Patents by Inventor Michael Merchant

Michael Merchant 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: 20230087734
    Abstract: A medicinal infusion system includes a safety valve for isolating residual medication by providing a single point of fluidic disconnect to encapsulate a residual fluid volume prone to spillage. The safety valve couples a medicinal repository such as an infusion pump to a medicinal supply, typically from a syringe or tubing. The safety valve includes a resilient, deformable, or hinged surface for isolating and sealing the medicinal flow to eliminate and/or isolate any residual volume in tubing and connectors. The isolating surface accommodates an inserted fitting or coupling for allowing the medicinal flow to fill the infusion pump. Upon disconnection, fluids on either side of the safety valve are therefore isolated on the respective fill or source sides, and residual volume prone to spillage is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventor: Michael A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20230070577
    Abstract: A medicinal vial reconstitution and IV dispensing device includes a bifurcated receptacle adapted to engage a medicinal vial, and a valve or barrier for selectively opening and closing the medicinal vial from fluidic communication with the patient IV line. The reconstitution device mixes medication with saline solution from an IV bag through a dedicated channel. The reconstitution device receives a medication vial containing the powdered medication. The reconstituted medication is then passed back into the IV bag for uniform mixing. A flow control element ensures fluid flow only from the vial to the bag. Once mixed, the reconstituted medication achieves a desired concentration in the IV bag. The (now medicated) saline solution in the IV bag is dispensed back through the reconstitution device via an IV line to the patient, and the flow control element redirects fluid only to the IV line and prevents any backflow with the vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. Merchant, Hsi Chin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11497684
    Abstract: A medicinal vial reconstitution and IV dispensing device includes a bifurcated receptacle adapted to engage a medicinal vial, and a valve or barrier for selectively opening and closing the medicinal vial from fluidic communication with the patient IV line. The reconstitution device mixes medication with saline solution from an IV bag through a dedicated channel. The reconstitution device receives a medication vial containing the powdered medication. The reconstituted medication is then passed back into the IV bag for uniform mixing. A flow control element ensures fluid flow only from the vial to the bag. Once mixed, the reconstituted medication achieves a desired concentration in the IV bag. The (now medicated) saline solution in the IV bag is dispensed back through the reconstitution device via an IV line to the patient, and the flow control element redirects fluid only to the IV line and prevents any backflow with the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Michael A. Merchant, Hsi Chin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11491275
    Abstract: A medicinal infusion system includes a safety valve for isolating residual medication by providing a single point of fluidic disconnect to encapsulate a residual fluid volume prone to spillage. The safety valve couples a medicinal repository such as an infusion pump to a medicinal supply, typically from a syringe or tubing. The safety valve includes a resilient, deformable, or hinged surface for isolating and sealing the medicinal flow to eliminate and/or isolate any residual volume in tubing and connectors. The isolating surface accommodates an inserted fitting or coupling for allowing the medicinal flow to fill the infusion pump. Upon disconnection, fluids on either side of the safety valve are therefore isolated on the respective fill or source sides, and residual volume prone to spillage is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Michael A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 11491319
    Abstract: An infusion coupling allows administration of IV drugs to a patient through an IV fluid line, and ensures that successive courses of medication are fully passed or flushed from the line to prevent mixing of incompatible drugs in the IV line. The infusion coupling includes a vessel body, and a plurality of branch inlets to receive medication through IV tubing connected to the inlets. The vessel body has a generally cylindrical shape such that each of the branch inlets is in fluidic communication with the interior volume for receiving the IV fluids for transport. The inlets are angled on the body of the infusion coupling. A transverse bar or obstruction extends across an interior diameter of the infusion coupling for disrupting a circular flow that can result in a vortex. Formation of a vortex can retain the infused medication in the infusion coupling and result in mixing with successive medication courses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Michael A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20200330326
    Abstract: A medicinal vial reconstitution and IV dispensing device includes a bifurcated receptacle adapted to engage a medicinal vial, and a valve or barrier for selectively opening and closing the medicinal vial from fluidic communication with the patient IV line. The reconstitution device mixes medication with saline solution from an IV bag through a dedicated channel. The reconstitution device receives a medication vial containing the powdered medication. The reconstituted medication is then passed back into the IV bag for uniform mixing. A flow control element ensures fluid flow only from the vial to the bag. Once mixed, the reconstituted medication achieves a desired concentration in the IV bag. The (now medicated) saline solution in the IV bag is dispensed back through the reconstitution device via an IV line to the patient, and the flow control element redirects fluid only to the IV line and prevents any backflow with the vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Michael A. Merchant, Hsi Chin Tsai
