| SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120084303 | Interassociating Data of a Medical Device - Methods, a medical device, and a computing system configured to interassociate data of the medical device are provided. The medical device uses a processor to collect data and include a respective event set identifier with data developed in connection with activity starting with a respective identifiable event of the medical device. The data may thus be parsed based on the event set identifier to access data for an identifiable event. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083760 | Flushing a Fluid Line From a Medical Pump - A method and medical pump to perform a flushing procedure are provided. The medical pump is configured to execute the flushing procedure subsequent to an infusion procedure, the flushing procedure and infusion procedure lacking a specified relationship between each other until after performance of the infusion procedure. The method comprises performing an infusion procedure of a medicament with the medical pump and automatically querying in human detectable form whether to execute a flushing procedure in response to conclusion of the infusion procedure. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20110319838 | Catheter Assembly with Seal Member - A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub defining an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally thereof. A rigid actuator extends proximally in the interior cavity and supports a seal member thereon. The seal member includes a central membrane, a distal portion, and a proximal portion. An hourglass shaped actuator cavity is formed in the distal portion and receives a barbed end of the actuator. The outer surface of the seal member is in partial circumferential engagement with the catheter hub to define an air path that allows fluid communication between areas of the interior cavity distal and proximal of the seal member. A punch tool is provided to form a tri-slit in the membrane of the seal member. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319825 | CATHETER ASSEMBLY WITH SEAL MEMBER - A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub defining an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally thereof. A rigid actuator extends proximally in the interior cavity and supports a seal member thereon. The seal member includes a central membrane, a distal portion, and a proximal portion. An hourglass shaped actuator cavity is formed in the distal portion and receives a barbed end of the actuator. The outer surface of the seal member is in partial circumferential engagement with the catheter hub to define an air path that allows fluid communication between areas of the interior cavity distal and proximal of the seal member. A punch tool is provided to form a tri-slit in the membrane of the seal member. The seal member may be configured for multi-use and include a biasing member that moves the seal member to force the membrane back over the actuator to close the membrane. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110301553 | Antimicrobial lubricant - An antimicrobial lubricant combines an antimicrobial agent, preferably silver based, with a silicone lubricant. This is achieved by first formulating a lubricant solution that has a non-volatile silicone lubricant and a volatile solvent carrier. An antimicrobial agent is added to the lubricant solution. The solution is then subjected to ultrasonic energy so that the antimicrobial agent is uniformly mixed with the lubricant in the solution. The solution containing the antimicrobial lubricant may be sprayed onto a medical device, for example the outer surface of the catheter of a peripheral IV catheter. After the solvent flashes off, a coat of uniform antimicrobial lubricant is formed on the catheter surface. The antimicrobial lubricant coating facilitates the insertion of the catheter to a patient, and at the same time prevents the growth of microorganisms from the device and infection to the patient. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301551 | Tip Protector for a Safety Catheter - A safety catheter includes a catheter hub, a catheter tube, a needle hub, a needle cannula having a tip, and a tip protector. The tip protector includes an outer member having a flexible tab configured to releasably engage with the catheter hub and release therefrom upon inward flexing of the tab. An inner member is positioned entirely within the outer member and has a portion that impedes inward flexing of the tab when disposed adjacent the tab. The inner member is axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the needle tip is distal of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed adjacent the tab to impede release from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the tip is within the outer member and the inner member portion is no longer adjacent the tab and no longer impedes release from the catheter hub. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110295213 | Safety needle device with snap feature and method of making same - The present invention safety device is a one-piece needle assembly that has a base and a housing pivotally connected to the base. The base has a distal portion to which a needle is fitted. At the base there is formed longitudinally along its distal portion a catch mechanism that may be in the form of an anchor projection. At the back wall of the housing there is extended another catch mechanism that may be configured in the form of two clasping fingers. Also providing in the housing is an integral hook. As the housing and the base are pivoted relative to each other, and as the needle makes contact with the hook, the respective catch mechanisms at the base and the housing also make contact with each other, resulting in the coupling of the catch mechanisms and the coupling of the needle to the hook. As a result, the catch mechanisms are interlocked and the needle is fixedly retained by the hook within the housing. The catch mechanisms may also be configured as a hook and a latch in the form of a rib with an opening whereto the hook is fixedly coupled. The catch mechanisms may further be configured as respective interlockable pairs of loops and bosses. The gauge of the needle may be determined by the color of both the base and the housing, which are molded as a unitary single unit. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110225790 | Needle protection device with gauge specific color coding and method for menufactring thereof - To enable a user to readily determine the gauge of the needle of a needle assembly that has a base and a needle protective housing pivotably attached thereto, the needle assembly is injection molded from a color coded molding material which color was preassigned to correspond to the gauge of the needle. As a result, both the base and the protective housing of the needle assembly have—the same specific color, and reflect or provide an indication of the given gauge of the needle. The needle sheath that covers the needle prior to use may be made of a plastics material that may be clear, or have the same or a different color than that of the needle assembly. The gauge of the needle of a fixed needle syringe could also be ascertained by its color coded needle protective housing. Color coded markings that correspond to the gauge of the needle may also be printed onto the syringe barrel of the fixed needle syringe. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110224651 | Medical coupling system - An adapter bridging a medication providing device and a fluid connector includes a housing shroud that is fitted at one end with a core and at its other end with an inner shroud. Once fitted to the housing shroud, the core and the inner shroud each are not removable from the housing shroud. A catch hub is provided within the housing shroud for non-removably maintaining the core to the housing shroud. The core is rotatable relative to the housing shroud. Once the medication providing device is coupled to the core, additional rotational movement, in either direction, of the medication providing device would only cause the core to rotate freely relative to the housing shroud, thereby preventing the medication providing device from being removed from the adapter. The inner shroud has a catch mechanism that enables it to mate readily with a connector when rotated in one direction. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110208132 | Catheter adapter - A clam shell shaped adapter for retaining a catheter to establish a fluid path between the catheter and a fluid device or line has two shells integrally connected by a living hinge. A first shell has a luer end and a catheter end wherein a catheter is insertable through its aperture. A flexible tube at the inner surface of the first shell connects the luer end to the catheter end. The catheter is inserted through the catheter end to extend along the flexible tubing. A retainer structure is provided at the inner surface of the second shell so that when the first and second shells close upon each other, the retainer structure presses against the flexible tubing to fixedly retain the catheter in a fluidly sealing manner. Respective latch mechanisms provided at the shells lockingly couple the two shells to each other. The latch mechanisms are located remotely from the outer surfaces and peripheries of the shells to prevent inadvertent uncoupling of the shells. The shells may be uncoupled by inserting a pointed object through a notch to the interior of the device to disengage the latch mechanisms. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110208124 | CATHETER INTRODUCER ASSEMBLY HAVING SAFETY SHIELDED SYRINGE - An intravenous catheter introducer assembly having a safety feature to prevent accidental needle sticks. The introducer assembly includes a needle assembly having a groove disposed on its outer surface. The introducer includes a protector made of a hollow member having an open distal end and an inwardly disposed resilient flange or a clip disposed thereon. The protector is coaxially slidably disposed around the needle with the flange abutting the outer surface of the needle and adapted to engage the groove when a catheter assembly is removed from the needle. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110200456 | PUMP MODULE METHOD FOR A MEDICAL FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEM - A pump module is provided for use in a medical fluid dispensing system that includes a pump body made of a non-compliant material and first and second pump chambers formed in the body. Each of the chambers has a first, open end and an opposite, closed end. The pump module further includes first and second pistons in the first and second pump chambers, respectively. At least one fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are selectively in fluid communication with the first and second pump chambers. Each of the pistons extends through the open end of a respective one of the pump chambers, with each of the pistons being operably translatable within the pump chamber toward and away from the closed end of the chamber. The pistons are translatable independently of one another. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110106318 | UPDATING SYRINGE PROFILES FOR A SYRINGE PUMP - A method and system to update a syringe pump is provided. The pump supports a syringe having a plunger and includes a piston drive to couple to the plunger, a processor to control movement of the piston drive, and a memory to store syringe profiles for different syringes. Each syringe profile contains data for the processor to control the piston drive to expel fluid from a respective syringe at a rate. The method includes, with a computing system containing a database of data correlated to an array of syringes for which the pump could be used, culling from the database a syringe profiles for the syringes to be used by the pump within the facility or portion thereof, and updating the memory of the pump while in the facility with the culled syringe profiles whereby to update the pump for operation with syringes to be used with the syringe pump. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110028982 | Device for Insertion of a Cannula of an Infusion Device and Method - A device for inserting a needle used to introduce a cannula can include a housing including a closed end, an open end, and an arm including a tab extending from the open end, and a sleeve configured to be placed against the patient's skin, the sleeve defining a slot extending along a length of the sleeve, and a barb positioned adjacent to an end of the slot. The slot is sized to receive at least a portion of the arm and the tab of the housing so that the arm and the tab of the housing slides within the slot as the housing is moved relative to the sleeve, and the barb is positioned to engage the tab of the housing to limit movement of the housing relative to the sleeve. The device can also include a threaded portion of the housing extending towards the closed end of the housing. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20100314517 | Pole Clamp - A pole clamp has two legs wherebetween poles of different diameters may be positioned. One of the legs is configured to grip one side surface of the pole. The other leg of the clamp member has a channel through which a threaded shaft is movable along a longitudinal axis toward the one leg. Also formed in the other leg is a bore orthogonally to the channel. A guide that may be in the form of a half nut is movable within the bore, with the threaded surface of the half nut being in a threaded relationship with the threads of the shaft, when the guide is in a first position, so that the shaft is movable along the axis when it is turned. The guide is movable to a second position to disengage its threaded surface from the shaft. When thus disengaged, the shaft is movable bidirectionally along the axis by simple push and pull movements. A second embodiment of the pole clamp utilizes a yoke slider guide having two arms with a narrow gap and a wider gap between the two arms. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100262078 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO ADDRESS AIR, LEAKS AND OCCLUSIONS IN AN INSULIN PUMP SYSTEM - A system and method for adjusting insulin infusion volume based on air in an infusion set tube includes inputting at least one location and length of an air bubble along the infusion set tube. An air bubble volume is determined in the infusion set tube. An insulin infusion volume is determined based on a desired insulin infusion. A determination is then made whether the desired insulin infusion would include the air bubble volume based on the inputted location and length of the air bubble. The air bubble volume is added to the insulin infusion volume to make an adjusted insulin infusion volume if the insulin infusion volume includes the air bubble. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100241073 | Heat exchanger connector assembly - A connector assembly for a heat exchanger has a fitting and a mount to which the fitting couples. The fitting has an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. At the proximal portion there is a crossbar, and at the distal portion there are an inlet and an outlet that protrude away from the body. Two wings extend from the body in a direction opposite to that of the inlet and outlet. There is formed on each of the wings a locking protrusion. The mount has a top portion where there is a groove dimensioned to accept the crossbar of the fitting. A longitudinal channel is formed orthogonal to the groove in the mount. Two sidewalls extend from the mount each for accepting a corresponding one of the wings, when the fitting is coupled to the mount. Apertures are provided at the sidewalls to engage the protrusion at the wings so that, once the fitting is coupled to the mount, it is secured thereto, until a force is exerted to compress the wings towards each other to disengage the protrusions from the apertures. To couple the fitting to the mount, a user first positions the crossbar of the fitting onto the groove of the mount, with the body of the fitting at an angle relative to the mount. With the crossbar resting on the groove, a pivot point is established between the fitting and the mount, so that the body of the fitting can be pivotally positioned within the channel of the mount. At that time the inlet and outlet of the fitting are mated to an output port and an input port, respectively, of the mount; and the protrusions at the wings of the fitting are engaged to the apertures at the sidewalls of the mount. An infusate line and a heat exchanger are connected to the proximal end and distal end, respectively, of the fitting. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100222765 | CORRECTION FACTOR TESTING USING FREQUENT BLOOD GLUCOSE INPUT - An apparatus comprises receiving a user prompt in a blood glucose (BG) management device to start a determination of an effective correction factor, receiving sampled blood glucose data of a patient obtained during a specified time duration, including a time duration after delivery of an initial insulin correction bolus, determining the effective correction factor using the BG management device according to a determined decrease in the blood glucose level of the patient and an amount of insulin in the initial insulin correction bolus, and cancelling the determination of the effective correction factor if a blood glucose level of the patient is outside of a specified range of blood glucose levels. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100211141 | Multi-access blanket - A convective warming blanket has a head portion and a plurality of peripheral sections extending orthogonally from each side of a central section that extends uninterrupted from a proximal end below the head portion to a distal foot end of the blanket. Each peripheral section is separable from its adjacent peripheral section by a frangible or tearable common seal. At least one through passage connects each peripheral section to the central section, so that the peripheral sections are inflated when heated air is input to the blanket. The multiple peripheral sections each are movable relative to the central section, so that different body parts of the patient may be selectively accessed. The head portion of the blanket is formed by two tubular sections that extend from the proximal portion of the blanket to encircle the head of the patient, when the blanket is placed over the patient. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211139 | Combination underbody and overbody blanket - A combination underbody and overbody blanket has first and second portions sandwiching a middle portion. The first portion may be shorter than the second portion. An opening is provided at the middle portion, or at a location that overlaps the middle and first portions. The opening has a dimension sufficiently large to enable the head of a patient to pass through. At least one air inlet is provided at the middle portion to allow air to be input into the blanket. The blanket is configured in the shape of a poncho, with the first portion covering the front torso of the patient and the second portion covering the back of the patient. A tearable seal is provided at the first portion that allows the first portion to be separated into two halves to expose the front upper torso of the patient and/or to facilitate the placement of the middle portion about the neck and onto the shoulders of the patient. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211138 | Full body split access blanket - A full body blanket has a central bonded strip that extends from a distal end of an upper portion of the blanket to the foot end of the blanket to divide the main body of the blanket into two longitudinal portions. A discontinuous slit or tearable line is provided along the length of the strip to enable the longitudinal portions to be separable from each other by a user applying a force along the tearable strip. The strip may be torn anywhere along its entire length so that the longitudinal portion to be removed from the patient may be folded back anywhere along the length of the strip to selectively expose particular body parts of the patient. The blanket is inflated by heated air, and the heated air is circulated by channels that extend longitudinally along each of the longitudinal portions. Rows of apertures provided along the channels at the layer of the blanket that makes contact with the patient output the heated air to warm the patient. