Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Joyce

Thomas P. Joyce 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: 20120253271
    Abstract: The fluid injector system includes a source of injection fluid, a pump device, and a fluid path set in fluid connection with the source of injection fluid and the pump device. The fluid path set includes a drip chamber including an elongated body and a raised projection. A fluid level sensing mechanism is operably associated with a fluid control device, and includes a drip chamber support for supporting the drip chamber body and a fluid level sensor associated with the drip chamber support. The drip chamber support is adapted to support the drip chamber body such that the raised projection is in operational contact with the fluid level sensor and the fluid level sensing mechanism is operable to transmit ultrasonic or light energy through the raised projection to be sensed by the fluid level sensor for sensing the injection fluid level in the drip chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: MEDRAD, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Michael J. Ehrenberger, James Albert Dedig, John A. Haury, Susan Lynn Felix, Gerald W. Callan, John D. Shearer, JR., Jonathan R. Speicher, Christopher M. Scutt, Herb Grubic, Ralph E. Kopacko, William D. Barlow, Jerry A. Stokes, JR., Richard G. Critchlow, Karen M. Zelenski, Mirza Hyder Hussain, Linda M. O'Meara, Roderick H. Beaulieu, Jennie Kwo, Luis A. Pedraza
  • Publication number: 20120123257
    Abstract: A multi-fluid injector system and methods of operation thereof are presented. One embodiment of such a fluid injector system includes a powered injector, a pressure jacket support, a syringe pressure jacket, and a syringe. The pressure jacket support includes a front plate and a rear plate. The rear plate is connected to the injector and the front plate is spaced from the rear plate and defines a slot. The syringe pressure jacket has a proximal end pivotally connected to the rear plate so that a distal end of the pressure jacket pivots relative to the front plate. The syringe has a syringe body with a distally extending discharge conduit. With the syringe disposed in a barrel of the pressure jacket, pivotal movement of the pressure jacket results in the distal end thereof pivoting toward the front plate to place the discharge conduit within the slot in the front plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Jerry A. Stokes, JR., William D. Barlow, Thomas P. Joyce, Ralph H. Schriver, Andreas Maihoefer, Patrick B. Campbell, James A. Dedig, Michael Spohn
  • Patent number: 8172796
    Abstract: A syringe includes a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, an injection section at the distal end and an expansion section at the proximal end, the injection section and the expansion section being connected by a cylindrical center section of relatively uniform outer diameter. The injection section includes a conical portion and an injection neck, the conical portion including an alignment flange extending outward from at least a portion of the conical portion. The syringe further includes a plunger movably received in the body and having a coupling end with a pair of flexible coupling members defining a slot therebetween for engaging a drive piston of an injector, the slot being substantially aligned with the alignment flange such that the alignment flange provides an indication of the orientation of the slot, the plunger seated for storage in the expansion section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Herbert M. Grubic, John A. Haury
  • Patent number: 8147464
    Abstract: The fluid injector system includes a source of injection fluid, a pump device, a fluid control device operably associated with the pump device, and a fluid path set in fluid connection with the source of injection fluid and the pump device. The fluid path set includes a drip chamber including an elongated body having a top end, a bottom end and a raised projection, the raised projection being substantially rectangular in shape and extending longitudinally from the top end along the drip chamber body and terminating adjacent to the bottom end. A fluid level sensing mechanism is operably associated with the fluid control device, and includes a drip chamber support for supporting the drip chamber body and a fluid level sensor associated with the drip chamber support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: MEDRAD, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Michael J. Ehrenberg, James A. Dedig, John A. Haury, Susan L. Felix, Gerald W. Callan, John D. Shearer, Jr., Herbert Grubic, Ralph Kopacko, William D. Barlow, Richard G. Critchlow, Roderick H. Beaulieu, Jennie Kwo, Luis A. Pedraza
  • Publication number: 20100222768
    Abstract: A method of capacitance volume correction in fluid-containing expandable bodies and associated fluid pathways is disclosed for application in fluid delivery systems used to supply fluids to patients during radiographic imaging procedures including angiography. One embodiment is directed to a method of controlling delivery of fluid to a downstream process, including providing a fluid-containing expandable body, including a pressurizing element and in fluid communication with the downstream process, pressurizing the expandable body by moving the pressurizing element forward in the expandable body to reduce volume therein, and ceasing movement of the pressurizing element after allowing the pressurizing element to over-travel a sufficient distance to compensate for expansion of the expandable body under pressure. The expandable body may be a syringe and the pressurizing element may be a plunger disposed within the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce
  • Publication number: 20100114064
    Abstract: A system, includes a pressurizing mechanism to pressurize a fluid including a contrast enhancement agent for delivery to a patient; and a control system in operative connection with the pressurizing mechanism. The control system includes a system to adjust control of fluid injection based upon a measurement of renal function of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: John F. Kalafut, Alan D. Hirschman, David M. Griffiths, Thomas P. Joyce, Jerry A. Stokes, Gerald W. Callan, Dennis P. Hack, Julie Gulick, Andreas R. Maihoefer, Arthur E. Uber, III
  • Publication number: 20100114040
