Patents by Inventor Mark W. Hitchins

Mark W. Hitchins 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: 20170224913
    Abstract: A syringe for use with an injector includes a body having a rear end and a front end, a plunger movably disposed within the body, an attachment member associated with the body and adapted to releasably engage a syringe retaining mechanism of the injector regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector, and an encoding device operable to provide syringe information to the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: MARK TROCKI, MARK W. HITCHINS, KEVIN P. COWAN, EDWARD J. RHINEHART
  • Patent number: 9636452
    Abstract: A syringe for use with an injector includes a body having a rear end and a front end, a plunger movably disposed within the body, an attachment member associated with the body and adapted to releasably engage a syringe retaining mechanism of the injector regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector, and an encoding device operable to provide syringe information to the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, Edward J. Rhinehart
  • Publication number: 20160151583
    Abstract: Syringe assemblies and adapters for syringes that attach to and allow non-native syringes to be accepted by injectors having injector syringe interfaces adapted for particular types of syringes are described herein. Methods of forming the syringe assemblies and kits including the syringe adapters which enable a non-native syringe to be operably attached to an injector are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: EDWARD P. LISCIO, LUIS CASTILLO, MICHAEL MCNEILL, MARK W. HITCHINS
  • Patent number: 9242040
    Abstract: Syringe assemblies and adapters for syringes that attach to and allow non-native syringes to be accepted by injectors having injector syringe interfaces adapted for particular types of syringes are described herein. Methods of forming the syringe assemblies, and kits including the syringe adapters which enable a non-native syringe to be operably attached to an injector are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: Edward P. Liscio, Luis Castillo, Michael McNeill, Mark W. Hitchins
  • Publication number: 20140243746
    Abstract: A syringe for use with an injector includes a body having a rear end and a front end, a plunger movably disposed within the body, an attachment member associated with the body and adapted to releasably engage a syringe retaining mechanism of the injector regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector, and an encoding device operable to provide syringe information to the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Bayer Medical Care Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, Edward J. Rhinehart
  • Patent number: 8721596
    Abstract: A syringe for use with an injector includes a body having a rear end and a front end, a plunger movably disposed within the body, an attachment member associated with the body and adapted to releasably engage a syringe retaining mechanism of the injector regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector, and an encoding device operable to provide syringe information to the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer Medical Care Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, Edward J. Rhinehart
  • Publication number: 20110106015
    Abstract: A syringe assembly connectible to an injector including a syringe interface and a drive member includes a syringe portion including a barrel section to contain fluid to be pressurized and an outlet in fluid connection with the barrel section. The syringe assembly also includes an adapter formed separately from the syringe portion and including a plurality of sections. At least two sections of the plurality of sections are engageable to nonremovably connect the adapter to the syringe portion. In a number of embodiment, the adapter includes only two section the engage to nonremovably connect the adapter to the syringe portion. The adapter further includes a mounting mechanism adapted to be connected to the injector syringe interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Edward P. Liscio, Luis Castillo, Michael McNeill, Mark W. Hitchins
  • Patent number: 7691085
    Abstract: A syringe interface includes a top opening into which a syringe can be loaded, a first retaining member positioned on one side of the opening and a second retaining member positioned on a second side of the opening. The first retaining member and the second retaining member abut a forward facing abutment surface of a syringe flange on the syringe generally symmetrically. The syringe interface further includes a cradle, at least one engagement member to abut a forward facing abutment surface of a syringe flange, and a carriage slidably disposed within the cradle. The carriage includes a connector to form a releasable connection with a plunger or plunger extension of the syringe and a drive member of the injector. The connector includes a plurality of flexing capture members that flex radially outward to connect to a flange on the rear of the plunger or plunger extension of the syringe when the carriage is moved forward within the syringe interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: James Albert Dedig, Frank A. Lazzaro, Kevin P. Cowan, Mark W. Hitchins, Charles J. Mutschler, James R. Neill
  • Patent number: 7540856
    Abstract: An injector for injecting fluid from a syringe mounted thereon includes a housing, a drive member at least partially disposed within the housing and operable to engage a plunger of the syringe, and a syringe retaining mechanism associated with the housing. The syringe retaining mechanism is adapted to releasably engage the syringe regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector. Further, the retaining mechanism is preferably movable upon rotation of the syringe between a relaxed state, where the syringe is engaged by the retaining mechanism, and a tensioned state, where the syringe is released from the retaining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, Francis J. Sciulli, Robert D. Parks
  • Patent number: 6984222
    Abstract: The plunger systems for use in an injector-actuated syringe of the present invention include a dynamic wedge seal which improves the sealing engagement between the plunger cover and syringe barrel, and flexible capture members extending from the rear surface of the plunger which permit the engagement and disengagement of the plunger from the injector drive means at any plunger position within the syringe. Further, the plunger systems include a contrast saving tip which expells the injection liquid from the syringe tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Hitchins, Edward J. Rhinehart, David M. Reilly, Anthony S. McCoppin, Thomas L. Dufalla, Robert J. Masarik
  • Publication number: 20040133161
    Abstract: A syringe for use with an injector includes a body having a rear end and a front end, a plunger movably disposed within the body, an attachment member associated with the body and adapted to releasably engage a syringe retaining mechanism of the injector regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector, and an encoding device operable to provide syringe information to the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, James A. Dedig, Francis J. Sciulli, Steven C. Rygg, Larry J. Fuchs, Edward J. Rhinehart, Robert D. Parks
