Patents by Inventor Larry J. Miller

Larry J. Miller 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: 20170340401
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods provided to remove biopsy specimens from bone and/or associated bone marrow. A powered driver may rotate a biopsy needle at an optimum speed to obtain the biopsy specimen. A thread or a groove may be disposed on interior portions of the biopsy needle. The thread or groove may engage a biopsy specimen and enhance removal of a bone marrow core from cancellous bone. Manufacturing procedures are provided for bonding a single helical thread with interior portions of the biopsy needle. The apparatus may also include a biopsy sample ejector and/or ejector funnel. A biopsy needle set may include a cannula and a trocar with respective tips having optimum configurations, dimensions and/or orientations relative to each other to optimize penetration of a bone and/or bone marrow with minimum patient trauma and enhanced reliability of obtaining a biopsy specimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Christopher Brian Kilcoin, Bradford Hughes Craig
  • Publication number: 20170303963
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for sternal locators for placement of an intraosseous device into the sternum of a human patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Kilcoin, John Frank Morgan, III, Larry J. Miller, Robert W. Titkemeyer
  • Patent number: 9717847
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a quantity of fluid to bone marrow of a bone or providing access to remove fluids from a target site is provided. The apparatus may include a driver, a plunger operating and cartridge assembly mechanism, a cartridge assembly having a fluid reservoir and a bone penetrating needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TELEFLEX MEDICAL DEVICES S.ÀR.L.
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Charles M. Schwimmer, Robert A. Wilk
  • Patent number: 9717564
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods provided to remove biopsy specimens from bone and/or associated bone marrow. A powered driver may rotate a biopsy needle at an optimum speed to obtain the biopsy specimen. A thread or a groove may be disposed on interior portions of the biopsy needle. The thread or groove may engage a biopsy specimen and enhance removal of a bone marrow core from cancellous bone. Manufacturing procedures are provided for bonding a single helical thread with interior portions of the biopsy needle. The apparatus may also include a biopsy sample ejector and/or ejector funnel. A biopsy needle set may include a cannula and a trocar with respective tips having optimum configurations, dimensions and/or orientations relative to each other to optimize penetration of a bone and/or bone marrow with minimum patient trauma and enhanced reliability of obtaining a biopsy specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TELEFLEX MEDICAL DEVICES S.À R.L.
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Christopher Brian Kilcoin, Bradford Hughes Craig
  • Publication number: 20170035397
    Abstract: An intraosseous needle set comprising a cannula is provided. The cannula has a first end, a second end, and a bore configured to receive a sample from a target area. The first end of the cannula is configured to penetrate the target area and has a plurality of teeth. The plurality of teeth may have at least one tooth that comprises a tapered surface. The plurality of teeth may each have a first side and a second side, where a length of the first side is less than a length of the second side. The first and second sides may intersect to define tips that are disposed at an angle between 0 and 30 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the cannula, and the first side of a first tooth and the second side of an adjacent tooth may also intersect at an angle between 55 and 80 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, Robert W. Titkemeyer, John Morgan, Christopher Kilcoin
  • Patent number: 9545243
    Abstract: Various devices and methods may be provided to aspirate bone marrow from an associated bone using a powered drive and an aspiration needle or aspiration needle set. Such aspiration devices and methods may also be used in association with stem cell transplant procedures. The aspiration devices may include a coupler assembly, a containment bag or sterile sleeve, an ejector and/or an ejector funnel. An aspiration needle set may include a cannula and trocar with respective tips having optimum configurations, dimensions and/or orientations relative to each other to optimize penetration of a bone and/or bone marrow with minimum trauma to a patient. Exterior portions of some cannulas may include markings to indicate depth of penetration into associated bone marrow. Some cannulas may include one or more side ports for use during aspiration of bone marrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Christopher Brian Kilcoin
  • Publication number: 20170007271
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver. The apparatus may include a housing; a drive shaft comprising a first end disposed within the housing and a second end extending from the housing, the second end of the drive shaft configured to releasably engage the intraosseous device; a motor disposed within the housing and rotatably engaged with the drive shaft; a rechargeable power supply configured to supply power to the motor; an electrical charging circuit configured to recharge the rechargeable power supply; and a visual indicator indicating a status of the rechargeable power supply. The apparatus may also include an electrical power circuit configured to measure one of torque and current flow through the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Robert W. Titkemeyer
  • Publication number: 20160374722
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods may be provided to monitor performance of an intraosseous device, including a system comprising an intraosseous device, a sensor contained within a tip of the intraosseous device, a monitor configured to record a signal from the sensor, and an electrical conductor coupled to the sensor and configured to transmit the signal from the sensor to the monitor. The tip of the intraosseous device may be configured to penetrate bone and bone marrow such that the tip is disposed in the bone marrow. In certain embodiments, the tip may also include a side port for delivering fluids into the bone marrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Larry J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20160367288
    Abstract: A penetrator assembly for penetrating a bone and associated bone marrow is provided. The penetrator assembly may include a first connector having a first end and a second end; an outer penetrator extending from the second end of the first connector; the outer penetrator comprising a longitudinal passageway and a first tip; a second connector having a first end and a second end; and an inner penetrator extending from the second end of the second connector, the inner penetrator comprising a second tip. The first connector may be configured to engage the second connector, and the inner penetrator may be disposed in the longitudinal passageway of the outer penetrator when the first connector is engaged with the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventor: Larry J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9510910
