Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
  • Patent number: 9005141
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-weight, small and portable ambulatory sensor for measuring and monitoring a person's physical activity. Based on these measurements and computations, the invented system quantifies the subject's physical activity, quantifies the subject's gait, determines his or her risk of falling, and automatically detects falls. The invention combines the features of portability, high autonomy, and real-time computational capacity. High autonomy is achieved by using only accelerometers, which have low power consumption rates as compared with gyroscope-based systems. Accelerometer measurements, however, contain significant amounts of noise, which must be removed before further analysis. The invention therefore uses novel time-frequency filters to denoise the measurements, and in conjunction with biomechanical models of human movement, perform the requisite computations, which may also be done in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Biosensics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bijan Najafi, Ashkan Vaziri, Ali-Reza Boloori
  • Patent number: 9005142
    Abstract: The invention features methods and systems for the diagnosis of ADHD and related disorders. The methods and systems of the invention can also be used to ascertain how much benefit an individual would derive from a particular therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The McLean Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Martin H. Teicher, Kyoko Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9005143
    Abstract: In some embodiments, nerves surrounding arteries or leading to organs are targeted with energy sources to correct or modulate physiologic processes. In some embodiments, different types of energy sources are utilized singly or combined with one another. In some embodiments, bioactive agents or devices activated by the energy sources are delivered to the region of interest and the energy is enhanced by such agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kona Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gertner
  • Patent number: 9005144
    Abstract: An ultrasound medical treatment system includes an end effector insertable into a patient. The end effector includes a tissue-retaining device. The tissue-retaining device includes a first tissue-retaining member having an ultrasound medical-treatment transducer and includes a second tissue-retaining member. The first and second tissue-retaining members are operatively connected together to retain patient tissue between the first and second tissue-retaining members and to release patient tissue so retained. In one example, the second tissue-retaining member has an ultrasound reflector. In the same or a different example, the ultrasound medical-treatment transducer is an ultrasound imaging and medical-treatment transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Michael H. Slayton, Inder Raj Makin, Robert Dunki-Jacobs, Richard C. Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 9005145
    Abstract: An apparatus of muscle and/or joint exercise adapted to reeducation and/or physical conditioning of a body part of a user, including a hollow body; a mobile member translatable inside the body; a motor-driven means arranged on the bottom of the body and adapted for driving and decelerating in displacement the mobile member in both translatory directions; a cooperating means between the body and a frame, this cooperating means being arranged on the bottom of the body and including: at least one hinge of the body on the frame, the hinge providing at least at least one degree of rotational freedom for the body around an axis of rotation; and a removable means for installing and removing the body, the removable means being designed for removably installing the body on a base slidingly mounted in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Marc Champsaur
  • Patent number: 9005146
    Abstract: A massage roller includes a generally resilient roller body and a plurality of massage zones having various densities provided on the roller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Implus Footcare, LLC
    Inventor: Cassidy Phillips
  • Patent number: 9005147
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a transducer to a plumbing fixture is provided. The mounting assembly includes a bracket configured to be affixed to an exterior wall of the plumbing fixture. The mounting assembly further includes a shield defining an internal cavity and configured to be removably coupled to the bracket. The shield is configured to be coupled to the transducer and to enclose at least a portion of the transducer within the internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Kenneth A. Lefeber, Santosh R. Narasimhan
  • Patent number: 9005148
    Abstract: A kit of parts for forming an orthotic head support. The kit includes at least one frame having a plurality of arms extending from a central region. Examples of such frames are W-frames, Y-frames and H-frames. The kit further includes at least one extension connectable to a frame. Such extension members include straight extensions, L-shaped extensions, and extension with two elements at an acute angle to one another. The kit has elements for attaching the extensions to the frames. The frames and extensions may have lines of reduced stiffness formed therein about which they are preferentially bendable to conform the support to the shape of a wearer's head and/or neck. The kit further includes padding members connected, or connectable, to the frames and/or extensions on the surfaces thereof which in use are to be adjacent the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Matrix Seating Limited
    Inventor: Steven John Cousins
  • Patent number: 9005149
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a home therapy system for aiding spinal cord decompression and for treating related health issues. More specifically, the present invention teaches a garment system combining an upper portion and lower portion. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper portion includes a head band and yoke for cervical vertebra disc decompression and for aiding in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea by repositioning and opening up breathing airways. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the lower portion includes vertical decompression straps attached to leg bands and extending over the shoulders for thoracic and lumbar disc decompression by arching the spinal column back and opening the vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: STUD Medical Ltd.
