Ethicon, Gmbh

Gas Research Institute

Baxter International Inc.

Arthur D. Little, Inc.

John M Collins

Robert Farra

David H McFadden

Richard N Caron

Randy R Stephens

Joop Frans Hoekstra

Thomas P Hosmer

Kevin P Barnes

Gregory D Bishop

George E Selecman

Randall Jay Sword

Jose Tadeo De Castro

Dean Pichon

James Walden Voegele

Richard F Schwemberger

Dale R Schulze

Richard C Smith

Ronald J Forni

John Thomas Dieckmann

Narinderjit S Sambi

Michael A Reed

C Daniel Rowe

Norman F Schuler

Leslie R Ashmore

Randall Sword

Chad C Carroll

Diane Welling

An apparatus (10) for the controlled heating of fluid comprises a general elongated electrically heating core (16) with an exterior surface (36) formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity and frustoconically shaped to slidingly receive an assembly (14) so that the assembly envelops the surface along at least a portion of the length of the core. The assembly (14) forms a sealed passageway (46) for generally unidirectional sheet-like flow upward along the core (16). A control system (20) selectively operates the heating core (16) so that the fluid, under varying flow rates, is warmed to a desired temperature without overheating, before the fluid flows from the passageway (46).

Blood warming apparatus

A detachable assembly for an apparatus (10) for the controlled heating of fluid is provided. The apparatus (10) has a general elongated heating core (16) with a exterior surface (36) formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity and frustoconically shaped to slidingly receive an assembly (14) so that the assembly envelops the surface along at least a portion of the length of the core. The assembly (14) forms a sealed passageway (46) for generally unidirectional unrestricted sheet like flow upward along the core (16). A control system (20) selectively operates the heating core (16) so that the fluid, under varying flow rates, is warmed to a desired temperature without overheating, before the fluid flows from the passageway (46).

Container for use with blood warming apparatus

Trocar assembly devices are disclosed that include an improved seal assembly that accommodates instruments having a wide range of diameters. The seal assembly includes a universal seal member that is generally of hourglass shape defining converging and diverging side walls that form a constricted center bore portion therebetween. Various alternative means are provided to either increase or decrease the inner diameter of the center bore portion of the seal member.

Universal seal for trocar assembly

Trocar assembly embodiments are disclosed that include a trocar tube and a housing defining a chamber adjoining a proximal end portion of the trocar tube. An elastomeric seal member is positioned within the chamber for sealing the chamber as an elongate instrument passes through an opening formed in the seal member. A seal/protector assembly is positioned in the chamber proximally of the seal member in facing relationship to the seal member. The protector assembly includes at least two axially aligned protector members, each of which has an annular collar portion and at least one leaf portion formed integrally with the collar portion so as to form a living hinge portion. The leaf portions define an opening therethrough in axial alignment with the opening in the seal member. Insertion of an elongate instrument into contact with the leaf portions causes them to pivot distally increasing the size of the opening formed thereby permitting the instrument to pass therethrough and through the opening in the seal member without causing damage to the seal member.

Trocar seal/protector assemblies

A system for and method of storing and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of one or more food products from closed containers is described. The system preferably includes multi-compartment containers carried by a carrousel assembly and moved by a dispensing mechanism for automatically selecting the appropriate container and compartment for which food is dispensed. By using a control with memory for keeping inventory, the system can dispense any one of several food products on demand.

Frozen food storage and dispensing system

A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is conical in profile and contains a slot which conforms to the geometry of the cutting tip. The obturator tip contains a knife edge blade which extends the length of the cannula inner diameter. Ideally, the knife is made of an amorphous metal, and may be serrated at its edge.

Safety trocar

Frozen food storage & dispensing system

A system for and method of storing and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of one or more food products from closed containers is described. The system preferably includes multi-compartment containers carried by a carousel assembly and moved by a dispensing mechanism for automatically selecting the appropriate container and compartment for which food is dispensed. By using a control with memory for keeping inventory, the system can dispense any one of several food products on demand.

Frying apparatus

Trocar assembly devices that include trocar tubes of different diameters to accommodate small and large diameter implements for providing communication into an anatomical cavity and a unique method of utilizing such devices. The trocar assembly devices include an outer or larger diameter trocar tube and an inner or smaller diameter trocar tube. A distal end portion of the inner trocar tube is tapered and extends distally beyond a distal end portion of the outer trocar tube. The tapered end portion is provided with threads formed on an outer surface thereof to facilitate insertion of the device through the skin and into an anatomical cavity

Trocar method and apparatus

An automated system for storing and cooking french fried potatoes includes a refrigeration and storage assembly and unique transport system which is easily used with fryers of a commercial type. The transport system includes a horizontal and vertical transport assembly for moving baskets of fries to and from the one or more fryers, with the vertical transport assembly being adapted to lower the basket into the fryer as well as support the basket above the fryer after cooking so as to allow the basket to drain. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the refrigeration system is such and the strips are oriented all in substantially the same direction before being loaded into a basket so as to enable the fries to be cooked with little or no sticking without requiring the operator to shake the potatoes during or following cooking.

Automated deep fat fryer

Growing community of inventors

Ipswich, MA, United States of America

John M Collins