Did You Know...
...that Robert Adler has the dubious distinction of being the Father of the Couch Potato? Back in 1955 Adler was employed by what was then Zenith Radio Corp., where he was charged to invent something that would allow viewers to turn down the TV volume without leaving their chairs. After a series of flops (such as a wired contraption that people tripped over), Adler hit on the idea of using sound waves. Thus the Remote Control was born...
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7967798 | Introducer apparatus with eversible sleeve Disclosed is an introducer apparatus comprising an sleeve fixation mechanism or introducer member, such as a catheter, introducer, or ring-like structure, which is attached to a protective sleeve comprising a thin flexible material such a polymeric film. The sleeve ... | 06/28/2011 |
| 7331949 | Urinary catheter with check valve The present invention provides a novel construction for a catheter that includes backflow prevention in the form of a check valve, which keeps the flow of drained fluid material from reentering the patient. The catheter construction of the present invention provides... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7309344 | Transparent dilator device and method of use A medical device for use with an endoscope is provided. The medical device can include a tube with a first channel for receiving the endoscope. A transparent segment can extend from the distal end of the tube, and the transparent segment can have a first outer diame... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7255687 | Systems and methods for luminal access A luminal access system comprises an evertable, lubricious sleeve, a pusher tube, and optionally a lumen tube. The evertable, lubricious sleeve is attached to a non-evertable sheath which is coaxially received over the pusher tube. A distal portion of the evertable ... | 08/14/2007 |
| 7198636 | Deployment system for an endoluminal device The present invention is directed to a deployment system for an endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device. A deployment line is provided in the system that is an integral extension of the sheat... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7172552 | Catheter introducer system for exploration of body cavities A self propelling catheter introducer system for exploring a body cavity is disclosed which includes a flexible tubular catheter, an everting tube and a steering section located near the distal end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The steering se... | 02/06/2007 |
| 7135015 | Ureteral access sheath A ureteral access sheath adapted for insertion into a urethra includes an elongate tube extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A handle assembly is disposed at the proximal end and includes enlarged portions which inhibit migration of the sheath into the... | 11/14/2006 |
| 7101597 | Medical devices made from polymer blends containing low melting temperature liquid crystal polymers A medical device, at least a portion of which is composed of a polymeric material in which the polymeric material is a melt blend product of at least two different thermoplastic polymers, one of the thermoplastic polymers being a thermoplastic liquid crystal polymer... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7069634 | Method for manufacturing a catheter An intraparenchymal infusion catheter system for delivering drugs or other agents to selected sites in an organism, such as a human, includes a pump that may be implanted or disposed outside the organism. A catheter is coupled to the pump. The catheter comprises a f... | 07/04/2006 |
| 7066880 | Catheter introducer system for exploration of body cavities A catheter introducer system for endoscopy is disclosed which includes a steering section and a propulsion section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in body cavity, and a non-collapsible sheath defining a working channel, disposed inside the ca... | 06/27/2006 |
| 7026026 | Balloons made from liquid crystal polymer blends Balloons for use on medical devices such as catheter balloons are formed from polymer blend products which include a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), a crystallizable thermoplastic polymer, especially thermoplastic polyesters such as PET, and a compatabilizer. The comp... | 04/11/2006 |
| 7004957 | Actuating and locking mechanism for a surgical tool An actuating mechanism for actuating a surgical tool of a surgical instrument including an actuating device having an actuator surface. The actuating device is operable by applying a force to substantially any part of the actuator surface for placing the actuating d... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6979337 | Instrument for extroverting blood vessel A blood vessel extroverting instrument used to turn an end of a blood vessel inside out. The instrument has a contact portion to be brought into contact with an end of a blood vessel, a supporting portion on which the contact portion is supported, and an operating m... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6977103 | Dimensionally stable balloons An inflatable medical balloon comprises a polymer matrix material and a plurality of fibers distributed in the matrix material. The plurality of fibers operatively adhere to the matrix material and provide reinforcement thereof. The fibers may be parallel or angular... | 12/20/2005 |
| 6926729 | Low profile valve and method of making A low profile inflation valve located inside a balloon catheter that enables a user to inflate the balloon and exchange other medical apparatus over the catheter while the balloon remains inflated. The low profile inflation valve of the present invention incl... | 08/09/2005 |
| 6905743 | Dimensionally stable balloons A medical balloon composed of a micro-composite material which provides for radial expansion of a balloon to a predetermined extent, but which has minimal longitudinal growing during balloon inflation. The micro-composite material includes a fibril component, a matr... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6585721 | Catheter shroud with conduit, collector and improvements A flexible, membranous envelope, in a shroud-conduit-collector configuration for sheathing a catheter. In basic mode, the shroud, which essentially envelops the catheter, is partially disposable in an end of the catheter and is extractable therefrom by ma... | 07/01/2003 |
| 6436633 | Human xenografts for microbicide testing and anatomical modeling A method for screening candidate antimicrobial compounds is described that utilizes a human vaginal xenograft engrafted in a non-human host. The method may be performed by using pathogen inoculated human vaginal xenografts in order to screen a wide range ... | 08/20/2002 |
| 6358199 | Drive means for flexible eversion tube system A drive mechanism for moving a shaft or rod along its central axis that utilizes a flexible eversion tube surrounding a portion of and slidingly engaged to the outer surface of the shaft or rod. The drive mechanism uses at least one wheel group having two... | 03/19/2002 |