    Inventor: John A. Kight
  • Patent number: 9005150
    Abstract: A renal failure therapy system includes a blood pump; a citrate pump; and a control unit configured to automatically control the blood pump and the citrate pump to achieve a citrate flowrate that is based on at least a blood flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Lee C. Ware, Arnold F. Boehnlein
  • Patent number: 9005151
    Abstract: Provided herein are an apparatus and methods to induce electromagnetic field in biologic tissue for thermal therapy. The apparatus comprises electromagnetic devices fitted to be releasably deployed inside a body, magnetic materials to be deployed in a body, and a magnetic centrifuge machine. An electromagnetic device includes a controllably flexible fiberoptic tubular device with a magnetic-flux-controlled electromagnetic assembly on its distal end. The electromagnetic device receives direct or alternating electric current. Implanted particulate magnetic materials in close proximity to said electromagnetic assembly form reversible magnetic vascular mold in target blood vessels by static magnetic field produced by direct electric current to said electromagnetic assembly. Implanted magnetic materials generate heat by alternating magnetic field induced by alternating electric current to said electromagnetic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Choon Kee Lee
  • Patent number: 9005152
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump; a spent dialysis fluid membrane pump; a first balance chamber having a fresh dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump and a spent dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the spent dialysis fluid membrane pump; a second balance chamber having a fresh dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump and a spent dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the spent dialysis fluid membrane pump; and a dialysis fluid cassette, wherein at least one of the fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump, the spent dialysis fluid membrane pump, the first balance chamber and the second balance chamber includes a fluid receiving portion provided in the dialysis fluid cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Thomas Kelly, Robert W. Childers, Don Busby, Rodolfo Roger, Waleed Mutasem El Sayyid, Shahid Din
  • Patent number: 9005153
    Abstract: The invention further relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring a peristaltic hose pump, in particular a peristaltic hose pump of an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The power consumed by the pump and/or the pressure in the tubing segment upstream or downstream of the pump is/are measured during operation of the pump and test signals I1(t), I2(t) which are associated with the individual displacement members are determined. The power or pressure signals associated with the individual displacement members significantly differ from each other during abnormal operation of the hose pump, but no significant differences can be recognized during normal operation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Kopperschmidt, Reiner Spickermann
  • Patent number: 9005154
    Abstract: A dialysis catheter includes an elongate catheter member having an outer wall member defining proximal and distal end regions and first and second longitudinal lumens. The outer member includes first and second ports in respective fluid communication with the first and second longitudinal lumens. The first opening and the first lumen define an inflow passage. The second opening and the second longitudinal lumen define an outflow passage. A valve is disposed relative to the outer member proximal of the first port. The valve is adapted to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined vacuum pressure level realized within the first longitudinal lumen to permit flow of blood through the valve and into the first longitudinal lumen. The valve may be adapted to move to the open position in the event of a luminal occlusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Scott Matson, Richard Braga
  • Patent number: 9005155
    Abstract: The present teachings provide a device and method of making and using thereof. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides a device comprising a shunt having a distal end and a proximal end and the shunt positionable across the septum of a heart. Certain embodiments of the present teachings also include a distal anchoring portion connecting to the distal end of the shunt portion and a proximal anchoring portion connecting to the proximal end of the shunt portion. Another aspect of the present teachings provide methods of using thereof to modify the pressure difference in a heart chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: DC Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroatsu Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9005156
    Abstract: A gas mist pressure bathing system, which integrates a gas introduction part for increasing the supply pressure of a gas mist with a gas mist generator and enables the structure to be simplified and costs to be reduced, is provided. The gas mist pressure bathing system is provided with a gas supply means (10), a gas mist generating means (30), and a living body cover member (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: ACP Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9005157
    Abstract: A surgical cassette arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a flow selector valve configured to operate with a handpiece to selectively irrigate and aspirate fluid with respect to an ocular region. The flow selector valve includes at least three ports, with one port fluidly connectable to the handpiece. The arrangement further includes a reservoir fluidly connected to a second port of the flow selector valve via a first flow segment and configured to receive fluid from the flow selector valve, and a collector fluidly connected to a third port of the flow selector valve via a second flow segment and configured to receive fluid from the flow selector valve and from the reservoir. The flow selector valve selectively controls irrigation and aspiration flow to the handpiece and ocular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: James Gerg, Rob Raney
