Patents by Inventor Nathaniel M. Sims

Nathaniel M. Sims 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: 20110093279
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for enabling transfer of a drug from a first drug container to a second drug container including a drug identification component that recognizes a first drug container to retrieve drug identifying data for the drug, a storage medium that stores a site-specific database comprising attributes and associated values for a set of drugs including the drug in the first drug container, a processor that obtains the drug identifying data and the attributes and associated values for the drug and produces information about the drug using the drug identifying data and the attributes and associated values, a rules engine that applies one or more rules to the information about the drug to generate drug handling information, and an output unit that outputs markings comprising the drug handling information in human-readable or machine-readable form, or both, to be associated with the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Wilton C. Levine, James Kenneth Davison, Michael Dempsey, Kimberly Donovan, William D. Driscoll, III, Gayle A. Fishman, Nathaniel M. Sims
  • Patent number: 7867197
    Abstract: Various methods and devices for driving fluid from a syringe are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a syringe driver is provided having a frame that is adapted to seat a syringe, a driver that is slidably disposed within the frame and that is adapted to seat a plunger of a syringe, and a puller that is slidably disposed within the frame and that has a latch formed thereon for mating to an engagement element on the frame. The device can also include a force-delivery element, such as a constant force spring, that is coupled to and extends between the driver and the puller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Sims, Michael H. Wollowitz
  • Publication number: 20100332257
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, apparatus and computer program products for a customizable and contextually relevant medical system with automatic reconfiguration and data binding. Some embodiments relate to an enterprise digital assistant capable of changing its functionality based on context and binding medical information associated with one medical entity, for example, a care giver, patient or medical system/device, to medical information associated with another medical entity. Other embodiments relate to a method for automatically reconfiguring an enterprise digital assistant based on context and performing contextually relevant data binding. In this regard, the method provides a module for processing medical data from a plurality of medical entities and transmitting the data to one or more clinical information systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Sims, Michael Dempsey, Kimberly Donovan
  • Patent number: 7471994
    Abstract: A system for creating a customized drug library for an electronically loadable drug infusion pump, the system including a drug library containing a plurality of drug entries, there being associated with each drug entry a set of associated drug delivery parameters and/or drug delivery protocols for configuring the drug infusion pump; a tool for selecting a set of drug entries from among the plurality of drug entries in said drug library; a tool for adding the selected drug entries along with the sets of drug delivery information associated therewith to a customized library; and a loading tool for causing the system to electronically load the customized library into the drug infusion pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Ford, Nathaniel M. Sims, Marc A. Mandro
  • Publication number: 20020077852
    Abstract: A system for creating a customized drug library for an electronically loadable drug infusion pump, the system including a drug library containing a plurality of drug entries, there being associated with each drug entry a set of associated drug delivery parameters and/or drug delivery protocols for configuring the drug infusion pump; a tool for selecting a set of drug entries from among the plurality of drug entries in said drug library; a tool for adding the selected drug entries along with the sets of drug delivery information associated therewith to a customized library; and a loading tool for causing the system to electronically load the customized library into the drug infusion pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: The General Hospital, Massachusetts corporation
    Inventors: Alan D. Ford, Nathaniel M. Sims, Marc A. Mandro
  • Patent number: 6269340
    Abstract: A system for creating a customized drug library for an electronically loadable drug infusion pump, the system including a drug library containing a plurality of drug entries, there being associated with each drug entry a set of associated drug delivery parameters and/or drug delivery protocols for configuring the drug infusion pump; a tool for selecting a set of drug entries from among the plurality of drug entries in said drug library; a tool for adding the selected drug entries along with the sets of drug delivery information associated therewith to a customized library; and a loading tool for causing the system to electronically load the customized library into the drug infusion pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignees: The General Hospital, Baxter International
    Inventors: Alan D. Ford, Nathaniel M. Sims, Marc A. Mandro
  • Patent number: 5987670
    Abstract: A system for securing a wheeled pole, such as an IV pole, to an adjustable height mobile bed to form a movable assembly. The system includes a linkage element with first and second mounting blocks effective to secure the linkage element to an intermediate frame portion of the bed. An elastomeric member is extendable from the linkage element for engagement with a plurality of engagement members disposed on opposite sides of a channel formed in the linkage element. The elastomeric member effectively secures the IV pole in the channel for transport of the IV pole/bed assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Sims, Michael H. Wollowitz
