3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Neomend, Inc.

Larry H Dodge

Bernard A Gonzalez

Thomas D Egan

Ulf B Dunberger

G Marco Bommarito

Scott A Burton

Jeffrey D Smith

David F Wirt

James R Watts

H Aaron Christmann

Brinda Balasubramaniam Lakshmi

Triet M Lu

David J Velasquez

Kenneth E Merte

Kristen L Comstock

Stanford C Stone

Harpreet Kaur

William A Guenther

Duane M Grussing

An apparatus assembly for detecting an analyte in a sample of material includes a valve, a frame, and a plurality of housing segments. The valve may be actuated to adjust a flow path and flow rate through the housing segments.

Apparatus and method for detecting an analyte

The present invention provides an improved dispenser suitable for quickly and easily setting up and dispensing multi-part tissue sealants or other multi-part compositions requiring separation of the components until just prior to application on the tissue surface. The invention may further include an applicator having a handle and a blade attached to a first end of the handle. The invention may also include a dispensing tip having a blade attached to the distal end of the dispensing tip.

Apparatus and methods for dispensing an adhesive tissue sealant

A dispensing tip for e.g. a syringe dispensing an adhesive tissue sealant, having two rigid sections connected together by a flexible section. Preferably, although bendable, the flexible section has enough resilience that in the absence of external force the two rigid sections are held at a predictable angle to one another. In this way manual dispensing into hard to reach places during surgery is facilitated. This flexibility also facilitates use of the dispensing tip with a cannula.

Dispenser for an adhesive tissue sealant having a flexible link

A dispenser in which a dry powder (one component of a two-part adhesive tissue sealant and/or adhesive) is stored in a container (e.g., a carpule) having a septum at one end, an open end opposite the septum, and a movable plug. The powder is retained at the septum end of the container by the movable plug, which is displaced and pushed back as the solvent used for reconstituting the powder is introduced (e.g., through the septum). The second part of the tissue sealant is contained within a second container, also with a movable plug. After the first part is reconstituted, a manifold is fitted which pierces both septums and allows the contents to be dispensed. A dual syringe body supports the containers, and has pistons that enter the open ends to advance the movable plugs. Other embodiments of tissue adhesive and/or sealant dispensers and kits as well as methods of preparing tissue sealants are also described.

Dispenser for an adhesive tissue sealant

Dispenser for an adhesive tissue sealant having a housing with multiple cavities

An irrigation system for use in endoscopic procedures for maintaining and controlling flow of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site. The system includes a tubing set comprising inflow and outflow lines and a cassette, and an fluid control module comprising a race and a pumping mechanism that squeezes the inflow line of the tubing set against the race to pump fluid to the irrigation site. The cassette includes a through opening exposing a portion of the inflow line to the race and pumping mechanism so that the cassette merely holds the inflow line in alignment with the pumping mechanism but is not required to resist the compressive force of the pumping mechanism. The cassette may include a second through opening exposing a portion of the outflow line to a valve mechanism to regulate pressure independently of the pump mechanism, and rib-or-groove alignment mechanism to align the inflow line with the pumping mechanism and the outflow line with the valve mechanism.

Irrigation system with tubing cassette

The present invention provides a tubing set in cassette form and an irrigation system employing the cassette and tubing set for use in endoscopic procedures. The tubing set includes a generally arcuate cassette which is inserted into the pump housing to effect a change in tubing sets between procedures. A valve assembly and flattened tubing segment are preferably used to provide pressure control/relief in the tubing set/irrigation system. Also provided in combination with the preferred cassette is a fitting for coupling a pressure monitoring line with pressure monitoring equipment in the irrigation system.

Cassette for arthroscopic irrigation system tubing set

An integral disposable manifold and pump cassette, through which fluid is pumped from inlet tubes, forms a single disposable cassette which may be inserted into a single pump housing. The integral disposable manifold and pump cassette includes first and second sheets of flexible plastic material. Sealed inlet channels are formed between the first and second sheets of flexible plastic material, with the sealed inlet channels being connectable to inlet tubes for fluid passage therethrough. The sealed inlet channels can be individually pinched off to prevent fluid passage therethrough. A sealed main channel, which is connected between the inlet channels and an outlet tube is formed between the first and second sheets of flexible plastic material. The sealed main channel includes a pumping chamber which is also formed between the first and second sheets of flexible plastic material. A flange, also formed between the first and second sheets of flexible plastic material, generally surrounds the inlet channels and the main channel. The flange facilitates the insertion and removable of the disposable manifold and pump cassette from the single pump housing. A first flexible diaphragm, extending outward from the flange, is formed in the first sheet of flexible plastic material. The first flexible diaphragm forms a portion of the pumping chamber.

Plural inlet pumping cassette with integral manifold

A free flow prevention system for preventing free flow of fluid through IV tubing when the tubing is disconnected from an infusion pump. A flexible clamp is provided having a pair of clamping arms, which define a variable width slot for receiving the IV tubing. The IV tubing may be moved along the slot between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width of the slot at the first position. The clamping arms are resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in its second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow. A clamp-receiving passageway and clamp-opening wedge are provided on the infusion pump. The clamp-opening wedge is movable relative to a clamp received in the passageway to an operating position, wherein the wedge moves the arms of the flexible clamp against their bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open to permit fluid flow during operation of the pump.

Growing community of inventors

River Falls, WI, United States of America

Larry H Dodge