  • Patent number: 9005158
    Abstract: The invention is a non-surgical method for the eradication of pigmentation and scar tissue from an area of skin. The method comprises repeatedly puncturing the area of skin with an array of needles. As the needles are inserted into the skin, the needles and surface of the skin are washed with a clean solution. As the needles are withdrawn from the skin, the flow of clean solution ceases and the dirty solution, which contains cellular fluids and pigments released by the action of the needles, is removed from the surface. The invention is also a solution, which is used to clean the needles and to aid in destroying the pigment containing cells, and an apparatus, which is especially designed to move the needles into and out of the surface of the skin and to provide synchronization of the motion of the needles and flow of the solution such as to maximize the effectiveness of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hawk Medical Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Noam Danenberg, Ori Nesher
  • Patent number: 9005159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid infusion apparatus, including: a finger module provided in a main body such that the finger module can elastically move backward from a liquid delivery tube; a tube clamp, in which two clamp bodies spaced apart from each other approach each other by means of restoring force of an elastic member upon the opening of a door during infusion, so as to compress and block the liquid delivery tube; and a tube blockage detection device which detects whether the liquid delivery tube is blocked by a cause, for example, when the outlet-side portion of the liquid delivery tube, which delivers medicinal liquid pumped by a liquid pump during infusion, is bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Woo Young Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 9005160
    Abstract: A medicament delivery device includes a distal housing part; a proximal housing part in which a multi-chamber medicament container is arranged, with the proximal housing part movable relative to the distal housing part for mixing substances in the container; a plunger rod arranged to act on a stopper in the container, where movement of the housing parts toward each other forces the stopper against the plunger rod for mixing the substances in the container; a drive force unit for forcing the plunger rod for subsequent delivery of medicament; an activation member slidable through the distal housing part and releasably connected to the drive force unit; and a guide shell one-way rotatable in the distal housing part with threads that cooperate with threads on the proximal housing part. The guide shell and plunger rod have guide members such that they are rotationally locked but slidable in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SHL Group AB
    Inventors: Martin Karlsson, Nils Ronquist
  • Patent number: 9005161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a tissue. The medical device has a layer overlying the exterior surface of the medical device. The layer contains a therapeutic agent, an antioxidant, and an additive. In certain embodiments, the additive has a hydrophilic part and a drug affinity part, wherein the drug affinity part is at least one of a hydrophobic part, a part that has an affinity to the therapeutic agent by hydrogen bonding, and a part that has an affinity to the therapeutic agent by van der Waals interactions. In some embodiments, the additive is a liquid. In other embodiments, the additive is at least one of a surfactant and a chemical compound, and the chemical compound has one or more hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl, carboxyl, acid, amide or ester groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Lutonix, Inc.
    Inventor: Lixiao Wang
  • Patent number: 9005163
    Abstract: A balloon catheter having a shaft, a balloon, and an external delivery tube, as well as methods of use thereof. In one example, the balloon catheter is an agent delivery catheter including a catheter body extending between catheter proximal and distal portions. An inflatable balloon assembly is coupled with the catheter body. An agent delivery assembly, which is coupled with the catheter body and the inflatable balloon assembly, includes a delivery lumen extending through the catheter body and an agent delivery tube extending along an exterior balloon surface. The agent delivery tube includes at least one delivery orifice directed outside of the exterior balloon surface. The agent delivery assembly is isolated from fluid communication with the inflatable balloon assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer Pharma Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael J. Bonnette, Debra M. Kozak, Eric J. Thor, Richard R. Prather
  • Patent number: 9005164
    Abstract: A valve configured for a lumen of medical device is provided. The valve includes a valve body that may be elastically deformed from a first configuration to a second configuration. The valve body includes a lumen having a closed configuration and an open configuration. The lumen may be actuated from the closed configuration to the open configuration by elastically deforming the valve body from the first configuration to the second configuration. The valve body may include a portion configured to form a seal with an interior surface of a lumen of a medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Eric R. Hennessy
  • Patent number: 9005165
