Patents by Inventor W. Robert Addington

W. Robert Addington 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: 20130267864
    Abstract: A nebulizer includes a main body that has a nebulizer outlet and an air channel in communication with the nebulizer outlet. The main body supports a medicine reservoir and a mesh that engages the medicine reservoir and air channel and vibrates to atomize medicine from the medicine reservoir into the air channel for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. The nebulizer outlet and mesh are configured to be received within the oral cavity of the patient when the nebulizer is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller
  • Patent number: 8333190
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120277583
    Abstract: A system and method tests the gastric valve in a patient. A contrast agent is supplied into the stomach of the patient. An involuntary reflex cough epoch is induced within the patient to isolate the gastric valve from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). A fluoroscopic instrument is used to detect whether stomach reflux has occurred indicative of a malfunctioning gastric valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. MILLER, Robert E. STEPHENS
  • Publication number: 20120277547
    Abstract: A system and method tests the gastric valve and urethral sphincter in a patient. A contrast agent is administered into the esophagus of a patient followed by inducing an involuntary reflex cough epoch within the patient to isolate the gastric valve from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and isolate the external urethral sphincter from the internal urethral sphincter. An imaging sensor detects the flow of the contrast agent during the involuntary reflex cough epoch and determines whether stomach reflux occurred indicative of a malfunctioning gastric valve. A determination is made if urine leakage occurs indicative of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. Miller, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120190999
    Abstract: A nebulizer includes a body having an air channel section, medication reservoir and nebulizer outlet configured to be received within an oral cavity of a patient. A nebulizer suction member encloses the body and is configured as an infant pacifier. An air line extends through the air channel section and has a venturi nozzle and at its end configured to form a low pressure mixing chamber. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120186582
    Abstract: A nebulizer includes a body, an air channel section and medication reservoir. An air line extends through the air channel section. A venturi nozzle is configured to form at its end a low pressure mixing chamber. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward into the low pressure mixing chamber and mixed with air from the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through a nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle, low pressure mixing chamber and air channel section are configured such that at standard temperature and pressure (STP) a differential pressure results in no medication that is drawn upward through the primary suction line for nebulization and discharged the through the nebulizer outlet until a negative inspiratory pressure is created from inhalation by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. MILLER, Robert E. STEPHENS
  • Publication number: 20120190938
    Abstract: A system and method diagnoses acid reflux. A nasogatric/orogastric (Ng/Og) device is inserted through the esophagus and into the stomach of a patient. The Ng/Og device includes a pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure and a plurality of pH sensors positioned along the Ng/Og device. An involuntary reflex cough epoch is induced within the patient. The intra-abdominal pressure and elevation of reflux along the Ng/Og device is measured. A subsequent step determines the functional status of the gastric valve based on the measured intra-abdominal pressure and the elevational reflux along the catheter created by the increased intra-abdominal pressure that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough epoch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120053482
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Robert E. Stephens
  • Patent number: 8109266
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20110105936
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. MILLER, Michael M. PHELIPA, Robert E. STEPHENS
  • Publication number: 20110046653
    Abstract: A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) airway protection device includes an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. A main lumen extends the length of the device and is configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. A sump port is at the distal end. A sump lumen is formed the length of the device body and configured for venting gas and preventing adherence of the device against the gastric wall. An inflatable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body mid-esophagus and an inflation lumen is formed within the device body and connects the inflatable esophageal cuff through which the esophageal cuff is inflated and deflated. Upon inflation of the esophageal cuff, emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus to protect a patient's airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC, State of Incorporation: Florida
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Mary W. Briganti, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20110040211
    Abstract: A system and method diagnoses esophageal reflux in a patient. A catheter includes a first pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure when the catheter is inserted into the stomach of a patient. A second pressure sensor is located proximal to the distal tip and configured to measure intra-thoracic pressure. A pH indicator is carried by the catheter body and configured to indicate that reflux has occurred in response to an involuntary reflex cough test. A processing device is configured to receive data regarding the first and second pressure sensors and regarding the pH indicator and process that data and assess if reflux is present during the involuntary epoch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. MILLER, Michael M. PHELIPA, Mary W. BRIGANTI, Robert E. STEPHENS
  • Publication number: 20110040157
    Abstract: A system permits diagnosis of a patient for a physiological abnormality while protecting their airway. An esophageal airway protection device comprises an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. The device includes a main lumen extending the length of the device and an inflatable esophageal cuff carried by the device body mid-esophagus. Emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus when it is inflated to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary cough event. At least one electromyogram (EMG) pad is configured to obtain an EMG from an involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles. A processing device is configured to receive the EMG and process the EMG to determine a physiological abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC, State of Incorporation:
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Mary W. Briganti, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20100204602
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. MILLER, Michael M. PHELIPA, Robert E. STEPHENS
  • Publication number: 20100137736
    Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Robert E. Stephens, Michael M. Phelipa, Mary W. Briganti, Stuart P. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100137737
    Abstract: A system and method evaluates a patient for stress urinary incontinence. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguous and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. And elecromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles and its duration determined. Any urine leakage time that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event is identified and correlated within a processor together with the urine leakage time and EMG and duration of cough event to determine stress urinary incontinence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Robert E. Stephens, Michael M. Phelipa, Mary W. Briganti, Stuart P. Miller
  • Patent number: 7726306
    Abstract: An improved nebulizer places a venturi in a rainfall chamber and in close proximity to or inside a patient's oral cavity. One or more medicine feed lines feeds the medicine to a location proximate to a venturi. The rainfall chamber contains a sump communicating with the venturi for collecting medication not delivered to the patient and for recycling that medication for delivery to the patient. A medicine receiver may be pre-filled with a standard unit dose of medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart Miller, Mary Briganti
  • Patent number: 7712466
    Abstract: An improved nebulizer places a venturi in close proximity to or inside a patient's oral cavity. One or more medicine feed lines feeds the medicine to a location proximate to a venturi. A plurality of medicines may be administered simultaneously to the patient, with preferably each medicine vial being shape-keyed to a medicine receiver of corresponding shape. The medicine vial or vials may contain a standard unit dose of medication. A portable gas canister can be utilized to supply air pressure to the venturi when a press open release closed type valve is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart Miller, Mary W. Briganti
  • Patent number: 7682261
    Abstract: The finger pad shield, when placed in contact with the bowler's finger pad places a rigid surface between the force against the finger pad and spreads that force, when the bowler's maximum natural force is applied to the bowling ball at the moment of release. It is at this moment when the force of the ball against the finger pad is the greatest and the pressure within the contact area made by the finger pad shield with the finger pad, would be increased if that bowling ball force was not spread over that contact area. The rigid finger pad shield is made sufficiently rigid material to substantially resist the force of the bowling ball so the force against the finger pad shield 14 is spread over the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Randall A. Addington, W. Robert Addington, W. Robert Addington, II
  • Patent number: 7343915
    Abstract: A apparatus and method for self-treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by a patient, comprising a container sized to be portable by the patient and having therein a chamber containing a medicament composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier mixed with a chemoirritant, preferably L-tartaric acid; a nebulizing valve connected to the chamber so as to provide an outlet therefor; a source of motivating force connected with the chamber so as to motivate the composition through the opening in the nebulizing valve to thereby cause nebulization of the composition; a wireless transmitter responsive to activation of the nebulizer for sending a wireless signal requesting medical assistance; and a power source operatively connected for providing power; wherein the chemoirritant is mixed in the composition in an amount sufficient for causing the patient to produce an involuntary cough effective to maintain at least partial blood circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Robert E. Stephens, Stuart P. Miller