  • Patent number: 5954695
    Abstract: A syringe driver device is able to effect the controlled, parenteral infusion of a medical fluid using an available disposable syringe. The driver device includes a frame heaving a movable carriage, which houses a force applying element, mounted thereto. A disposable syringe mounts upon the frame and a lengthy microbore tubing attaches to the outlet tip of the syringe. As a force is applied to the syringe plunger, fluid is expelled from the syringe, but its flow rate is dependent upon the diameter of the microbore tubing. The driver device enables the delivery of multiple, sequential doses of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Sims, Michael H. Wollowitz, David M. Wrightson
  • Patent number: 5722956
    Abstract: A syringe driver device is able to effect the controlled, parenteral infusion of a medical fluid using an available disposable syringe. The driver device includes a frame heaving a movable carriage, which houses a force applying element, mounted thereto. A disposable syringe mounts upon the frame and a lengthy microbore tubing attaches to the outlet tip of the syringe. As a force is applied to the syringe plunger, fluid is expelled from the syringe, but its flow rate is dependent upon the diameter of the microbore tubing. The driver device enables the delivery of multiple, sequential doses of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Sims, Michael H. Wollowitz, David M. Wrightson
  • Patent number: 5689242
    Abstract: A tag associated with a device and that identifies the device with respect to other devices is connected to a communication link with the same connector used to connect the device to a source of power. The device connector includes an element for receiving electrical power and a data contact connected to the tag. An electrical power connector (which serves as the power source) has an element for engaging the element of the device connector and applying electrical power thereto, and another data contact connected to the communication link. When the device connector is engaged with the electrical power source connector, the data contacts engage one another and establish a data path between the communication link and the tag. The connection to the communication link allows information to be exchanged between the communication link and the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Aquila Technologies Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Sims, Steven P. Kadner, Kevin Ferguson, Chris Martinez, Robert Rajala
  • Patent number: 5681285
    Abstract: A system for creating a customized drug library for an electronically loadable drug infusion pump, the system including a drug library containing a plurality of drug entries, there being associated with each drug entry a set of associated drug delivery parameters and/or drug delivery protocols for configuring the drug infusion pump; a tool for selecting a set of drug entries from among the plurality of drug entries in said drug library; a tool for adding the selected drug entries along with the sets of drug delivery information associated therewith to a customized library; and a loading tool for causing the system to electronically load the customized library into the drug infusion pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Ford, Nathaniel M. Sims, Marc A. Mandro
  • Patent number: 5434775
    Abstract: The locations of a plurality of devices are tracked using a network of communication links, each of which corresponds to a location. Each device is given a tag that identifies the device with respect to other devices and that is connectable to a communication link when the device is disposed at the location to which the link corresponds. Each tag that is connected to each communication link is detected, and the location of each device is determined based on the detection. One feature of the technique is additionally determining the conditions of the devices by correlating one or more communication links with conditions. The technique is simple to use and highly effective technique in tracking devices stored at various locations throughout a facility. Device location and condition are monitored continuously, thereby reducing the risk that the removal of a device from storage will go undetected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Sims, John M. Turner, Jane M. Zeisloft, Daniel C. Kusswurm, Ralph H. LaBedz
  • Patent number: 5319363
    Abstract: Multiple devices that are each suitable for use at a selected one of multiple locations are managed using a network of links that are each assigned to one of the locations. Each link is selectable between a state in which a device is not using the link and a state in which one or more devices are using the link. Links that are in use by the devices are identified and the locations at which the devices are used are determined based on the identities of the links that are in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Welch, Nathaniel M. Sims
  • Patent number: 4945592
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a patient care device comprises a vertically adjustable first horizontal flange secured to a patient transport device, a patient care apparatus having an elongate vertical member supporting a patient care device, and a second horizontal flange disposed on an upper portion of the vertical member of the patient care apparatus. The upper portion of the vertical member may be detachable from the base portion thereof. In order to secure the patient care device to the patient transport apparatus, a mating means on the first horizontal flange is aligned directly below a mating means on the second horizontal flange. The first horizontal flange is then elevated until it interlockingly engages the second horizontal flange. The first flange is further elevated until the upper portion of the vertical member detaches from the base portion and becomes freely supported by the patient transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Sims, James P. Welch