Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Kirk

Thomas A. Kirk 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: 10413683
    Abstract: A device and method for dispensing a liquid with a gas includes an instrument having a cannula and a low-pressure tip. The low-pressure tip includes a tip housing that at least partially defines a high pressure chamber. A distal wall of the tip housing includes an aperture in fluid communication with the high pressure chamber. The low-pressure tip also includes a tube and a gas flow channel. The tube fluidly communicates liquid at a relatively low pressure from the cannula through the first aperture. The gas flow channel fluidly communicates gas from the cannula at a relatively high pressure and to the high pressure chamber for discharge from the aperture. The tube and aperture are adapted to dispense the liquid and the gas in order to create a low pressure zone distal of the tube to dispense droplets of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Kirk, Bradley D. Robb, Todd W. Sharratt
  • Patent number: 9925305
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydrating a particulate biomaterial with a liquid biomaterial includes a vacuum device and a valve for withdrawing a gas from the particulate biomaterial and introducing the liquid biomaterial. The valve includes a hub, a valve body, a particulate port, a vacuum port, and a liquid port. The valve body selectively moves between first and second positions. The valve body at least partially defines a first passage and a second passage. The particulate port, the vacuum port, and the liquid port are each configured to fluidly connect to a particulate container, the vacuum device, and the liquid container, respectively. In the first position, the first passage fluidly connects the vacuum port to the particulate port for withdrawing the gas from the particulate container. In the second position, the second passage fluidly connects the liquid port to the particulate port for hydrating the particulate biomaterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Anderson, Kevin C. Geppert, Thomas A. Kirk, Huadong Lou, Mark Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9707319
    Abstract: A device and method for improving hydration of a biomaterial includes a syringe having a cavity therein and a distal opening, an end cap, and a wall operatively coupled to the end cap. The end cap has a distal plate with an inlet and is removably attached to the syringe to cover the distal opening. The wall is positioned proximate to the inlet and at least partially defines a volume in fluid communication with the inlet. An orifice extends through the wall and fluidly connects the volume to the cavity. A flow of a liquid component of biomaterial diffuses through the orifice and is introduced into a particulate component of biomaterial. As such, the liquid component of biomaterial hydrates the particulate component of biomaterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Geppert, Thomas A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20170136151
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydrating a particulate biomaterial with a liquid biomaterial includes a vacuum device and a valve for withdrawing a gas from the particulate biomaterial and introducing the liquid biomaterial. The valve includes a hub, a valve body, a particulate port, a vacuum port, and a liquid port. The valve body selectively moves between first and second positions. The valve body at least partially defines a first passage and a second passage. The particulate port, the vacuum port, and the liquid port are each configured to fluidly connect to a particulate container, the vacuum device, and the liquid container, respectively. In the first position, the first passage fluidly connects the vacuum port to the particulate port for withdrawing the gas from the particulate container. In the second position, the second passage fluidly connects the liquid port to the particulate port for hydrating the particulate biomaterial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Anderson, Kevin C. Geppert, Thomas A. Kirk, Huadong Lou, Mark Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9592321
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydrating a particulate biomaterial with a liquid biomaterial includes a vacuum device and a valve for withdrawing a gas from the particulate biomaterial and introducing the liquid biomaterial. The valve includes a hub, a valve body, a particulate port, a vacuum port, and a liquid port. The valve body selectively moves between first and second positions. The valve body at least partially defines a first passage and a second passage. The particulate port, the vacuum port, and the liquid port are each configured to fluidly connect to a particulate container, the vacuum device, and the liquid container, respectively. In the first position, the first passage fluidly connects the vacuum port to the particulate port for withdrawing the gas from the particulate container. In the second position, the second passage fluidly connects the liquid port to the particulate port for hydrating the particulate biomaterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Anderson, Kevin C. Geppert, Thomas A. Kirk, Huadong Lou, Mark Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20160051752
    Abstract: An applicator for dispensing a fluid for use during a medical procedure includes a dispensing body for containing the fluid. The dispensing body includes a conduit, and a mixing tip operatively connected to the conduit for receiving the fluid from the dispensing body. The mixing tip includes a tip body having an interior passage. The interior passage includes an inlet at a first end fluidly connected to the conduit for receiving the fluid from the conduit and an outlet in a distal wall at a second end opposite to the first end. An insert body is positioned within the interior passage. A first passage is positioned between the insert body and the tip body and fluidly couples the interior passage with the outlet in the distal wall. A mixing chamber is positioned between the insert body and the distal wall. The mixing chamber includes a static mixing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20160038693
    Abstract: A device and method for dispensing a liquid with a gas includes an instrument having a cannula and a low-pressure tip. The low-pressure tip includes a tip housing that at least partially defines a high pressure chamber. A distal wall of the tip housing includes an aperture in fluid communication with the high pressure chamber. The low-pressure tip also includes a tube and a gas flow channel. The tube fluidly communicates liquid at a relatively low pressure from the cannula through the first aperture. The gas flow channel fluidly communicates gas from the cannula at a relatively high pressure and to the high pressure chamber for discharge from the aperture. The tube and aperture are adapted to dispense the liquid and the gas in order to create a low pressure zone distal of the tube to dispense droplets of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas A. Kirk, Bradley D. Robb, Todd W. Sharratt
  • Patent number: 9174001
