Patents by Inventor Walter A. Zohmann

Walter A. Zohmann 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: 8333734
    Abstract: A peripheral nerve block needle for facilitating a peripheral nerve block procedure. A needle has several fenestrations along its length to allow an efflux of local anesthetic into a particular fascial compartment to treat a corresponding peripheral nerve despite only roughly approximating the location of such fascial compartment. A needle hub may be attached to the needle so that a backflow of fluid may be observed. A stylet is slidably disposed within the needle and needle hub such that selectively withdrawing the stylet from the apparatus enables a backflow of fluid into the needle hub, from which proper localization of the apparatus may be verified prior to administering local anesthetic. In this manner, local anesthetic may be effectively and efficiently administered to a peripheral nerve with reduced risk of injury to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Walter A. Zohmann
  • Publication number: 20050004521
    Abstract: A peripheral nerve block needle for facilitating a peripheral nerve block procedure. A needle has several fenestrations along its length to allow an efflux of local anesthetic into a particular fascial compartment to treat a corresponding peripheral nerve despite only roughly approximating the location of such fascial compartment. A needle hub may be attached to the needle so that a backflow of fluid may be observed. A stylet is slidably disposed within the needle and needle hub such that selectively withdrawing the stylet from the apparatus enables a backflow of fluid into the needle hub, from which proper localization of the apparatus may be verified prior to administering local anesthetic. In this manner, local anesthetic may be effectively and efficiently administered to a peripheral nerve with reduced risk of injury to a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventor: Walter Zohmann
  • Patent number: 6558353
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved spinal needle. A needle hub is disposed about a proximate end of a hollow needle. The needle hub side port indicators provide visual and tactual verification by a user of the orientation of the side port on the needle. The needle hub also includes a window with a magnified view. The invention provides a stylet cap disposed about a proximate end of a stylet that freely slides inside the hollow needle and needle hub. The stylet cap forms a pressure fit with the needle hub, and can be engaged in the pressure fit from any axial orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Walter A. Zohmann
  • Publication number: 20020099335
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved spinal needle. A needle hub is disposed about a proximate end of a hollow needle. The needle hub side port indicators provide visual and tactual verification by a user of the orientation of the side port on the needle. The needle hub also includes a window with a magnified view. The invention provides a stylet cap disposed about a proximate end of a stylet that freely slides inside the hollow needle and needle hub. The stylet cap forms a pressure fit with the needle hub, and can be engaged in the pressure fit from any axial orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Walter A. Zohmann
  • Patent number: 5573519
    Abstract: An elongated, hollow spinal needle that is less prone to causing postdural puncture headache by having a modified, pencil-like point with a rounded shoulder at the juncture between the modified, pencil-like point and the body of the spinal needle. A side port is formed in the hollow needle at a position adjacent the rounded shoulder. The leading edge of the side port is located not more than 1.5 times the external diameter of the hollow needle from the tip of the pencil-like point to reduce the bending moment between the tip and the side port. The cross sectional area of the side port is configured to be equal to or incrementally larger than the cross sectional area of the lumen of the hollow needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Walter A. Zohmann
  • Patent number: 5449351
    Abstract: An elongated, hollow spinal needle that is less prone to causing postdural puncture headache by having a modified, pencil-like point with a rounded shoulder at the juncture between the modified, pencil-like point and the body of the spinal needle. A side port is formed in the hollow needle at a position adjacent the rounded shoulder. The leading edge of the side port is located not more than 1.5 times the external diameter of the hollow needle from the tip of the pencil-like point to reduce the bending moment between the tip and the side port. The cross sectional area of the side port is configured to be equal to or incrementally larger than the cross sectional area of the lumen of the hollow needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Walter A. Zohmann