Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

University of Utah Research Foundation

Merit Medical

Jerrold L Foote

Fred P Lampropoulos

Arlin Dale Nelson

Jim D Mottola

Robert Roth

Darla R Gill

Gregory R McArthur

William Padilla

Thomas D Stout

Steven R Taylor

Theodore H Stanley

Blaine Johnson

Garlyn W Hendry

Christopher L Durham

A Tony Smith

Jeffrey D Salisbury

Ronald L Stoker

Darryl Kent Backman

Brent Edward Mabey

Larry E Roberts

Jon Rhees

Steve R Taylor

William Woelper

Fred P Lampropolous

Kent Backman

Methods and systems for controlling and monitoring pressurization data. The methods and systems advance beyond the prior art in their ability to convey pressurization data unambiguously. The methods and systems include a novel combination of visual cues and control features to insure that pressurization data may be analyzed accurately. For example, the visual cues and control features include changing the background color of the display area and providing a pressurization arrow to indicate pressurization or depressurization; a time showing the elapsed time of pressurization or depressurization; a pressurization number indicating the number of pressurization cycles that have occurred; software keys for making configuration choices; and text and graphic display modes. A touch interface may be provide for user interaction. To insure accurate pressure measurements, at least one pressure reference standard may also be utilized.

Monitoring and displaying pressurization data

A system for selectively inflating and deflating a balloon of a dilation balloon catheter. The system includes an inflation syringe that generates a positive pressure for inflating the balloon and a vacuum source that generates a negative pressure for deflating the balloon. A valve is used to selectively establish fluid communication between the vacuum source and the catheter. The valve may be a manually operable device for alternatingly and selectively applying the positive and negative pressures to the catheter. Alternatively, the valve includes a port in a wall of the barrel of the inflation syringe. The port is obstructed when the plunger of the inflation syringe is advanced beyond a specified point in the barrel. An obstructed port isolates the negative pressure of the vacuum source from the catheter, while an opened port establishes fluid communication between the vacuum source and the catheter. The system may be used to position a stent in a treated artery of a patient. The stent is placed at the desired position using an inflated balloon, and the stent is released by deflating the balloon with the negative pressure.

Low compliance inflation/deflation system

An adaptor for coupling a fluid source to a wound irrigation shield is disclosed. The preferred adaptor, preferably a multi-part adaptor, features spray pattern adjustability, removable coupling to the shield, the capacity for removably coupling to a variety of different fluid sources, and a variety of other features and advantages. In one embodiment, the adaptor has a substantially planar face that is substantially coplanar with the plane defined by the shield, thereby preventing patient puncture.

Wound irrigation shield adaptor

The present invention relates to a system for irrigating a wound with wound irrigation fluid and for preventing substantial splashback of the wound irrigation fluid. The system comprises: (i) fluid delivery device for delivering wound irrigation fluid; and (ii) a flexible wound irrigation shield configured such that the shield prevents substantial splashback of the irrigation fluid upon irrigation of a wound. The shield is configured to be disposed, preferably removably, on the fluid delivery device. The flexible shield is substantially conformable to a desired wound area, enabling the practitioner to irrigate awkward, uneven, and hard to reach areas. The shield can be folded into a compact position, then opened into a larger shield. The fluid delivery device comprises (i) a fluid source for providing wound irrigation fluid; and (ii) an adaptor for transmitting fluid from the fluid source to the wound. In one embodiment, the adaptor has a substantially planar face that is substantially coplanar with the plane defined by the shield, thereby preventing patient puncture. The preferred adaptor, preferably a multi-part adaptor, features spray pattern adjustability, removable coupling to the shield, the capacity for removably coupling to a variety of different fluid sources, and a variety of other features and advantages.

Wound irrigation system with flexible shield

A flexible catheter guidewire that comprises an elongate flexible core wire, a cylindrical, thin-walled hollow tube, and a coil spring. The core wire consists of a main section, a tapered section, and a flattened tip. The main section of the core wire has a predetermined uniform diameter. The tapered section of the core wire has a progressively reduced outer diameter. The flattened tip has a substantially rectangular cross-section. The flattened tip has a first end that is attached to the tapered section of the core wire and a second end. The flattened tip decreases in thickness from the first end of the flattened tip to the second end of the flattened tip. The hollow tube is disposed around the tapered section of core wire. The hollow tube has a substantially uniform inner diameter. A gap is formed between the inner surface of the hollow tube and the outer surface of the tapered section. A coil spring constructed of a radiopaque material is attached to the core wire and is disposed around the flattened tip.

Flexible catheter guidewire

A guidewire connection guide includes a back member having a top surface extending between opposing sidewalls. An open-topped channel is positioned on the top surface and extends linearly through and between each of the opposing sidewalls. A restraining member having a planar top surface is hingedly attached to the back member. The restraining member is selectively folded over to compress against the end of an extension guidewire positioned within the first end of the channel. An enclosing member also has a planar top surface and is hingedly connected to the back member adjacent to the restraining member. The enclosing member can be selectively biased against the top surface of the back member to cover a portion of the channel. The portion of the channel covered by the enclosing member defines a substantially enclosed alignment passageway. The alignment passageway has a first end with the end of the extension guidewire received therein and an opposing second end. The alignment passageway has a transverse cross section substantially complementary to the cross section of the guidewires. By positioning the tapered end of a guidewire within the second end of the alignment passageway, the guidewire can be selectively advanced therein so as to be self-guided into a coupling socket formed in the end of the extension guidewire.

