The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 10, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 12, 2000
Gregory Alan Steube, St. Charles, MO (US);
Alan Ranford, Creve Couer, MO (US);
Ronald Lloyd, Deland, FL (US);
Sherwood Services, AG, Luxembourg, US;
Abstract
A thoracentesis device for removing fluid from a cavity includes a hypersensitive dual spring indication mechanism for alerting the user of any contact to internal body organs. The thoracentesis device includes a handle and an outer needle fixedly attached to the handle. The outer needle forms a sharp distal end and a spring-loaded inner needle, including a blunt tip distal end, is slidably disposed inside the conduit of the outer needle. A first spring has a first spring force that urges the inner needle into a fully extended position and a second spring has a second spring force that acts on the inner needle in opposition of the first spring force. A first and second opposite colored indicators are arranged in contact with the springs so as to alert the user to any initial contact made by the thoracentesis device.