Patents by Inventor Richard E. Houts

Richard E. Houts 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: 5116327
    Abstract: A hollow, T-shaped body is connected to an extroducer rod by a flexible drain tube. The extroducer rod is longer than a human female vagina, sufficiently stiff to be passed therethrough when the vagina is in a collapsed state, and has a smooth rounded end to facilitate insertion through the vaginal cuff and passage through the vagina during an abdominal hysterectomy. The extroducer rod is also larger in diameter than a Foley catheter which is used to drain the bladder, and formed with external flutes which make it easily distinguishable from the catheter by feel. The T-shaped body has a leg which is connected to the drain tube, and two perpendicular arms. Drain holes are formed through the arms which open in a direction away from the leg. The innermost drain hole of each arm is cut away to a sufficient depth that the arms can collapse to positions parallel to the leg and drain tube to facilitate withdrawal of the body through the vagina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Helix Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund V. Seder, Richard E. Houts
  • Patent number: 5041101
    Abstract: A hollow, T-shaped body is connected to an extroducer rod by a flexible drain tube. The extroducer rod is longer than a human female vagina, sufficiently stiff to be passed therethrough when the vagina is in a collapsed state, and has a smooth rounded end to facilitate insertion through the vaginal cuff and passage through the vagina during an abdominal hysterectomy. The extroducer rod is also larger in diameter than a Foley catheter which is used to drain the bladder, and formed with external flutes which make it easily distinguishable from the catheter by feel. The T-shaped body has a leg which is connected to the drain tube, and two perpendicular arms. Drain holes are formed through the arms which open in a direction away from the leg. The innermost drain hole of each arm is cut away to a sufficient depth that the arms can collapse to positions parallel to the leg and drain tube to facilitate withdrawal of the body through the vagina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Helix Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund V. Seder, Richard E. Houts