Patents by Inventor Thor R. Halseth

Thor R. Halseth 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: 7458962
    Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. McWethy, John Barker, Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Patent number: 7338469
    Abstract: A needle-bearing device for injecting medicinal fluid from a pre-filled vial is provided. After use, the needle is retracted into the body of the device to prevent inadvertent contact with the sharpened end of the needle. In one embodiment, the invention provides a manually actuable button that effectuates retraction of the needle after use. In another embodiment, retraction is effectuated automatically after the injection is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Specialized Health Products Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Barker, Thor R. Halseth, Michael J. Botich, Robert L. Hall
  • Patent number: 7329238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a syringe (10) for administering injections of medicinal fluids to a patient or withdrawal of fluid, such as blood from a patient. More specifically the present invention is a syringe device (10) for injecting medication or withdrawing fluid, wherein after use the needle (60) is shielded (15) against inadvertent contact to prevent needle sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Specialized Health Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thor R. Halseth, John Barker, Michael J. Botich
  • Patent number: 7300416
    Abstract: Pre-filled injection ampoules for administering a readily-available dose of fluid medication, are provided with a retractable needle. The needle is held in a projecting configuration from a barrel against a rearward bias exerted on the needle by a spring located within a spring housing. A piston is positioned within the barrel for expelling the fluid medication therefrom. The piston is configured to release the needle after completion of an injection stroke and to receive the needle in an internal cavity. In alternative embodiments, a retractable-needle injection device includes a housing for receiving a pre-filled medication cartridge of the type having a slidable piston positioned therein. A stationary plunger is located within the housing for maintaining the piston at a fixed location as the cartridge is urged into the housing to administer an injection. After the end of an injection stroke, the cartridge is further urged into the housing to release a effectuate retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Specialized Health Products International
    Inventors: Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Patent number: 7153276
    Abstract: Needle-bearing medical devices are provided for fluid infusion, fluid transfusion, and inserting a guide wire. After use the needle is shielded to render the contaminated needle safe to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes a housing and a needle having a sharpened tip. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the sharpened tip is shielded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Barker, Thor R. Halseth, Michael J. Botich
  • Patent number: 7097633
    Abstract: A retractable needle fluid transfer device is provided. The device includes a manually operable actuator for affecting retraction. Upon depressing the actuator, a spring displaces the needle rearwardly so that the contaminated needle is enclosed, thereby preventing inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes forward and rearward stops for impeding displacement of the needle after the needle is retracted. A seal prevents contaminants from entering the device after the needle is retracted. A safety sampling access port adapter for obtaining fluid samples from a fluid line is also provided. The sampling adapter includes a first end configured to cooperate with an access port attached to the fluid line. The sampling adapter further includes a collapsible socket configured to cooperate with a fluid container such as a vacuum tube. A needle assembly disposed within the housing of the sampling adapter is operable to pierce the seal on the fluid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Patent number: 7090656
    Abstract: A hypodermic injection system with a retractable needle wherein the needle retracts within an interior cavity of a syringe plunger, such that the needle is confined within the plunger. A spring biases the needle rearwardly into the plunger, and a needle retainer releasably retains the needle against the bias of the spring. The plunger has a frangible end, which dissociates when the plunger engages the needle retainer, allowing the coiled spring to eject the needle into the interior cavity of the plunger. A body fluid sampling embodiment employs the same functional elements except the plunger is shorter and contains a linking that communicates with a vacuum container. The container allows fluid sampling and provides the structure to release the spring retracting the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Patent number: 7056306
    Abstract: A method for withdrawing a fluid sample from a patient is disclosed comprising the steps of: a) providing a sampling device (10) having a housing (20) and a needle (40) having a sharpened tip for piercing the skin of the patient; b) withdrawing fluid from the patient into the housing; c) retracting the needle so that the sharpened tip of the needle is enclosed within the housing; and d) expelling the fluid from the housing after the needle is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thor R Halseth, John M Barker, Robert Hall, Michael J Botich
  • Patent number: 7033343
    Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. McWethy, John Barker, Thor R. Halseth, Bernardo Challiol
  • Patent number: 6981963