  • Publication number: 20190247643
    Abstract: An infusion coupling allows administration of IV drugs to a patient through an IV fluid line, and ensures that successive courses of medication are fully passed or flushed from the line to prevent mixing of incompatible drugs in the IV line. The infusion coupling includes a vessel body, and a plurality of branch inlets to receive medication through IV tubing connected to the inlets. The vessel body a generally cylindrical shape such that each of the branch inlets is in fluidic communication with the interior volume for receiving the IV fluids for transport. The inlets are angled on the body of the infusion coupling. A transverse bar or obstruction extends across an interior diameter of the infusion coupling for disrupting a circular flow that can result in a vortex. Formation of a vortex can retain the infused medication in the infusion coupling and result in mixing with successive medication courses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventor: Michael A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20190209775
    Abstract: A medicinal infusion system includes a safety valve for isolating residual medication by providing a single point of fluidic disconnect to encapsulate a residual fluid volume prone to spillage. The safety valve couples a medicinal repository such as an infusion pump to a medicinal supply, typically from a syringe or tubing. The safety valve includes a resilient, deformable, or hinged surface for isolating and sealing the medicinal flow to eliminate and/or isolate any residual volume in tubing and connectors. The isolating surface accommodates an inserted fitting or coupling for allowing the medicinal flow to fill the infusion pump. Upon disconnection, fluids on either side of the safety valve are therefore isolated on the respective fill or source sides, and residual volume prone to spillage is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventor: Michael A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20190082866
    Abstract: A unitary bedsheet and cover are provided for applying bedding to a mattress. A mattress encasement surrounds the mattress, much like a pillow case and pillow. A flap is provided to cover the opening in the encasement tuck beneath the mattress. A top sheet is attached along a foot end of the mattress encasement. The unitary bedsheet system may have elastic panels to provide a snug fit of the encasement around the mattress. Once installed the sheets of unitary unit do not move or come untucked and the fitted encasement stays tight to the mattress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventor: Terry Michael Merchant
  • Patent number: 9895489
    Abstract: A disposable safety needle assembly and safety enclosure for internally shielding a used or contaminated needle includes a needle assembly having a needle cannula slidably disposed within a safety enclosure. An angular orientation to the needle within the enclosure maintains an insertion angle allowing the safety enclosure to remain substantially flush with a dermal surface during and while the needle is inserted. The safety enclosure also includes an internally disposed flexible safety member. The flexible safety member has face portion transversely situated and having a safety feature disposed to the needle and that slides thereon. Retracting the needle within the safety enclosure to a point wherein the sharp tip of the needle is beyond the needle protection section of the flexible member causes the protection section to travel transversely to the direction of motion of the needle. As a result, the safety feature receives the sharp tip of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Merchant
  • Publication number: 20170056586
    Abstract: A disposable safety needle assembly and safety enclosure for internally shielding a used or contaminated needle includes a needle assembly having a needle cannula slidably disposed within a safety enclosure. An angular orientation to the needle within the enclosure maintains an insertion angle allowing the safety enclosure to remain substantially flush with a dermal surface during and while the needle is inserted. The safety enclosure also includes an internally disposed flexible safety member. The flexible safety member has face portion transversely situated and having a safety feature disposed to the needle and that slides thereon. Retracting the needle within the safety enclosure to a point wherein the sharp tip of the needle is beyond the needle protection section of the flexible member causes the protection section to travel transversely to the direction of motion of the needle. As a result, the safety feature receives the sharp tip of the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Merchant
  • Patent number: 9366157
    Abstract: A lube oil supply system of a turbine system and method of regulating lube oil temperatures. In one embodiment, the system includes a first valve positioned on a lube oil bypass conduit in fluid communication with a lube oil supply line to a heat exchanger. The first valve may be positioned in parallel with the heat exchanger. The system may also include a second valve positioned on a cooling fluid supply line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and a lube oil control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve. The lube oil control system may be configured to modify a position of at least one of the first valve, or the second valve in response to determining a temperature of a lube oil of the lube oil supply line differs from a predetermined lube oil temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Fitzpatrick, Matthew Kenneth King, Jon Michael Merchant, Steven Paul Scarlata
  • Publication number: 20150044036