    Abstract: The control device is used to control delivery of fluids from a multi-fluid delivery system during a medical injection procedure. The fluid delivery system includes an injector used to deliver injection fluids to a patient. The control device is operatively associated with the injector for controlling discrete flow rates of injection fluids delivered to the patient. The control device includes a housing, first and second actuators associated with the housing, and an electronic substrate disposed within the housing and having a conductive pattern. The first actuator is operatively associated with the conductive pattern. The conductive pattern includes a plurality of predetermined digital values corresponding to discrete flow rates of injection fluids to be delivered by the injector. The second actuator is operatively associated with the electronic substrate and initiates output signals to the injector corresponding to desired mixture ratios of the injection fluids to be delivered by the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Thomas P. Joyce, Micheal Riley, William D. Barlow
  • Publication number: 20090247865
    Abstract: The fluid injector system includes a source of injection fluid, a pump device, a fluid control device operably associated with the pump device, and a fluid path set in fluid connection with the source of injection fluid and the pump device. The fluid path set includes a drip chamber including an elongated body having a top end, a bottom end and a raised projection, the raised projection being substantially rectangular in shape and extending longitudinally from the top end along the drip chamber body and terminating adjacent to the bottom end. A fluid level sensing mechanism is operably associated with the fluid control device, and includes a drip chamber support for supporting the drip chamber body and a fluid level sensor associated with the drip chamber support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Michael J. Ehrenberger, James Albert Dedig, John A. Haury, Susan Lynn Felix, Gerald W. Callan, John D. Shearer, JR., Jonathan R. Speicher, Christopher M. Scutt, Herb Grubic, Ralph Kopacko, William D. Barlow, Jerry A. Stokes, JR., Richard G. Critchlow, Karen M. Zelenski, Mirza Hyder Hussain, Linda M. O'Meara, Roderick H. Beaulieu, Jennie Kwo, Luis A. Pedraza
  • Publication number: 20090247867
    Abstract: A syringe for use with a powered injector to inject a fluid into a patient includes at least a first indicator positioned on the syringe at a predetermined axial position. The distance between a rearward surface of the first indicator and a predetermined position on the powered injector provides information about the syringe configuration. The first indicator can, for example, be a rear surface of the attachment flange. An injector system includes a powered injector having a drive member and at least one sensor for detecting energy. The injector system also includes a syringe having at least a first indicator positioned on the syringe at a predetermined axial position. The energy detected by the sensor is determined by the axial position of the indicator when the syringe is attached to the powered injector. The axial position of the indicator thereby provides information about the syringe configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Spohn, Joelle A. Rudnick, Thomas P. Joyce, Adam J. Hahn, Michael J. Masters, William J. Nolan, JR., Joseph B. Havrilla
  • Publication number: 20090216193
    Abstract: The fluid injection apparatus is adapted for use with a syringe and includes an injector and a pressure jacket associated with the injector. The injector includes a housing defining an opening for a drive piston extendable from the housing. The pressure jacket secures the syringe during an injection procedure. The pressure jacket has a distal end defining a syringe receiving opening for receiving the syringe, and a proximal end associated with the housing and generally aligned with the opening. The apparatus includes a syringe sensor adapted for engagement by the syringe when loaded into the pressure jacket. The housing may have an engagement tab adapted to engage an engagement recess in the pressure jacket to removably engage the pressure jacket with the housing. The apparatus may have one or more light sources associated with the housing for illuminating the syringe received in the pressure jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Herbert M. Grubic, Richard G. Critchlow
  • Publication number: 20090216192
    Abstract: The fluid injection apparatus is adapted for use with a syringe and includes an injector and a pressure jacket associated with the injector. The injector includes a drive piston having a plunger engaging end. The syringe includes a body and a plunger movably disposed within the body, the plunger having a proximal end adapted for engagement by the plunger engaging end of the drive piston. An anti-rotation connection is formed by complementary anti-rotation elements associated with the proximal end of the plunger and the plunger engaging end of the drive piston to limit rotation of the plunger within the syringe body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Herbert M. Grubic, Richard G. Critchlow
  • Publication number: 20090216190
    Abstract: A syringe includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end and a center section therebetween, a plunger movably disposed in the body, and a lip extending outward from the proximal end of the body. The outward extending lip has an outer diameter no greater than the outer diameter of the center section. The outward extending lip may extend around the circumference of the proximal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Herbert M. Grubic, John A. Haury
  • Patent number: 7563249
    Abstract: A syringe includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end and a center section therebetween. The distal end of the syringe body includes a conical portion that extends and tapers from the center section to an injection neck forming a discharge outlet. The proximal end of the syringe body includes a radial expansion section and an outward extending lip. An inner diameter of the radial expansion section is larger than an inner diameter of the center section and the outer diameter of the radial expansion section is smaller than an outer diameter of the center section. A plunger is movably disposed in the syringe body and includes a pair of coupling members defining a slot therebetween, the plunger being substantially seated in the radial expansion section in a pre-use state of the syringe. An alignment flange is formed on the conical portion and extends the distance between the center section and the injection neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: MEDRAD, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Herbert M. Grubic, John A. Haury
