Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Fangrow

Thomas F. Fangrow 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: 11439570
    Abstract: Fluid transfer systems are disclosed that can be configured to transfer precise amounts of fluid from a source container to a target container. The fluid transfer system can have multiple fluid transfer stations for transferring fluids into multiple target containers or for combining different types of fluids into a single target container to form a mixture. The fluid transfer system can include a pump and a destination sensor, such as a weight sensor. The fluid transfer system can be configured to flush remaining fluid out of a connector to reduce waste, using air or a flushing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20220282814
    Abstract: A connector system for medical fluid includes a male connector and a female connector that have a closed configuration when detached from one another. The first end of the male connector is configured to mate with a first end of the female connector. When the male connector is coupled with the female connector, complementary structures engage to move seals away from ports in the male connector and the female connector, opening a fluid pathway through the connectors. The mating ends of the connectors are not exposed to the medical fluid when the connectors are coupled so that when the connectors are disconnected, the mating ends are substantially free of residual medical fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11376411
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a medical connector having a backflow resistance module configured to prevent fluid from being drawn into the connector when a backflow inducing event occurs. In some embodiments, the backflow resistance module can include a variable-volume chamber configured to change in volume in response to a backflow-inducing event and a check valve configured to resist backflow. In some embodiments, the medical connector can include a fluid diverter configured to direct fluid flowing through the medical connector into the variable volume chamber to prevent fluid stagnation therein. In some embodiments, the medical connector includes a body member, a base member, a seal member, a support member, and a valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20220184368
    Abstract: A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a substantially transparent housing having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening, and a cavity extending therebetween. The connector provides a substantially visible fluid flow path extending through a substantial portion of the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Thomas F. Fangrow, Bob Foret
  • Publication number: 20220112966
    Abstract: A fluid transfer device can include a first attachment portion configured to engage a first port of a source container and a second attachment portion configured to engage a second port of an intermediate container. The first attachment portion can include a first projection defining a first fluid passage and the second attachment portion can include a second projection defining a second fluid passage. The fluid transfer device can further include a selector portion for selectively transitioning the fluid transfer device from a first configuration in which a flow path between the first and second fluid passages is closed to a second configuration in which the flow path between the first and second fluid passages is open. The fluid transfer device can further include a limiter configured to inhibit the selector portion from selectively transitioning the fluid transfer device from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow, Amanda Punim, JR., David Nelson, Erik Scott Shauver, Christopher James Hughes
  • Publication number: 20220079843
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor comprises a housing configured to couple the adaptor with a vial, an access channel, a regulator channel, and a regulator assembly. The access channel is configured to facilitate withdrawal of fluid from the vial when the adaptor is coupled to the vial. The regulator channel is configured to facilitate a flow of a regulating fluid from the regulator assembly to compensate for changes in volume of a medical fluid in the vial. In some embodiments, the regulator assembly includes a flexible member configured to expand and contract in accordance with changes in the volume of the medical fluid in the vial. In some embodiments, the flexible member is substantially free to expand and contract. In some embodiments, the flexible member is not partly or completely located in a rigid enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20220071848
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor comprises a housing configured to couple the adaptor with a vial, an access channel, a regulator channel, and a regulator assembly. The access channel is configured to facilitate withdrawal of fluid from the vial when the adaptor is coupled to the vial. The regulator channel is configured to facilitate a flow of a regulating fluid from the regulator assembly to compensate for changes in volume of a medical fluid in the vial. The regulator assembly can include a valve configured to transition between a closed configuration and an opened configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20220054766
    Abstract: Bubble traps for use in medical fluid lines and medical fluid bubble trap systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the bubble trap is configured to trap gas (e.g., air) that flows into the bubble trap from a fluid line. In some embodiments, the bubble trap includes an inlet and an outlet and a chamber between the inlet and the outlet. For example, in some embodiments, the bubble trap is configured to inhibit gas from flowing into the outlet once gas flows into the chamber from the inlet. In some embodiments, the bubble trap is in fluid communication with a source container, a destination container, and/or a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow, Jay Hachey
  • Publication number: 20220008711
    Abstract: An example of a method of enabling medical fluid transfer between a source container and a destination container can comprise the steps of providing a closed-system fluid transfer module comprising a first closeable, resealable medical connector and a second closeable, resealable medical connector, a multidirectional fluid control valve with a driving interface configured to interface with an electromechanical driver of an electronic medical fluid transfer device, and an intermediate container or an intermediate pumping region; and instructing a user to couple the closed-system fluid transfer module to the electronic medical fluid transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11185471
