Ultrasonic And X-Ray Detectable Biopsy Site Marker And Apparatus For Applying It

Application

#6347241 Feb 12, 2002

Filed

Jun 30, 1999

Inventor

Fred H. Burbank (San Juan Capistrano, CA) · Paul Lubock (Laguna Niguel, CA) · Michael L. Jones (Capistrano Beach, CA) · Nancy Forcier (Laguna Niguel, CA)

Appl. No.

09/343975

Assignee

SenoRx, Inc. (Aliso Viejo, CA)

International Classification

A61B 1900

U.S. Classification

600431, 600130, 378 62

Abstract

A biopsy site marker comprises small bodies or pellets of gelatin which enclose substantially in their interior a radio (X-ray) opaque object. The gelatin pellets are deposited into the biopsy site, typically a cylindrical opening in the tissue created by the recent use of a vacuum assisted large core biopsy device, by an applicator device that includes an elongated cylindrical body that forms a flexible tube and a piston slidable in the tube. One end of the tube is placed into the biopsy site. Typically, several gelatin pellets, only some of which typically do, but all of which may contain the radio opaque object, are deposited sequentially into the site through the tube. The radio opaque objects contained in the gelatin bodies are of a non-biological configuration and readily identifiable as man-made object, so that in observation by typical mammography equipment they do not assume the shape of a line, whereby they are readily distinguishable from granules and lines of calcification.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A marker body which is deliverable to a biopsy site within a patient, comprising a preshaped pellet formed of bioabsorbable material having a plurality of gas bubbles dispersed therein which are configured to facilitate ultrasonic observation of the pellet at the biopsy site within the patient, and having an X-ray detectable element of specific predetermined non-biological configuration embedded therein. 2. A marker body in accordance with claim 1 wherein the X-ray detectable element of specific predetermined non-biological configuration comprises metal. 3. A marker body in accordance with claim 2 wherein the X-ray detectable element of specific predetermined non-biological configuration comprises stainless steel. 4. A marker body in accordance with claim 2 wherein the X-ray detectable element of specific predetermined non biological configuration is configured substantially in a shape of a Greek letter gamma (&ggr;). 5. A marker body in accordance with claim 2 wherein the X-ray detectable element consists essentially of an electrochemically etched stainless steel element. 6.

Oxygen Blending In A Piston Ventilator

Application

#6412483 Jul 2, 2002

Filed

May 16, 2000

Inventor

Michael B. Jones (Excelsior, MN) · Eric Bailey (Roseville, MN) · David B. Lura (Brooklyn Park, MN)

Appl. No.

09/573453

Assignee

Nellcor Puritan Bennett (Pleasanton, CA)

International Classification

A62B 700

U.S. Classification

12820511, 12820421, 12820422, 12820518

Abstract

A piston ventilator is disclosed herein which uniquely includes an oxygen blending module which supplies oxygen enhancement for aiding patients requiring respiratory treatment. The oxygen blending module supplies a preselected enrichment of oxygen to a piston and cylinder assembly wherein the amount of oxygen permitted to flow therein is continuously monitored and controlled according to the volume above the piston in the cylinder as calculated by a controller. The oxygen blending module includes a flow sensor which monitors the flow of supplemental oxygen into the piston and cylinder assembly, and further includes a primary oxygen control valve which restricts the flow of oxygen through the flow sensor to the piston and cylinder assembly depending on the difference between the calculated desired amount of oxygen and the target amount of oxygen provided to the controller.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A patient ventilator comprising: a piston and cylinder assembly including a cylinder and a piston reciprocally received in said cylinder for movement along a retracting gas intake stroke and a protracting gas expelling stroke to define a variable volume chamber therebetween; a patient circuit for delivering breathable gas from said piston and cylinder assembly to a patient during patient inhalation; a controller connected to said piston and cylinder assembly for receiving input corresponding to the position of the piston within the cylinder during the intake stroke; and an oxygen blending module fluidically connected to said chamber of said piston and cylinder assembly for controlling delivery of oxygen from an oxygen source to the piston and cylinder assembly for blending with the breathable gas in the chamber, said oxygen blending module including a first oxygen control valve operatively connected to said controller and a flow sensor for providing a signal to said controller representative of an amount of oxygen delivered from the first oxygen control valve, wherein said controller calculates a target amount of oxygen in said piston and cylinder assembly based on the position of the piston during the intake stroke, calculates a difference between said target amount and a calculated actual amount of oxygen delivered past said flow sensor based on the signal provided by the flow sensor and directs a control signal for opening and closing the first oxygen control valve based on said calculated difference during said intake stroke. 2. A patient ventilator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said oxygen blending module includes a first path for delivering oxygen to said first oxygen control valve and a second path for delivering oxygen downstream from said piston and cylinder assembly to said patient circuit. 3. A patient ventilator as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second path includes a second oxygen control valve in operative communication with said controller for controlling the amount of oxygen delivered from said second path to said patient circuit. 4.

