Patents by Inventor James E. Knipfer

James E. Knipfer 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: 9375557
    Abstract: A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, James E. Knipfer, Charles S. Neer
  • Patent number: 9242083
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to control of medical fluid injection systems. For instance, in some embodiments, an injection protocol may be initiated, and an actual flow rate of the medical fluid utilized in the injection protocol may be adjusted based, at least in part, on an inherent system elasticity of the injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, James E. Knipfer
  • Patent number: 8439863
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to control of medical fluid injection systems. For instance, in some embodiments, an injection protocol may be initiated, and an actual flow rate of the medical fluid utilized in the injection protocol may be adjusted based, at least in part, on an inherent system elasticity of the injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, James E. Knipfer
  • Patent number: 8118780
    Abstract: A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company LLC
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, James E. Knipfer, Charles S. Neer
  • Publication number: 20110237932
    Abstract: A method of operation for a magnetic resonance imaging suite. A power supply of magnetic resonance injector system receives electrical power from an AC power outlet, both of which are located outside of a shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite. Electrical power from the power supply of the magnetic resonance injector system is conveyed (via an appropriate power connection) into the shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite and to a component (e.g., a power head) of the magnetic resonance injector system located inside the shielded room. While this electrical power is being conveyed, radio frequency energy emitted from the power connection is being filtered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Staats, James E. Knipfer, II
  • Publication number: 20100056909
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to control of medical fluid injection systems. For instance, in some embodiments, an injection protocol may be initiated, and an actual flow rate of the medical fluid utilized in the injection protocol may be adjusted based, at least in part, on an inherent system elasticity of the injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, James E. Knipfer
  • Patent number: 7512434
    Abstract: A remotely powered magnetic resonance (NR) contrast media injector eliminates the use of batteries to power a power head in a shielded magnet room thereby eliminating inconvenient and costly charging and replacing of batteries. In particular, a power supply regulates and converts electrical power from a standard utility AC outlet available outside of the shielded magnet room to one or more forms of electrical power for supplying a power control for a power head inside the shielded magnet room. Advantageously, the power supply increases flexibility and convenience by using the same number of electrical cables as existing systems and by readily retrofitting existing battery-powered injector system that use a power control with battery receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Peter Staats, James E. Knipfer, II
  • Publication number: 20090045812
    Abstract: A method of operation for a magnetic resonance imaging suite. A power supply of magnetic resonance injector system receives electrical power from an AC power outlet, both of which are located outside of a shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite. Electrical power from the power supply of the magnetic resonance injector system is conveyed (via an appropriate power connection) into the shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite and to a component (e.g., a power head) of the magnetic resonance injector system located inside the shielded room. While this electrical power is being conveyed, radio frequency energy emitted from the power connection is being filtered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Staats, James E. Knipfer, II
  • Patent number: 6780170
    Abstract: A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, James E. Knipfer, Charles S. Neer
  • Publication number: 20030216692
    Abstract: A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, James E. Knipfer, Charles S. Neer
  • Publication number: 20020169415
    Abstract: A remotely powered magnetic resonance (NR) contrast media injector eliminates the use of batteries to power a power head in a shielded magnet room thereby eliminating inconvenient and costly charging and replacing of batteries. In particular, a power supply regulates and converts electrical power from a standard utility AC outlet available outside of the shielded magnet room to one or more forms of electrical power for supplying a power control for a power head inside the shielded magnet room. Advantageously, the power supply increases flexibility and convenience by using the same number of electrical cables as existing systems and by readily retrofitting existing battery-powered injector system that use a power control with battery receptacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Peter Staats, James E. Knipfer
  • Patent number: 6254572
    Abstract: A medical fluid injector includes: an air detection system for detecting air in the neck of the syringe; a hand-operated control lever for controlling movement of the injector ram; magnetic conductors for delivering magnetic fields from a power head face plate to an internal circuit board to permit detection of different face plates; a tilt sensor detecting the tilt angle of the power head to control the speed of motion brought about by the hand-operated control lever and to control an invertible display; and a monitor microcontroller for monitoring the behavior of the central processing unit to detect and react to error conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: James E. Knipfer, Mitchell G. Stern
  • Patent number: 6004292
    Abstract: A medical fluid injector includes: an air detection system for detecting air in the neck of the syringe; a hand-operated control lever for controlling movement of the injector ram; magnetic conductors for delivering magnetic fields from a power head face plate to an internal circuit board to permit detection of different face plates; a tilt sensor detecting the tilt angle of the power head to control the speed of motion brought about by the hand-operated control lever and to control an invertible display; and a monitor microcontroller for monitoring the behavior of the central processing unit to detect and react to error conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Dane J. Battiato, Gary S. Wagner, Steve P. Verdino, Robert G. Bergen, James E. Knipfer, Pamela K. Jacobs, Peter F. Staats, John N. Minnich, Charles S. Neer, James H. Goethel
  • Patent number: 5925022
    Abstract: A medical fluid injector includes: an air detection system for detecting air in the neck of the syringe; a hand-operated control lever for controlling movement of the injector ram; magnetic conductors for delivering magnetic fields from a power head face plate to an internal circuit board to permit detection of different face plates; a tilt sensor detecting the tilt angle of the power head to control the speed of motion brought about by the hand-operated control lever and to control an invertible display; and a monitor microcontroller for monitoring the behavior of the central processing unit to detect and react to error conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Dane J. Battiato, Gary S. Wagner, Steve P. Verdino, Robert G. Bergen, James E. Knipfer, Pamela K. Jacobs, Peter F. Staats, John N. Minnich, Charles S. Neer, James H. Goethel
  • Patent number: 5868710
    Abstract: A medical fluid injector includes: an air detection system for detecting air in the neck of the syringe; a hand-operated control lever for controlling movement of the injector ram; magnetic conductors for delivering magnetic fields from a power head face plate to an internal circuit board to permit detection of different face plates; a tilt sensor detecting the tilt angle of the power head to control the speed of motion brought about by the hand-operated control lever and to control an invertible display; and a monitor microcontroller for monitoring the behavior of the central processing unit to detect and react to error conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Dane J. Battiato, Gary S. Wagner, Steve P. Verdino, Robert G. Bergen, James E. Knipfer, Pamela K. Jacobs, Peter F. Staats, John N. Minnich, Charles S. Neer, James H. Goethel, Mitchell G. Stern
  • Patent number: 5855568
    Abstract: A syringe discharge end having a rotatable tubular connector member for engaging a luer connector on medical tubing. The syringe discharge end and the connector have mating threads which are used to affix the connector to the syringe discharge end. Once affixed, the connector is may freely rotate relative to the syringe, while being prevented from axial movement. On its distal end, the connector includes internal threads for engaging external threads on a standard luer connector of medical tubing. To engage the connector to tubing, the connector is rotated relative to the tubing and the syringe to draw the tubing onto the syringe discharge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Dane J. Battiato, Gary S. Wagner, Steve P. Verdino, Robert G. Bergen, James E. Knipfer, Pamela K. Jacobs, James H. Goethel