Patents by Inventor Robert W. Flagler

Robert W. Flagler 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: 10350396
    Abstract: A device and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a guide catheter and a balloon dilation catheter. The balloon dilation catheter has an actuator that prevents injury to the middle ear. The balloon dilation catheter is slidably coupled with the guide catheter through the guide catheter lumen and is fully inserted into the guide catheter lumen when the distal side of the actuator is adjacent to the proximal end of the guide catheter. The method involves advancing the guide catheter and balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. Chan, Ketan P. Muni, Robert W. Flagler, Ali Eslambolchi
  • Publication number: 20150374963
    Abstract: A device and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a guide catheter and a balloon dilation catheter. The balloon dilation catheter has an actuator that prevents injury to the middle ear. The balloon dilation catheter is slidably coupled with the guide catheter through the guide catheter lumen and is fully inserted into the guide catheter lumen when the distal side of the actuator is adjacent to the proximal end of the guide catheter. The method involves advancing the guide catheter and balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Randy S. Chan, Ketan P. Muni, Robert W. Flagler, Ali Eslambolchi
  • Publication number: 20150174353
    Abstract: A molded tracheostomy tube may provide enhanced comfort for a patient. A unitary molded coating over areas of the tracheostomy tube that come into contact with the patient's skin may prevent irritation. Further, the overmolding manufacturing process may allow the tracheostomy tube assembly to incorporate features that allow for greater ease of movement for a patient, such as features that allow flexing at the connection point of the tracheostomy tube to other medical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. Flagler, Carl Kling, Michael H. Vardanega
  • Patent number: 8936025
    Abstract: A molded tracheostomy tube may provide enhanced comfort for a patient. A unitary molded coating over areas of the tracheostomy tube that come into contact with the patient's skin may prevent irritation. Further, the overmolding manufacturing process may allow the tracheostomy tube assembly to incorporate features that allow for greater ease of movement for a patient, such as features that allow flexing at the connection point of the tracheostomy tube to other medical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert W. Flagler, Carl Kling, Michael H. Vardanega
  • Patent number: 8897850
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a sensor assembly. In various embodiments the sensor assembly includes a body having a first segment, a second segment, and a living hinge. The living hinge has a pivot axis and mechanically couples the first segment and the second segment. Further, the living hinge facilitates the first segment and the second segment to pivoting relative to one another about the pivot axis. Embodiments may also relate to a method of manufacturing a sensor frame. The method may include forming an integral sensor body having a first frame segment, a second frame segment, and a living hinge. The first frame segment and the second frame segment are configured to pivot relative to one another about a pivot axis of the living hinge. The method may also include coupling one or more biasing mechanisms to the first frame segment and the second frame segment. The biasing mechanism is configured to generate a moment about the pivot axis of the living hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert Jochim, Joseph Coakley, Robert W. Flagler, Darius Eghbal, Michael H. Vardanega, Donald S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8251739
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Flagler
  • Publication number: 20120053430
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Flagler
  • Patent number: 8070508
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Flagler
  • Patent number: 7881762
    Abstract: A clip-style sensor is provided that includes a sliding clip, such as a flat spring that slides along the sensor to provide a closing force for the sensor. When the sliding clip is engaged, the sensor is secured to the patient. The sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other spectrophotometric measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Carl Kling, Phillip S. Palmer, Robert W. Flagler
  • Publication number: 20090173518
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Flagler
  • Publication number: 20090171224
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a sensor assembly. In various embodiments the sensor assembly includes a body having a first segment, a second segment, and a living hinge. The living hinge has a pivot axis and mechanically couples the first segment and the second segment. Further, the living hinge facilitates the first segment and the second segment to pivoting relative to one another about the pivot axis. Embodiments may also relate to a method of manufacturing a sensor frame. The method may include forming an integral sensor body having a first frame segment, a second frame segment, and a living hinge. The first frame segment and the second frame segment are configured to pivot relative to one another about a pivot axis of the living hinge. The method may also include coupling one or more biasing mechanisms to the first frame segment and the second frame segment. The biasing mechanism is configured to generate a moment about the pivot axis of the living hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Robert Jochim, Joseph Coakley, Robert W. Flagler, Darius Eghbal, Michael H. Vardanega, Donald S. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20080072911