    Abstract: Medical procedure trays and related methods are provided to accommodate joining a first non-sterile medical device with a second sterile medical device and maintaining required sterilization of the second sterile medical device to perform an associated medical procedure. One example of such medical procedures includes biopsy of a bone and/or associated bone marrow using a non-sterile powered drive and a sterile biopsy needle or biopsy needle set. Medical procedure trays and related methods may also be provided for use during aspiration of bone marrow and/or stem cell transplant procedures. Each medical procedure tray may include a containment bag or sterile sleeve. A coupler assembly, one or more sharps protectors, a biopsy sample ejector and/or associated ejector funnel may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Matthew T. Harmon
  • Patent number: 9504477
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver having a gear assembly and a motor. The powered driver may include an indicator operable to show status of a power supply associated with the powered driver. The power supply may include a battery power pack having a diamond shaped cross section. The powered driver may have a handle with a corresponding cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Christopher B. Kilcoin, Matthew T. Harmon, Ruben Trevino
  • Patent number: 9451968
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver. The powered driver may include a housing having a gear assembly, a motor and a power supply disposed therein. A penetrator assembly may be releasably engaged with one end of a drive shaft extending from the housing. The powered driver may include a light operable to illuminate an insertion site for the penetrator assembly. An indicator may be provided to show status of an associated power supply. An indicator may also be provided to show status of penetrating bone and/or associated bone marrow using a penetrator assembly. The apparatus may include an enable switch to prevent undesired operation of the powered driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Robert W. Titkemeyer
  • Patent number: 9439667
    Abstract: Various types of supporting structures, supporting devices, attachment mechanisms and attachment techniques may be provided to support and/or stabilize an intraosseous device installed at a target site in a patient. Various methods and procedures may also be provided to releasably engage a supporting structure or supporting device proximate a target site. Apparatus and methods may be provided to monitor performance of an intraosseous device during communication of drugs, medications and/or fluids with an intraosseous space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventor: Larry J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9433400
    Abstract: An apparatus for penetrating the bone marrow of a bone is provided. The apparatus includes a handle having a drive shaft, a connector having a first end operable to connect to a drive shaft and a second end operable to connect to a penetrator hub and a penetrator hub having a penetrator that accesses the bone marrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventor: Larry J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9414815
    Abstract: Intraosseous needle sets (e.g., cannulas and stylets) and kits comprising the same, such as those, for example, having a non-circular bore and configured to receive a sample from a target area (e.g., a cortex, a sternum, a humerus, and/or the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, Robert W. Titkemeyer, John Morgan, Chris Kilcoin
  • Patent number: 9393031
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for penetrating the bone marrow is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a penetrator assembly, operable to penetrate the bone marrow, a connector operable to releasably attach the penetrator assembly to a drill shaft, the drill shaft operable to connect the penetrator assembly to a gear assembly, a gear assembly operable to engage and rotate the drill shaft, a motor operable to engage the reduction gear assembly and drive the penetrator into the bone marrow by rotation of the drill shaft, and a power supply and associated circuitry operable to power the motor. The apparatus and method may be adapted to insert a probe through the skull and into the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventor: Larry J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20160184509
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for delivering a quantity of fluid to bone marrow. The apparatus may include a drive housing, a plunger operating assembly, a retractable sleeve, a first spring, a second spring, and a release mechanism. The drive housing may include a first portion configured to engage a driver assembly and a second portion configured to engage a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly may a fluid reservoir and a plunger assembly slidably disposed in the fluid reservoir. The cartridge assembly may be engaged with a bone penetrating needle and configured to rotate to insert the bone penetrating needle into the bone marrow. The first release mechanism may release the second spring to move the plunger operating assembly when the cartridge assembly is rotated to insert the bone penetrating needle into the bone marrow and the retractable sleeve is moved to a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Charles M. Schwimmer, Robert A. Wilk
  • Publication number: 20160183974
    Abstract: A penetrator assembly operable to provide access to a bone marrow is provided. The penetrator assembly may include an outer penetrator and a removable inner trocar operable to penetrate bone and bone marrow. The removable inner trocar may include a groove operable to receive a portion of the bone and bone marrow when the outer penetrator and the removable inner trocar penetrate the bone and bone marrow. The removable inner trocar may include a receptacle operable to receive a portion of a connector operable to releasably attach the penetrator assembly to a powered apparatus, and a release mechanism disposed within the receptacle and operable to engage the portion of the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Larry J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9314270
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for penetrating bone marrow is provided. The apparatus may include a housing such as a handheld body, a penetrator assembly, a connector that releasably attaches the penetrator assembly to a drill shaft, a gear mechanism, a motor and a power supply and associated circuitry operable to power the motor. The penetrator assembly may include a removable inner trocar and an outer penetrator or needle. It may also include a grooved trocar that allows bone chips to be expelled as the apparatus is inserted into bone marrow. Various connectors are provided to attach the penetrator assembly to the drill shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Vidacare LLC
    Inventor: Larry J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9295487
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a quantity of fluid to bone marrow of a bone or providing access to remove fluids from a target site is provided. The apparatus may include a driver, a plunger operating and cartridge assembly mechanism, a cartridge assembly having a fluid reservoir and a bone penetrating needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: VIDACARE LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Miller, David S. Bolleter, Charles M. Schwimmer, Robert A. Wilk