Patents by Inventor Kevin Woehr

Kevin Woehr 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).

  • Publication number: 20100087787
    Abstract: Protective devices for injection needles or infusion needles that include a needle holder at a proximal end of the needle, on whose shaft a protective element for the needle tip can be positioned and moved, are herein disclosed. The protective element is configured to block the needle tip following an injection to prevent accidental contact therewith. The protective element may be positioned on the shaft in a ready to use position inside a grip part or middle retaining portion, which is also used to activate the protective element over the needle following the injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs, Kenneth C. Raines, Joel M. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 7637887
    Abstract: A protection device for a needle with a curved tip (7) is provided, comprising a tubular part (20) which can be moved along the needle shank (6) and from which at least one elastic arm (30) protrudes in the axial direction in such a way that the free end of said arm bears, with pretensioning, on the needle shank and, upon reaching the needle tip, engages over and covers the latter, said tubular part (20) being configured in such a way that it cannot be pushed over the curved needle tip (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventor: Kevin Woehr
  • Patent number: 7625360
    Abstract: A safety IV catheter includes a unitary, resilient needle guard received in a catheter hub. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes for axial movement. When the needle is retracted from the catheter, it releases the force that had previously prevented movement of the needle guard within the catheter hub. This in turn causes the needle guard to snap into a position in which it is clamped onto the needle shaft and in which its distal wall blocks access to the needle tip. In this condition, the spring needle guard and needle can be removed from the catheter hub. A slot or crimp may be formed in the needle shaft that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the catheter hub, thereby to prevent removal of the protected needle from the needle guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Manfred Orth, Mark Wynkoop
  • Patent number: 7611499
    Abstract: A safety IV catheter includes a unitary, resilient needle guard received in a catheter hub. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes for axial movement. When the needle is retracted from the catheter, it releases the force that had previously prevented movement of the needle guard within the catheter hub. This in turn causes the needle guard to snap into a position in which it is clamped onto the needle shaft and in which its distal wall blocks access to the needle tip. In this condition, the spring needle guard and needle can be removed from the catheter hub. A slot or crimp may be formed in the needle shaft that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the catheter hub, thereby to prevent removal of the protected needle from the needle guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Manfred Orth, Mark Wynkoop
  • Patent number: 7611487
    Abstract: Protective devices for injection needles or infusion needles that include a needle holder at a proximal end of the needle, on whose shaft a protective element for the needle tip can be positioned and moved, are herein disclosed. The protective element is configured to block the needle tip following an injection to prevent accidental contact therewith. The protective element may be positioned on the shaft in a ready to use position inside a grip part or middle retaining portion, which is also used to activate the protective element over the needle following the injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs, Kenneth C. Raines, Joel M. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 7608057
    Abstract: Protective devices for injection needles or infusion needles that include a needle holder at a proximal end of the needle, on whose shaft a protective element for the needle tip can be positioned and moved, are herein disclosed. The protective element is configured to block the needle tip following an injection to prevent accidental contact therewith. The protective element may be positioned on the shaft in a ready to use position inside a grip part or middle retaining portion, which is also used to activate the protective element over the needle following the injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Meisungen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs, Kenneth C. Raines, Joel M. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 7601139
    Abstract: A hypodermic needle assembly configured such that the movement of a needle shield into position to block the needle tip occurs as a direct consequence of a longitudinal force applied by insertion of a syringe plunger is provided. The hypodermic needle assembly according to the present invention comprises a needle, a needle hub, and a safety spring clip assembly, the safety spring clip assembly being configured to automatically launch from the needle hub and slide along the needle until the spring clip meets a needle stop at the needle tip, thus preventing the guard from being removed from the needle shaft. A method of using the hypodermic needle assembly according to the present invention is also provided, which includes the method of launching the spring clip with a syringe having multiple advancing mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Helmut Freigang, Juergen Fuchs, Juergen Reuter, Klaus Siemon, Joerg Wende, Frank Hilberg
