Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Mullins

Jeffrey C. Mullins 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: 8348824
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the direct visualization and localization of a target area within a body lumen through the optically clear walls of a graduated catheter. An elongated catheter has proximal and distal ends, an anchor, graduated markings, and outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall. The anchor establishes a secure relationship between the catheter and an anatomical feature. The graduated markings are disposed along a length of the catheter. The outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting a body lumen and the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter. The catheter wall is transparent along a length to provide visualization of the graduated markings via a visualization tool positioned in the main lumen. In one embodiment, a catheter may have a substantially circular cross-section and include an arc-shaped transparent window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory K. Edmundson, Jeffrey C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20090143633
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the direct visualization and localization of a target area within a body lumen through the optically clear walls of a graduated catheter. An elongated catheter has proximal and distal ends, an anchor, graduated markings, and outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall. The anchor establishes a secure relationship between the catheter and an anatomical feature. The graduated markings are disposed along a length of the catheter. The outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting a body lumen and the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter. The catheter wall is transparent along a length to provide visualization of the graduated markings via a visualization tool positioned in the main lumen. In one embodiment, a catheter may have a substantially circular cross-section and include an arc-shaped transparent window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Cytyc Corporaiton
    Inventors: Gregory K. Edmundson, Jeffrey C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 5720275
    Abstract: A tracheal guide (10) for positioning a medical device (11) such as an endotracheal or intubation tube in the trachea (12) of a human patient (13). The tracheal guide includes an elongated member (14) with a generally U-shaped passage (17) extending therethrough. Ears (18, 33) are disposed laterally about the passage and, in particular, the distal end (15) thereof. These ears are shaped for conformance with and placement in the piriform fossa (19, 34), which are located in the vicinity of the glottic opening (39) of the trachea. A tongue (25) extends distally from the distal end of the elongated member and into the esophagus (32) of the patient when the ears of the guide are positioned in the piriform fossa. The passage of the elongated member includes first and second surfaces (20, 24) that form an edge (26) that extends anterior to the cricoid cartilage and, in particular, the transverse arytenoid when the edge and ears are properly positioned in the patient's airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignees: The Research Foundation of State Univ. of New York, Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: Vijayalakshmi Patil, Jeffrey C. Mullins