Flow Control Patents (Class 604/30)
  • Patent number: 9101701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for distending a body tissue cavity of a subject by continuous flow irrigation such that minimal or negligible fluid turbulence is present inside the cavity, such that any desired cavity pressure can be created and maintained for any desired outflow rate. The present invention also provides a method for accurately determining the rate of fluid loss, into the subject's body system, during any endoscopic procedure without utilizing any deficit weight or fluid volume calculation or flow rate sensor. The system and the methods of the present invention described above can be used in any endoscopic procedure requiring continuous flow irrigation few examples of such endoscopic procedures being hysteroscopic surgery, arthroscopic surgery, trans uretheral surgery, endoscopic surgery of the brain and endoscopic surgery of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventors: Atul Kumar, Alka Kumar
  • Publication number: 20150141907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting saline into an open cavity of a patient's body, and, alternatively, vacuuming fluids from said cavity, during laparoscopic surgery that provides constant feed and amplified pressure to provide a steady fluid output, in a disposable, single use handheld surgical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas P. Clement, S. Stone Linton, David Weber
  • Patent number: 9028440
    Abstract: An occluder, and methods for occlusion, that employs first and second opposed occluding members associated with each other, a tube contacting member connected to, or comprising at least a portion of, at least one of the first and second occluding members, and a force actuator constructed and positioned to apply a force to at least one of the first and second occluding members. Application of the force by the force actuator may cause the tube contacting member to move between a tube occluding and an open position. A release member may be configured and positioned to enable an operator to manually move the tube contacting member from the tube occluding position to the open position even with no force applied to the at least one of the first and second occluding members by the force actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Simon C. Helmore, James D. Dale, Jesse T. Bodwell, Jason M. Overson
  • Patent number: 9017296
    Abstract: An improved safety occluder and method of use provides an occluder for an infusion set having a first, occluding position, a second, non-occluding position which returns to the first, occluding position when the occluder's plunger is released, and a third, non-occluding position which retains the plunger in a configuration which allows fluid flow through the infusion set. The occluder may also include a locking mechanism to prevent accidental movement of the plunger out of the first, occluding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Beck, Philip Eggers, Jeff Juretich, Ryan Federspiel
  • Publication number: 20150112248
    Abstract: A syringe is provided having a hub with an orifice, first and second barrels having an interior surface to form respective lumens, a valve, and a test indicator. The first and second barrels slideably receive respective first and second plungers for movement therein. The valve is operable to provide a fluidly communicative path between the orifice of the hub and the first and second barrel lumens. The test indicator is responsive to at least one characteristic of a bodily fluid, the test indicator positioned to be exposed to any bodily fluid drawn into the first barrel lumen and visible from an exterior of the first barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: James A. Helliwell, Michael Wilmink
  • Patent number: 9011379
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system that includes an infusion pump and a cassette (1) with tubing (75) that is configured for engaging the pump mechanism of the infusion pump to accurately and repeatably deliver a fluid to a subject. The cassette has a housing with first and second ends for holding flexible tubing through which the fluid is directed, and the tubing engages a pumping mechanism to provide movement of the fluid through the tubing. When engaged with the pumping mechanism, the length of tubing is accurately and repeatably positioned in contact with and between the curved wall and the pumping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A
    Inventors: Seralaathan Hariharesan, Brian Highley
  • 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: 8992461
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for peritoneal dialysis having a device for the regular dispensing and reuptake of dialysate. The device has a pressure measuring device for the measurement of intraperitoneal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Hedmann, Stephan Klatte
  • Publication number: 20150080788
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds is provided. The apparatus and method include one or more of the following: simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, supplying of thermal energy to fluid circulated through the wound; supplying physiologically active agents to the wound; a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed; and application of stress or flow stress to the wound bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: PATRICK LEWIS BLOTT, EDWARD YERBURY HARTWELL, JULIAN LEE-WEBB, DEREK NICOLINI, CLARE GREEN, ROBIN PAUL MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20150080787
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. microfiltration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing mate rials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Bryan Greener, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Tina Michelle Walker, Derek Nicolini, Julian Lee-Webb