  • Publication number: 20090216188
    Abstract: Syringes are disclosed herein incorporating a variety of safety mechanisms for protecting the users from accidental needle stick. In certain embodiments, the syringes incorporate retractable carriages that can be retracted into the syringe barrels by engaging with the plungers. The carriages are configured to receive different needle hubs having any number of needle sizes. In certain other embodiments, the carriages are spring loaded so that as the plungers disengage the carriages from the syringe barrels, the springs automatically retract the needles into the barrels. Still in certain other embodiments, needle hubs with spring loaded needles are used with the syringes. The needles are retracted into the barrels when the plungers activate certain mechanisms incorporated into the hubs to thereby release the needles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7544180
    Abstract: Syringes are disclosed herein incorporating a variety of safety mechanisms for protecting the users from accidental needle stick. In certain embodiments, the syringes incorporate retractable carriages that can be retracted into the syringe barrels by engaging with the plungers. The carriages are configured to receive different needle hubs having any number of needle sizes. In certain other embodiments, the carriages are spring loaded so that as the plungers disengage the carriages from the syringe barrels, the springs automatically retract the needles into the barrels. Still in certain other embodiments, needle hubs with spring loaded needles are used with the syringes. The needles are retracted into the barrels when the plungers activate certain mechanisms incorporated into the hubs to thereby release the needles. Still yet in certain other embodiments, sheaths are used to cover needle tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventor: Kevin Woehr
  • Patent number: 7530966
    Abstract: Syringes are disclosed herein incorporating a variety of safety mechanisms for protecting the users from accidental needle stick. In certain embodiments, the syringes incorporate retractable carriages that can be retracted into the syringe barrels by engaging with the plungers. The carriages are configured to receive different needle hubs having any number of needle sizes. In certain other embodiments, the carriages are spring loaded so that as the plungers disengage the carriages from the syringe barrels, the springs automatically retract the needles into the barrels. Still in certain other embodiments, needle hubs with spring loaded needles are used with the syringes. The needles are retracted into the barrels when the plungers activate certain mechanisms incorporated into the hubs to thereby release the needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7500965
    Abstract: A catheter introducer assembly is disclosed whereby the safety spring clip moves into position to block the needle tip occurs as a direct consequence of the withdrawal of the needle from the catheter bore. The catheter introducer assembly according to the present invention comprises a needle and a needle hub, a catheter and a catheter hub, and a safety spring clip assembly. The safety spring clip assembly being designed to permit the needle to slide inside the spring clip assembly until the needle stop located on the needle meets the proximal wall to thereby prevent further movement of the safety spring clip. A method of using the catheter introducer assembly according to the present invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Menzi, Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20080306451
    Abstract: A hinged cap device for use with a syringe includes a base defining an interior cavity for mounting onto a tip and a cap connected to the base by a living hinge. The cap is moveable from a ready position to an open position to expose a needle, and from the open position to a secured position to prevent relative rotation between the cap and the base. A first latching mechanism is on the cap for engaging the needle, the first latching mechanism locatable on a first side of the needle in the ready position and locatable on a second side of the needle in the secured position. The needle is disengageable from the first latching mechanism in the ready position, and the needle is not disengageable from the first latching mechanism in the secured position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Hermann Riesenberger, Vince E. Leskowich, Harald Heckmann, Michael Rubik
  • Publication number: 20080249480
    Abstract: A hypodermic needle assembly configured such that the movement of a needle shield into position to block the needle tip occurs as a direct consequence of a longitudinal force applied by insertion of a syringe plunger is provided. The hypodermic needle assembly according to the present invention includes a needle, a needle hub, and a safety spring clip assembly, the safety spring clip assembly being configured to automatically launch from the needle hub and slide along the needle to shield the needle tip, thus preventing accidental contact with the needle tip. Additional mechanisms for launching the safety spring clip are also provided, which include using a trigger ring for rotating and launching the safety spring clip. Methods for making and using the hypodermic needle assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Hermann Riesenberger, Helmut Freigang, Juergen Fuchs, Juergen Reuter, Klaus Siemon, Frank Hilberg, Kevin Woehr
  • Publication number: 20080147003