    Abstract: A safety catheter includes a shaft. The shaft has a proximal shaft portion having a proximal end, a distal tip portion defining a junction with the proximal shaft portion, a fluid drain lumen, and a balloon inflation lumen. The fluid drain lumen defines a distal fluid drain opening at the distal tip portion distal of the junction and a proximal fluid drain opening adjacent the proximal end and fluidically connected to the distal fluid drain opening. A hollow zero-pressure balloon is disposed at the junction and has an interior fluidly connected to the balloon inflation lumen, a distal leg fixedly secured to the distal tip portion, and a proximal leg temporarily secured to the proximal shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mayser, LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Kalser, Gregory L. Mayback, James Leone, Matthew A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9005166
    Abstract: A system for delivering fluid to a patient includes a hazardous material enclosure suitable for holding a first container comprising a first fluid, and a pump device capable of pumping the first fluid from the first container and a second fluid from a second container. The hazardous materials enclosure has a cap which includes a flexible sealing member that cooperates with the first container to create a biohazard seal during connection of the first container to the cap. The system further includes a mixing device associated with the pump for mixing the first and second fluids for delivering the fluid mixture to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer Medical Care Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur E. Uber, III, Alan D. Hirschman, David M. Griffiths, Frederick W. Trombley, III, David M. Reilly
  • Patent number: 9005167
    Abstract: A needle safety device is provided having a housing, a needle assembly movably mounted within the housing and a spring for biasing the needle assembly within the housing. The needle assembly is movable along a first axis and the spring is movable along the second axis different from the first. There is also provided a lens for enhancing visualization of the flow of fluid through the needle safety device. There is further provided a safety sheath for covering a needle of the needle assembly and restraining the needle assembly against movement due to the bias of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Scott Jones, George Clark
  • Patent number: 9005168
    Abstract: An anchor deployment apparatus for deploying an anchor about a therapy delivery element, such as a lead or a catheter, includes an anchor receiving element having an elongate member defining a lumen. The lumen is configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the therapy delivery element. The anchor is disposable about the elongate member. The deployment apparatus further includes an anchor engagement apparatus having an anchor engagement feature and a channel in which the elongate member of the anchor receiving element is moveable. The engagement feature is configured to engage the anchor when the anchor is disposed about the elongate member, and to cause the anchor to move distally along the elongate member when the feature is engaged with the anchor and the elongate member is moved proximally relative to the engagement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahn S. Sage, Karl E. Hokanson, Kathryn A. Pederson, Bruce A. Behymer
  • Patent number: 9005169
    Abstract: A cannula insertion device includes a housing defining an opening for receiving therethrough a cannula and further defining a channel, and a cannula forming a lumen, the cannula adapted for sliding movement within the housing from a retracted position to an extended position. When the cannula is in the retracted position, the lumen is located remotely from the channel and the channel is in fluidic communication with the opening. When the cannula is in the extended position, the lumen is in fluidic communication with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cequr SA
    Inventors: Peter Gravesen, Heiko Arndt
  • Patent number: 9005170
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for employing an adhesive strap about a medical connection for improving connection integrity for greater safety and reliability and a cross contamination barrier for medical syringes is disclosed. Also, a shielding tube for a medical syringe which acts as a barrier against cross contamination across a syringe plunger is disclosed. The tube comprises a pattern of raised ribs inside to protect against potentially tube tearing edges of an associated plunger rod assembly and to provide a skid resistant surface when disposed about flanges of the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Kendall P. Thorne
  • Patent number: 9005171
    Abstract: A resettable dosing mechanism comprises a dose button and a dial grip operatively coupled to the dose button. A spindle acts on a bung of a cartridge and a driver is operatively coupled between the dose button and the spindle. During an injection of the dose, the dose button moves in an axial direction to cause the spindle to administer the dose. During resetting of the dose setting mechanism, the spindle is retracted back into the dose setting mechanism. An advantageous resetting mechanism is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Christopher Jones
  • Patent number: 9005172
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hemostasis valve device which allows a wire or a catheter to be inserted into the left or right coronary artery via the femoral artery or an arm artery when a Cardiac Catheterization or Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty operation is performed, wherein two independent sealing members are opened and closed by press and release actions of push buttons coupled to a body and the rotation of a fastening tube, respectively, so that the leakage of blood or the inflow of outside air is simply and effectively blocked during the operation, and a drug influx tube for allowing a medicine such as a thrombolitic drug to flow into a patient during the operation pivots and is adjusted in a stepwise manner within a certain range of angles according to body conditions or movements of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: HUBIOMED Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sun Chung
