Patents by Inventor Harry R. Smouse

Harry R. Smouse 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: 11931275
    Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Smouse, Kent C. B. Stalker, Timothy H. Williams, Eugene R. Serina
  • Patent number: 11439493
    Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. The catheter includes a tube with two retention features, a detachable portion, and an inner tube. The inner tube is removably insertable into both the tube and the detachable portion, and a wire extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the inner tube and through the tube, to keep the pieces attached. The wire may be removed to remove the inner tube and then the detachable portion from the tube. When the detachable portion is attached to the tube, the catheter is a nephroureteral catheter. When the detachable portion is removed from the tube, the catheter becomes a stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Smouse, Timothy H. Williams
  • Publication number: 20210007870
    Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Harry R. Smouse, Kent C.B. Stalker, Timothy H. Williams, Eugene R. Serina
  • Patent number: 10722391
    Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Smouse, Kent C. B. Stalker, Timothy H. Williams, Eugene R. Serina
  • Patent number: 10695161
    Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. The catheter includes a tube with two retention features, a detachable portion, and an inner tube. The inner tube is removably insertable into both the tube and the detachable portion, and a wire extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the inner tube and through the tube, to keep the pieces attached. The wire may be removed to remove the inner tube and then the detachable portion from the tube. When the detachable portion is attached to the tube, the catheter is a nephroureteral catheter. When the detachable portion is removed from the tube, the catheter becomes a stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Smouse, Tim H. Williams
  • Publication number: 20180235790
    Abstract: A convertible catheter for use as a nephrouretheral stent, biliary stent, or other structure for maintaining patency of a bodily lumen is disclosed. After initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted stent within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Harry R. SMOUSE, Kent C. B. STALKER, Timothy H. WILLIAMS, Edward I. WULFMAN
  • Publication number: 20180235744
    Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. The catheter includes a tube with two retention features, a detachable portion, and an inner tube. The inner tube is removably insertable into both the tube and the detachable portion, and a wire extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the inner tube and through the tube, to keep the pieces attached. The wire may be removed to remove the inner tube and then the detachable portion from the tube. When the detachable portion is attached to the tube, the catheter is a nephroureteral catheter. When the detachable portion is removed from the tube, the catheter becomes a stent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Harry R. SMOUSE, Timothy H. WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20180214288
    Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Harry R. SMOUSE, Kent C.B. STALKER, Timothy H. WILLIAMS, Eugene R. SERINA
  • Patent number: 9956100
    Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BrightWater Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Smouse, Kent C. B. Stalker, Timothy H. Williams, Eugene R. Serina
  • Publication number: 20160287372
    Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. The catheter includes a tube with two retention features, a detachable portion, and an inner tube. The inner tube is removably insertable into both the tube and the detachable portion, and a wire extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the inner tube and through the tube, to keep the pieces attached. The wire may be removed to remove the inner tube and then the detachable portion from the tube. When the detachable portion is attached to the tube, the catheter is a nephroureteral catheter. When the detachable portion is removed from the tube, the catheter becomes a stent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Harry R. SMOUSE, Tim H. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 9387312
    Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. The catheter includes a tube with two retention features, a detachable portion, and an inner tube. The inner tube is removably insertable into both the tube and the detachable portion, and a wire extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the inner tube and through the tube, to keep the pieces attached. The wire may be removed to remove the inner tube and then the detachable portion from the tube. When the detachable portion is attached to the tube, the catheter is a nephroureteral catheter. When the detachable portion is removed from the tube, the catheter becomes a stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Brightwater Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Smouse, Tim H. Williams
  • Publication number: 20160045347
    Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Harry R. SMOUSE, Kent C. B. STALKER, Timothy H. WILLIAMS, Eugene R. SERINA
  • Publication number: 20140135941
    Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. The catheter includes a tube with two retention features, a detachable portion, and an inner tube. The inner tube is removably insertable into both the tube and the detachable portion, and a wire extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the inner tube and through the tube, to keep the pieces attached. The wire may be removed to remove the inner tube and then the detachable portion from the tube. When the detachable portion is attached to the tube, the catheter is a nephroureteral catheter. When the detachable portion is removed from the tube, the catheter becomes a stent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Harry R. Smouse, Tim H. Williams
  • Patent number: 8657884
    Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. Catheter 100 allows drainage of urine into the bladder and externally into a bag. The catheter includes a tube having a circular cross section, a detachable portion, a locking mechanism, an inner tube, a first pigtail curl, a second pigtail curl, and a marker. The marker indicates the tube end. The tube includes a first end, a second end, and a plurality of holes. The detachable portion is attached to the tube with the inner tube, as the inner tube is placed and is friction sealed to the walls of a hollow portion that extends through both the detachable portion and a section of the tube. The inner tube may be removed from within the tube, past the marker that indicates the end of the tube, so that detachable portion is now removable from within the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Harry R. Smouse
  • Publication number: 20100069818
    Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter is provided with an exterior surface that has two or more lumens, wherein at least one large hole extends through the exterior surface for dialysis and at least one small hole extends through the exterior surface, in proximity to the large hole. A first lumen serves as a blood outflow path from the arteriovenous system and a second lumen serves as an inflow path for blood to be returned to the system. The large holes provide for blood exchange and the small holes are strategically placed in proximity to and around the large holes and may comprise an angled wall so as to allow for a jetting of blood or a sterile solution at high force over the surface of the catheter that strips off the biofilm as it is formed on the exterior surface of the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Harry R. Smouse
  • Publication number: 20100070047
    Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. Catheter 100 allows drainage of urine into the bladder and externally into a bag. The catheter includes a tube having a circular cross section, a detachable portion, a locking mechanism, an inner tube, a first pigtail curl, a second pigtail curl, and a marker. The marker indicates the tube end. The tube includes a first end, a second end, and a plurality of holes. The detachable portion is attached to the tube with the inner tube, as the inner tube is placed and is friction sealed to the walls of a hollow portion that extends through both the detachable portion and a section of the tube. The inner tube may be removed from within the tube, past the marker that indicates the end of the tube, so that detachable portion is now removable from within the patient's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Harry R. Smouse