Patents by Inventor Curtis H. Miller

Curtis H. Miller 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: 8506547
    Abstract: A method and device for transferring fluids from a non-sterile field to a sterile field within a surgical environment includes utilizing a device that includes a main body having a first inlet port that is in communication with a first outlet port. Fluid is taken from the patient, typically with a sterile syringe and transferred to the non-sterile field where the fluid is processed. The processed fluid is then drawn into another syringe in the non-sterile field and a distal end of the first syringe is place within the inlet port of the sterile main body. A distal end of a second sterile syringe is inserted into the outlet port, where the distal ends of the sterile syringe and the non-sterile syringe do not make contact. As a plunger is forced into a chamber of the first non-sterile syringe to force the fluid out of the first syringe, the plunger of the second sterile syringe is retracted such that a chamber in the second syringe has a sufficient volume to store the processed liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Todd William Sharratt, Kenneth Mitchell Goodman, Curtis H. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100022974
    Abstract: A method and device for transferring fluids from a non-sterile field to a sterile field within a surgical environment includes utilizing a device that includes a main body having a first inlet port that is in communication with a first outlet port. Fluid is taken from the patient, typically with a sterile syringe and transferred to the non-sterile field where the fluid is processed. The processed fluid is then drawn into another syringe in the non-sterile field and a distal end of the first syringe is place within the inlet port of the sterile main body. A distal end of a second sterile syringe is inserted into the outlet port, where the distal ends of the sterile syringe and the non-sterile syringe do not make contact. As a plunger is forced into a chamber of the first non-sterile syringe to force the fluid out of the first syringe, the plunger of the second sterile syringe is retracted such that a chamber in the second syringe has a sufficient volume to store the processed liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: MICROMEDICS, INC.
    Inventors: Todd William Sharratt, Kenneth Mitchell Goodman, Curtis H. Miller
  • Patent number: 5384103
    Abstract: An instrument tray assembly including a tray and an optional cover for the storage, transport and sterilization of medical instruments is disclosed. Each tray and cover is perforated to permit the flow of sterilizing medium therethrough, and each is comprised of materials which will withstand soaking and steam or gas autoclaving. Interchangeably disposed along the surfaces of the tray and cover are a plurality of support members, each including variously dimensioned notched receptacles for receiving medical instruments. Each tray may also include a set of handles which may be extended at a variety of angles, thereby avoiding contact and possible contamination between gloved hands and instruments, depending upon the orientation of each handle. Alternative embodiments for resilient instrument support members are disclosed. One embodiment includes resilient projections which are insertable directly into the perforations on the trays and covers. An alternative embodiment further includes a rigid extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Micromedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis H. Miller
  • Patent number: 5368563
    Abstract: An improved sprayer assembly for delivery of physiologic glue, including fibrin glue, is disclosed. The sprayer assembly is comprised of at least one female receptacle rigidly affixed to a base member and a sprayer member having at least one atomizing ejection port on an external surface opposing the base member. Within the sprayer member, a system of fluid channels permits each reservoir to be emptied into a well from angular connecting channels, which causes enhanced turbulence within each well. A vortex is created which propagates through an exit port and down an exit channel, causing each solution to exit the sprayer member at each ejection port in a swirling pattern. The spray patterns emitted from each syringe or reservoir overlap, causing droplets of solution to contact one another and commence a clotting reaction at a wound surface.The sprayer assembly is joined to a conventional syringe, a catheter or other solution reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Micromedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Lonneman, Curtis H. Miller
  • Patent number: 4874368
    Abstract: An improved fibrin glue delivery system is disclosed. The delivery system is comprised of a pair of syringe tubes which can be actuated by plungers simultaneously or independently, a connecting member which holds the syringe tubes in parallel alignment and a unique needle assembly which ensures the components in the syringe bodies will not be comingled until they reach the treatment site. The unique needle assembly also permits the user to manipulate the needles to enhance visibility when the surgeon is working through a speculum or when direct access is difficult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Micromedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis H. Miller, I. Kaufman Arenberg, John H. Altshuler
  • Patent number: 4643303
    Abstract: A surgical instrument storage and transporting assembly which facilitates the sterilization, storage, protection, handling and presentment during surgery of a variety of surgical instruments and devices. An outer box-like enclosure having a removable top, contains a wire basket in which are placed a plurality of instrument carrying modules. The individual modules are provided with an instrument gripping member which positively, but releasably, holds the instruments in a first predetermined order and orientation when being stored in the box-like enclosure, but which permits placement of the instruments in the same order, but in a second orientation to facilitate the location and selection of given instruments during the course of a surgical procedure when the modules have been removed from the basket and placed on the surgical stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Micromedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Arp, W. Patrick Conroy, Curtis H. Miller, James M. Weinzetl