Aryl And Heteroaryl Substituted Indolealkanoic Acids

Application

#6426344 Jul 30, 2002

Filed

Mar 27, 2001

Inventor

Michael Lee Jones (Chapel Hill, NC) · David Gunn (Hamden, CT) · John Howard Jones (Stratford, CT) · Michael C. Van Zandt (Guilford, CT)

Appl. No.

09/818808

Assignee

The Institutes for Pharmaceutical Discovery LLC (Branford, CT)

International Classification

A61K 31535

U.S. Classification

5142338, 514367, 514415

Abstract

Disclosed are substituted indolealkanoic acids useful in the treatment of chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods of treatment employing the compounds, as well as methods for their synthesis.

Claim

We claim: 1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of the formula: wherein A is a C1-C4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C1-C2 alkyl or mono- or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, C(O)NH, or C1-C3 alkylene optionally substituted with C1-C2 alkyl; R1 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, or halogen; R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR7, SR7, S(O)R7, S(O)2N(R7)2, C(O)N(R7)2, or N(R7)2, wherein each R7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C1-C6)alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 2-, 3- or 4-imidazolyl or 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C1-C6)alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C1-C6)alkylamino; or a group of the formula where J is a bond, CH2, oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; R6 is hydrogen, benzyl, or C1-C6 alkyl; Ra is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to 5 groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR7, SR7, S(O)R7, S(O)2R7 or N(R7)2 wherein R7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C1-C6)alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C1-C6)alkanoyl, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C1-C6)alkylsulfinyl, (C1-C6)alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, one nitrogen and either one oxygen or one sulfur, two nitrogens, two nitrogens and either one oxygen or one sulfur, or three nitrogens said heterocyclic 5-membered ring being condensed with benzo, where the benzo is insubstituted or substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C1-C6)alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C1-C6)alkylsulfinyl, (C1-C6)alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C1-C6)alkoxy, or one or two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl, or thienyl unsubstituted or substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C1-C6)alkyl or (C1-C6)alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring being condensed with benzo which is unsubstituted or substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, (C1-C6)alkylsulfinyl, (C1-C6)alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl, or thienyl unsubstituted or substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (C1-C6)alkyl, or (C1-C6)alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered rings being unsubstituted or substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one or more of fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl. 2. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein Ar is a benzothiazole of Formula III wherein R11, R12, R13, and R14, are independently hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, or nitro. 3. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein Ar is substituted with up to four groups independently selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl and nitro. 4.

Dual Element Cable Connection Cover

Application

#6455779 Sep 24, 2002

Filed

Oct 11, 1995

Inventor

Michael G. Jones (92069 San Marcos, CA)

Appl. No.

08/541135

Assignee

Michael G. Jones (92069 San Marcos, CA)

International Classification

H02G 1508

U.S. Classification

174 93, 174DIG 8

Abstract

A cover for a connector of a cable is disclosed, which has two interfitting sleeves which are chemically swellable and which are initially in dilated configuration, and which subsequently shrink into place by evaporation of a volatile swelling solvent. Both sleeves are made of a high density elastomeric material, such as a natural or synthetic rubber, preferably (EPDM), neoprene or chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubbers. The device provides a protective cover for a cable connection or splice which can be easily installed, quickly shrunk into tight vapor resistant protective covering within a matter of a few minutes, and can be installed without the need for any application of heat or use of special tools, equipment or materials.

