Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Dpac Technologies Corp.

Mark Gordon

Michael J Higgins

Stacy Faught

Weldon Dean West

Clifford Currier

Dean West

John A Forthun

John Liu

Scott Couchman

Hagay Drori

Michael Higgins

A connector assembly couples signal lines for an optical catheter by providing a guided releasable latching mechanism that ensures optimal alignment with only a single vertical dimension under control. A receptacle carrying a first signal line defines a channel for receiving a plug carrying a second signal line. A spring-loaded pawl on the receptacle locks to a retaining bracket on the plug when the plug slides into the channel, imparting a retaining force on the plug, the force having a first component normal to channel and a second component parallel to the channel to maintain the first and second signal lines in optimal alignment. The retaining bracket may include a sloped edge to allow for easy release of the pawl in the presence of a release force. The release force may be set to allow disconnection of the assembly without affecting catheter installation or causing patient discomfort.

Releasably locking auto-aligning fiber optic connector

A closed blood sampling system within a pressure monitoring line having a control valve that enables a clearance reservoir to be isolated from the pressure column when no samples are being taken. The valve is a stopcock-like device that includes a rotating valve member and attached control handle with clear visible and tactile indicators for the mode of operation. The rotating valve member has a number of internal and circumferential channels for connecting or disconnecting select ports in the core of the valve. By isolating the clearance reservoir, the quality of the pressure signal is improved such that the sampling line can be lengthened for greater convenience in the intensive care or operating room. The valve may also incorporate a blunt cannula sampling site therewithin.

Closed blood sampling system with isolated pressure monitoring

A multiple lumen catheter having a soft, tapered multiple lumen distal tip for insertion into a body vessel. One of the lumens is sized to pass over a guidewire such that the catheter can be inserted into the body vessel using the Seldinger technique. At least one medical implement lumen is used for placement or positioning of a biomedical sensor or other medical implement. For example, at least one optical fiber passing through the medical implement lumen may transmit and receive light at the distal tip for measuring oxygen saturation of the blood. The catheter may have a cylindrical catheter body to which the soft distal tip attaches. The soft tip reduces the possibility of vessel or tissue puncture and abrasion. The tip is constructed of a soft plastic or pliable material that yields easily when force is applied. For example, the tip may be made of a softer material than the catheter body, or if made of the same material, the tip can be configured with thinner walls or a higher air-to-material ratio cross-section. Various geometrical configurations and combinations of materials can be used to decrease the flexible resistance of the tip to an applied load. One particular useful application for the catheter of the present invention is as a central venous catheter equipped with fibers for measuring oximetry. The fibers extend to the distal end of the tip and are preferably secured therein with minimal adhesive so as to limit the stiffness added to the tip. One particular useful construction is to secure the fibers within the medical implement lumen using adhesive only along a length of between about 0.5&#x2013;3.5 mm.

Multiple lumen catheter having a soft tip

A multiple lumen catheter having a soft, tapered multiple lumen distal tip for insertion into a body vessel. One of the lumens is sized to pass over a guidewire such that the catheter can be inserted into the body vessel using the Seldinger technique. At least one medical implement lumen is used for placement or positioning of a biomedical sensor or other medical implement. For example, at least one optical fiber passing through the medical implement lumen may transmit and receive light at the distal tip for measuring oxygen saturation of the blood. The catheter may have a cylindrical catheter body to which the soft distal tip attaches. The soft tip reduces the possibility of vessel or tissue puncture and abrasion. The tip is constructed of a soft plastic or pliable material that yields easily when force is applied. For example, the tip may be made of a softer material than the catheter body, or if made of the same material, the tip can be configured with thinner walls or a higher air-to-material ratio cross-section. Various geometrical configurations and combinations of materials can be used to decrease the resistance of the tip to an applied load. One particular useful application for the catheter of the present invention is as a central venous catheter equipped with fibers for measuring oximetry. The fibers extend to the distal end of the tip and are preferably secured therein with minimal adhesive so as to limit the stiffness added to the tip. One particular useful construction is to secure the fibers within the medical implement lumen using adhesive only along a length of between about 0.5&#x2013;3.5 mm.

Central venous catheter having a soft tip and fiber optics

A stackable integrated circuit chip package comprising a carrier and a flex circuit. The flex circuit itself comprises a flexible substrate having opposed top and bottom surfaces, and a conductive pattern which is disposed on the substrate. The chip package further comprises an integrated circuit chip which is electrically connected to the conductive pattern. The substrate is wrapped about and attached to at least a portion of the carrier such that the conductive pattern defines first and second portions which are each electrically connectable to another stackable integrated circuit chip package. The carrier is sized and configured to be releasably attachable to the carrier of at least one other identically configured stackable integrated circuit chip package in a manner wherein the chip packages, when attached to each other, are maintained in registry along first and second axes which are generally co-planar and extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other.

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Corona Del Mar, CA, United States of America

Mark Gordon