  • Patent number: 9005173
    Abstract: A system and method for rejuvenating skin through ablation using a handheld device (200) having a removable treatment component (213) with an abrasive material on one surface of the component which surface is on a portion of the treatment component (213) configured to conform to a skin surface. The system further includes application of other elements to facilitate skin recovery and rejuvenation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Zelickson, David A. Kist, Mark A. Rydell
  • Patent number: 9005174
    Abstract: The invention is intended to provide an adhesive patch which contains a drug except bisoprolol and which effectively inhibits the occurrence of oozing out or sticking out of the adhesive layer components from the exposed area of the adhesive layer of the adhesive patch during storage as well as the occurrence of oozing out of the drug from the adhesive layer thereby preventing the reduction in drug content. The support, the release liner and the adhesive layer constituting the adhesive patch each are formed to have a rectangular planar shape and the entire adhesive patch are formed to have a rectangular planar shape, and a protrudent part is formed on the support-side surface of the adhesive patch at a corner thereof. In addition, the adhesive patch may be formed to have a middle part and a peripheral part, and the protrudent part may be formed at a corner of the rectangular middle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Iwao, Kensuke Matsuoka, Kazuhiro Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 9005175
    Abstract: For a person who has a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (“PEG”) tube and an esophagus stoma, a method for using an ostomy pouch is provided, where inlet of the ostomy pouch is connected to the esophagus stoma and an outlet connected to one end of an interconnecting tube. An opposing end of the interconnecting tube is connected to the PEG tube, so that when the person consumes matter by mouth, the matter flows out the stoma, through the ostomy pouch, the interconnecting tube and the PEG tube, and into the stomach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Karl A. Thomason
  • Patent number: 9005176
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide an absorbent pad that can be easily unstuck from a diaper or lower-body underwear [Means for Solving Problem] An absorbent pad 200 where a hook tape 32 is exposed on an outer surface of the absorbent pad 200 configured by forming an attachment panel 31, that can be divided, via a folding portion 31c, into an extended portion 31a provided with the hook tape 32 formed on the top surface side thereof and a base portion 31b fixed to an outer sheet 25; and by folding back the attachment panel 31 via the folding portion 31c such that the extended portion 31a is layered on the base portion 31b side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuhiro Saito
  • Patent number: 9005177
    Abstract: An absorptive breast bandage adapted to conform to the contours of a human breast. In one embodiment, the absorptive breast bandage comprises a half-moon shaped planar absorbent body configured for absorbing secreted bodily fluids from a post-surgical patient's surgical incision on the human breast. The half-moon shaped absorbent body includes a first surface and a second surface and it is configured to draw the secreted bodily fluids from the post-surgical patient's surgical incision and store the secreted bodily fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ELN Group, LLC
    Inventors: Nina Krasikoff, Laurine Sargent, Eric Ladewig, Lenore McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9005178
    Abstract: A dispensing cartridge, particularly for dental impression materials, formed from a plastic material having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and including a metal reinforcement tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Knee, Dirk Mueller, Ingo W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9005179
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial comprises a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow, Dee E. Warren, Dan Lopez
  • Patent number: 9005180
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial comprises a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Seifert, Thomas F. Fangrow
  • Patent number: 9005181
    Abstract: A connector for providing sterile access to a flexible container is provided that comprises a tubular member having a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion having an open end. The first portion and second portion are joined to each other by a frangible segment, with each of the first portion and the second portion having a gripable surface associated therewith that is configured to facilitate the application of torsional force to the tubular member at the frangible segment. Upon the application of a sufficient amount of torsional force, the frangible segment will break, permitting the first and second portions to be separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lynn, Richard L. West, Bryan Blickhan, Phoung Tran, Shawn Davis
  • Patent number: 9005182
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for ID delivery of drugs and other substances to humans or animals. The methods employ small gauge needles, especially microneedles, placed in the intradermal space to deliver the substance to the intradermal space as a bolus or by infusion. It has been discovered that the placement of the needle outlet within the skin and the exposed height of the needle outlet are critical for efficacious delivery of active substances via small gauge needles to prevent leakage of the substance out of the skin and to improve absorption within the intradermal space. The pharmacokinetics of hormone drugs delivered according to the methods of the invention have been found to be very similar to the pharmacokinetics of conventional SC delivery, indicating that ID administration according to the methods of the invention is likely to produce a similar clinical result (i.e., similar efficacy) with the advantage of reduction or elimination of pain for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Pettis, James A. Down, Noel G. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9005183