    Abstract: A molded tracheostomy tube may provide enhanced comfort for a patient. A unitary molded coating over areas of the tracheostomy tube that come into contact with the patient's skin may prevent irritation. Further, the overmolding manufacturing process may allow the tracheostomy tube assembly to incorporate features that allow for greater ease of movement for a patient, such as features that allow flexing at the connection point of the tracheostomy tube to other medical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Robert W. Flagler, Carl Kling, Michael H. Vardanega
  • Patent number: 6986618
    Abstract: An advanced cleaning system having a handle portion with a proximal end and a distal end, a cleaning head portion, the cleaning head portion adapted for use with a removable cleaning pad, and a cleaning fluid reservoir fluidically coupled to the cleaning head portion such that cleaning fluid is controllably allowed to flow via gravity onto the surface to be cleaned adjacent the cleaning head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Hall, James E. Rader, Boli Zhou, Karen S. Hefter, David J. Sayler, Eric Y. Park, Robert W. Flagler, Scott T. Haubrich, Shumanta Mitra, Richard Porticos
  • Patent number: 6986619
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface using a tool with both a cleaning head and a cleaning fluid reservoir housing coupled to an elongated handle, the method comprising the following steps: attaching a cleaning pad to the cleaning head; inserting a replaceable cleaning fluid reservoir into the housing; fluidically coupling the cleaning fluid reservoir to the cleaning head; dispensing controlled amounts of cleaning fluid from the reservoir onto a surface; and distributing the cleaning fluid evenly over the surface with the cleaning pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Hall, James E. Rader, Boli Zhou, Karen S. Hefter, David J. Sayler, Eric Y. Park, Robert W. Flagler, Scott T. Haubrich, Shumanta Mitra, Richard Porticos, Douglas J. Minkler, Sharon Olsen
  • Patent number: 6893180
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface using a tool with both a cleaning head and a cleaning fluid reservoir housing coupled to an elongated handle, the method comprising the following steps: attaching a cleaning pad to the cleaning head; inserting a replaceable cleaning fluid reservoir into the housing; fluidically coupling the cleaning fluid reservoir to the cleaning head; dispensing controlled amounts of cleaning fluid from the reservoir onto a surface; and distributing the cleaning fluid evenly over the surface with the cleaning pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Hall, James E. Rader, Boli Zhou, Karen S. Hefter, David J. Sayler, Eric Y. Park, Robert W. Flagler, Scott T. Haubrich, Shumanta Mitra, Richard Porticos, Douglas J. Minkler, Sharon Olsen
  • Publication number: 20040253041
    Abstract: An advanced cleaning system having a handle portion with a proximal end and a distal end, a cleaning head portion, the cleaning head portion adapted for use with a removable cleaning pad, and a cleaning fluid reservoir fluidically coupled to the cleaning head portion such that cleaning fluid is controllably allowed to flow via gravity onto the surface to be cleaned adjacent the cleaning head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Hall, James E. Rader, Boli Zhou, Karen S. Hefter, David J. Sayler, Eric Y. Park, Robert W. Flagler, Scott T. Haubrich, Shumanta Mitra, Richard Porticos
  • Publication number: 20040216771
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface using a tool with both a cleaning head and a cleaning fluid reservoir housing coupled to an elongated handle, the method comprising the following steps: attaching a cleaning pad to the cleaning head; inserting a replaceable cleaning fluid reservoir into the housing; fluidically coupling the cleaning fluid reservoir to the cleaning head; dispensing controlled amounts of cleaning fluid from the reservoir onto a surface; and distributing the cleaning fluid evenly over the surface with the cleaning pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Hall, James E. Rader, Boli Zhou, Karen S. Hefter, David J. Sayler, Eric Y. Park, Robert W. Flagler, Scott T. Haubrich, Shumanta Mitra, Richard Porticos, Douglas J. Minkler, Sharon Olsen
  • Publication number: 20040141797
    Abstract: An advanced cleaning system comprising cleaning compositions, pads, and implements provide effective cleaning of soft and hard surfaces. The implement comprises a handle portion (14) with a proximal end and a distal end, a cleaning head portion (12), the cleaning head portion (12) adapted for use with a removable cleaning pad (40), and an aerosol cleaner (24) coupled to the cleaning head portion (12) such that cleaning fluid is applied adjacent the cleaning head portion (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Aram Garabedian, Michael J. Hall, Carl Kling, Robert W. Flagler, Gordon Kapp, Aaron London, Douglas Walker, Dennis Rich
  • Patent number: D503836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Hall, Robert W. Flagler, David J. Sayler, Eric Y. Park
  • Patent number: D488386
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Hall, James E. Rader, Karen S. Hefter, Douglas Minkler, Robert W. Flagler, David J. Sayler, Eric Y. Park