    Abstract: A safety needle-bearing device for mixing and injecting medication from a two-chambered cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle that extends through the forward end of a barrel. A two-chambered cartridge is attached to the barrel and contains components of a medication stored separately in the chambers. A plunger in the rearward end of the cartridge can be advanced into the cartridge to combine the separate components and prepare the medication. As the cartridge is advanced forwardly into the barrel, the medication is injected through the needle and into a patient. At the completion of the injection stroke, the cartridge engages a needle retainer to actuate needle retraction. The needle is subsequently retracted to shield the contaminated needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John M Barker, Thor R. Halseth, Joseph Kovalski, Robert T. McWethy, Bernardo Challiol
  • Patent number: 6969372
    Abstract: An automatic retraction Huber needle safety enclosure which is designed principally for a Huber needle. A Huber needle is a hypodermic needle that is in the shape of a right angle. The safety enclosure has an internal chamber which is formed between a housing and a lid with the lid being movable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position. The Huber needle is mounted within the internal chamber. The Huber needle is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. With the Huber needle in the extended position, the Huber needle is capable of being inserted within the body of a human or animal. With the Huber needle in the retracted position, the tip of the Huber needle is to be totally confined within the internal chamber. A wing assembly is attached to the housing which functions to facilitate securement of the safety enclosure to the body of the animal or human and forming an enclosure with the wing assembly folded in abutting juxtaposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Thor R. Halseth
  • Patent number: 6945960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using a medical device (10) comprised of a medical apparatus (20) and a needle assembly (30). The needle assembly includes a needle (70) having a sharpened tip. Preferably, the medical apparatus (20) is a standard apparatus, such as a syringe or phlebotomy device. The medical apparatus (20) includes a connector (24), such as a Luer connector. The needle assembly (30) is configured so that it can be attached to the medical apparatus (20) and the sharpened tip of the needle (70) is automatically shielded after use to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John Barker, Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Patent number: 6921391
    Abstract: An infusion device is provided for use with an intravenous catheter connected to a primary fluid supply. A Y site (92) is in fluid communication with the catheter (90). The infusion device is releasably connectable with the Y site (92) to connect a secondary fluid supply (97) to the catheter (40). The infusion device includes a retractable needle (70) that is retractable after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John Barker, Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Publication number: 20040249358
    Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Robert T. McWethy, John Barker, Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Patent number: 6786875
    Abstract: Needle-bearing medical devices are provided for fluid infusion, fluid transfusion, and inserting a guide wire. After use the needle is shielded to render the contaminated needle safe to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes a housing and a needle having a sharpened tip. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the sharpened tip is shielded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: MDC Investement Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Barker, Thor R. Halseth, Michael J. Botich
  • Publication number: 20040122373
    Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided for inserting an over-the-needle catheter. The device includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the rearward bias of the biasing element. The needle retainer engages the hub of the catheter so that when the catheter is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle. The biasing element then propels the needle rearwardly into the housing of the device. The device further allows the operator to intervene to delay retraction if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth, John Barker
  • Patent number: 6752798
    Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. McWethy, John Barker, Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Publication number: 20040116853
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a syringe (10) for administering injections of medicinal fluids to a patient or withdrawal of fluid, such as blood from a patient. More specifically the present invention is a syringe device (10) for injecting medication or withdrawing fluid, wherein after use the needle (60) is shielded (15) against inadvertent contact to prevent needle sticks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Thor R Halseth, John Barker, Michael J Botich
  • Publication number: 20040111063
    Abstract: Pre-filled injection ampoules for administering a readily-available dose of fluid medication, are provided with a retractable needle. The needle is held in a projecting configuration from a barrel against a rearward bias exerted on the needle by a spring located within a spring housing. A piston is positioned within the barrel for expelling the fluid medication therefrom. The piston is configured to release the needle after completion of an injection stroke and to receive the needle in an internal cavity. In alternative embodiments, a retractable-needle injection device includes a housing for receiving a pre-filled medication cartridge of the type having a slidable piston positioned therein. A stationary plunger is located within the housing for maintaining the piston at a fixed location as the cartridge is urged into the housing to administer an injection. After the end of an injection stroke, the cartridge is further urged into the housing to release a effectuate retraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Publication number: 20040092872
    Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a tube holder, a fluid container, a double ended needle with forward sharpened tip, and rearward sharpened tip. Fluid is withdrawn or injected into a patient from the tip, and into fluid contained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth