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).

  • Patent number: 8647326
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
  • Patent number: 8523831
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Kennedy, Richard Lasher
  • Patent number: 8343112
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 8231587
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
  • Patent number: 8172825
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Mark Adams
  • Publication number: 20120039764
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: CATHETER CONNECTIONS, INC., UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
  • Publication number: 20120039765
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: CATHETER CONNECTIONS, INC., UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
  • Publication number: 20110217212
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicants: CATHETER CONNECTIONS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20110213341
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicants: CATHETER CONNECTIONS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Kennedy, Richard Lasher
  • Publication number: 20110044850
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicants: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
  • Publication number: 20100049170
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcook, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Mark Adams
  • Publication number: 20100047123
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
  • Publication number: 20060173439
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Gale Thorne, Gale Thorne, Michael Howlett
  • Publication number: 20060100590
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Gale Thorne, Nestor San Juan, Michael Howlett, Bradley Robinson, Gale Thorne
  • Publication number: 20050245880
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Howlett, James Mercer, Gale Thorne, Gale Thorne
  • Publication number: 20050177183
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Gale Thorne, Michael Howlett, James Mercer
  • Patent number: 6332408
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventors: Michael Howlett, Gordon Alexander Murray, William E. Crowle
  • Publication number: 20010032571
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Michael Howlett, Gordon Alexander Murray, William E. Crowle
  • Patent number: D695398
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
  • Patent number: D725952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Lindsey Szczygiel, Ryosuke Mizuno, Michael Howlett