Patents by Inventor James T. DeLuca

James T. DeLuca 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: 8454624
    Abstract: A device for removing a mass lodged in a choking victim's throat comprises a manifold, piston, spool, and latch. The manifold has first, second, and third conduits in selective fluid communication with each other, with the second conduit terminating in an orifice in a mouthpiece. The spool, having a transverse orifice, may be disposed in the third conduit, slidable between a first position where the orifice permits fluid communication between the first and second conduits, and a second position where the spool blocks fluid communication. The piston is slidably disposed within the first conduit, and with the spool is in the second position, the latch is usable to secure the piston relative to the manifold at one or more discrete positions to create a measured amount of vacuum pressure in the first conduit. The vacuum pressure is transmitted to the mouthpiece by movement of the spool to said first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: James T. DeLuca, Paul V. DeLuca
  • Publication number: 20120221010
    Abstract: A device for removing a mass lodged in a choking victim's throat comprises a manifold, piston, spool, and latch. The manifold has first, second, and third conduits in selective fluid communication with each other, with the second conduit terminating in an orifice in a mouthpiece. The spool, having a transverse orifice, may be disposed in the third conduit, slidable between a first position where the orifice permits fluid communication between the first and second conduits, and a second position where the spool blocks fluid communication. The piston is slidably disposed within the first conduit, and with the spool is in the second position, the latch is usable to secure the piston relative to the manifold at one or more discrete positions to create a measured amount of vacuum pressure in the first conduit. The vacuum pressure is transmitted to the mouthpiece by movement of the spool to said first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: James T. DeLuca, Paul V. DeLuca
  • Patent number: 7559921
    Abstract: A vacuum device for removing a lodged mass or bolus from the throat of a choking victim. The device includes a pump for creating a vacuum chamber communicating with a mouthpiece having a frangible membrane. A resilient striker fractures the membrane to generate a substantially instantaneous vacuum to the mouthpiece to dislodge the mass. In one embodiment, the membrane is substituted by a manually displaceable sealing member, which is resealed after use of the device by movement of a vacuum-generating plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventors: James T. DeLuca, Paul V. DeLuca
  • Patent number: 6749599
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a lodged mass from an airway of a human or animal in which the source of suction is a sealed vacuum container which is punctured when the device is positioned within the mouth of the victim. As contrasted with prior art devices of this type, the retracting force created due to the pressure differential is developed instantaneously to a greater degree than heretofore obtainable, and this force is maintained until the foreign object is completely dislodged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventors: Bahman Litkouhi, James T. DeLuca, Robert H. Abplanalp
  • Publication number: 20030028158
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a lodged mass from an airway of a human or animal in which the source of suction is a sealed vacuum container which is punctured when the device is positioned within the mouth of the victim. As contrasted with prior art devices of this type, the retracting force created due to the pressure differential is developed instantaneously to a greater degree than heretofore obtainable, and this force is maintained until the foreign object is completely dislodged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Bahman Litkouhi, James T. DeLuca, Robert H. Abplanalp
  • Patent number: 6478770
    Abstract: An apparatus-and method for removing a lodged mass from an airway of a human or animal in which the source of suction is a sealed vacuum container which is punctured when the device is positioned within the mouth of the victim. As contrasted with prior art devices of this types the retracting force created due to the pressure differential is developed instantaneously to a greater degree than heretofore obtainable, and this force is maintained until the foreign object is completely dislodged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Bahman Litkouhi, James T. DeLuca, Robert H. Abplanalp
  • Patent number: 4790818
    Abstract: A method of removing obstructions lodged in the pharnyx and/or larnyx of a victim, including the steps of providing a suction device incorporating a rigid hollow tongue depressor having suction means at a free end thereof; inserting said tongue depressor to a point wherein the free end is adjacent an area in which the obstruction is located; applying suction to the free end to dislodge the obstruction and retain it on the free end, and maintaining the suction while withdrawing the tongue depressor and the obstruction engaged thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventors: James T. DeLuca, Michael Fasano
  • Patent number: RE45535
    Abstract: A vacuum device for removing a lodged mass or bolus from the throat of a choking victim. The device includes a pump for creating a vacuum chamber communicating with a mouthpiece having a frangible membrane. A resilient striker fractures the membrane to generate a substantially instantaneous vacuum to the mouthpiece to dislodge the mass. In one embodiment, the membrane is substituted by a manually displaceable sealing member, which is resealed after use of the device by movement of a vacuum-generating plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventors: James T. DeLuca, Paul V. DeLuca