Patents by Inventor Donald E. Stapf

Donald E. Stapf 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: 8385731
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates of a high flow rate infusion unit to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are integrated with the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects air from the infusate exiting the laminar flow path, and includes an air vent in contact with the infusate that vents the air from the bubble trap. The valve shuts off the flow of infusate if air is detected in the bubble trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Randall C. Arnold, Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 8180206
    Abstract: An infusion unit includes a heating unit with opposed heating plates. A heat exchanger has a fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. Infusate flowing under pressure through the fluid flow path is heated by conduction from the heating plates through the fluid container. When the flow of infusate is stopped or interrupted, infusate trapped in the heat exchanger is displaced to a reservoir in the heat exchanger. Displacement of the trapped infusate reduces friction between the fluid container and the heating plates, which assists in extraction of the heat exchanger from the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Bieberich, Melanie L. Collins, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf, Winston T. Tan
  • Publication number: 20110270180
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates of a high flow rate infusion unit to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are integrated with the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects air from the infusate exiting the laminar flow path, and includes an air vent in contact with the infusate that vents the air from the bubble trap. The valve shuts off the flow of infusate if air is detected in the bubble trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Randall C. Arnold, Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 7983540
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates of a high flow rate infusion unit to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are integrated with the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects air from the infusate exiting the laminar flow path, and includes an air vent in contact with the infusate that vents the air from the bubble trap. The valve shuts off the flow of infusate if air is detected in the bubble trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Randall C. Arnold, Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf
  • Publication number: 20100185149
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates of a high flow rate infusion unit to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are integrated with the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects air from the infusate exiting the laminar flow path, and includes an air vent in contact with the infusate that vents the air from the bubble trap. The valve shuts off the flow of infusate if air is detected in the bubble trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Randall C. Arnold, Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 7720362
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates of a high flow rate infusion unit to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are integrated with the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects air from the infusate exiting the laminar flow path, and includes an air vent in contact with the infusate that vents the air from the bubble trap. The valve shuts off the flow of infusate if air is detected in the bubble trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Randall C. Arnold, Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 7518030
    Abstract: A tissue treatment device suitable for use on an extremity or a portion of an extremity, such as a hand or foot, includes a cover formed as a bag, sac, or pouch, and a flexible, absorbent support member. Defined sections of the support member may be removed from the support member to form an opening therein. The support member is for being positioned within the cover to support a portion of the cover off of, and out of contact with, tissue to be treated. The cover has an open end with attachment means disposed thereon for attachment to the extremity or extremity portion that is received in the cover. The support member may be impregnated with a medicament. The removable sections allow formation of an opening that may be customized or adapted to the area of tissue that is to receive treatment. This permits the tissue treatment device to be adapted for use with treatment areas that vary in size, shape, contour, and composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Stapf
  • Publication number: 20080267599
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates of a high flow rate infusion unit to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are integrated with the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects air from the infusate exiting the laminar flow path, and includes an air vent in contact with the infusate that vents the air from the bubble trap. The valve shuts off the flow of infusate if air is detected in the bubble trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Randall C. Arnold, Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf
  • Publication number: 20080269676
    Abstract: An infusion unit includes a heating unit with opposed heating plates. A heat exchanger has a fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. Infusate flowing under pressure through the fluid flow path is heated by conduction from the heating plates through the fluid container. When the flow of infusate is stopped or interrupted, infusate trapped in the heat exchanger is displaced to a reservoir in the heat exchanger. Displacement of the trapped infusate reduces friction between the fluid container and the heating plates, which assists in extraction of the heat exchanger from the heating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Bieberich, Melanie L. Collins, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf, Winston T. Tan
  • Patent number: 7122046
    Abstract: A treatment device having a first portion in a first plane, a treatment portion with a cover in a second plane that defines a treatment volume extending between the first and second planes, and a flexible transition portion that connects the first portion to the treatment portion. The treatment portion including a polymeric foam ring having interior and exterior walls extending from the first plane to the second plane. The cover spanning the interior wall thereby forming a closed treatment volume. The polymeric foam ring may be impregnated with a medicament selected from the group including an antibiotic material, an antifungal material, an antimicrobrial material, a deodorant material and nitric oxide. The cover may include a pocket for use with an accessory, such as a heater or mapping grid. A method of treating a treatment area on a patient's skin with the treatment device. The treatment device includes a closed treatment volume having polymeric foam ring impregnated with a medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Arizant Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Randall C. Arnold, Gregory P. Hamlin, Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 7087807