  • Publication number: 20090182274
    Abstract: A syringe includes a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, an injection section at the distal end and an expansion section at the proximal end, the injection section and the expansion section being connected by a cylindrical center section of relatively uniform outer diameter. The injection section includes a conical portion and an injection neck, the conical portion including an alignment flange extending outward from at least a portion of the conical portion. The syringe further includes a plunger movably received in the body and having a coupling end with a pair of flexible coupling members defining a slot therebetween for engaging a drive piston of an injector, the slot being substantially aligned with the alignment flange such that the alignment flange provides an indication of the orientation of the slot, the plunger seated for storage in the expansion section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: MEDRAD, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Herbert M. Grubic, John A. Haury
  • Publication number: 20090177155
    Abstract: The fluid injection apparatus for use with a syringe includes an injector and a pressure jacket assembly associated with the injector. The injector includes a housing defining a central opening and a drive piston extendable through the central opening for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe. The pressure jacket assembly includes a pressure jacket and at least one support arm associated with and extending outward from the housing. A syringe retaining member is attached to the at least one support arm. The syringe-retaining member defines a syringe receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of the syringe. A light source is located on the support arm and faces the pressure jacket for illuminating the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Richard G. Critchlow, Johan A. Haury, Herbert M. Grubic, Mark Paul Jongewaard
  • Patent number: 7556619
    Abstract: The fluid delivery system generally includes a source of injection fluid, a pump device a fluid path set disposed between the source of injection fluid and the pump device, and a fluid control device. The fluid path set includes a multi-position valve. The fluid control device is operatively associated with the fluid path set and includes a valve actuator adapted to operate the multi-position valve. The valve actuator is adapted to close the multi-position valve to isolate the pump device from a patient and stop flow of the injection fluid to the patient at substantially any pressure or flow rate generated by the pump device for delivering a sharp bolus of the injection fluid to the patient. The valve actuator is generally adapted to selectively place the pump device in fluid communication with the source of injection fluid for supplying the injection fluid to the pump device and the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: MEDRAD, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Michael J. Ehrenberger, James Albert Dedig, John A. Haury, Susan Lynn Felix, Gerald W. Callan, John D. Shearer, Jr., Herb Grubic, Ralph Kopacko, William D. Barlow, Richard G. Critchlow, Roderick H. Beaulieu, Jennie Kwo, Luis A. Pedraza
  • Patent number: 7549977
    Abstract: The fluid injection apparatus for use with a syringe includes an injector and a pressure jacket assembly associated with the injector. The injector includes a housing defining a central opening and a drive piston extendable through the central opening for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe. The pressure jacket assembly includes a pressure jacket and at least one support arm associated with and extending outward from the housing. A syringe retaining member is attached to the at least one support arm. The syringe-retaining member defines a syringe receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of the syringe. A light source is located on the support arm and faces the pressure jacket for illuminating the syringe. The syringe includes an alignment flange defining a bulged air bubble viewing window (see A). The alignment flange is used to properly orient the syringe in the pressure jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Thomas P. Joyce, Richard G. Critchlow, Herbert M. Grubic, Mark Paul Jongewaard
  • Patent number: 7361156
    Abstract: The fluid injection apparatus for use with the syringe includes an injector and a pressure jacket assembly associated with the injector. The injector includes a housing defining a central opening and a drive piston extendable through the central opening for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe. The pressure jacket assembly includes a pressure jacket and at least one locking member pivotally associated with the pressure jacket. The at least one locking member is movable between an engaged position preventing removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket and a disengaged position allowing insertion and removal of the syringe into the pressure jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: MEDRAD, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Joyce, Ralph H. Schriver, Michael A. Spohn, Salvatore J. Dedola
  • Patent number: D545967
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Joyce, Gerald W. Callan, Karen M. Zelenski, James Albert Dedig, Michael A. Spohn, Ralph H. Schriver
  • Patent number: RE42804
    Abstract: An adapter includes a syringe carrier adapted to seat at least a portion of the syringe. The syringe carrier includes at least one rearward facing abutmer member to abut at least one forward facing surface on a syringe. The syringe carrie includes an opening therein to allow a drive member of an injector to communicate forward force to the plunger through abutment without connective engagement between the drive member and the plunger. The adapter further includes a releasable mounting mechanism positioned to the rear of the syringe carrier to mount the adapter in a desired position relative to the front wall of the injector. An adapter includes a first section and a second section that are rotatable relative to each other about a hinge axis generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: MEDRAD, Inc.
    Inventors: James Albert Dedig, Thomas P. Joyce, Michael A. Spohn, John A. Haury