Patents by Inventor Rick L. Pruter

Rick L. Pruter 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: 20230393611
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the spread of contamination via tactile interaction with a touch screen display device for a medical imaging system in a clinical environment which includes a series of display device protection procedures each involving unfurling a rolled disposable cover which was stored adjacent to said display device and after removal of liner tape from two opposing ends of the unfurled disposable cover, attaching the same to the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 11755063
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the spread of contamination via tactile interaction with a touch screen display device for a medical imaging system in a clinical environment which includes a series of display device protection procedures each involving unfurling a rolled disposable cover which was stored adjacent to said display device and after removal of liner tape from two opposing ends of the unfurled disposable cover, attaching the same to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Aspen Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 11660112
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the risk of contamination of interior regions of a needle guide which is disposed on an endocavity transducer, which system includes an elastic membrane forming a pocket which covers a needle exit hole in the needle guide. The pocket is disposed on a sheath which is both; disposed around the endocavity transducer and between the endocavity transducer and the needle guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Aspen Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Betty Sedlacek, Rick L. Pruter
  • Publication number: 20200345392
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the risk of contamination of interior regions of a needle guide which is disposed on an endocavity transducer, which system includes an elastic membrane forming a pocket which covers a needle exit hole in the needle guide. The pocket is disposed on a sheath which is both; disposed around the endocavity transducer and between the endocavity transducer and the needle guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Rick L. PRUTER, Betty SEDLACEK
  • Patent number: 10736655
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the risk of contamination of interior regions of a needle guide which is disposed on an endocavity transducer, which system includes an elastic membrane forming a pocket which covers a needle exit hole in the needle guide. The pocket is disposed on a sheath which is both; disposed around the endocavity transducer and between the endocavity transducer and the needle guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventors: Rick L. Pruter, Betty Sedlacek
  • Publication number: 20200218307
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the spread of contamination via tactile interaction with a touch screen display device for a medical imaging system in a clinical environment which includes a series of display device protection procedures each involving unfurling a rolled disposable cover which was stored adjacent to said display device and after removal of liner tape from two opposing ends of the unfurled disposable cover, attaching the same to the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventor: Rick L. PRUTER
  • Patent number: 8747324
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where a non-reusable needle guide, which is relatively inexpensive which grasps the sheathed bracket firm, and holds the same in a set position based upon a bullet-nose lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Protek Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick L. Pruter, Quanah Lee Bain
  • Patent number: 8353880
    Abstract: A method for reducing the risk of contamination of a sterile biopsy system, via a sterile sheath with an exterior structure to aid in opening the sheath, and further having a self-sealing target disposed at an opposing closed end of said sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 8353840
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in which the apparatus comprises a locking button for coupling the needle guide to a transceiver bracket and an unlocking button for unlatching the locking button from a coupling position, where both buttons are pushed in the same direction to accomplish their respective locking and unlatching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 7850664
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the risk of contamination of a sterile biopsy system via using a sterile sheath with an exterior structure to aid in opening the sheath, and further having a self-sealing target disposed at an opposing closed end of said sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 7837627
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle where a structure is disposed on an exterior of a sterile sheath to aid in guiding the needle with respect to the transceiver, which transceiver is not yet inserted into the sterile sheath. In one case, the needle guide is attached to the exterior of the sheath; in another, a needle guide adapter is attached to the exterior of the sheath; in still another, an adhesive is attached on the inside of the sheath to assist in attachment with the transceiver. In still another, a temporary adhesive cover is attached to the internal adhesive and is removable upon full insertion of the transceiver into the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Rick L Pruter
  • Patent number: 7635336
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where an open-ended needle guide with an adjustable slidable multi-gauge needle stop is used to guide a needle during insertion and during a tilting of the needle with respect to the medical imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 7452331
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where an open-ended needle guide with an adjustable pivoting multi-gauge needle stop is used to guide a needle during insertion and during a tilting of the needle with respect to the medical imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Rick L Pruter
  • Patent number: 7316650
    Abstract: A system and method for supporting an ultrasound transducer or other medical device from a position above a patient support surface using an arched overhead boom and a tool balancer or multi-directional articulating extendable mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: Rick L Pruter
  • Patent number: 7087024
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where an open-ended needle guide with an adjustable slidable multi-gauge needle stop is used to guide a needle during insertion and during a tilting of the needle with respect to the medical imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 6908433
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle where a structure is attached to the sterile sheath to aid in coupling the needle guide to the transceiver. In one case, the needle guide is attached to the exterior of the sheath; in another, a needle guide adapter is attached to the exterior of the sheath; in still another, an adhesive is attached on the inside of the sheath to assist in attachment with the transceiver. In still another, a temporary adhesive cover is attached to the internal adhesive and is removable upon full insertion of the transceiver into the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 6884219
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using an endocavity medical imaging device, where a non-reusable needle guide, which is relatively inexpensive which grasps the sheathed bracket firm, and holds the same in a set position based upon a protuberance having an intentionally low shear resisting capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 6758817
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where a non-reusable needle guide, which is relatively inexpensive which grasps the sheathed bracket firm, and holds the same in a set position based upon a bullet-nose lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Protek Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick L. Pruter, Quanah Lee Bain
  • Patent number: 6612990
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where an open-ended needle guide with an adjustable slidable multi-gauge needle stop is used to guide a needle during insertion and during a tilting of the needle with respect to the medical imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter
  • Patent number: 6565050
    Abstract: A system and method for supporting an ultrasound transducer or other medical device from a position above a patient support surface using an arched overhead boom and a tool balancer or multi-directional articulating extendable mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Rick L. Pruter