  • Patent number: 8961452
    Abstract: Disclosed are sheaths that comprise a first sheath member having a first passageway, a first length, and a first proximal end defined by a first valve apparatus configured to seal the first passageway, the first passageway having a first passageway diameter at a location in the first passageway; and a second sheath member coupled to the first sheath member, the second sheath member having a second passageway and a second length, the second passageway having a second passageway diameter at a location in the second passageway; where the first passageway and the second passageway are separate from each other and not co-axial, the first length is different from the second length, and the first and second sheath members are positioned beside each other for a portion of their first and second lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Phillip D. Purdy
  • Patent number: 8952812
    Abstract: A method of reducing power consumption in a pressure (vacuum) regulator system by waking the regulator upon detection of a person's hand proximity prior to adjustment of a pressure controller, including: defining a sampling time-window to sample a pressure in the pressure regulator system; generating a random number of pressure samples within the defined sampling time-window; acquiring data of the randomly generated number of pressure samples within the defined sampling time-window; adjusting the defined sampling time-window in response to a triggering of a proximity sensor; and wirelessly transmitting the data to an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tenacore Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Brand Caso, Peter John Bonin, James Selevan
  • Patent number: 8939927
    Abstract: An assembly for a phacoemulsification surgical system includes an aspiration system arranged to aspirate fluid from a surgical site. The aspiration system includes an aspiration path within the phacoemulsification hand piece and includes a flexible small bore aspiration tubing in fluid communication with the aspiration path. The small bore aspiration tubing has a nominal inner diameter smaller than about 0.050 inch to reduce levels of occlusion surge within the surgical system. A high-output, peristaltic pump communicates with the small bore aspiration tubing and is operable to create a flow through the small bore aspiration tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary P. Sorensen, Eric Lee
  • Publication number: 20140378894
    Abstract: An apparatus 100 for use in tube feeding comprises a cylindrical body 110 provided with a first opening 120 and a second opening 130 connected by a flow channel 140. The body 110 comprises reagent 111, for determining a characteristic of fluid disposed in the body and a transparent window 112 through which the reagent 111 is visible. In use, a first end of an internal feeding tube releasably engages with the first opening 120. The second, distal end of said feeding tube is disposed inside a patient to be fed. A second feeding tube engages with the second opening 130. The second feeding tube connects the apparatus 100 to a bi-directional pump operable: to pump internal fluid from a reservoir, through the apparatus and into the internal feeding tube; and to pump fluid from the patient into the body 110 of the apparatus 100. This allows a user to pump fluid from the patient into the body 110 of the apparatus 100 to react with the reagent 111.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen Thorpe, Anat Barak
  • Patent number: 8914156
    Abstract: A method is provided for the control of valves for flow path control, in particular in a medical treatment machine, having a plurality of processes for the manufacture of flow paths by control of a group of valves, with each process claiming a group of valves suitable for its carrying out for itself so that other processes cannot change the switching state of these valves and with each process itself making a decision on the release of the valves claimed by it. In addition, a method is provided for monitoring the then current and/or scheduled state of a plurality of valves in the flow path control, determining the connections resulting from the switching state of the valves, and comparing the resulting connections with a predetermined number of non-permitted connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank L. Hedmann, Stephan Klatte
  • Patent number: 8894605
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an ophthalmosurgical system that includes a first irrigation fluid source. The system also includes a first irrigation fluid line connected to the first irrigation fluid source at a first end and open at a second end. The system further includes an aspiration fluid line, by which a fluid can be removed from an ocular lens. In addition, the system includes a suction pump, to which the aspiration fluid line is connected, and a second irrigation fluid source, to which a second irrigation fluid line is connected. The second irrigation fluid line is connected to the first irrigation fluid line at a coupling site. The system also includes a first valve, which is disposed between the first end of the first irrigation fluid line and the coupling site, and a second valve, which is disposed between the second irrigation fluid source and the coupling site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventor: Michael Eichler
  • Patent number: 8876757
    Abstract: A medical device fluid sensing system is provided. The system includes a transmitter array positioned in association with a fluid maintaining device, such as a reservoir in a cassette. Electrical circuitry is connected to the transmitter array and configured to cause the transmitter array to transmit light energy at a predetermined wavelength and producing a desired absorption coefficient based on expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device. The system also includes a receiver array configured to receive light energy transmitted through the fluid maintaining device and originating from the transmitter array, and a controller configured to determine fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on conditions sensed by the receiver array. In one embodiment, three transmitters and three matching sensors are provided in a surgical cassette, and when optical energy having predetermined characteristics is provided to the transmitter array, the presence or absence of fluid is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Jon D. Jacobson, Kyle Lynn
  • Patent number: 8876765
    Abstract: A pump module for use in a medical fluid dispensing system is provided that includes a pump body and first and second pump chambers formed in the pump body. The module further includes a pair of chamber inlets and chamber outlets formed in the pump body, each associated with one of the pump chambers. Each of the pump chambers further includes a first portion having a generally spherical segment shape and a second portion integral with the first portion and having a generally conical shape, with the first and second portions in fluid communication with the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet. The second, conically shaped portion converges to the chamber outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Paul Mack, Charles R. Patzer, Stephen L. Vick
  • Patent number: 8870102
    Abstract: An electrospray head for use in an electrospraying apparatus comprises a body with an internal surface defining a conduit having an inlet for receiving a fluid to be sprayed and an outlet for emitting the fluid. A movable wall forms a part of the internal surface defining the conduit, the movable wall being arranged to constrict or dilate the conduit upon operation of the actuator. The movable wall can thus control the delivery of fluid through the outlet from the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NationalUniversity of Ireland, Maynooth
    Inventors: Shirley O'Dea, Michael Maguire
  • Publication number: 20140303551
    Abstract: A fluid management system for use in a tissue resection procedure includes a controller. An inflow pump is operated by the controller and configured to provide fluid inflow through a flow path to a site in patient's body. An outflow pump is operated by the controller and configured to provide fluid outflow through a flow path from the site in patient's body. A motor driven resecting device may be provided for resecting tissue at the site. The controller is configured to actuate an inflow pump and an outflow pump in response to various signals and various algorithms are provided to provide malfunction warnings and assure safe operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: ARQOS SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, Michael D. Walker, Robin Bek
  • Patent number: 8852140
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically adjusting the operational parameters of a blood separation procedure. A blood separation device has an inlet for passing fluid thereinto and an outlet for removing fluid therefrom. A pump system is provided for moving fluid into and out of the device. In use, blood is conveyed into the device, where platelets are separated from at least a portion of the blood. A controller determines the amount of platelets in the device. Based at least in part on the amount of platelets in the device, corrective action is taken to avoid platelet aggregation in the device. The corrective action may be conveying an elevated amount of anticoagulant into the blood and/or the device and may be initiated when the determined amount of platelets approaches, meets, or exceeds a threshold predicted likelihood of platelet aggregation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Barry, Jr., Brian C. Case, Lan T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8852139
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treatment of an eye alter aspiration flow from the eye in response to an occlusion of the aspiration conduit pathway. Where aspiration is drawn from the eye using a volumetric pump, the pump can be reversed so as to induce fluid reflux from the aspiration conduit pathway into the eye to help clear the occlusion. The pump may vary the reverse flow in response to sensed aspiration pressure or the like, and the reverse flow may be halted before the pressure within the aspiration conduit pathway adjacent the eye significantly exceeds the irrigation fluid pressure and/or the pressure within the eye. Reflux may alternatively be generated by modulating a vent valve disposed between an irrigation conduit pathway and the aspiration conduit pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: David King, John I. Muri, Thomas B. Sutton
  • Patent number: 8840581
    Abstract: Components for a medical infusion fluid handling system, such as an APD system, in which one or more lines (such as solution lines), spikes or other connection ports may be automatically capped and/or de-capped. This feature may provide advantages, such as a reduced likelihood of contamination since no human interaction is required to de-cap and connect the lines, spikes or other connection ports. For example, a fluid handling cassette may include one or more caps that cover a corresponding spike and include a raised and/or recessed feature to assist in removal of the one or more caps from the cassette. A solution line cap may include a hole and recess, groove or other feature to engage with a spike cap and enable removal of the spike cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: David W. McGill, Jacob W. Scarpaci, James D. Dale, Simon C. Helmore, Jason A. Demers
  • Patent number: 8840579
    Abstract: An internal tourniquet and method for establishing hemostasis within a portion of a limb to facilitate surgery controls flow of a fluid into a capsule surrounding substantially all of a human joint. Blood concentration in the capsule is sensed; and pressure in the capsule is controlled to maintain a fluid pressure in the capsule within a predetermined pressure tolerance window. The concentration of blood in the capsule is maintained below a predetermined maximum concentration while the fluid pressure is within the pressure tolerance window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: James A. McEwen
  • Patent number: 8840580
    Abstract: A gas supply system appropriate for an abdominal cavity and a luminal cavity is provided. The gas supply system reduces a pressure of gas, supplied from a source of gas for supplying gas of a predetermined kind, to a predetermined pressure value upon which gas, whose pressure is reduced, is controllably lowered to a first pressure value appropriate for a body cavity of a first kind of a specimen to allow gas to be supplied to the body cavity of the first kind. In the meantime, gas, supplied from the source of gas, is lowered to a second pressure value appropriate for a body cavity of a second kind of the specimen to allow gas to be supplied to the body cavity of the second kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Uesugi, Daisuke Sano, Atsuhiko Kasahi, Kenji Noda
  • Patent number: 8834408
    Abstract: Irrigation and/or aspiration devices and methods may be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially, or concurrently. The devices and methods may provide a base with a removable head, and adapted for partial or complete separation of the irrigation and aspiration functions. The devices and methods can be configured to aspirate and/or irrigate the nasal and sinus cavities. The devices and methods may be manually and/or automatically controlled. The devices and methods may include removable, and/or replaceable, and/or refillable, and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant. The device head and/or aspirant reservoir may comprise a diagnostic device, i.e., test device and/or container after use of the devices and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Aardvark Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Baker, Clinton N. Slone, Michael J. Strasser, James M. Lovette, Thomas King, Richard Treadwell
  • Patent number: 8827945
    Abstract: Irrigation and/or aspiration devices and methods may be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially, or concurrently. The devices and methods may provide a base with a removable head, and adapted for partial or complete separation of the irrigation and aspiration functions. The devices and methods can be configured to aspirate and/or irrigate the nasal and sinus cavities. The devices and methods may be manually and/or automatically controlled. The devices and methods may include removable, and/or replaceable, and/or refillable, and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant. The device head and/or aspirant reservoir may comprise a diagnostic device, i.e., test device and/or container after use of the devices and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Aardvark Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Christensen Baker, Clinton N Slone, Michael J. Strasser, James M Lovette, Thomas King, Richard Treadwell
  • Patent number: 8815095
    Abstract: An artificial kidney that regenerates dialysate includes: a catheter having an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen for communication with a peritoneal cavity of a patient; a fluid circuit in fluid communication with the catheter for circulating dialysate into, through and out of the peritoneal cavity; a pump configured to circulate the dialysate; a cleaning cartridge coupled to the fluid circuit for removing solutes from the dialysate, including a therapeutically effective amount of urea from the dialysate as the dialysate circulates along the fluid circuit; and wherein the fluid circuit is configured to receive a volume of ultrafilterate removed from the patient, such that the pump can mix the ultrafiltrate volume with the dialysate to an increase an overall therapy fluid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Brian R. Micheli
  • Publication number: 20140235957
    Abstract: A device to block emesis and/or reflux includes a tube insertable into the esophagus. A valve is carried by the tube and includes a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and an unsecured lower circumferential edge and configured such that upon contact with emesis and/or reflux from the stomach, the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the unsecured lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall and blocks emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. Miller
  • Patent number: 8801653
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus 10, used in a phaco procedure, includes a filter assembly 44/44a for near, or complete, elimination of air bubbles in an aspiration line of an aspiration system 38. The apparatus 10 includes a suppressor 110, which, during an aspiration mode of operation, maintains a fluid flow rate at 50 cc/min, and, upon an occlusion breaking free, dynamically decreases the fluid flow rate from a high surge rate to the rate at 50 cc/min. The apparatus 10 includes facility for operating in a reflux mode to direct unrestricted fluid flow through the aspiration line of the aspiration system 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Armand Maaskamp, Alex Urich
  • Patent number: 8801666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reducing pressure variations in a fluid flowing in an aspiration branch of a surgical system, which pressure variations are generated by a pump that delivers in a non-continuous manner in the active operating state, with a diffuser arrangement which is arranged, in the aspiration branch, upstream of the pump in the direction of flow of the fluid. The invention also relates to a surgical system, in particular an ophthalmic microsurgical system for lens surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Kuebler, Martin Kraus, Michael Eichler, Tobias Maier
  • Patent number: 8795517
    Abstract: A machine-readable medium with instructions for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Lannoy
  • Patent number: 8784360
    Abstract: Infusion catheter systems and methods are described herein that incorporate flow restrictors to balance flow to multiple target sites serviced by delivery catheters. Fluids may be delivered to the target sites using multiple separate delivery catheters or through multiple separate lumens located in the same delivery catheter. Flow balancing may be performed between multiple catheters that are fed from a single fluid source, between multiple separate lumens in a single delivery catheter that are also fed from a single fluid source. Multiple catheters may be fluidly connected to one or more flow restrictors housed within an anchor or in another embodiment, a catheter may be fluidly connected to a restrictor housed in one anchor and another catheter fluidly connected to a second anchor wherein each of the restrictors is also fluidly connected to a single fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8764742
    Abstract: A fluid delivery catheter configured to allow optimal fluid distribution through each electrode by varying the diameter of a catheter lumen is disclosed. Uniform or different fluid flow rates through longitudinally spaced apart elution holes may be achieved. Exemplary fluids for use with the catheter include a cooling fluid, a therapeutic fluid, and a medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo Pappone, Alan De La Rama, Peter Chen, Cary Hata
  • Patent number: 8753307
    Abstract: A cassette insertable into an irrigation or aspiration machine for endoscopy includes an irrigation or an aspiration tube and a support provided with one or two inlet plugs and one or two outlet plugs where two tubes form an elbow to be connectable to the inlet or outlet plugs in an input and output direction of motion, respectively and to form an irrigation or aspiration pumping area in the input and output direction of motion. The support includes a T-shaped guide according to the head of the T for protecting the elbow of each tube and according to the length of the T body in a slot guiding the tube in the output direction. The T-shaped guide extends between one or two inlet plugs to form the irrigation or aspiration pumping area on both sides of the slot between each inlet plug and the head of the T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Future Medical System S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Tachoire, Stanislas Chautard, Andre Francisco, Steven Janin, Christian Rodriguez, Patrick Janin, Thierry Pascual, Armando Dias
  • Publication number: 20140155802
    Abstract: A catheter comprising a dual lumen catheter tube with a molded plastic bolus formed at the distal end of the tube. The tube and bolus assembly which results has arterial and venous ports which overlap each other longitudinally but are oriented on opposite sides of the tube and bolus assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Radius International, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Quinn
  • Patent number: 8742925
    Abstract: A device (1) for preventing and detecting the falling of an object or of a person on a line (2) of a railway station having a platform (3). The device (1) includes at least one detection device (7) having at least one emitter (8) of a beam (10) and a sensor (9) able to detect the beam (10), and a detection calculator (13) for processing the signals obtained from the sensors (9) and able to communicate safely with at least one signaling system (16a, 16b, 16c) of the railway station, barriers (4) able to be arranged on the platform (3) to prevent falls of the object or of the person, the barriers (4) delimiting between door opening areas (5), a detection device (7) being arranged in each of the door opening areas (5) to detect a fall on the line (2) of the railway station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventors: Charlie Vacher, Michel Carnot
  • Publication number: 20140142496
    Abstract: A cleaning catheter (200) includes fluid-delivery and suction lumens (520, 530). A flow regulator (700) defines suction and fluid ports (830, 827). A mechanical user control element (320) is configured to mechanically and non-electrically set activation states of the flow regulator (700), and transition between first and third configurations via a second configuration. When the control element (320) is in the first configuration, the flow regulator (700) blocks fluid communication (a) between the suction port (830) and the suction lumen (530) and (b) between the fluid port (827) and the fluid-delivery lumen (520). When the control element (320) is in the second configuration, the flow regulator effects fluid communication between the suction port (830) and the suction lumen (530), and blocks fluid communication between the fluid port (827) and the fluid-delivery lumen (520).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: AIRWAY MEDIX SPOLKA Z.O.O.
    Inventors: Oron Zachar, Elad Einab, Gil Yigal
  • Publication number: 20140121592
    Abstract: An assembly structured for concurrent irrigation and aspiration of a nasal cavity including a housing having a supply container disposed therein for the removable retention of irrigating fluid. A nasal applicator comprises first and second passages respectfully structured to deliver irrigating fluid to the nasal cavity and concurrently remove waste fluid therefrom. An activating assembly includes a plunger biased into a continuous pressure applying, dispensing relation to the irrigating fluid and a valve assembly is selectively disposable into an open position facilitating fluid communication between the supply container and the applicator for the delivery of the irrigating fluid therethrough into the nasal cavity. The activating assembly is further structured to create a negative pressure within the chamber which communicates with the second passage of the applicator to facilitate delivery of the waste fluid therefrom along a path of travel to an interior of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Keith Rubin, Ken Solovay, James Layer, Alex Desimone
  • Publication number: 20140107564
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a cannula assembly, a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing includes an inlet port removably coupled to the cannula assembly and defines an inner volume. The fluid reservoir is fluidically coupled to the housing and configured to receive and isolate a volume of bodily fluid from a patient. The flow control mechanism is at least partially disposed in the inner volume. The actuator is operably coupled to the flow control mechanism and is configured to move the flow control mechanism between a first configuration, in which bodily fluid can flow, via a fluid flow path defined by the flow control mechanism, from the cannula assembly, through the inlet port and into the fluid reservoir, to a second configuration, in which the fluid reservoir is fluidically isolated from the cannula assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Magnolia Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bullington, Richard G. Patton, Shan E. Gaw
  • Publication number: 20140074017
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to an apparatus and method for priming a liquid or surgical cassette. In one embodiment, an infusion system within the liquid cassette is primed using a forward flow of a liquid and a backward flow of the liquid. The forward flow of the liquid creates a first volume of liquid stored within an infusion conduit, which is connected to an infusion chamber via a first valve. The infusion conduit has an infusion port exposed to a non-liquid environment having a first pressure. A second pressure is created in the infusion chamber that is lower than the first pressure. Opening the first valve causes a second volume of liquid within the infusion conduit to flow over the first valve and towards the infusion chamber. The second volume of liquid is less than or equal to the first volume of liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Shawn X. Gao, Roderick S. Van
  • Patent number: 8668464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting a fluid for generating a fluid jet, wherein the fluid is delivered from a pump under pressure with a predetermined volume flow to an exit opening. In the event of an interruption of the volume flow, the pump is automatically switched from an operating mode for generating pressure to an operating mode for suctioning fluid; and a device for producing a volume flow for realizing a fluid jet for cutting and/or flushing of material, comprising a pump with an operating mode for generating pressure in the fluid and for generating suction. The device is constructed such that during interruption of the set volume flow, the pumpcan be switched over or switches over automatically from the operating mode for generating pressure to an operating mode for generating suction for the purpose of suctioning fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Human Med AG
    Inventors: Arnd Kensy, Konrad-Wenzel Winkler, Andreas Runow, Frank Niklas, Gernot Schlee
  • Patent number: 8652089
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for distending a body tissue cavity of a subject by continuous flow irrigation such that minimal or negligible fluid turbulence is present inside the cavity, such that any desired cavity pressure can be created and maintained for any desired outflow rate. The present invention also provides a method for accurately determining the rate of fluid loss, into the subject's body system, during any endoscopic procedure without utilizing any deficit weight or fluid volume calculation or flow rate sensor. The system and the methods of the present invention described above can be used in any endoscopic procedure requiring continuous flow irrigation few examples of such endoscopic procedures being hysteroscopic surgery, arthroscopic surgery, trans uretheral surgery, endoscopic surgery of the brain and endoscopic surgery of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Atul Kumar, Alka Kumar
  • Patent number: 8636706
    Abstract: Transfer sets are disclosed in the present patent. The transfer set provides a connection between a source of peritoneal dialysis fluid and a patient for whom peritoneal dialysis has been prescribed. The transfer sets disclosed herein are smaller and provide a more compact and convenient device by which a dialysis patient controls the flow of dialysis fluid to and from the peritoneum of the patient. The devices are more compact and convenient because they include more convenient mechanisms for starting and stopping flow of the dialysis fluid. It is also easy to determine whether the mechanism is in a closed or open configuration by simply looking at the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Paul R. Chapman, Brian J. Connell, Ying-Cheng Lo
  • Patent number: 8634964
    Abstract: A method for the control of valves for flow path control, in particular in a medical treatment machine, having a plurality of processes for the manufacture of flow paths by control of a group of valves, with each process claiming a group of valves suitable for its carrying out for itself so that other processes cannot change the switching state of these valves and with each process itself making a decision on the release of the valves claimed by it. In addition, a method is provided for monitoring the then current and/or scheduled state of a plurality of valves in the flow path control, determining the connections resulting from the switching state of the valves, and comparing the resulting connections with a predetermined number of non-permitted connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank L. Hedmann, Stephan Klatte
  • Patent number: 8622971
    Abstract: An access apparatus for use during a surgical procedure to provide access to the interior of the body includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end for being disposed at an exterior side of the body and a distal end for extending into the interior of the body. The access member has a bore therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of an object. A seal is disposed within the bore of the access member. The seal includes a fabric material and an elastomeric material, and defines an internal passageway dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with an object inserted therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Skott Greenhalgh, David Farascioni
  • Patent number: 8612055
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system comprises a pump configured to deliver a therapeutic agent to a patient, a memory storing a therapy program defining the delivery of the therapeutic agent to the patient by the pump and a default infusion schedule based on the therapy program, and a processor configured to control the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the patient according to the therapy program, to determine an error condition that prevents the pump from continuing to deliver therapy according to the therapy program, and, upon determination of the error condition, to control the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the patient according to the default infusion schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Irfan Z. Ali, Steven M. Goetz, David C. Ullestad, Emem D. Akpan, Mark D. Salzwedel, Jiaying Shen
  • Publication number: 20130324916
    Abstract: The catheter invention is composed of three basic designs directly associated with gastric aspiration and jejunal feeding of polymeric diets. The first catheter embodies a triple lumen gastric sump that provides for gastric aspiration and air venting, along with deep jejunal feeding. The second design is dual lumen gastric tube that provides for gastric aspiration and deep jejunal feeding, but does not provide for gastric air venting. The third invention is a dual lumen design to replace existing Salem Sumps that provide gastric aspiration and air venting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: David G. Quinn
  • Patent number: 8597229
    Abstract: Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) cycler systems and methods are disclosed. The APD cycler can include a heater tray with load cells configured to measure the weight of fluid contained within a heater bag and/or a drain bag. The load cells can be toggleable between enabled and disabled configurations. The APD cycler can include a pressure-based volume measurement system, which can be used to confirm measurements made by the load cells. In some embodiments, the APD cycler can have algorithms for tracking an estimated patient volume to prevent overfilling the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: VR Medical Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Li Pan
  • Patent number: 8585636
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispersing fluid from a fluid dispersal line is provided. The method comprises initiating operation of the medical apparatus, determining whether fluid has been dispersed from the medical apparatus via the fluid dispersal line since said initiating occurred, and assessing whether fluid is available in the fluid dispersal line. If fluid has not been dispersed from the medical apparatus since said initiating occurred and fluid is not available in the fluid dispersal line, the method includes distributing a commanded quantity of fluid plus an amount of fluid determined to fill the fluid dispersal line. Otherwise the method disperses only the commanded quantity of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Staggs, Catherine P. Ha, Wayne S. Wong