Guidewire connection guide and method of use

A system and method for electronically monitoring and displaying digital flow data relevant to the administration of a parenteral fluid, such as a contrast medium, to a patient is disclosed. The system includes a disposable fluid flow indicator, adapted to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a contrast media source. The fluid flow indicator measures the amount of contrast media dispensed from the source and administered to a patient, and provides an indication of the amount dispensed based on the movement of a displacement indicator. Also disclosed is an electronic controller, which is adapted to be detachably connected to the fluid flow indicator. The controller includes a sensor interface circuit, which operably interfaces the electronic controller circuitry with the fluid flow indicator so that the fluid flow measurement indicator is optically detected by the sensor circuit, which in turn generates a representative electrical flow signal. The electrical flow signal is received and processed by a programmable digital processor contained within the electronic controller in a manner so as to continuously track and generate digital flow data. The digital flow data includes information regarding the amount of contrast medium remaining within the contrast source, and the amount of medium that has been delivered to the patient. The electronic controller also includes a digital display, which continuously displays the digital flow data. The controller also includes a series of user actuable switches, which permit the user to select various functions to be performed by the digital processor, including the ability to display digital flow data for prior patients, and the ability to select various operating parameters. Since the electronic controller is detachably connected to the flow indicator, the controller can be reused at the completion of a monitoring procedure. Also disclosed is a method for safely and efficiently monitoring and displaying the amount of contrast medium administered to a patient by using a programmable digital processor.

System for electronically monitoring the delivery of contrast media

A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A sheath is selectively disposed about the cannula so as to be positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The sheath may include a plurality of longitudinal bores which act as a lumen to provide fluid medicament to delivery holes on the outside of the sheath. The delivery holes permit the anesthetic agent or fluid medicament to be delivered to the subcutaneous tissue. A light permeable hub means may be used to maintain a fluid tight connection between the sheath means and a storage container for anesthetic agent or fluid medicament.

Catheter apparatus with means for subcutaneous delivery of anesthetic

A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A helical sheath is formed from an elongate band that is wrapped around the cannula in a helical fashion so as to be capable of being positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The helical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the helical sheath. The helical sheath has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the lumen. The delivery holes permit the anesthetic agent or fluid medicament to be delivered to the surrounding subcutaneous tissue.

Anesthetizing sheath apparatus with means for subcutaneous delivery of

A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be further manipulated or retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A cylindrical sleeve around the cannula can be positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The cylindrical sleeve has formed therein one or more lumens into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the one or more lumens. The delivery holes permit the anesthetic agent or fluid medicament to be delivered to the surrounding subcutaneous tissue.

An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation or deflation data. A syringe applies and releases pressure to and from the balloon catheter. A transducer housed on the syringe barrel emits at atmospheric pressure a signal by which both the syringe and transducer are recognizable to the system as a particular type of syringe. The system prompts the user to verify the recognized type of syringe. The system prompts the user to verify the recognized type of syringe. The transducer, which can be calibrated, senses fluid pressures applied by the syringe. The signal output by the transducer is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure and the length of time that pressure is applied by the syringe. The data is automatically displayed and recorded. The syringe system permits input of various control parameters, such as a maximum positive inflation pressure and maximum duration for applying pressure.

System and method for monitoring, displaying and recording balloon

A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A cylindrical sheath is placed on the cannula so as to be positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The cylindrical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is disposed on the catheter apparatus. The cylindrical sheath has formed therein a plurality of one-way slit valves. The one-way slit valves permit the anesthetic agent or fluid medicament to be delivered to the surrounding subcutaneous tissue, and also prevent any bodily fluids from entering the lumen. In one embodiment the cylindrical sheath is permanently mounted to the cannula. In another embodiment the cylindrical sheath is detachably mountable to the cannula. In yet another embodiment, the lumen is formed within the outer wall of the cannula and the one-way slits are formed through the outer wall.

An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate the balloon of the catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member is released by withdrawing the syringe plunger toward the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer housed on the barrel of the syringe senses fluid pressure applied by the syringe. The electric signal output by the transducer is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom electronic data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure, and so as also to derive the length of time that fluid pressure is applied. The electronic data representing this information is automatically displayed and recorded. In one embodiment, the controller is also mounted onto the syringe barrel to provide a digitally controlled inflation syringe system that is completely self-contained, and disposable.

Digitally controlled, disposable syringe inflation system, and method

An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate the balloon catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member can be released by withdrawing the syringe plunger toward the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer housed on the barrel of the syringe senses positive fluid pressure applied by the syringe. The electric signal output by the transducer is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom electronic data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure, and so as also to derive the length of time that positive fluid pressure is applied and the electronic data representing this information is automatically displayed and recorded. The controller is also programmable to permit optional selection and input of various control parameters, such as a maximum positive inflation pressure that is to be applied, maximum duration for applying positive inflation pressure, initialization of the date and time of an inflation procedure and/or retrieving and displaying inflation data previously recorded for any prior inflation of the balloon catheter or other balloon member.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Jerrold L Foote