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100198320 | Lateral access blanket - A convective warming blanket is configured to have an upper body portion and two leg portions that extend from a distal end of the upper body portion. The leg portions are separated by a space sufficient to expose a lateral side of a patient covered by the blanket. A flap separable from the leg portion that extends from the mid-section of the upper body portion may be used to securely wrap around the extended arms of the patient, who is lying on his side. Adhesive tapes are provided on the outside edges of the leg portions to secure the blanket to the surface onto which the patient lies. Apertures are appropriately formed at the sheet that comes into contact with the patient at the upper body portion and along the respective inner side edges of the leg portions so that both the upper body and the exposed lower body of the patient are warmed by heated air. The blanket is designed to have mirror image versions usable for exposing the lateral left side or the lateral right side of the patient. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100108243 | Hose retainer for thermal blanket - An inflatable convective thermal blanket is designed to have at least one section on its top surface that has securely mounted thereon at least one fluid absorbent mechanism for absorbing fluids from a subject that is placed onto the blanket, or from fluids fallen onto the blanket from other sources. The one section is configured onto the blanket in such a way that it forms a well for collecting the fluids. The fluid absorbent mechanism, which may be in the form of a pad, would absorb the collected fluid to thereby minimize evaporative and cooling effects on the subject. Instead of mounting it on top of the blanket, the fluid absorbent pad may be mounted to the underside of the blanket, with appropriate holes and/or openings provided at the fluid collecting section, so that the collected fluids are drained onto the fluid absorbent pad. To enhance the input flow of air to the blanket, as well as to enable the blanket to be flatly folded for storage or shipping, a collapsible retainer mechanism is provided at the input port(s) of the blanket. The retainer mechanism opens up to a shape that facilitates the mating of an air hose to the input port. When folded to its collapsed position, the retainer mechanism, and the input port, would lie substantially coplanarly with the blanket. When configured to the position for accepting the air hose, the retainer mechanism is positioned substantially orthogonal to the blanket. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100057170 | Full view access upper underbody blanket - The inventive blanket is an inflatable underbody convective thermal blanket whereon the head and the upper body of a patient may lie. The blanket is in the shape of a cross with a truncated lower vertical portion and an upper head portion onto which the head of the patient lies. The blanket has two horizontal arm portions that extend from the main body portion of the blanket and onto which the arms of the patient may be positioned. At each of the arm portions there is a flap that may be used to cover the arm of the patient. An inlet port is provided in an upper corner at the head portion of the blanket. The heated air input to the blanket is directed by a plurality of sealed strips to flow in respective desired directions around the arm portions and the lower truncated body portion of the blanket. Sets of apertures are provided along an inner sealed periphery that defines a T-shaped uninflated area onto which the torso of the patient lies. There are more apertures at the inner corners of the inflatable structure defined by the uninflated area to enable a greater outflow of heated air at the lower truncated body portion of the blanket. All inner and outer corners of the blanket are rounded to facilitate the air flow. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100049141 | Needle sheath removal apparatus - A needle protective housing used to cover a contaminated needle after use is configured to have at least one cam positioned below the lip of the sheath attached to the base of the needle device for covering the needle prior to use. When the sheath is attached to the base of the needle device, the needle protective housing is positioned in proximity to the sheath. To remove the sheath, a user would pivotally move the needle protective housing in a direction away from the sheath so that the cam coacts against the lip of the sheath in an upward direction as the needle protective housing is pivoted downwards relative to the needle device. Consequently, the sheath that covers the needle prior to use is forced upwards until it is disengaged from the needle base. The cam may be an integral extension of the needle protective housing, or it may be a clip retrofittable to the needle protective housing. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100016804 | NEEDLE TIP SPRING PROTECTOR - A needle tip spring protector for a needle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft extending therebetween. The needle tip spring protector includes a spring that circumferentially surrounds a portion of the needle shaft and is restrained in a state wherein its inner diameter is large enough to allow the shaft to move freely within the spring. When the needle is moved to a position in which its distal end is at least partly within the spring, at least one of the ends of the spring releases from restraint such that the spring automatically returns to a state in which its inner diameter is sized so as to grippingly engage the shaft of the needle. Thus, after activation, the spring securely surrounds the distal end of the needle to protect healthcare workers and others from accidental contact with the needle's distal end. When used in conjunction with a catheter assembly, the needle tip spring protector may passively release from the catheter hub after the spring is automatically activated. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100012537 | Tray assembly - An allergy testing tray assembly has an outer tray and an inner tray fitted in the outer tray. Each one piece tray is molded to have three longitudinal areas separated by two rows of spaced posts. A plurality of allergy testing needles are removably held between the adjacent posts. These syringes each have needle protective housing and a sheath that covers the needle prior to use color coded to reflect the gauge of the needle of the syringe. The plunger end of each of the syringes is capped so that each syringe is isolated from the environment. The trays are sealed by a cover sheet that may also have markings in the same color as the color of the housing and the sheath, so that a clinician can readily tell the gauge of the needle of the syringes stored in the trays, without having to remove the cover sheet. Once the tray assembly is sterilized, the sterility of the syringe are doubly protected by the sealing of the needle end and the plunger end of the syringe as well as the sealing of the trays from the environment by the cover sheet. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100006263 | Multi lumen heat exchanger - A heat exchanger has a multi-lumen tubing having one end connected to a supply fitting and another end connected to a return fitting. The tubing has a central lumen, a middle lumen that surrounds the central lumen and an outer lumen that surrounds the middle lumen. The supply fitting has an inlet, an outlet and a proximal port wherethrough an infusate is input to the heat exchanger. The supply fitting is configured such that its inlet is connected to the central lumen, its outlet connected to the outer lumen, and its proximal port connected to the middle lumen of the tubing. The return fitting is configured to establish a through passage between the central lumen and the outer lumen of the tubing so that a heating fluid fed through the supply fitting to the central lumen is returned to the supply fitting by way of the outer lumen. The return fitting further has a distal port configured to connect to the central lumen of the tubing, so that the infusate fed to the proximal port of the supply fitting may be output from the distal port of the return fitting, after passing through the central lumen of the tubing. As the infusate traverses along the heat exchanger, it is heated by the heating fluid that flows along the central lumen, and also by the rerouted heating fluid that flows along the outer lumen of the tubing. The heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to a heater by its inlet and outlet so that the temperature of the heating fluid for warming the infusate is maintained at a predetermined temperature. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090248120 | Underbody convective blanket and method for manufacturing thereof - A convective underbody blanket has a head portion and a body portion. Provided at the head portion is a non-inflatable head area surrounded by a channel that has arranged thereat at least one row of air apertures that are oriented toward the non-inflatable head area when the channel is inflated. At the body portion there is provided a non-inflatable body area. Along each longitudinal side of the body area there is at least one longitudinal channel. Each of the longitudinal channels is in fluid communication with the channel that surrounds the non-inflatable head area. The longitudinal channels that sandwich the non-inflatable body area extend substantially along the length of the non-inflatable body area and are in fluid communication with each other by way of a cross channel formed at the foot end of the blanket. The configuration of the blanket allows air input to the blanket to be circulated through the various channels, so that the heated air output from the different rows of apertures formed at the various channels has substantially the same temperature. The different rows of apertures may be provided at different areas along the blanket. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090246035 | Pump Module Fluidically Isolated Displacement Device - A pump module for use in a medical fluid dispensing system is provided that includes a pump body having first and second portions where at least one of the first and second portions includes first and second fluid chambers. The module further includes at least one membrane operably associated with the fluid chambers, and first and second actuators operably associated with this membrane for the purpose of displacing the membrane and further for displacing fluid from the first and second chambers. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090206514 | Needle protection device with gauge specific color coding and method for manufacturing thereof - To enable a user to readily determine the gauge of the needle of a needle assembly that has a base and a needle protective housing pivotably attached thereto, the needle assembly is injection molded from a color coded molding material which color was preassigned to correspond to the gauge of the needle. As a result, both the base and the protective housing of the needle assembly are the same specific color, and reflect or provide an indication of the given gauge of the needle. The needle sheath that covers the needle prior to use may be made of a plastics material that may be clear, or have the same or a different color than that of the needle assembly. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090199388 | Needle protection device with gauge specific color coding and method for manufacturing thereof - To enable a user to readily determine the gauge of the needle of a needle assembly that has a base and a needle protective housing pivotably attached thereto, the needle assembly is injection molded from a color coded molding material which color was preassigned to correspond to the gauge of the needle. As a result, both the base and the protective housing of the needle assembly have the same specific color, and reflect or provide an indication of the given gauge of the needle. The needle sheath that covers the needle prior to use may be made of a plastics material that may be clear, or have the same or a different color than that of the needle assembly. The gauge of the needle of a fixed needle syringe could also be ascertained by its color coded needle protective housing. Color coded markings that correspond to the gauge of the needle may also be printed onto the syringe barrel of the fixed needle syringe. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090192447 | Gas vent valve assembly - A gas vent valve assembly may be attached or incorporated to a disposable fluid transfer set used with a fluid warmer to administer an infusate to a patient. The gas vent valve assembly has a housing having a fluid inlet, a gas outlet and a fluid outlet. The gas outlet is located at the top of the housing while the fluid outlet is located at the bottom of the housing. The fluid inlet is located at a side lower portion of the housing. Inside the housing is an actuator float that has an upper seal and a lower seal. The dimension of the float relative to the chamber of the housing is such that the float is freely movable within the housing to an upper position whereby its upper seal closes the gas outlet while the fluid outlet is opened, and to a lower position whereby its lower seal closes the fluid outlet and the gas outlet is opened. The movement of the float is dependent on the respective amounts of air and fluid in the housing, and the buoyancy of the float relative to the fluid in the housing. When a predetermined volume of air gets inside the housing, the float sinks to its lower position to close the fluid outlet and open the gas outlet, so that the air inside the housing is vented to atmosphere while fluid is prevented from being output to the patient. When the amount of gas in the chamber has been reduced to a given volume, with a corresponding increase in the amount of fluid in the housing, the float is raised to open the fluid outlet, thereby enabling the fluid inside the housing to be output to the patient. At that time, the gas outlet is shut to prevent any reverse inflow of air into the housing. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090177169 | ADAPTOR WITH BLUNT CANNULA AND RIBS - An adaptor comprises a plate having upper and lower surfaces. The plate has four corners. A luer mating structure is associated with the plate upper surface and a blunt cannula is associated with the lower surface. The blunt cannula has a proximal portion extending from the plate lower surface and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion to a tip end. Four ribs extend from the plate lower surface generally parallel to the blunt cannula and each rib is associated with a respective one of the four comers of the plate, with each rib aimed toward the blunt cannula. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090177168 | BLUNT CANNULA WITH NON-CIRCULAR PROXIMAL PORTION FOR ACCESSING A SLIT SEPTUM ORIENTED TO THE CANNULA - A blunt cannula includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion has a non-circular, such as oval, cross-section. A slit septum of a medical site is oriented to receive the proximal portion of the blunt cannula. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090171299 | ADAPTOR WITH BLUNT CANNULA - An adaptor comprises a plate having upper and lower surfaces, and oppositely disposed side edges therebetween. A luer mating structure is associated with the plate upper surface. A blunt cannula is associated with the lower surface. The blunt cannula has a proximal portion extending from the plate lower surface and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion to a tip end. A pair of generally flat guide walls extends from the plate side edges to either side of the blunt cannula. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090113238 | POWER FAILURE MANAGEMENT FOR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM HEATER UNIT - A heater unit includes power failure management to detect disruptions in the electrical power supply, such as the AC supply, for the unit. The heater unit emits an audible alarm in response to detection of such a disruption, and may shut down the heater(s) and visuals display(s). The heater unit advantageously includes a power storage device, such as a super-capacitor, to temporarily power the electronic circuitry of the heater unit. Operating parameters, such as of a processor of the electronic circuitry, may be stored in a non-volatile memory response to the disruption, and recalled if the disruption terminates before the level of power has gotten too low to sustain reliable operation of the processor. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110379 | PID COEFFICIENT ADJUSTMENT FOR RESPIRATORY HEATER CLOSED LOOP CONTROL - A heater system is provided for a respiratory system having a PID feedback control in which the coefficients are adjusted, such as in a warm-up process, to correspond to a likely flow rate of gas through a chamber of heated water based on the difference between heat input and heat output in relation to a temperature set point without the need to directly monitor flow rate or humidity level. A steady-state adjustment of the coefficients based on the behavior of the measured temperature in relation to the set point is also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110378 | ENVIRONMENTALLY PROTECTED THERMISTOR FOR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM - A temperature probe, such as for a respiratory system in which breathable gases are supplied to a patient, includes a housing having a cavity sized to snugly receive therein a generally cylindrical container within which is secured a thermistor, with the container adapted to provide a barrier to moisture. The probe provides a quick temperature response but minimizes migration of moisture to the thermistor notwithstanding the high temperature and heat levels encountered in normal operation of the respiratory system. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110029 | DUAL POTTING TEMPERATURE PROBE - A temperature probe, such as for a respiratory system in which breathable gases are supplied to a patient, includes a housing having an external wall and an internal cavity defining an end and an internal cavity and further includes a temperature-responsive device in an area of the cavity near the end, such as in thermal communication with the external wall. A first potting compound that is deformable and/or has a relatively high thermal conductivity holds the temperature-responsive device in the cavity and a second potting compound having a relatively low thermal conductivity may be in the cavity behind the first potting compound. The housing may be made thin to enhance thermal conductivity, at least in the area containing the temperature-responsive device. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110022 | THERMISTOR CIRCUIT CALIBRATION - Temperature detection circuitry is selectively coupled to a thermistor and one of two sources representing the impedance at respective ends of the expected range of temperature to which the thermistor is to be exposed. The offset of an amplifier and a scale factor to account for gain set of the amplifier are determined in an automatic calibration process while coupled to the source(s), and thereafter temperature readings are taken from the thermistor. During the calibration process, if the gain or scale factor are outside of expected ranges, a failure is determined and an alarm given and/or a heater is disabled. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090108168 | LOCKABLE MOUNTING MECHANISM FOR A RESPIRATORY SYSTEM HEATER UNIT - A lockable mounting mechanism has a hitch portion and a receiver portion, the hitch portion having a hitch member, a locking member being rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a camming surface being rotatable with the locking member and the receiver portion having a channel, the hitch member of the hitch portion and the channel of the receiver portion sized to slidably receive the hitch member into the channel portion whereby to mount the hitch portion to the receiver portion, the receiver portion further having a reset surface positioned to engage the camming surface as the hitch member is slid into the channel when the locking member is out of the unlocked position, the camming surface and reset surface cooperating to automatically rotate the locking member toward the unlocked position as the hitch member is slid into the channel. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107982 | HEATED BREATHING CIRCUIT DETECTION - A heated breathing circuit detection system verifies the proper set up and connection of a breathing circuit to a heater unit of a humidification system. The detection system automatically detects that the breathing circuit is connected to the heater unit, and the nature of the heating circuit(s) thereof. In one embodiment, the resistance of the heating circuit(s) is determined and compared to an expected resistance or range of acceptable resistances to determine if the heater circuit(s) is properly or actually attached and properly operating. The humidification system also has the ability to determine the delivery mode of the breathing circuit, i.e., whether a single inspiratory limb, or both inspiratory and expiratory limbs, is connected to the heater unit. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107981 | RESPIRATORY SYSTEM HEATER UNIT - A heater unit for a respiratory system is designed for natural convection cooling air to pass first through a transformer in the heater unit and then through a heat sink in the heater unit to which is mounted a power switch to conduct heat from the power switch to the cooling air passing through the heat sink. A thermal break may be provided between the heat sink and the transformer. The transformer may be a toroidal transformer with the air passing through an aperture thereof such as from a hollow projection of the heater unit extending into the aperture. One side of the transformer may be situated along a surface of the heater unit and the heat sink secured to the heater unit against the opposite side of the transformer to hold the transformer in place. A venting chamber may be associated with an air exhaust of the heater unit to provide a circuitous exit path for air exiting the heater unit. The venting chamber may extend in generally surrounding relationship with the heater of the heater unit. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107980 | HOT PLATE HEATER FOR A RESPIRATORY SYSTEM - A heater unit for a respiratory system includes a hot plate heater including a heat conducting hot plate and a plastic hub mounted together. The hot plate may define a thin heat conducting disc and may further define a depending flange circumferentially surrounding the hub. The hub and flange may include snap-together apertures and fingers. The hub is mounted to a housing of the heater unit. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107496 | RAINOUT REDUCTION IN A BREATHING CIRCUIT - A breathing circuit includes inspiratory and expiratory limbs, each having a respective electrically energizable heating circuit. The heating circuits are independently and selectively electrically energized through separate power circuits such as to control the temperature in each limb in a desired fashion so as to reduce rainout in the breathing circuit and particularly in the expiratory limb. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107493 | REDUNDANT POWER CONTROL FOR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM HEATERS - A humidification system is provided for a respiratory system is provided with a controller having two processors that monitor the operation of each other and of heating elements in the respiratory system to provide CPU redundancy and heating element control. Each heating element is provided with two control paths, for example a relay and a triac connected in series with the heating element and a power supply. Each heater has one control path connected to a first one of the processors and at least one heating element has at least one control path connected to a second one of the controllers. A hardware watchdog monitors the operation of the first processor, and can be triggered by a signal from the second processor, in response to which it can disable all heating elements. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090102192 | Medical coupling system - An adapter that bridges the connecting ends of a medication providing device and a fluid connector includes a housing shroud that is fitted at one end with a core and at its other end with an inner shroud. Once fitted to the housing shroud, the core and the inner shroud each are not removable from the housing shroud. A catch hub is provided within the housing shroud for non-removably maintaining the core to the housing shroud. The core is rotatable relative to the housing shroud. Sufficient friction is provided between the core and the housing shroud to enable the medication providing device to be readily coupled to the core. Once the medication providing device is coupled to the core, and therefore the adapter, additional rotational movement, in either direction, of the medication providing device would only cause the core to rotate freely relative to the housing shroud, thereby preventing the medication providing device such as a syringe from being removed from the adapter. The inner shroud has a catch mechanism that enables it to mate readily with a connector, if the connector is rotated in one direction. The catch mechanism is designed such that once the connector is fully mated to the inner shroud, further rotational movement along the coupling direction would cause the inner shroud to rotate freely relative to the housing shroud. The catch mechanism is further configured to allow the connector to be removed if it were to be turned in a counter rotational direction. The connecting portion of the inner shroud is configured to accept a complementary connector. The connecting portion of the core likewise is configured to accept a complementary connector of the medication providing device to ensure that a proper medication conveying path is established between the medication providing device and the connector, and therefore the patient. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090056711 | Nose Cannula Heated/Humidified Gas Delivery System - A low flow heated/humidified respiratory gas delivery system, especially useful for low flow rates as preferred in the treatment of neonate and other such patients, wherein the respiratory gas is heated and humidified as desired for delivery to the patient and the temperature is monitored at the point of delivery to the patient. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20080317605 | Progressive Cavity Propagation Pump - A pump is provided that includes a body made at least partially of an elastomeric material and an inlet port and an outlet port, with each port being coupled to the body. The pump further includes a flow passage formed in the body and extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, with at least a portion of the flow passage being normally closed and with the inlet port being fluidicly uncoupled with the outlet port when the pump is in a free-state condition. An actuating device is coupled to the body and is operable for sequentially deforming the body to create a cavity within the normally closed portion of the flow passage, the cavity being in fluid communication with the inlet port, thereby drawing a packet of fluid from the inlet port into the cavity and propagating the cavity and the packet of fluid contained therein toward the outlet port. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080306424 | Flow-Through Fluid Reservoir - A flow-through fluid reservoir includes a body with a first fluid port, a member movable within the body by an actuator to increase or decrease a volume of a chamber defined by a sidewall of the body. The actuator has a second fluid port. Movable member has a fluid path therethrough such that fluid ports are in fluid communication irrespective of the position of the movable member or the volume of chamber. A shaped slot on the shell of the actuator and a projection on the body cooperate to constrain relative movement of the body and actuator along a path corresponding to the shaped slot. The slot advantageously may include a stop intermediate therealong. A canted aspect of the slot may be used to initiate relative movement of the member within body. The body includes an end wall through which the first fluid port communicates. A shroud is defined by a coaxial extension of the sidewall beyond the end wall to surround the first fluid port, and gripping elements may be provided on the shroud. The projection may include a vent communicating into a space between a flexible barrier and an internal wall of the body. The slot may also have a one-way opening with a cammed roof. A clip may be provided for mounting the reservoir and includes a support member supporting a clip member which releasably receives the shroud and supports a mounting member such as for a sample site. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080302932 | Mounting Clip for Fluid Reservoir - A mounting clip for a fluid reservoir and includes a support member supporting a clip member which releasably receives a shroud or the reservoir and supports a mounting member such as for a sample site. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080300543 | ENCLOSED NEEDLE CANNULA DEVICE WITH PROXIMAL END CAP - An enclosed needle catheter insertion device includes a catheter assembly and a need insertion device having a needle guard housing to enclose a needle in a shielded position and a needle support supporting the needle for movement between a ready position, with the tip of the needle exposed, to a shielded position with the needle within the needle guard housing. Movement of the needle support and the needle relative to the needle guard housing is accomplished by manual manipulation of a gripping component external of the needle guard housing. A separate, proximal end cap external of the needle guard housing encloses a proximal portion of the needle guard housing, and is affixed to the needle support. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080288034 | Convective blanket with discontinuous air flow guides and air flow patterns - A convective blanket has multiple sets of discontinuous bonding strips that bond or attach its upper layer to its lower layer to form a number of air flow guides within the blanket. There is at least one set of substantially parallel discontinuous strips proximate to the air input port of the blanket and another set of substantially parallel discontinuous strips remote from the air input port. For each set of in parallel discontinuous bond strips, the respective distal and proximal ends of each successive strips are aligned with the distal and proximal ends of a corresponding substantially in parallel strip to effect a cross channel so that air flowing along the air flow guide may escape to different sections of the blanket. To output the heated air from the blanket, respective single rows of successively spaced air holes are formed adjacent to and substantially along the length of the discontinuous bond strips that are located proximate to the air input port. For those sets of discontinuous bond strips that are remote from the air input port, there is provided adjacent to and substantially along the length of each of those strips multiple rows of successively spaced holes. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080287887 | Pump Module For Use In A Medical Fluid Dispensing System - 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. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080287872 | Pump Module For Use In A Medical Fluid Dispensing System - A pump module is provided for use in a medical fluid dispensing system that includes a pump body made of a non-compliant material and first and second pump chambers formed in the body. Each of the chambers has a first, open end and an opposite, closed end. The pump module further includes first and second pistons in the first and second pump chambers, respectively. At least one fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are selectively in fluid communication with the first and second pump chambers. Each of the pistons extends through the open end of a respective one of the pump chambers, with each of the pistons being operably translatable within the pump chamber toward and away from the closed end of the chamber. The pistons are translatable independently of one another. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080286092 | Air convection warmer with noise reduction filter - To reduce the noise level of air convective warmer, the air filter of the warmer is fitted with an air intercept mechanism to disrupt the flow of air that traverses inside the interior cavity of the air filter. By thus disrupting the air flow, the noise that otherwise would have been generated due to a non-interrupted air stream flow is lowered. The air intercept mechanism may be in the form of at least one partition positioned inside the interior cavity of the air filter. Alternatively, double-ended open tubes may be used, so long as the interior cavity of the filter is sealed, with only the tubes providing the passages for air to output from the air filter. Yet a third embodiment of the air reduction filter has an air impermeable material covering at least one portion of the surface area of the filtering material to prevent the inflow air from directly entering into the interior cavity of the air filter through the covered surface area. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080228149 | BLUNT CANNULA FOR ACCESSING A SLIT SEPTUM - A blunt cannula ( | 09-18-2008 |
