Patents by Inventor Frank R. Walters

Frank R. Walters 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: 6316247
    Abstract: A device and method for producing refined adipose tissue for use in autologous adipose transplantation or research wherein a sterile environment is maintained. More particularly, a system for refining tissue comprising a first flexible container, a second flexible container having a plurality of pores providing for fluid communication between the interior of the first flexible container and the interior of the first enveloping flexible container, a first port that provides communication between the exterior environment and the interior of the first flexible container and thereby provides a means for introducing fluids into the interior of the first flexible container and allowing waste effluent to exit the first container, a second flexible container, a second port for inserting tissue into the second container and expressing refined tissue out of the container, and a means for controlling the opening and closing of the first and second ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh
    Inventors: Adam J. Katz, Ramon Llull, J. William Futrell, Marc H. Hedrick, Frank R. Walters
  • Patent number: 5501663
    Abstract: An intravenous fiber membrane oxygenator is disclosed in several embodiments wherein the fibers either run at a transverse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the oxygenator and/or are of a reduced length to optimize the gas transfer efficiency of the oxygenator. Various helical or spiral wraps of fibers are disclosed. One embodiment utilizes two sets of longitudinally extending fibers wherein the oxygen gas is moved in opposite directions from a central location of the oxygenator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Medtronic Electromedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brack G. Hattler, Harvey S. Borovetz, Gary D. Reeder, Patricia J. Sawzik, Frank R. Walters
  • Patent number: 4993586
    Abstract: An adhesive bandage dispensing device is provided which facilitates efficient and quick access to an adhesive bandage. The device has a base, a spool holder, a removal platform having a slicer and cutter and an adhesive bandage carrier spool mounted to the device by the spool holder. A continuous strip of adhesive bandages is mounted on the spool. The strip consists of separate adhesive bandages wrapped in a protective coating. The action of pulling the strip away from the spool over the platform causes a portion of the protective covering of strip to be sliced by the slicer. This will expose a bandage which then can be lifted off the remaining portion of the protective coating for use. After this, the cutter is used to separate the bandageless strip from the device for subsequent disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh
    Inventors: Orrin E. Taulbee, deceased, Gregor M. Taulbee, executor, Frank R. Walters
  • Patent number: 4819640
    Abstract: A microsurgery tool for use in anastomosis of small vessels has a thin shaft with a pair of forwardly projecting tines defining a throat for receiving the pointed end of a suture needle. The microsurgery tool is inserted between confronting ends of vessels into engagement with the inner wall of one vessel for receiving a suture needle point passing through the outer wall of the vessel and thereafter is withdrawn from the space between the vessels to engage the outer surface of the other vessel where it receives the pointed end of the same suture needle passing through the inner wall of the other vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: The Montefiore Hospital Association of Western Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Krishna Narayanan, Marc D. Liang, Frank R. Walters