkes, Kevin C. Meier, Mark A. Davis
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Publication number: 20060222052Abstract: A cassette of tympanic thermometer probe covers includes a frame and probe covers releasably attached to the frame. The probe covers can be individually attached over a probe of a tympanic thermometer to protect the probe from contamination. The probe covers are constructed to releasably secure themselves to the probe. The force required to secure the probe covers to the frame is less that the force which is required to detach the probe covers from the frame so that the probe cover is held by the frame while being attached to the thermometer probe. The probe cover is connected to the frame by frangible connections that are arranged to inhibit pivoting of the probe cover when being attached to the thermometer probe. A method of securing a probe cover to a probe of a tympanic thermometer is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Applicant: SHERWOOD SERVICES AGInventors: James Harr, Mitchell Babkes, Clarence Walker
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Publication number: 20060222053Abstract: Probe cover cassettes having a plurality of probe covers releasably attached to a frame are capable of being stacked so that probe covers attached to a first of the frames are nested within probe covers attached to a second of the frames. The vertical space occupied by the cassettes is reduced allowing more cassettes to be stacked in a given space. The frames of the cassettes are particularly constructed to resist twisting and bending motion when probe covers are detached from the frames using a tympanic thermometer probe.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Applicant: SHERWOOD SERVICES AGInventors: Mitchell Babkes, Clarence Walker, Kevin Meier, James Harr, Mark Davis
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Publication number: 20060165152Abstract: A probe cover for a tympanic thermometer probe comprises a generally tubular body having an opening for receiving the thermometer probe and an infrared transparent window at a distal end thereof. In one embodiment, a film support extends radially inward from the distal end of the body and supports an infrared transparent film spanning the window. The film support has an inner edge that is substantially free from corners turning in the plane of the window. A plurality of end ribs are spaced apart and disposed about an inner circumference of the distal end of the body to engage a distal end of the thermometer probe and form an insulating gap by preventing contact of the film by the thermometer probe. The insulating gap also extends proximally into spaces between the end ribs, reducing thermal contact between the thermometer probe and a circumferential inner surface of the probe cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2005Publication date: July 27, 2006Applicant: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Clarence Walker, Kevin Meier, Wayne Schuessler, David Swisher
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Patent number: RE43745Abstract: A probe cover for a tympanic thermometer probe comprises a generally tubular body having an opening for receiving the thermometer probe and an infrared transparent window at a distal end thereof. In one embodiment, a film support extends radially inward from the distal end of the body and supports an infrared transparent film spanning the window. The film support has an inner edge that is substantially free from corners turning in the plane of the window. A plurality of end ribs are spaced apart and disposed about an inner circumference of the distal end of the body to engage a distal end of the thermometer probe and form an insulating gap by preventing contact of the film by the thermometer probe. The insulating gap also extends proximally into spaces between the end ribs, reducing thermal contact between the thermometer probe and a circumferential inner surface of the probe cover.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Clarence Walker, Kevin C. Meier, Wayne Schuessler, David Rork Swisher