  • Patent number: 4177813
    Abstract: A disposable vascular tourniquet for controlling the constriction of a blood vessel during surgery. The vessel occluder comprises a flexible tubular sheath having a clamping structure disposed at its proximal end. The clamping structure is a unitary molded plastic part which has a tubular base portion adapted to be inserted into the proximal end of the flexible sheath and projecting from this base portion are bifurcated fingers, one of which includes a transversely extending latch portion which is adapted to mate with a recess on the other finger. A retractor or snare having a hook at one end and a ring-type handle at the other end may be inserted between the fingers of the clamp when in its unlatched condition and through the tubular base of the clamp and the sheath so as to extend outwardly from the distal end of the sheath. A cord may be looped around a vessel to be constricted and the ends of the loop are captured in the hook of the retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Med General, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis H Miller, Robert A. Arp, Howard F. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 4157087
    Abstract: An electronic peripheral nerve stimulator which may be used to monitor the type of neuromuscular blocks present in a patient following the administration of a muscle relaxant drug. An integrated circuit monostable multivibrator or one-shot is coupled to an amplifier and output stage. Plural integrated astable multivibrators are provided which may be selectively employed to trigger the one-shot circuit to thereby produce stimulating impulses of several predetermined repetition rates and duty cycles useful for producing the so-called "twitch" and "tetanus" responses of a patient's digital members. The peripheral nerve stimulator also includes indicating means for the power-on condition of the unit as well as for a low battery charged condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Assignee: Med General, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis H. Miller, Mark R. Kaldun
  • Patent number: 4147969
    Abstract: A charging stand for a rechargeable battery pack having a receptacle for receiving a battery pack to be charged and/or tested and having indicator means for providing a visual indication of the condition of the battery pack. The charging stand is adapted to be connected to the output of a standard AC to DC converter and includes a circuitry for applying a charging current to the battery pack as well as sensing and indicating that charging is in progress and that the battery potential is low or fully charged. A manually operated switch is also provided to permit the testing of the condition of a battery pack. When the pack to be tested is inserted into the receptacle in the test stand and the switch is operated, a battery, which is partially discharged, will result in a "low" indication being given, but if fully charged, a "high" indication will result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: Med General, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis H. Miller, Mark R. Kaldun, Robert A. Arp
  • Patent number: 4138179
    Abstract: A female receptacle for a male pin-type coaxial jack of the type having first and second cylindrical conductive segments coaxially aligned and having ends thereof separated by an insulating segment and having an annular detent notch formed in the endmost conductive segment. The receptacle comprises a conductive sleeve having a generally U-shaped cross-section, the sleeve being of a predetermined length. The sleeve is adapted to be mounted on a printed circuit board which has a pattern of electrical conductors thereon and an aperture formed therethrough inwardly of one side edge of the printed circuit board. The conductive sleeve is connected to the printed circuit board by means of projections which extend through holes drilled in the board and when so mounted, has a first open end proximate the side edge of the board and its opposite open end proximate the edge of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Med General, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis H. Miller, Robert A. Arp
  • Patent number: 4121594
    Abstract: A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator in which a unijunction transistor relaxation oscillator is used to produce variable frequency, variable width pulses. The relaxation oscillator drives a two stage transistor amplifier and the output therefrom is transformer coupled to a set of output electrodes which are adapted to be placed on the area of a patient to be treated. The amplitude of the signals applied to the patient as well as the rate and duration thereof are controllable so that the patient may adjust the nerve stimulation to suit his particular needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Med General, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis H. Miller, Mark R. Kaldun, Robert A. Arp
  • Patent number: 4084595
    Abstract: Transcutaneous nerve stimulating apparatus wherein a portable, battery-operated variable pulse width, variable pulse rate oscillator is coupled through a variable amplitude current amplifying device to a set of electrodes adapted to be positioned upon the skin of a patient in proximity to a pain exhibiting area. The electrical signals or impulses are transmitted through the skin to the underlying nerves and serve to block the pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: Med General, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis H. Miller