| 6315713 | Propellant support apparatus for self-propelled colonoscope A propellant support apparatus to help a self-propelled colonoscope in its smooth insertion, said colonoscope being insertable in the colon of a patient by driving a plurality of endless belts, mounted along the flexible section of an insertion tube of th... | 11/13/2001 |
| 6217569 | Integral shroud-collector for urinary catheter A flexible, tubular envelope, termed a "shroud", for sheathing a catheter. The shroud, passing over the entire catheter, is partially disposable in the distal end of the catheter and is extractable therefrom by manipulation of the user. The shroud termina... | 04/17/2001 |
| 6077219 | Roll-back tube system A roll-back tube system, preferably for an endoscope, for moving an inner shaft which is guided in a roll-back tube of the type that is rolled back at both ends. The tube is driven via a number of friction wheels, suction cups or tracks which act on an in... | 06/20/2000 |
| 6039721 | Method and catheter system for delivering medication with an everting balloon catheter A balloon catheter having concentric, elongate lumen and guide tubes defining a lumen therebetween. An annular balloon has its proximal end secured to the lumen tube and its distal end secured to the guide tube. Relative axial movement of the tubes adjust... | 03/21/2000 |
| 6004328 | Radially expandable intraluminal stent and delivery catheter therefore and method of using the same As delivery catheter for a radially expandable intraluminal stent. The delivery catheter comprises an elongate outer tube defining proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. In addition to the outer tube, the delivery cath... | 12/21/1999 |
| 6001079 | Multilumen catheter, particularly for hemodialysis A multilumen catheter (1) of a type comprising two inner lumens (2, 3) defined by a wall (2A, 3A) for guiding a fluid (4), and two opposite ends (5, 6), namely a distal end (5) and a proximal end (6), characterized in that the distal end is formed of two ... | 12/14/1999 |
| 5993427 | Everting tube structure An everting tube structure comprises: a flexible collapsible tube having a first open end and a second open end, the flexible collapsible tube having a first portion proximate the first open end and a second portion, the first portion having a first part ... | 11/30/1999 |
| 5902286 | Rolling catheter or medical device for sterile access to bladder urine A medical device for sterile access to bladder urine having a hollow handle 26 with a guard 24 and a radially disposed group of tines or guide 22. A flexible tube 28 passes through the handle and is attached at the remote end of the handle.... | 05/11/1999 |
| 5897535 | Non-contaminating probe and methods of making and using same A non-contaminating catheter includes a hollow tube having an axial lumen extending along the length thereof, and an elongated, tubular, flexible membrane disposed within the lumen. The leading end of the membrane is circumferentially folded back over the... | 04/27/1999 |
| 5882294 | Medical instrument having a manipulator The description relates to a medical and especially an endoscopic instrument having a manipulator with a guide channel on which are arranged at least one drive and at least one guide wheel or roller the peripheral surface of which can be engaged with the ... | 03/16/1999 |
| 5792114 | Introducer for sterile insertion of catheter A sterile envelope-dispensing catheter introducer. A tubular introducer, through which a catheter is passed, dispenses a membranous shroud, or envelope, from within and out a distal opening thereof. The shroud is withdrawn by manipulation or by the urging... | 08/11/1998 |
| 5782801 | Controlled application of contained screening or treatment fluid to tissue such as cervical or vaginal tissue In the method of applying screening or treatment fluid to the cervix, vagina, or other genital tissues, the steps include providing an elongated assembly including an elongated carrier and a flexible outer container supported on the carrier; providing a f... | 07/21/1998 |
| 5779670 | Catheter having lubricated sheathing A urethral catheter assembly is disclosed which includes an elongate catheter body having an expandable retention balloon provided at a distal end thereof, and a progressively deployable lubricated sheath which encloses the exterior surface of the cathete... | 07/14/1998 |
| 5711841 | Methods of making and using non-contaminating probes A non-contaminating catheter includes a hollow tube having an axial lumen extending along the length thereof, and an elongated, tubular, flexible membrane disposed within the lumen. The leading end of the membrane is circumferentially folded back over the... | 01/27/1998 |
| 5630797 | Everting catheter system and method of utilizing the same An everting catheter system comprising an elongated outer tubular body having an outer body lumen and an opening leading from the outer body lumen, an elongated inner tubular body movable longitudinally in the outer body lumen and having an inner body lum... | 05/20/1997 |
| 5613947 | Everting cannula apparatus and method A double-lumen balloon cannula and method for performing blunt dissection of an elongated, non-spherical cavity under visual control includes a tubular lumen to slidably support an endoscope therewithin, and a second lumen having an inverted, nonelastomer... | 03/25/1997 |
| 5586968 | Method and apparatus for moving an endoscope along a canal-shaped cavity An apparatus for moving an endoscope along a canal-shaped cavity includes an endoscope having a movable distal end for entry into the cavity and a stationary operating end which remains outside of the cavity. A first portion of the endoscope is contained ... | 12/24/1996 |
| 5540658 | Transcervical uterine access and sealing device A cervical access device includes a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. A first expansible occlusion member is disposed near the distal end of the tubular body, and a second occlusion member is proximally ... | 07/30/1996 |
| 5531717 | Non-contaminating probe and methods of making and using same A non-contaminating catheter includes a hollow tube having an axial lumen extending along the length thereof, and an elongated, tubular, flexible membrane disposed within the lumen. The leading end of the membrane is circumferentially folded back over the... | 07/02/1996 |
| 5472428 | Method of using an intubation instrument An intubation instrument has an abraded and adsorbent sheath that is telescoped both internally and externally of a tube. The sheath is provided with a handle to facilitate retraction thereof as the tube is inserted into a body cavity, thereby minimizing ... | 12/05/1995 |
| 5458573 | Everting toposcopic dilation catheter The present invention is directed to a toposcopic dilatation catheter system utilizing a dilatation balloon in combination with an everting tube in a miniature catheter of a scale sufficiently small to negotiate a blood vessel for therapeutic as well as d... | 10/17/1995 |