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor comprises a housing configured to couple the adaptor with a vial, an access channel, a regulator channel, and a regulator assembly. The access channel is configured to facilitate withdrawal of fluid from the vial when the adaptor is coupled to the vial. The regulator channel is configured to facilitate a flow of a regulating fluid from the regulator assembly to compensate for changes in volume of a medical fluid in the vial. The regulator assembly can include a valve configured to transition between a closed configuration and an opened configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11168818
    Abstract: A connector system for medical fluid includes a male connector and a female connector that have a closed configuration when detached from one another. The first end of the male connector is configured to mate with a first end of the female connector. When the male connector is coupled with the female connector, complementary structures engage to move seals away from ports in the male connector and the female connector, opening a fluid pathway through the connectors. The mating ends of the connectors are not exposed to the medical fluid when the connectors are coupled so that when the connectors are disconnected, the mating ends are substantially free of residual medical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20210308012
    Abstract: An example of an electronic medical fluid transfer device can comprise a fluid transfer module with a multidirectional flow control valve and an intermediate container or pumping region, a sensor configured to detect whether at least one of a vacuum or gas is present in the fluid transfer module, a first electromechanical driver configured to interface with and control the multidirectional flow control valve on the fluid transfer module, a second electromechanical driver configured to be mechanically linked to and control the intermediate container or pumping region according to an operational parameter, and one or more computer processors configured to communicate electronically with the sensor and the first and second electromechanical drivers to determine the operational parameter based on a flow characteristic of medical fluid to be transferred and adjust the operational parameter based on output of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: John Tagliamento, Hung Quang Ha, Erik Scott Shauver, Thomas F. Fangrow, Yordan Dimitrov Pargov, Ivan Kurilov
  • Patent number: 11135416
    Abstract: An example of a method of enabling medical fluid transfer between a source container and a destination container can comprise the steps of providing a closed-system fluid transfer module comprising a first closeable, resealable medical connector and a second closeable, resealable medical connector, a multidirectional fluid control valve with a driving interface configured to interface with an electromechanical driver of an electronic medical fluid transfer device, and an intermediate container or an intermediate pumping region; and instructing a user to couple the closed-system fluid transfer module to the electronic medical fluid transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11129773
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor comprises a housing configured to couple the adaptor with a vial, an access channel, a regulator channel, and a regulator assembly. The access channel is configured to facilitate withdrawal of fluid from the vial when the adaptor is coupled to the vial. The regulator channel is configured to facilitate a flow of a regulating fluid from the regulator assembly to compensate for changes in volume of a medical fluid in the vial. In some embodiments, the regulator assembly includes a flexible member configured to expand and contract in accordance with changes in the volume of the medical fluid in the vial. In some embodiments, the flexible member is substantially free to expand and contract. In some embodiments, the flexible member is not partly or completely located in a rigid enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Publication number: 20210259921
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein related to a device for transferring precise amounts of fluid from at least one source container to at least one target container. In some embodiments, the fluid is first transferred from the source container (e.g., a vial) through a connector to an intermediate measuring container (e.g., a syringe). In some embodiments air can pass through an air inlet and enter the vial to compensate for the volume of fluid withdrawn from the vial. An air check valve or a bag or a filter can prevent the fluid from escaping through the air inlet. The precisely measured amount of fluid can then be transferred from the intermediate measuring container to the target container (e.g., an IV bag). In some embodiments the connector can include a source check valve and a target check valve to direct fluid first from the source container to the intermediate measuring container and then from the intermediate measuring container to the target container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Thomas F. Fangrow, Peter Leissling, Matthias Janssen
  • Publication number: 20210252267
    Abstract: A medical connector includes a housing with a central axis, a hollow bore, and a narrowed passage. The connector further includes a rigid valve member configured to move along the axis of the connector as the connector moves between an open and closed configuration. The connector includes a resilient member coupled to the valve member and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210228444
    Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an adaptor configured to couple with a sealed vial can include a connector interface. The adaptor can include one or more access channels (e.g., passages). In some cases the one or more access channels are in fluid communication with the connector interface. The adaptor can include a piercing member. The piercing member can include a regulator channel. The adaptor can include a regulator assembly. The regulator assembly can include a first regulator inlet. In some cases, the regulator includes a second regulator inlet. One or more of the first and second regulator inlets can include a filter configured to filter fluid passing into and/or out of the respective regulator inlets. One or more valves can be positioned between the first and/or second regulator inlets and the piercing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 11071852
    Abstract: A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a substantially transparent housing having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening, and a cavity extending therebetween. The connector provides a substantially visible fluid flow path extending through a substantial portion of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Thomas F. Fangrow, Bob Foret
  • Patent number: D943732
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Scott Shauver, Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: D948044
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow