Patents by Inventor Larry B. Gray

Larry B. Gray 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).

  • FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20190365992
    Abstract: A method of dispensing fluid includes three processes. A first one of these processes includes pumping fluid into a resilient variable-volume dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber is in series with a normally present finite fluid impedance and an output. The impedance is sufficient so as to cause expansion of the dispensing chamber as it receives pumped fluid even while some fluid flows through the output. Another one of these processes includes repeatedly measuring a parameter related to volume of the dispensing chamber over time. A third one of these processes includes controlling the pumping of fluid based on repeated measurements of the parameter to produce a desired fluid flow through the output. A corresponding system for dispensing fluid implements these processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Russell H. Beavis, Derek G. Kane, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for an infusion pump assembly
    Patent number: 10485922
    Abstract: A system for delivery of a volume of infusible fluid. The system includes a controller configured to calculate a trajectory for delivering infusible fluid, the trajectory comprising at least one volume of fluid, and determine a schedule for delivering the at least one volume of fluid according to the trajectory, wherein the schedule comprising an interval and a volume of infusible fluid for delivery. The system also includes a volume sensor assembly for determining the at least one volume of fluid delivered, wherein the controller recalculates the trajectory based on the volume of fluid delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, Larry B. Gray, Richard J. Lanigan, Stephen L. Fichera, Colin H. Murphy, Thomas F. Soldau, David Blumberg, Jr.
  • Syringe Pump Having a Pressure Sensor Assembly
    Publication number: 20190328964
    Abstract: A syringe pump is disclosed that includes a body, a syringe seat, a syringe actuator, a memory, and one or more processors. The syringe seat is coupled to the body. The syringe actuator is configured to actuate a syringe secured within the syringe seat. The memory is configured to store a plurality of instructions. The one or more processors, in accordance with the plurality of instructions, is/are configured to: prime the syringe pump in a prime phase; determine if an occlusion exists during the prime phase using a first test; stop the prime phase; initiate fluid delivery into a patient; enter into a start-up phase; determine if an occlusion exists using a second test during the start-up phase; transition from the start-up phase into a steady-state phase; and determine if an occlusion exists during the steady-state phase using a third test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Martin D. Desch, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, Dirk A. van der Merwe
  • Product dispensing system
    Patent number: 10459459
    Abstract: A flow control device is disclosed. The flow control device includes a solenoid, the solenoid including an armature. Also, a piston connected to the armature. The piston includes a primary orifice. The piston having an open position and a closed position. A piston spring connected to the piston is also includes and at least one secondary orifice. The movement of the piston to the open position at least partially opens the at least one secondary orifice and the movement of the piston to the closed position at least partially closes the at least one secondary orifice. The movement of the armature actuates the piston movement and controls fluid flow from the primary orifice through the at least one secondary orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Russell H. Beavis, Benjamin W. Jones, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Casey P. Manning, Felix Winkler, Robert A. Charles
  • FLUID PUMPING SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20190323492
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfectants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brian D. Tracey, Larry B. Gray, Jason A. Demers, James D. Dale, N. Christopher Perry, Michael J. Wilt, Scott A. Leonard
  • Apparatus and Method for Infusing Fluid Through a Tube by Appropriately Heating the Tube
    Publication number: 20190298913
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump disclosed herein includes a raceway, a plunger, a motor, and a heater. The raceway is configured to retain a tube (e.g., an IV tube). The plunger acts on the tube disposed within the raceway. The motor engages the plunger to actuate the plunger. The heater is disposed in thermal-conductive contact with the tube. That is, the heater, either through direct or indirect application, heats the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: John J. Biasi, Larry B. Gray, Daniel F. Pawlowski
  • Optical displacement sensor for infusion devices
    Patent number: 10426889
    Abstract: An optical sensor for a delivery device having a piston that displaces a substance, such as a fluid, from a reservoir. The optical sensor has a light source and a detector array for imaging encoding features disposed along a plunger rod coupled to the piston. By virtue of the pattern of encoding features, an absolute position of the plunger rod relative to a fiducial position may be determined uniquely. Thus, the volume of fluid remaining in the reservoir, the rate of fluid delivery, and proper loading of the reservoir may be accurately ascertained. Additionally, the encoding may serve to uniquely identify a version of the reservoir which may be supplied in various versions corresponding, for example, to differing concentrations of a therapeutic agent to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Marc A. Mandro, Larry B. Gray