    Abstract: A device and method for dispensing a liquid with a gas includes an instrument having a cannula and a low-pressure tip. The low-pressure tip includes a tip housing that at least partially defines a high pressure chamber. A distal wall of the tip housing includes an aperture in fluid communication with the high pressure chamber. The low-pressure tip also includes a tube and a gas flow channel. The tube fluidly communicates liquid at a relatively low pressure from the cannula through the first aperture. The gas flow channel fluidly communicates gas from the cannula at a relatively high pressure and to the high pressure chamber for discharge from the aperture. The tube and aperture are adapted to dispense the liquid and the gas in order to create a low pressure zone distal of the tube to dispense droplets of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Kirk, Bradley D. Robb, Todd W. Sharratt
  • Publication number: 20150119851
    Abstract: An instrument for delivery, deployment, and tamponade of a hemostat. A delivery cannula is included and has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween. A shaft is configured to be introduced into and move relative to the lumen. A hemostat applicator at the distal end of the shaft includes a tamponade surface. The applicator is configured to transition between a first, compact state for introduction into and movement within the lumen, and a second, expanded state as the applicator exits from the delivery cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jon E. Hoogenakker, Thomas A. Kirk, Huadong Lou, Bradley D. Robb
  • Publication number: 20140373922
    Abstract: A device and method for improving hydration of a biomaterial includes a syringe having a cavity therein and a distal opening, an end cap, and a wall operatively coupled to the end cap. The end cap has a distal plate with an inlet and is removably attached to the syringe to cover the distal opening. The wall is positioned proximate to the inlet and at least partially defines a volume in fluid communication with the inlet. An orifice extends through the wall and fluidly connects the volume to the cavity. A flow of a liquid component of biomaterial diffuses through the orifice and is introduced into a particulate component of biomaterial. As such, the liquid component of biomaterial hydrates the particulate component of biomaterial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin C. Geppert, Thomas A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20140261082
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydrating a particulate biomaterial with a liquid biomaterial includes a vacuum device and a valve for withdrawing a gas from the particulate biomaterial and introducing the liquid biomaterial. The valve includes a hub, a valve body, a particulate port, a vacuum port, and a liquid port. The valve body selectively moves between first and second positions. The valve body at least partially defines a first passage and a second passage. The particulate port, the vacuum port, and the liquid port are each configured to fluidly connect to a particulate container, the vacuum device, and the liquid container, respectively. In the first position, the first passage fluidly connects the vacuum port to the particulate port for withdrawing the gas from the particulate container. In the second position, the second passage fluidly connects the liquid port to the particulate port for hydrating the particulate biomaterial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Anderson, Kevin C. Geppert, Thomas A. Kirk, Huadong Lou, Mark Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20140121647
    Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing first and second fluids. A syringe, including a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a first outlet communicating with the first fluid chamber and extending along a first axis; a second outlet communicating with the second fluid chamber and extending along a second axis, the second axis spaced from the first axis by a first distance. A container having first and second compartments separated by at least one wall and configured to store the first and second fluids, respectively, the first compartment having a first port positioned to be fluidicly connected with the first outlet and the second compartment having a second port positioned to be fluidicly connected with the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20140121699
    Abstract: A device and method for dispensing a liquid and a gas from a tip includes a support structure, a control unit, and a drive unit. The liquid is held within a container. The support structure is adapted to hold the container. The control unit directs the drive unit to expel liquid from the container according to a predetermined rate. The control unit further directs the drive unit according to first, second, and third modes of operation. During the first mode, neither gas nor liquid is dispensed from the device. During the second mode, only gas is dispensed from the device. During the third mode, both gas and liquid are dispensed from the device. Furthermore, the control unit is only selectable and operable by a user through the first, second, and third modes in a sequential manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Anderson, Huadong Lou, Jon E. Hoogenakker, Thomas A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20140121698
    Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing first and second fluids, comprising a cartridge, further comprising a barrel having a wall, a proximal end and a distal end. A first piston is disposed within the wall, extending distally from the proximal end. A delivery tube is disposed within the wall and fluidicly communicates with a first outlet. A first fluid chamber is disposed between the first piston and the delivery tube and fluidicly communicates with the first outlet. A second piston is disposed between the wall and the delivery tube. A second fluid chamber is between the second piston and the distal end, the second fluid chamber fluidity communicating with a second outlet. A transmission structure is operative to transmit force from the first piston to the second piston to thereby dispense the first and second fluids from the first and second outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Kirk, Todd W. Sharratt
  • Publication number: 20140046294
    Abstract: A device and method for dispensing a liquid with a gas includes an instrument having a cannula and a low-pressure tip. The low-pressure tip includes a tip housing that at least partially defines a high pressure chamber. A distal wall of the tip housing includes an aperture in fluid communication with the high pressure chamber. The low-pressure tip also includes a tube and a gas flow channel. The tube fluidly communicates liquid at a relatively low pressure from the cannula through the first aperture. The gas flow channel fluidly communicates gas from the cannula at a relatively high pressure and to the high pressure chamber for discharge from the aperture. The tube and aperture are adapted to dispense the liquid and the gas in order to create a low pressure zone distal of the tube to dispense droplets of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Kirk, Bradley D. Robb, Todd W. Sharratt