Patents by Inventor Ericka Prechtel

Ericka Prechtel 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).

  • Extensible internal bolster for a medical device
    Patent number: 8715244
    Abstract: An internal bolster for use securing a medical device, such as a feeding tube, within a body of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, a feeding tube includes an internal bolster, comprising one or more bolster arms that each include a first end hingedly connected to a distal end of the medical device and a free second end. The bolster arms are selectively deployable between a first position wherein the bolster arms are substantially in-line with an axis of feeding tube, and a second position wherein the bolster arms are substantially deflected from the axis of the feeding tube to enable securement of the feeding tube within a stoma or other opening defined in the body. Various means for selectively moving the bolster arms between the first and second positions are disclosed. Related methods of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Ericka Prechtel, David L. Thorne
  • EXTENSIBLE INTERNAL BOLSTER FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110009828
    Abstract: An internal bolster for use securing a medical device, such as a feeding tube, within a body of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, a feeding tube includes an internal bolster, comprising one or more bolster arms that each include a first end hingedly connected to a distal end of the medical device and a free second end. The bolster arms are selectively deployable between a first position wherein the bolster arms are substantially in-line with an axis of feeding tube, and a second position wherein the bolster arms are substantially deflected from the axis of the feeding tube to enable securement of the feeding tube within a stoma or other opening defined in the body. Various means for selectively moving the bolster arms between the first and second positions are disclosed. Related methods of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: C.R.Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Ericka Prechtel, David L. Thorne