    Abstract: A tissue treatment device suitable for use on an extremity or a portion of an extremity, such as a hand or foot, includes a cover formed as a bag, sac, or pouch, and a flexible, absorbent support member. Defined sections of the support member may be removed from the support member to form an opening therein. The support member is for being positioned within the cover to support a portion of the cover off of, and out of contact with, tissue to be treated. The cover has an open end with attachment means disposed thereon for attachment to the extremity or extremity portion that is received in the cover. The support member may be impregnated with a medicament. The removable sections allow formation of an opening that may be customized or adapted to the area of tissue that is to receive treatment. This permits the tissue treatment device to be adapted for use with treatment areas that vary in size, shape, contour, and composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Arizant Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 6987209
    Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device suitable for releasable attachment to a patient's skin surface over a selected wound area in a non-contact position relative to the selected wound area, the wound treatment device comprising an attachment portion suitable for releasable attachment with the patient's skin surface, having an inner perimeter for defining the selected wound area, a wound treatment portion with a substantially planar wound cover and a support member supporting the wound cover, and a transition portion with a membrane connecting the wound treatment portion to the attachment portion, the membrane extending around the outer perimeter of the support member and attached to the attachment portion between the inner and outer perimeter of the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Randall C. Arnold, Gregory P. Hamlin, Donald E. Stapf, Keith J. Leland
  • Patent number: 6641601
    Abstract: A tissue treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in thermal contact with the bandage over a tissue treatment area, a heat spreading means acting between the heater and the bandage for laterally spreading heat transferred from the heater to the bandage in order that heat be substantially uniformly distributed across the bandage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Augustine Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Keith J. Leland, John P. Rock, Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 6585670
    Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in contact with the bandage over a wound treatment area, and an adhesive attachment device for maintaining thermally conductive contact between the heater and the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for the patient and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of the wound and to the contours of the skin surrounding the wound. The attachment device is fashioned so as to have less pull strength than an adhesive holding the bandage to the person's body so that the heater can be easily removed without disturbing the attachment of the bandage to the person's body. The bandage is provided with a polymeric film for maintaining moisture at the wound site as well as enhancing the utility of the attachment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Augustine Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Keith J. Leland, John P. Rock, Donald E. Stapf
  • Publication number: 20030120194
    Abstract: A tissue treatment device suitable for use on an extremity or a portion of an extremity, such as a hand or foot, includes a cover formed as a bag, sac, or pouch, and a flexible, absorbent support member. Defined sections of the support member may be removed from the support member to form an opening therein. The support member is for being positioned within the cover to support a portion of the cover off of, and out of contact with, tissue to be treated. The cover has an open end with attachment means disposed thereon for attachment to the extremity or extremity portion that is received in the cover. The support member may be impregnated with a medicament. The removable sections allow formation of an opening that may be customized or adapted to the area of tissue that is to receive treatment. This permits the tissue treatment device to be adapted for use with treatment areas that vary in size, shape, contour, and composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 6580012
    Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device suitable for releasable attachment to a patient's skin surface over a selected wound area in a non-contact position relative to the selected wound area, the wound treatment device comprising an attachment portion suitable for releasable attachment with the patient's skin surface, having an inner perimeter for defining the selected wound area, a wound treatment portion with a substantially planar wound cover and a support member supporting the wound cover, and a transition portion with a membrane connecting the wound treatment portion to the attachment portion, the membrane extending around the outer perimeter of the support member and attached to the attachment portion between the inner and outer perimeter of the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Augustine Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Randall C. Arnold, Gregory P. Hamlin, Donald E. Stapf, Keith J. Leland
  • Patent number: 6570050
    Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Augustine Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Keith J. Leland, John P. Rock, Donald E. Stapf
  • Publication number: 20030069529
    Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device suitable for releasable attachment to a patient's skin surface over a selected wound area in a non-contact position relative to the selected wound area, the wound treatment device comprising an attachment portion suitable for releasable attachment with the patient's skin surface, having an inner perimeter for defining the selected wound area, a wound treatment portion with a substantially planar wound cover and a support member supporting the wound cover, and a transition portion with a membrane connecting the wound treatment portion to the attachment portion, the membrane extending around the outer perimeter of the support member and attached to the attachment portion between the inner and outer perimeter of the attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Randall C. Arnold, Gregory P. Hamlin, Donald E. Stapf, Keith J. Leland
  • Publication number: 20030023286
    Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device having a flexible portion to accommodate patient motion without peeling off. A removable wound heater may be used to treat the wound area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Randall C. Arnold, Gregory P. Hamlin, Donald E. Stapf
  • Publication number: 20020183813
    Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in contact with the bandage over a wound treatment area, and an adhesive attachment device for maintaining thermally conductive contact between the heater and the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for the patient and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of the wound and to the contours of the skin surrounding the wound. The attachment device is fashioned so as to have less pull strength than an adhesive holding the bandage to the person's body so that the heater can be easily removed without disturbing the attachment of the bandage to the person's body. The bandage is provided with a polymeric film for maintaining moisture at the wound site as well as enhancing the utility of the attachment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Keith J. Leland, John P. Rock, Donald E. Stapf