Patents by Inventor Thomas T Koehler

Thomas T Koehler 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: 20240293646
    Abstract: A safety catheter assembly has a clip guard that covers and protects the needle clip from the time that the catheter assembly is shipped out in the ready state, through its use where the distal tip of the needle is entrapped in the needle clip after use, and to when the clip guard and the safety needle clip housed therein are removed from the catheter hub. A passive safety system of the needle clip couples the catheter hub and the needle housing in the ready state and during the use of the catheter assembly, and releases the catheter hub from the needle housing once the contaminated needle tip is captured in the needle clip. A wiper provided to the catheter assembly wipes blood from the needle to prevent exposure of the contaminated blood. The wiper may also act to retain a septum in the catheter hub. The clip guard may be adapted to be used with a catheter hub having a multiuse seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D Roehl, Thomas T Koehler
  • Publication number: 20240277970
    Abstract: A safety catheter device has a clip guard that covers the needle tip protector or safety needle clip from the time that the device is shipped out in the ready to use position, through its use as a safety catheter device, to when the clip guard and the safety needle clip enclosed by the clip guard is removed from the catheter hub after the catheter extending from the catheter hub has been correctly placed into the vein or artery of the patient. A clip cup may be added to provide an additional level of protection for the safety needle clip and the sharp distal tip of the needle contained therein. Safety needle clips of different configurations used with the safety catheter device are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D Roehl, Thomas T Koehler
  • Publication number: 20240269437
    Abstract: A safety catheter assembly that may be a closed system catheter (CSC) has a seal member proximal a septum in the catheter hub. In a first embodiment, the seal member may be a cylindrical sleeve whereto a locking portion of a needle clip is positioned to fixedly hold the needle clip inside the catheter hub in a ready state. In a second embodiment, the needle clip is housed in a substantially cylindrical seal member. The seal member with the needle clip therein and the catheter hub are fixedly coupled together in the ready state. In a third embodiment, a retainer member at the catheter hub couples the needle clip to the catheter hub in the ready state and the seal member is distal the retainer member. In all the embodiments, the seal member may act as a reservoir for fluid in the interior cavity of the catheter hub that may back flow past the septum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D Roehl, Thomas T Koehler
  • Publication number: 20240181220
    Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter that includes a passive release feature. The catheter assembly includes ready, safe, and released positions. In the release position, a retainer being in a proximal retainer position relative to a collar enables release of the catheter hub from the catheter insertion device. The sharp tip of the insertion needle remains inaccessible in the release position in order to prevent unwanted needle sticks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Gursel Akcay, Harsh D. Chheda, David J. Goral, Thomas T. Koehler
  • Patent number: 11931533
    Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter that includes a passive release feature. The catheter assembly includes ready, safe, and released positions. In the release position, a retainer being in a proximal retainer position relative to a collar enables release of the catheter hub from the catheter insertion device. The sharp tip of the insertion needle remains inaccessible in the release position in order to prevent unwanted needle sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Gursel Akcay, Harsh D Chheda, David J Goral, Thomas T Koehler
  • Publication number: 20230149666
    Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter that includes a passive release feature. The catheter assembly includes ready, safe, and released positions. In the release position, a retainer being in a proximal retainer position relative to a collar enables release of the catheter hub from the catheter insertion device. The sharp tip of the insertion needle remains inaccessible in the release position in order to prevent unwanted needle sticks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Gursel Akcay, Harsh D Chheda, David J Goral, Thomas T Koehler
  • Patent number: 11590324
    Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter that includes a passive release feature. The catheter assembly includes ready, safe, and released positions. In the release position, a retainer being in a proximal retainer position relative to a collar enables release of the catheter hub from the catheter insertion device. The sharp tip of the insertion needle remains inaccessible in the release position in order to prevent unwanted needle sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc
    Inventors: Gursel Akcay, Harsh D Chheda, David J Goral, Thomas T Koehler
  • Patent number: 11369749
    Abstract: A safety catheter includes a catheter hub, a needle cannula having a tip, and a tip protector. The tip protector includes an outer member and an inner member therein. The outer member has a projection releasably engaging the catheter hub. The inner member has a pair of arms extending to free ends from a base. The inner member is axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the needle tip is distal of the tip protector and the free ends of the arms are spread apart such that the distal tip is not shielded, and a second position wherein the tip is within the inner and outer members and the free ends of the arms are brought into close proximity such that the distal tip is shielded. The inner member is entirely received within the outer member in both the fort and the second positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas T Koehler, Kathryn L Felicito, Harsh Chheda, Oscar R Abriles
  • Patent number: 11219747
    Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube and an introducer needle that is disposed, at least in part, within the catheter tube when the introducer needle is in a ready for use position. The introducer needle includes a lateral surface that defines a relief that is positioned under the distal end of the catheter tube when the introducer is in the ready for use position to provide a flow path into a flash indication space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Jay T Breindel, Harsh D Chheda, David J Goral, Thomas T Koehler, James Muskatello
  • Publication number: 20210100985
    Abstract: A safety catheter insertion assembly configured to inhibit access to the distal tip of a needle cannula prior to release of a catheter insertion assembly from a catheter hub. The safety catheter insertion assembly including a catheter assembly having an elastomeric blood control valve and a catheter insertion device having a safety clip, the safety clip movable between an expanded configuration in which a portion of the safety clip applies a compressive force to a portion of the elastomeric blood control valve, and a collapsed configuration in which the compressive force is reduced and release of the safety clip from the elastomeric blood control valve is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Gursel Akcay, Jay T. Breindel, Harsh D. Chheda, Kathryn Felicito, David J. Goral, Thomas T. Koehler, Christopher Roehl
  • Publication number: 20200230368
    Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube and an introducer needle that is disposed, at least in part, within the catheter tube when the introducer needle is in a ready for use position. The introducer needle includes a lateral surface that defines a relief that is positioned under the distal end of the catheter tube when the introducer is in the ready for use position to provide a flow path into a flash indication space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Jay T Breindel, Harsh D Chheda, David J Goral, Thomas T Koehler, James Muskatello
  • Publication number: 20200121895
    Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter that includes a passive release feature. The catheter assembly includes ready, safe, and released positions. In the release position, a retainer being in a proximal retainer position relative to a collar enables release of the catheter hub from the catheter insertion device. The sharp tip of the insertion needle remains inaccessible in the release position in order to prevent unwanted needle sticks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Gursel Akcay, Harsh D. Chheda, David J. Goral, Thomas T. Koehler
  • Patent number: 10543341
    Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter that includes a passive release feature. The catheter assembly includes ready, safe, and released positions. In the release position, a retainer being in a proximal retainer position relative to a collar enables release of the catheter hub from the catheter insertion device. The sharp tip of the insertion needle remains inaccessible in the release position in order to prevent unwanted needle sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Gursel Akcay, Harsh D Chheda, David J Goral, Thomas T Koehler
  • Publication number: 20190374749
    Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter that includes a passive release feature. The catheter assembly includes ready, safe, and released positions. In the release position, a retainer being in a proximal retainer position relative to a collar enables release of the catheter hub from the catheter insertion device. The sharp tip of the insertion needle remains inaccessible in the release position in order to prevent unwanted needle sticks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Gursel Akcay, Harsh D Chheda, David J Goral, Thomas T Koehler
  • Publication number: 20190262549
    Abstract: A safety catheter includes a catheter hub, a needle cannula having a tip, and a tip protector. The tip protector includes an outer member and an inner member therein. The outer member has a projection releasably engaging the catheter hub. The inner member has a pair of arms extending to free ends from a base. The inner member is axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the needle tip is distal of the tip protector and the free ends of the arms are spread apart such that the distal tip is not shielded, and a second position wherein the tip is within the inner and outer members and the free ends of the arms are brought into close proximity such that the distal tip is shielded. The inner member is entirely received within the outer member in both the fort and the second positions thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas T. Koehler, Kathryn L. Felicito, Harsh Chheda, Oscar R. Abriles
  • Patent number: 10314984
    Abstract: A safety catheter includes a catheter hub, a needle cannula having a tip, and a tip protector. The tip protector includes an outer member and an inner member therein. The outer member has a projection releasably engaging the catheter hub. The inner member has a pair of arms extending to free ends from a base. The inner member is axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the needle tip is distal of the tip protector and the free ends of the arms are spread apart such that the distal tip is not shielded, and a second position wherein the tip is within the inner and outer members and the free ends of the arms are brought into close proximity such that the distal tip is shielded. The inner member is entirely received within the outer member in both the fort and the second positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas T. Koehler, Kathryn L. Felicito, Harsh Chheda, Oscar R. Abriles
  • Publication number: 20180296820
    Abstract: A stopcock and sampling port device. The stopcock and sampling port device configured to reduce the occurrence of stagnation fluid flowing therethrough, the stopcock and sampling port device including a housing, an elastomeric element, a cap, a handle, and a divided septum, the housing defining an internal fluid passageway having a first port, a second port, and a third port, the divided septum operably coupled to the housing within the third port and configured to encourage turbulence of fluid passing through the third port, thereby reducing the occurrence of stagnation of fluid flowing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin Bogoslofski, Jay T. Breindel, Thomas T. Koehler, Christopher Roehl
  • Publication number: 20170095617
    Abstract: A safety catheter includes a catheter hub, a needle cannula having a tip, and a tip protector. The tip protector includes an outer member and an inner member therein. The outer member has a projection releasably engaging the catheter hub. The inner member has a pair of arms extending to free ends from a base. The inner member is axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the needle tip is distal of the tip protector and the free ends of the arms are spread apart such that the distal tip is not shielded, and a second position wherein the tip is within the inner and outer members and the free ends of the arms are brought into close proximity such that the distal tip is shielded. The inner member is entirely received within the outer member in both the fort and the second positions thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas T. Koehler, Kathryn L. Felicito, Harsh Chheda, Oscar R. Abriles
  • Publication number: 20170095620
    Abstract: A tip protector for a safety catheter includes an outer member releasably engaged with the interior cavity of the catheter hub. The outer member includes a generally fixed radially outwardly projecting portion to provide a holding force, and an inner member axially shiftably received within the outer member. A needle cannula received in the inner and outer members is operable to axially shift the inner member between a distal position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector, and a proximal position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member. The holding force of the outer member to the interior wall of the catheter hub remains substantially constant irrespective of the position of the inner member between the distal and proximal positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas T. Koehler, Gerard Libby
  • Patent number: 9555220
    Abstract: A safety catheter includes a catheter hub, a needle cannula having a tip, and a tip protector. The tip protector includes an outer member and an inner member therein. The outer member has a projection releasably engaging the catheter hub. The inner member has a pair of arms extending to free ends from a base. The inner member is axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the needle tip is distal of the tip protector and the free ends of the arms are spread apart such that the distal tip is not shielded, and a second position wherein the tip is within the inner and outer members and the free ends of the arms are brought into close proximity such that the distal tip is shielded. The inner member is entirely received within the outer member in both the fort and the second positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas T. Koehler, Kathryn L. Felicito, Harsh Chheda, Oscar R. Abriles