Patents by Inventor Joseph Hermes Kaal

Joseph Hermes Kaal 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: 11241545
    Abstract: A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: UNL HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Richard Sokolov, Ernesto Hueso, Huw Wallis, Scott Chad, Christopher Dunn
  • Patent number: 11058826
    Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: UNL Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty, Ian Johnson, Eric Siu, Andrew Reade
  • Publication number: 20190314582
    Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty, Ian Johnson, Eric Siu, Andrew Reade
  • Publication number: 20190076603
    Abstract: A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: UNL Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Richard Sokolov, Ernesto Hueso, Huw Wallis, Scott Chad, Christopher Dunn
  • Patent number: 10213562
    Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNL Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty, Ian Johnson, Eric Siu, Andrew Reade
  • Patent number: 10166336
    Abstract: An actuation mechanism for an automatic injector includes a first actuation spring, a first actuation pill, a second actuation spring, and a second actuation pill. In an initial configuration the first actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state substantially within an upper portion of first actuation pill and the second actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state between the first actuation pill and the second actuation pill. An automatic injector includes a housing, an activation mechanism, an actuation mechanism, and a syringe cartridge having a plunger and a needle assembly. A retractable syringe may be utilized as a syringe cartridge, such as a prefilled retractable syringe with integrated safety features which retract the needle after use. The automatic injector may be utilized to inject the needle, deliver a drug treatment, and activate retraction of the needle. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: UNL Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Katlin M. Lumme, Philip A. Weaver, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty, Craig Stephen Thorley, Joel M. Ondrejicka
  • Patent number: 10092708
    Abstract: A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: UNL Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Richard Sokolov, Ernesto Hueso, Huw Wallis, Scott Chad, Christopher Dunn
  • Patent number: 9636466
    Abstract: A retractable syringe, plunger and releasable needle assembly including a retractable needle, a needle seal, a retaining member and an ejector member. The retaining member has a mating surface for mounting to a complementary mating surface of an interior wall of a syringe barrel. The plunger comprises a plunger outer, a plunger rod frangibly connected to a controlling member, a spring and a unitary plunger seal capable of engaging the retractable needle, wherein the plunger rod, plunger outer and the controlling member co-operate to releasably maintain the spring in an initially compressed state. After delivery of fluid contents of the syringe, the plunger forces the ejector member to release the retractable needle from the retaining member. Decompression of the spring at the end of depression of the plunger facilitates retraction of the retractable needle when engaged with the unitary plunger seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Unitract Syringe Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Chris Rafferty, Richard Sokolov, Ernesto Hueso, Huw Wallis, Steve Chi Truong
  • Patent number: 9604010
    Abstract: A retractable needle is provided for a syringe comprising a barrel and a plunger that comprises a portion capable of engaging the retractable needle for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula, a needle body having a plunger-engaging member, at least one aperture and an elongate portion which houses the cannula, the cannula comprising an end which is in fluid communication with the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is located between the plunger-engaging member and the elongate portion. The positioning of the at least one aperture distal to the plunger-engaging member maximizes the efficiency of fluid delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Unitract Syringe PTY LTD
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Rafferty, Huw Umberto Wallis, Ernesto Hueso-Monis, Kamman Law, Richard Sokolov
  • Publication number: 20160175541
    Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Unitract Syringe Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty, Ian Johnson, Eric Siu, Andrew Reade
  • Patent number: 9352104
    Abstract: An adapter mountable to a retractable syringe barrel comprises a body that includes a needle portion and a barrel-engaging portion and a needle aperture. The adapter facilitates mounting a needle assembly to the barrel. The needle assembly comprises a needle body and cannula and an immobile, compressible needle seal, wherein the needle body and the needle seal are releasably engaged. The needle seal is engageable with a needle portion of the adapter. The needle body comprises one or more fluid reclaim channels that facilitate efficient delivery of the fluid contents of the retractable syringe. The retractable syringe also comprises dual locking systems to impede or prevent re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Unitract Syringe PTY LTD
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty
  • Patent number: 9302056
    Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: UNITRACT SYRINGE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty, Ian Johnson, Eric Siu, Andrew Reade
  • Patent number: 9254365
    Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable syringe comprising a barrel and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. A mounting member is removably mountable to the barrel by way of a screw-thread connection and a needle mount is removably coupled to the mounting member. A needle is mounted to the needle mount. The barrel comprises a needle mount retainer that comprises a plurality of fingers that engage the retractable needle mount to prevent inadvertent retraction. The plunger comprises a collapsible seal which maximizes the efficiency of fluid delivery prior to the plunger engaging the retractable needle mount for retraction. An initially compressed spring decompresses to drive retraction of the plunger and the engaged needle mount. A lock formed between the plunger and barrel prevents further use of the plunger after retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: UNITRACT SYRINGE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Ian Johnson, Andrew Reade, Eric Siu, Richard Sokolov, Christopher Dunn
  • Publication number: 20150141936
    Abstract: A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Richard Sokolov, Ernesto Hueso, Huw Wallis, Scott Chad, Christopher Dunn
  • Patent number: 8945048
    Abstract: A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Unitract Syringe Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Richard Sokolov, Ernesto Hueso, Huw Wallis, Scott Chad, Christopher Dunn
  • Publication number: 20140330217
    Abstract: A retractable needle is provided for a syringe comprising a barrel and a plunger that comprises a portion capable of engaging the retractable needle for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula, a needle body having a plunger-engaging member, at least one aperture and an which is in fluid communication with the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is located between the plunger-engaging member and the elongate portion. The positioning of the at least one aperture distal to the plunger-engaging member maximizes the efficiency of fluid delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Rafferty, Huw Umberto Wallis, Ernesto Hueso-Monis, Kamman Law, Richard Sokolov
  • Publication number: 20140323982
    Abstract: An actuation mechanism for an automatic injector includes a first actuation spring, a first actuation pill, a second actuation spring, and a second actuation pill. In an initial configuration the first actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state substantially within an upper portion of first actuation pill and the second actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state between the first actuation pill and the second actuation pill. An automatic injector includes a housing, an activation mechanism, an actuation mechanism, and a syringe cartridge having a plunger and a needle assembly. A retractable syringe may be utilized as a syringe cartridge, such as a prefilled retractable syringe with integrated safety features which retract the needle after use. The automatic injector may be utilized to inject the needle, deliver a drug treatment, and activate retraction of the needle. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Katlin M. Lumme, Philip A. Weaver, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty, Craig Stephen Thorley, Joel M. Ondrejickla
  • Patent number: 8808244
    Abstract: An actuation mechanism for an automatic injector includes a first actuation spring, a first actuation pill, a second actuation spring, and a second actuation pill. In an initial configuration the first actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state substantially within an upper portion of first actuation pill and the second actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state between the first actuation pill and the second actuation pill. An automatic injector includes a housing, an activation mechanism, an actuation mechanism, and a syringe cartridge having a plunger and a needle assembly. A retractable syringe may be utilized as a syringe cartridge, such as a prefilled retractable syringe with integrated safety features which retract the needle after use. The automatic injector may be utilized to inject the needle, deliver a drug treatment, and activate retraction of the needle. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Unitract Syringe Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Katlin M. Adlon, Philip A. Weaver, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty, Craig Stephen Thorley, Joel M. Ondrejickla
  • Patent number: 8617122
    Abstract: A syringe is provided which comprises a barrel (11) and a needle sheath (30) slidably located within the barrel, a plunger (20) with a plunger seal (23), a needle, a needle sheath (30) and a sheath seal (50), arranged so that depression of the plunger forces the needle sheath to move into a position where it covers or at least partly encloses the needle after delivery of fluid contents of the syringe. The needle sheath may be manually actuated or may be actuated by decompression of a spring. The syringe may further comprise a plunger disabling means operable to impede, prevent or otherwise hinder withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The syringe may be a pre-filled syringe or a syringe which is filled by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Unitract Syringe Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Damien Judd, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Craig Stephen Thorley
  • Publication number: 20130102973
    Abstract: An adapter mountable to a retractable syringe barrel comprises a body that includes a needle portion and a barrel-engaging portion and a needle aperture. The adapter facilitates mounting a needle assembly to the barrel. The needle assembly comprises a needle body and cannula and an immobile, compressible needle seal, wherein the needle body and the needle seal are releasably engaged. The needle seal is engageable with a needle portion of the adapter. The needle body comprises one or more fluid reclaim channels that facilitate efficient delivery of the fluid contents of the retractable syringe. The retractable syringe also comprises dual locking systems to impede or prevent re-use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: UNITRACT SYRINGE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Craig Stephen Thorley, Joseph Hermes Kaal, Christopher Charles Rafferty