  • Publication number: 20040133162
    Abstract: An injector for injecting fluid from a syringe mounted thereon includes a housing, a drive member at least partially disposed within the housing and operable to engage a plunger of the syringe, and a syringe retaining mechanism associated with the housing. The syringe retaining mechanism is adapted to releasably engage the syringe regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector. Further, the retaining mechanism is preferably movable upon rotation of the syringe between a relaxed state, where the syringe is engaged by the retaining mechanism, and a tensioned state, where the syringe is released from the retaining mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, James A. Dedig, Francis J. Sciulli, Steven C. Rygg, Larry J. Fuchs, Edward J. Rhinehart, Robert D. Parks
  • Publication number: 20040133183
    Abstract: A method of preparing for an injection procedure preferably includes: mounting a syringe comprising a distal end and a plunger on an injector comprising a piston; sensing that the syringe is mounted on the injector; advancing the piston of the injector to engage the plunger of the syringe and to advance the plunger to the distal end thereof; and retracting the piston to retract the plunger and aspirate fluid into the syringe. Preferably, the method includes determining whether the syringe is an empty syringe, a preloaded syringe or a prefilled syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, James A. Dedig, Francis J. Sciulli, Steven C. Rygg, Larry J. Fuchs, Edward J. Rhinehart, Robert D. Parks
  • Publication number: 20040133153
    Abstract: A syringe adapter for an injector and a method of adapting an injector to accept a syringe are provided. The syringe adapter preferably includes a rear mounting member adapted to engage a syringe retaining mechanism associated with the injector and a front mounting member adapted to engage a corresponding mounting member associated with a syringe to install the syringe on the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, James A. Dedig, Francis J. Sciulli, Steven C. Rygg, Larry J. Fuchs, Edward J. Rhinehart, Robert D. Parks
  • Publication number: 20040116861
    Abstract: An injector system includes an injector and a syringe. The syringe preferably includes a body having a forward end and a rearward end, and a plunger movably disposed in the body. The injector preferably includes a housing and a piston movably disposed at least partially within the housing. The piston is adapted to drive the plunger of the syringe in a forward direction without a connective engagement therebetween to dispense fluid from the forward end of the body during an injection procedure, and to connectively engages the plunger to retract the plunger within the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, James A. Dedig, Francis J. Sciulli, Steven C. Rygg, Larry J. Fuchs, Edward J. Rhinehart, Robert D. Parks
  • Patent number: 6652489
    Abstract: Embodiments of an injector, syringe, syringe interface, and piston/plunger assembly for an injector (of contrast medium, for example) are described. Preferably, the syringe is adapted to engage a syringe interface mechanism such that the syringe may be connected to an injector without regard to any particular orientation of the syringe to the injector or to the piston/plunger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, James A. Dedig, Francis J. Sciulli, Steven C. Rygg, Larry J. Fuchs, Edward J. Rhinehart, Robert D. Parks
  • Publication number: 20030120212
    Abstract: A syringe interface includes a top opening into which a syringe can be loaded, a first retaining member positioned on one side of the opening and a second retaining member positioned on a second side of the opening. The first retaining member and the second retaining member abut a forward facing abutment surface of a syringe flange on the syringe generally symmetrically. The syringe interface further includes a cradle, at least one engagement member to abut a forward facing abutment surface of a syringe flange, and a carriage slidably disposed within the cradle. The carriage includes a connector to form a releasable connection with a plunger or plunger extension of the syringe and a drive member of the injector. The connector includes a plurality of flexing capture members that flex radially outward to connect to a flange on the rear of the plunger or plunger extension of the syringe when the carriage is moved forward within the syringe interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: James Albert Dedig, Frank A. Lazzaro, Kevin P. Cowan, Mark W. Hitchins, Charles J. Mutschler, James R. Neill, Luis Castillo
  • Publication number: 20020147429
    Abstract: A syringe for use in a medical injection procedure in connection with connectors having a tapered fitting includes a syringe tip having a cooperating tapered fitting including a passage therein in fluid communication with an interior of the syringe. The syringe also includes a first connecting member having a radially inward threaded portion on an inner surface thereof adapted to connect to a first type of connector including a tapered fitting having at least one radially outward extending flange adapted to connect to the radially inward threaded portion of the first connecting member. In that regard, the first connecting member allows connection of the syringe to, for example, a standard luer fitting connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Kevin P. Cowan, Mark W. Hitchins, Ralph H. Schriver, Frederick W. Trombley, Joseph E. Bisegna, Herbert M. Grubic, Francis J. Sciulli, David M. Reilly, Arthur E. Uber, Frank B. McFall
  • Publication number: 20010047153
    Abstract: Embodiments of an injector, syringe, syringe interface, and piston/plunger assembly for an injector (of contrast medium, for example) are described. Preferably, the syringe is adapted to engage a syringe interface mechanism such that the syringe may be connected to an injector without regard to any particular orientation of the syringe to the injector or to the piston/plunger assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, Mark W. Hitchins, Kevin P. Cowan, James A. Dedig, Francis J. Sciulli, Steven C. Rygg, Larry J. Fuchs, Edward J. Rhinehart, Robert D. Parks
  • Patent number: 6322535
    Abstract: The present invention provides prefillable syringes and injectors for use therewith that expand and/or facilitate a variety of medical procedures involving the injection of a liquid medium. In several embodiments, the present syringes and injectors enable the use of current syringe materials at higher pressures than previously attainable or the use of other materials not previously usable with current high pressure-syringe and injector designs. In one embodiment, a syringe comprises an elongated cylindrical main body having a first pair and a second pair of mounting flanges encompassing collectively an arcuate length equal to at least approximately 180° of the circumference of the rear portion of the cylindrical main body for releasably mounting the syringe in a desired position relative to the front wall of the injector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Hitchins, Edward J. Rhinehart, Robert J. Masarik