    Abstract: A treatment for male erectile dysfunction comprising separately storing a lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and a carrier gel, mixing said lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and said carrier gel creating a homogeneous mixture and applying said homogeneous mixture to the meatus of the glans penis. A system for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction comprising a syringe coupling system for the storage, mixing and application of therapeutic compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, said system further comprising a first syringe and a second syringe. The first and second syringes are filled with a lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents or a carrier gel. The system includes a locking device coupling said syringes to facilitate the transfer of said lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and carrier gel between the syringes and a penile adapter for applying the therapeutic compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction to the meatus of the glans penis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Health Knight, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas John Harkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9005184
    Abstract: For fixedly implanting a device for material or signal delivery or acquisition or a part of such a device in a human or animal body, an opening is provided in hard tissue of the body, the opening reaching through a hard tissue layer, e.g. through a cortical bone layer into cancellous bone underneath. The device includes a plug portion (P) and/or a cover portion (C) which includes a ring of a material having thermoplastic properties extending around the plug portion (P) or on a tissue facing surface of the cover portion (C). The opening provided in the hard tissue has a cross section at least in the area of its mouth that is adapted to the plug or cover portion such that the plug portion (P) can be introduced through the mouth of the opening or the cover portion (C) can be positioned over the mouth of the opening such that the ring extends around the opening, along its wall and/or on the hard tissue surface around its mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Barbara Froesch, Mario Lehmann, Jens Langhoff, Thomas Knecht, Stephanie Mehl, Andrea Mueller
  • Patent number: 9005185
    Abstract: A capsule configured for in vivo refilling of a therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the capsule may contain methotrexate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mauro Ferrari, Xuewu Liu, Alessandro Grattoni, Randy Goodall, Lee Hudson
  • Patent number: 9005186
    Abstract: An instrument includes a motor unit with a slide or piston. The operating direction of the slide or piston may be adapted to the bending and stretching movement of the user's index finger. A resiliently elastic extension or tongue transfers the bending and stretching movement of the index finger to the slide or piston on the side of the motor unit. The tongue is fixedly coupled to the slide or piston and extends above the handpiece along a gripping portion. The resilient flexibility of the tongue is selected so that it can be easily bent by the index finger resting on the tongue toward the gripping portion of the handpiece, which then serves as a contact or stop element for an operating element at the tongue and thus ensures fixed clamping of the handpiece between the thumb, the middle finger and the index finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventor: Martin MacHill
  • Patent number: 9005187
    Abstract: An implantable oxygen generator system is disclosed. The implantable oxygen generator system includes a receiver configured to generate an electrical current, and an electrode set configured to deliver the electrical current to water molecules of an interstitial fluid within a tissue, wherein the electrical current electrolyzes the water molecules into oxygen molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Babak Ziaie, Teimour Maleki
  • Patent number: 9005188
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for a dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment of an irregularly three-dimensionally shaped surface of an electrically conducting body used as a counter electrode, comprising a planar electrode (1) and a dielectric (2, 3), which is designed to be arranged at a defined distance from the surface to be treated in order to form a cold plasma, wherein said arrangement can be produced in a simple manner and can be reliably designed in the use thereof in that the dielectric (2, 3) is formed by a flexible planar material, which is provided with a structure (4) on the side of the flexible planar material facing the surface to be treated in order to form air guiding areas (7) when the dielectric (2, 3) lies on the surface to be treated, and in that the planar electrode is flexible and Is fastened to the dielectric (2, 3) in such a way that a layer (2) of the dielectric (2, 3) shields the electrode (1) from the surface to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: CINOGY GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Wandke, Maximilian Segl, Leonhard Trutwig
  • Patent number: 9005189
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Boris Rubinsky
  • Patent number: 9005190
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Metavention, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobak Robert Azamian, Jonathan Allen Coe, Scott Bradley Vafai
  • Patent number: 9005191
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Metavention, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobak Robert Azamian, Jonathan Allen Coe, Scott Bradley Vafai