    Abstract: A lube oil supply system of a turbine system and method of regulating lube oil temperatures. In one embodiment, the system includes a first valve positioned on a lube oil bypass conduit in fluid communication with a lube oil supply line to a heat exchanger. The first valve may be positioned in parallel with the heat exchanger. The system may also include a second valve positioned on a cooling fluid supply line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and a lube oil control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve. The lube oil control system may be configured to modify a position of at least one of the first valve, or the second valve in response to determining a temperature of a lube oil of the lube oil supply line differs from a predetermined lube oil temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Fitzpatrick, Matthew Kenneth King, Jon Michael Merchant, Steven Paul Scarlata
  • Patent number: 8758991
    Abstract: Methods of isolating membrane vesicles from a biological fluid sample are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise providing a biological fluid sample comprising membrane vesicles; filtering the biological fluid sample through a filtration module comprising a filter having an average pore diameter of between about 0.01 um and about 0.15 um; and collecting from the filtration module a retentate comprising the membrane vesicles, thereby isolating the membrane vesicles from the biological fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Klein, Elias Klein, Michael Merchant
  • Patent number: 8394601
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for diagnosing a kidney disease, or the risk thereof, in a subject. The methods include determining an amount of at least one peptide biomarker disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample with a control level, wherein if the amount determined is different than the control level, the subject is diagnosed as having, or at an increased risk of developing, the kidney disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon B. Klein, Michael Merchant, Grzegorz Boratyn
  • Patent number: 8303571
    Abstract: A multiple-line connective device for use in a medication infusing system includes a connective device body forming a main flow passage from an inlet to an outlet along a longitudinal axis, the main flow passage including an interior surface having a raised surface feature configured to induce turbulent liquid flow through the main flow passage. One or more branches extend from the connective device body, each defining at least one branch passage in communication with the main flow passage. Each branch passage enters the main flow passage at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis that imparts a flow through the branch passage that has a directional component that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and in the direction from the inlet to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Errorless Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Y. Kraushaar, Michael A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 8221352
    Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include a disposable safety needle assembly and safety enclosure for internally shielding a used or contaminated needle. The needle assembly has a needle cannula slidably disposed within a safety enclosure. The safety enclosure includes an internally disposed flexible safety member. The flexible safety member has face portion transversely situated and having a safety feature disposed to the needle and that slides thereon. Retracting the needle within the safety enclosure to a point wherein the sharp tip of the needle is beyond the needle protection section of the flexible member causes the protection section to travel transversely to the direction of motion of the needle. As a result, the safety feature receives the sharp tip of the needle and prevents the needle from exiting the enclosure, thereby maintaining the needle safely after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Merchant
  • Publication number: 20120029479
    Abstract: A multiple-line connective device for use in a medication infusing system includes a connective device body forming a main flow passage from an inlet to an outlet along a longitudinal axis, the main flow passage including an interior surface having a raised surface feature configured to induce turbulent liquid flow through the main flow passage. One or more branches extend from the connective device body, each defining at least one branch passage in communication with the main flow passage. Each branch passage enters the main flow passage at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis that imparts a flow through the branch passage that has a directional component that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and in the direction from the inlet to the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy Y. Kraushaar, Michael A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20120009606
    Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides methods for diagnosing a kidney disease, or the risk thereof, in a subject. The methods comprise determining an amount of at least one peptide biomarker disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample with a control level, wherein if the amount determined is different than the control level, the subject is diagnosed as having, or at an increased risk of developing, the kidney disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jon B. Klein, Michael Merchant, Grzegorz Boratyn
  • Patent number: 8039227
    Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a kidney disease, or the risk thereof, in a subject are provided. The methods comprise determining an amount of at least one peptide biomarker disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample with a control level, wherein if the amount determined is different than the control level, the subject is diagnosed as having, or at an increased risk of developing, the kidney disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon B. Klein, Michael Merchant, Grzegorz Boratyn