Patents by Inventor Loren Lantz

Loren Lantz 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: 7520671
    Abstract: A probe cover (20) is provided including a tubular body extending from a proximal end (24) to a distal end (26). The proximal end defines an opening configured for receipt of a distal end of a thermometer. The distal end of the tubular body is substantially enclosed by a film (36). The distal end includes at least one end rib (38) disposed about an inner circumference thereof. At least one end rib is configured to engage the distal end of the thermometer such that the distal end of the thermometer is spaced apart from the film. The body may extend in a tapered configuration from the proximal end to the distal end. The end rib can include a transverse portion disposed along a surface of the film. The end rib may include a longitudinal portion extending along the body. The longitudinal portion may extend proximally along the body and the transverse portion may project along a surface of the film such that the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion cooperate to receive the distal end of the thermometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Loren Lantz, James Harr, Mark Davis
  • Patent number: 7237949
    Abstract: A probe cover (20) is provided including a tubular body extending from a proximal end (24) to a distal end (26). The proximal end defines an opening configured for receipt of a distal end of a thermometer. The distal end of the tubular body is substantially enclosed by a film (36). The distal end includes at least one end rib (38) disposed about an inner circumference thereof. At least one end rib is configured to engage the distal end of the thermometer such that the distal end of the thermometer is spaced apart from the film. The body may extend in a tapered configuration from the proximal end to the distal end. The end rib can include a transverse portion disposed along a surface of the film. The end rib may include a longitudinal portion extending along the body. The longitudinal portion may extend proximally along the body and the transverse portion may project along a surface of the film such that the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion cooperate to receive the distal end of the thermometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Loren Lantz, James Harr, Mark Davis
  • Publication number: 20070147474
    Abstract: A probe cover (20) is provided including a tubular body extending from a proximal end (24) to a distal end (26). The proximal end defines an opening configured for receipt of a distal end of a thermometer. The distal end of the tubular body is substantially enclosed by a film (36). The distal end includes at least one end rib (38) disposed about an inner circumference thereof. At least one end rib is configured to engage the distal end of the thermometer such that the distal end of the thermometer is spaced apart from the film. The body may extend in a tapered configuration from the proximal end to the distal end. The end rib can include a transverse portion disposed along a surface of the film. The end rib may include a longitudinal portion extending along the body. The longitudinal portion may extend proximally along the body and the transverse portion may project along a surface of the film such that the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion cooperate to receive the distal end of the thermometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: SHERWOOD SERVICES AG
    Inventors: Loren Lantz, James Harr, Mark Davis
  • Publication number: 20060159155
    Abstract: A probe cover (20) is provided including a tubular body extending from a proximal end (24) to a distal end (26). The proximal end defines an opening configured for receipt of a distal end of a thermometer. The distal end of the tubular body is substantially enclosed by a film (36). The distal end includes at least one end rib (38) disposed about an inner circumference thereof. At least one end rib is configured to engage the distal end of the thermometer such that the distal end of the thermometer is spaced apart from the film. The body may extend in a tapered configuration from the proximal end to the distal end. The end rib can include a transverse portion disposed along a surface of the film. The end rib may include a longitudinal portion extending along the body. The longitudinal portion may extend proximally along the body and the transverse portion may project along a surface of the film such that the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion cooperate to receive the distal end of the thermometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Loren Lantz, James Harr, Mark Davis
  • Publication number: 20060120432
    Abstract: A tympanic thermometer is provided including a heat sensing probe that defines a longitudinal axis and an outer surface extending from a distal end of the tympanic thermometer. An ejection apparatus including at least one finger extends from the distal end of the tympanic thermometer and is configured for movement along the outer surface of the probe. A probe cover is mountable to the distal end of the tympanic thermometer. The probe cover defines an inner surface configured to engage the outer surface of the probe. The probe cover includes at least one longitudinal rib radially projecting from the inner surface thereof. The longitudinal rib defines a proximal face such that the at least one finger is configured to engage the proximal face. The probe cover can include a plurality of longitudinal ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Loren Lantz, James Harr
  • Patent number: 6839651
    Abstract: A prediction type electronic thermometer having an actively controlled heater element thermally isolating the probe tip from the probe shaft. Rapid and accurate temperature measurements are made using predictive algorithms. Control circuitry reads input from the temperature sensing element to compute best heater control signals so that the temperature of the probe shaft rapidly follows changes in the temperature of the probe tip. Thermal isolation between probe shaft and tip impedes heat flow from the heater element to the tip providing more accurate measurements. Rapid and accurate management of shaft temperature allows heat from the patient being measured to be most efficiently transmitted to the temperature sensor element resulting in very fast temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Loren Lantz, Robert B. Gaines
  • Patent number: 6619837
    Abstract: A disposable, molded probe cover for use with an electronic thermometer is disclosed. The probe cover comprises an elongated hollow body made of a plastic material which defines a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the body has a convex-shaped surface that defines a lubrication well adapted to hold a lubricant therein, while the proximal end forms an opening. The opening communicates with a chamber that extends the entire length of the body and is sized and shaped to receive a probe of the electronic thermometer. To vent air trapped in the chamber during insertion of the probe into the probe cover, the chamber is provided with an axial ridge defined along a portion of the chamber for allowing air trapped at the distal end of the chamber to escape the probe cover through the electronic thermometer. A plurality of detents are also provided along the chamber proximate the opening for securely engaging the probe and establishing a fluid tight seal between the probe cover and the thermometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: James Walls, Loren Lantz, Michael Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20030023398
    Abstract: A prediction type electronic thermometer having an actively controlled heater element thermally isolating the probe tip from the probe shaft. Rapid and accurate temperature measurements are made using predictive algorithms. Control circuitry reads input from the temperature sensing element to compute best heater control signals so that the temperature of the probe shaft rapidly follows changes in the temperature of the probe tip. Thermal isolation between probe shaft and tip impedes heat flow from the heater element to the tip providing more accurate measurements. Rapid and accurate management of shaft temperature allows heat from the patient being measured to be most efficiently transmitted to the temperature sensor element resulting in very fast temperature measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Loren Lantz, Robert B. Gaines
  • Publication number: 20020172257
    Abstract: A disposable, molded probe cover for use with an electronic thermometer is disclosed. The probe cover comprises an elongated hollow body made of a plastic material which defines a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the body has a convex-shaped surface that defines a lubrication well adapted to hold a lubricant therein, while the proximal end forms an opening. The opening communicates with a chamber that extends the entire length of the body and is sized and shaped to receive a probe of the electronic thermometer. To vent air trapped in the chamber during insertion of the probe into the probe cover, the chamber is provided with an axial ridge defined along a portion of the chamber for allowing air trapped at the distal end of the chamber to escape the probe cover through the electronic thermometer. A plurality of detents are also provided along the chamber proximate the opening for securely engaging the probe and establishing a fluid tight seal between the probe cover and the thermometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: James Walls, Loren Lantz, Michael Kerwin