    Abstract: A catheter introducer assembly is disclosed whereby the safety spring clip moves into position to block the needle tip occurs as a direct consequence of the withdrawal of the needle from the catheter bore. The catheter introducer assembly according to the present invention comprises a needle and a needle hub, a catheter and a catheter hub, and a safety spring clip assembly. The safety spring clip assembly being designed to permit the needle to slide inside the spring clip assembly until the needle stop located on the needle meets the proximal wall to thereby prevent further movement of the safety spring clip. A method of using the catheter introducer assembly according to the present invention is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Menzi, Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7374554
    Abstract: A catheter introducer assembly is disclosed whereby the safety spring clip moves into position to block the needle tip occurs as a direct consequence of the withdrawal of the needle from the catheter bore. The catheter introducer assembly according to the present invention comprises a needle and a needle hub, a catheter and a catheter hub, and a safety spring clip assembly. The safety spring clip assembly being designed to permit the needle to slide inside the spring clip assembly until the needle stop located on the needle meets the proximal wall to thereby prevent further movement of the safety spring clip. A method of using the catheter introducer assembly according to the present invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Menzi, Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20080108944
    Abstract: Catheter assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to catheter assemblies having a tip protector, a valve, a valve opener, and optionally a needle wiper. The valve opener is disposed inside a catheter hub and is configured to be pushed by an IV set luer connector to open a valve following successful catheterization to pass fluids or other solutions through the catheter. A tip protector is incorporated to block the needle tip and prevent the same from accidental needle stick. A wiper is optionally included to wipe blood deposits on the needle when the same is retracted from the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Michael Zerbes
  • Publication number: 20080097343
    Abstract: Needle assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needle assemblies having a tip protector with a plurality of wall surfaces for preventing contact with the needle tip from a side. Aspects of the tip protectors discussed herein include a first protector body having an arm for blocking a needle tip surrounded by a second protector body having a plurality of wall surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin Woehr
  • Patent number: 7354422
    Abstract: A hypodermic needle assembly configured such that the movement of a needle shield into position to block the needle tip occurs as a direct consequence of a longitudinal force applied by insertion of a syringe plunger is provided. The hypodermic needle assembly according to the present invention includes a needle, a needle hub, and a safety spring clip assembly, the safety spring clip assembly being configured to automatically launch from the needle hub and slide along the needle to shield the needle tip, thus preventing accidental contact with the needle tip. Additional mechanisms for launching the safety spring clip are also provided, which include using a trigger ring for rotating and launching the safety spring clip. Methods for making and using the hypodermic needle assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Hermann Riesenberger, Helmut Freigang, Juergen Fuchs, Juergen Reuter, Klaus Siemon, Frank Hilberg, Kevin Woehr
  • Patent number: 7264613
    Abstract: A safety IV catheter includes a unitary, resilient needle guard received in a catheter hub. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes for axial movement. When the needle is retracted from the catheter, it releases the force that had previously prevented movement of the needle guard within the catheter hub. This in turn causes the needle guard to snap into a position in which it is clamped onto the needle shaft and in which its distal wall blocks access to the needle tip. In this condition, the spring needle guard and needle can be removed from the catheter hub. A slot or crimp may be formed in the needle shaft that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the catheter hub, thereby to prevent removal of the protected needle from the needle guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Manfred Orth, Mark Wynkoop
  • Publication number: 20070156098
    Abstract: Syringes are disclosed herein incorporating a variety of safety mechanisms for protecting the users from accidental needle stick. In certain embodiments, the syringes incorporate retractable carriages that can be retracted into the syringe barrels by engaging with the plungers. The carriages are configured to receive different needle hubs having any number of needle sizes. In certain other embodiments, the carriages are spring loaded so that as the plungers disengage the carriages from the syringe barrels, the springs automatically retract the needles into the barrels. Still in certain other embodiments, needle hubs with spring loaded needles are used with the syringes. The needles are retracted into the barrels when the plungers activate certain mechanisms incorporated into the hubs to thereby release the needles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin Woehr, Juergen Fuchs