  • Infusion pump methods, systems and apparatus
    Patent number: 10413682
    Abstract: A system for priming an infusion pump is disclosed. The system includes a priming cap including a septum and configured to matably connect with a male part comprising a needle and attached to a length of tubing for fluid, wherein when matably connected with the male part, the priming cap occludes the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Marc A. Mandro, Kevin A. Durand, Gregory R. Lanier, Jr., Kevin L. Grant, Larry B. Gray, Brian D. Tracey
  • Patch-Sized Fluid Delivery Systems and Methods
    Publication number: 20190269862
    Abstract: A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventor: Larry B. Gray
  • Device to Determine Volume of Fluid Dispensed
    Publication number: 20190262554
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Device to Determine Volume of Fluid Dispensed
    Publication number: 20190262555
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Device to Determine Volume of Fluid Dispensed
    Publication number: 20190262552
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Device to Determine Volume of Fluid Dispensed
    Publication number: 20190262553
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Syringe pump having a pressure sensor assembly
    Patent number: 10391241
    Abstract: A syringe pump is disclosed that includes a body, a syringe seat, a syringe actuator, a memory, and one or more processors. The syringe seat is coupled to the body. The syringe actuator is configured to actuate a syringe secured within the syringe seat. The memory is configured to store a plurality of instructions. The one or more processors, in accordance with the plurality of instructions, is/are configured to: prime the syringe pump in a prime phase; determine if an occlusion exists during the prime phase using a first test; stop the prime phase; initiate fluid delivery into a patient; enter into a start-up phase; determine if an occlusion exists using a second test during the start-up phase; transition from the start-up phase into a steady-state phase; and determine if an occlusion exists during the steady-state phase using a third test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Martin D. Desch, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, Dirk A. van der Merwe
  • Fluid delivery systems and methods
    Patent number: 10383999
    Abstract: A method of dispensing fluid includes three processes. A first one of these processes includes pumping fluid into a resilient variable-volume dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber is in series with a normally present finite fluid impedance and an output. The impedance is sufficient so as to cause expansion of the dispensing chamber as it receives pumped fluid even while some fluid flows through the output. Another one of these processes includes repeatedly measuring a parameter related to volume of the dispensing chamber over time. A third one of these processes includes controlling the pumping of fluid based on repeated measurements of the parameter to produce a desired fluid flow through the output. A corresponding system for dispensing fluid implements these processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Russell H. Beavis, Derek G. Kane, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray
  • PERISTALTIC PUMP
    Publication number: 20190249657
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump and related-method are disclosed that includes a cam shaft having a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower that engages the plunger cam of the cam shaft, a tube receiver, a spring, a plunger, a position sensor, and a processor. The tube receiver receives a tube. The spring provides a bias. The plunger is biased toward the tube by the spring and the plunger is to the plunger-cam follower, such that expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates actuates the plunger away from the tube. The position sensor determines a position of the plunger and the processor estimates fluid flow within the tube utilizing the position of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Device to determine volume of fluid dispensed
    Patent number: 10369299
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: New Power Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Device to meter fluid
    Patent number: 10369306
    Abstract: An apparatus for metering the delivery of a fluid. The apparatus has a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus may also include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Russell H. Beavis, Larry B. Gray, Derek G. Kane
  • Metering System and Method for Aerosol Delivery
    Publication number: 20190224425
    Abstract: An apparatus for metering the delivery of an aerosol. The apparatus has a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus may also include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region. An atomizer, coupled to the fluid region, is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: David E. Altobelli, Russell H. Beavis, Larry B. Gray, Derek G. Kane
  • Adhesive and Peripheral Systems and Methods for Medical Devices
    Publication number: 20190224410
    Abstract: A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Eric Yeaton