Patents by Inventor Michael Howlett
Michael Howlett 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).
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Patent number: 8647326Abstract: One or more caps can be used to cover and sterilize one or more separated medical connectors. A pair of caps can be connected to each other and sealed when in a pre-use state. The paired caps can be unsealed so as to permit connection to the medical connectors.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
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Patent number: 8523831Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect medical connectors. Some caps can create a seal with the medical connectors to prevent antiseptic from entering a fluid paths defined by a connector. Support members can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Kennedy, Richard Lasher
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Patent number: 8343112Abstract: Some assemblies can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which can be used to cover separated medical connectors. In certain arrangements, a male cap can include a movable carriage that transitions from a retracted position when an assembly with which the male cap is associated is in a closed state to an extended position when the assembly is in an open state.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
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Patent number: 8231587Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect a male protrusion portion of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male protrusion to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen the protrusion. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignees: Catheter Connections, The University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
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Patent number: 8172825Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and sterilize the male luer of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male luer to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen of the male luer. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: The University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Mark Adams
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Publication number: 20120039764Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect a male protrusion portion of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male protrusion to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen the protrusion. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicants: CATHETER CONNECTIONS, INC., UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
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Publication number: 20120039765Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect a male protrusion portion of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male protrusion to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen the protrusion. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicants: CATHETER CONNECTIONS, INC., UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
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Publication number: 20110217212Abstract: Some assemblies can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which can be used to cover separated medical connectors. In certain arrangements, a male cap can include a movable carriage that transitions from a retracted position when an assembly with which the male cap is associated is in a closed state to an extended position when the assembly is in an open state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicants: CATHETER CONNECTIONS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
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Publication number: 20110213341Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect medical connectors. Some caps can create a seal with the medical connectors to prevent antiseptic from entering a fluid paths defined by a connector. Support members can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicants: CATHETER CONNECTIONS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Kennedy, Richard Lasher
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Publication number: 20110044850Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect a male protrusion portion of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male protrusion to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen the protrusion. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicants: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
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Publication number: 20100049170Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and sterilize the male luer of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male luer to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen of the male luer. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: The University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcook, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Mark Adams
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Publication number: 20100047123Abstract: One or more caps can be used to cover and sterilize one or more separated medical connectors. A pair of caps can be connected to each other and sealed when in a pre-use state. The paired caps can be unsealed so as to permit connection to the medical connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
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Publication number: 20060173439Abstract: A syringe driver or pump system based upon a syringe stem and associated assembly having a spiral threaded pattern along the outer surface of the stem, a collet-button which is displaceable along the stem assembly (as a nut is displaced along a bolt) and a spring. All are disposed to provide a cam action, translating rotary activity of the collet-button, which tends to be displaced to compress the spring when rotated, to linear displacement as the force of energy is released from the spring when compressed. Thus, force available for driving effluent fluid flow from the syringe is limited by the energy available from the spring, rather than force and energy which might be directly applied to otherwise displace the syringe stem assembly and collet-button. A digitally activated syringe driver and an electrical motor activated driver is disclosed. A number of electronic control systems for the motor are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventors: Gale Thorne, Gale Thorne, Michael Howlett
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Publication number: 20060100590Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which partitions a conventional syringe into proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, sequentially dispensing syringe apparatus. Incorporated in the valve assembly is a valved stopper having a valve (e.g. a slit valve) and a separator which filters out gas from liquid being dispensed through the valve assembly. A syringe plunger communicates through fluid in the proximal chamber to force displacement of the valve assembly. The valve is actuated by differential pressure of a force greater than the valve assembly displacement force. The valve assembly may be made from two parts: (1) a valved stopper (may be molded from basic syringe plunger material); (2) a separator (may be injection molded from syringe barrel material).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2005Publication date: May 11, 2006Inventors: Gale Thorne, Nestor San Juan, Michael Howlett, Bradley Robinson, Gale Thorne
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Publication number: 20050245880Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which effectively partitions a syringe into proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, sequentially dispensing syringe apparatus. The valve assembly may be effectively used with a variety of standard, currently available commercial syringes and pre-filled syringes. Incorporated in the valve assembly is a valved stopper having a valve (which may be a slit valve), an impact sensor which opens the valve upon impact between the valve assembly and internal distal end of the syringe and a gas separator which separates liquid from gas disposed in the proximal chamber to assure gas is not delivered therefrom. The valve assembly is displaced as a plunger of the syringe is displaced via communication through fluid in the proximal chamber of the syringe. The actuator has a latching feature which latches the valve to an open state after being opened by the impact sensor. The gas separator has a proximally disposed orifice which facilitates priming.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2004Publication date: November 3, 2005Inventors: Michael Howlett, James Mercer, Gale Thorne, Gale Thorne
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Publication number: 20050177183Abstract: A variety of embodiments of a variable incision width guide-wire steered scalpel are disclosed. Each embodiment employs a split blade which is proximally hinged, thereby facilitating making a variable width incision of a predetermined, substantially constant depth. Methods of preselecting an incision width are disclosed. Also, a plurality of embodiments of such a scalpel which may be used to provide an incision of preselected depth, as well, are disclosed. Notably, once a depth has been predetermined, that depth is kept substantially constant over the width of a resulting incision. While a wire may be threaded through the scalpel as a guide, the scalpel may be used for other incision applications without a guide-wire. The scalpel has safety features which generally follow the steps of piercing to make an incision of predetermined depth, transversely opening the split blade to widen the incision to a predetermined width, closing split blade and retracting the blade into a protective housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventors: Gale Thorne, Michael Howlett, James Mercer
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Patent number: 6332408Abstract: A novel method of combustion air control for multiple burner furnaces, whereas a pressure transducer is located in the air piping downstream of each zone air flow control device. The pressure transducer sends a feedback signal to a pressure control loop that is in a logical cascade from the furnace temperature control loop. The pressure control loop repositions the air flow control device to compensate for changes in both downstream and upstream conditions. Output from the temperature control loop is interpreted by the pressure control loop as a changing remote set-point value. In one embodiment, the system is ideally suited to compensate for the pressure drop changes that occur across a zone air flow control valve, when flow rate changes occur as burners are started or stopped, thus providing a substantially higher turndown ratio and better control at low fire settings.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Inventors: Michael Howlett, Gordon Alexander Murray, William E. Crowle
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Publication number: 20010032571Abstract: A novel method of combustion air control for multiple burner furnaces, whereas a pressure transducer is located in the air piping downstream of each zone air flow control device. The pressure transducer sends a feedback signal to a pressure control loop that is in a logical cascade from the furnace temperature control loop. The pressure control loop repositions the air flow control device to compensate for changes in both downstream and upstream conditions. Output from the temperature control loop is interpreted by the pressure control loop as a changing remote set-point value. In one embodiment, the system is ideally suited to compensate for the pressure drop changes that occur across a zone air flow control valve, when flow rate changes occur as burners are started or stopped, thus providing a substantially higher turndown ratio and better control at low fire settings.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: Michael Howlett, Gordon Alexander Murray, William E. Crowle
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Patent number: D695398Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
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Patent number: D725952Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.Inventors: Lindsey Szczygiel, Ryosuke Mizuno, Michael Howlett