Patents by Inventor George W. Buffaloe
George W. Buffaloe 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: 6912917Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining a fluid parameter in a vessel by altering a property of the fluid, sensing the difference in the property after the fluid is altered, particularly as related to the property in an unaltered portion of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Gambro, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa
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Publication number: 20040017201Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining a fluid parameter in a vessel by altering a property of the fluid, sensing the difference in the property after the fluid is altered, particularly as related to the property in an unaltered portion of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, Francis T. Ogawa
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Patent number: 6614212Abstract: Method and apparatus for quantitatively determining a degree of recirculalion flow in a vessel of a fluid by altering the electrical conductivity of the fluid, sensing the difference in electromagnetic field after the fluid is altered, and integrating the sensed difference over a period of time including any time of potential recirculation of any altered conductivity fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Gambro, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa
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Publication number: 20030016002Abstract: A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tube is quantitatively determined by altering the electrical conductivity of the fluid by injection of a bolus of saline. The electrical conductivity of the altered conductivity is measured over the time it takes the altered conductivity fluid to pass a conductivity measuring location. The measured conductivity is integrated over the time it take to pass the conductivity measuring location. The integral is interpreted to determine the flow rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, Francis T. Ogawa
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Patent number: 6258079Abstract: A body lumen access system comprises a distal access cannula and a proximal access cannula. The distal access cannula is attached to or within the body lumen and the proximal access cannula is attached to an implantable port or is transcutaneously positioned and attached to a luer or other external connector. The distal and proximal access cannulas are usually implanted separately, cut to length, and attached at a subcutaneous junction location. Preferably, the proximal access cannula has a larger lumen diameter than that of the distal access cannula in order to reduce flow resistance within the cannula system. In some cases the distal and proximal access cannulas may be formed integrally. Replacement of a proximal portion or distal end may be performed by accessing the cannula, removing either the proximal portion or distal end, and reattaching a replacement portion of the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Vasca, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Burbank, James M. Brugger, Charles D. Finch, Gerald Beathard, George W. Buffaloe
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Patent number: 6238369Abstract: A body lumen access system comprises a distal access cannula and a proximal access cannula. The distal access cannula is attached to or within the body lumen and the proximal access cannula is attached to an implantable port or is transcutaneously positioned and attached to a luer or other external connector. The distal and proximal access cannulas are usually implanted separately, cut to length, and attached at a subcutaneous junction location. Preferably, the proximal access cannula has a larger lumen diameter than that of the distal access cannula in order to reduce flow resistance within the cannula system. In some cases the distal and proximal access cannulas may be formed integrally.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Vasco, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Burbank, James M. Brugger, Charles D. Finch, Gerald Beathard, George W. Buffaloe
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Patent number: 5931829Abstract: A body lumen access system comprises a distal access cannula and a proximal access cannula. The distal access cannula is attached to or within the body lumen and the proximal access cannula is attached to an implantable port or is transcutaneously positioned and attached to a luer or other external connector. The distal and proximal access cannulas are usually implanted separately, cut to length, and attached at a subcutaneous junction location. Preferably, the proximal access cannula has a larger lumen diameter than that of the distal access cannula in order to reduce flow resistance within the cannula system. In some cases the distal and proximal access cannulas may be formed integrally.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Vasca, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Burbank, James M. Brugger, Charles D. Finch, Gerald Beathard, George W. Buffaloe
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Patent number: 5900726Abstract: A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tube is quantitatively determined by altering the electrical conductivity of the fluid by injection of a bolus of saline. The electrical conductivity of the altered conductivity is measured over the time it takes the altered conductivity fluid to pass a conductivity measuring location. The measured conductivity is integrated over the time it takes to pass the conductivity measuring location. The integral is interpreted to determine the flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa
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Patent number: 5570026Abstract: A differential conductivity recirculation monitor quantitatively determines the degree of recirculation in a fistula by comparing the conductivity of blood entering the fistula to the conductivity of blood being withdrawn from the fistula. A discrete quantity of a high conductivity marker fluid is injected into the blood entering the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood entering the fistula. The altered conductivity blood enters the fistula and, if recirculation is present, co-mingles with blood in the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood in the fistula in proportion to the degree of recirculation. Blood withdrawn from the fistula has an altered conductivity related to the degree of recirculation. Quantitative values of the conductivity of the altered conductivity blood entering the fistula and the conductivity of the blood being withdrawn from the fistula are measured and a difference determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa, James M. Brugger
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Patent number: 5510716Abstract: A differential conductivity recirculation monitor quantitatively determines the degree of recirculation in a fistula by comparing the conductivity of blood entering the fistula to the conductivity of blood being withdrawn from the fistula. A discrete quantity of a high conductivity marker fluid is injected into the blood entering the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood entering the fistula. The altered conductivity blood enters the fistula and, if recirculation is present, co-mingles with blood in the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood ion the fistula in proportion to the degree of recirculation. Blood withdrawn from the fistula has an altered conductivity related to the degree of recirculation. Quantitative values of the conductivity of the altered conductivity blood entering the fistula and the conductivity of the blood being withdrawn from the fistula are measured and a difference determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa, James M. Brugger
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Patent number: 5510717Abstract: A differential conductivity recirculation monitor quantitatively determines the degree of recirculation in a fistula by comparing the conductivity of blood entering the fistula to the conductivity of blood being withdrawn from the fistula. A discrete quantity of a high conductivity marker fluid is injected into the blood entering the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood entering the fistula. The altered conductivity blood enters the fistula and, if recirculation is present, co-mingles with blood in the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood ion the fistula in proportion to the degree of recirculation. Blood withdrawn from the fistula has an altered conductivity related to the degree of recirculation. Quantitative values of the conductivity of the altered conductivity blood entering the fistula and the conductivity of the blood being withdrawn from the fistula are measured and a difference determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Cobe Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa, James M. Brugger