Claim

I claim: 1. A protective cover for a cable connector, said connector being affixed to an end of a cable and having an outside diameter greater than an outside diameter of said cable, said cover comprising: an outer elongated annular sleeve formed from a material expandable by contact with an expanding chemical and shrinkable upon removal of said contact with said chemical; an inner elongated annular sleeve formed from a material expandable by contact with an expanding chemical and shrinkable upon removal of said contact with said chemical, said inner elongated annular sleeve disposed within said outer sleeve; said cover with said sleeves in chemically expanded state being moveable into disposition covering said connector and a portion of said cable attached thereto, with said inner sleeve covering at least said portion of said cable but not said connector; whereby when said cover is so disposed over said connector and said portion of said cable and removed from contact with said chemical, said chemical evaporates from said sleeves and said sleeves thereupon shrink to diameters wherein wall thickness of said inner sleeve fills the space between the outside diameters of said connector and said attached portion of said cable sufficiently to permit shrinkage of said outer sleeve to form a tightly fitted and substantially immovable covering secured around said connector and at least a portion of said inner sleeve, thereby preventing said connector from coming into contact with adverse ambient components. 2. A cover as in claim 1 wherein said inner and outer sleeves are formed from the same material. 3. A cover as in claim 1 wherein said material comprises an elastomeric material. 4.

Contoured Syringe And Novel Luer Hub And Methods For Embolizing Blood Vessels

Application

#6565551 May 20, 2003

Filed

Nov 23, 1998

Inventor

Michael L. Jones (Capistrano Beach, CA) · Richard J. Greff (St. Pete Beach, FL)

Appl. No.

09/197527

Assignee

Micro Therapeutics, Inc. (San Clemente, CA)

International Classification

A61M 3700

U.S. Classification

604507, 604500, 604187, 604264, 604523, 604533

Abstract

Disclosed are novel syringes and catheters for delivering compositions which form solid masses in vivo. These syringes and catheters are particularly useful for delivering embolizing compositions intravascularly.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A method for inhibiting premature precipitation of a biocompatible polymer in a fluid composition design to form a solid mass in vivo which composition is delivered by microcatheter to a vascular site of a mammal where it precipitates and embolizes the vascular site which method comprises: (a) selecting a fluid composition comprising a biocompatible polymer and placing it in a syringe wherein the syringe comprises a syringe body for holding a fluid composition, an ejection port having an annular wall and an orifice which extends from the syringe body to a distal end of said port wherein said annular wall is tapered at the distal end along the length of at least a portion of the ejection port, a means for ejecting the composition in the syringe body through the ejection port and out of the syringe, and a means for mating and syringe body to a microcatheter; (b) positioning the tip of a microcatheter at a vascular site, wherein said microcatheter comprises a luer hub body for holding a fluid composition, a catheter delivery line attached to luer hub body, and at least one means for mating the hub body to a syringe wherein the annular wall is tapered so that the inner diameter of the ejection port matches the inner diameter of the luer hub when the ejection port is mated with the luer hub, and wherein the tapered distal end of the annular wall minimizes dead space formation between the annular wall and the luer hub body when the luer hub body mates to the syringe; (c) mating the syringe of (a) above to a microcatheter of (b) above; (d) ejecting the composition from the syringe into the microcatheter and then into the vascular site under conditions where the biocomptible polymer in the fluid composition precipitates thereby embolizing the vascular line. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said microcatheter luer hub body has a maximal volumetric capacity of no more than 0. 2 cc. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the annular wall is located at an inner periphery of the ejection port such that the annular wall is adjacent a path of the fluid composition as the fluid composition ejects through the ejection port. 4.

Device And Method For Controlling Injection Of Liquid Embolic Composition

Application

#6511468 Jan 28, 2003

Filed

Aug 31, 1999

Inventor

Andrew H. Cragg (Edina, MN) · Blair D. Walker (San Clemente, CA) · John Perl, II (Bratenahl, OH) · Michael Jones (Capistrano Beach, CA) · George Robert Greene (Costa Mesa, CA) · George Wallace (Coto de Caza, CA) · Richard J. Greff (St. Pete Beach, FL)

Appl. No.

09/387274

Assignee

Micro Therapeutics, Inc. (Irvine, CA)

International Classification

A61M 3100

U.S. Classification

604508, 604 9301, 604523, 604507, 606194, 623 111, 128898

Abstract

A liquid embolic delivery system is provided for trapping an injected liquid embolic composition to prevent the liquid embolic from solidifying or otherwise passing outside of an embolization area. The delivery system includes a catheter for delivery of a liquid embolic composition and a containment member positioned at a distal end of the catheter which is shaped to trap the liquid embolic composition delivered through the lumen of the catheter. The containment member is formed as a brush, nest, sponge, swab, flexible sack, or other shape into and around which the liquid embolic composition is injected. The liquid embolic composition is trapped or meshes with the containment member during solidification containing the liquid embolic and preventing the embolic composition from passing into the blood stream.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A method of containing a liquid embolic composition at an embolization site within a body comprising: delivering a liquid embolic composition to an embolization site within a body with a catheter; containing the liquid embolic composition during solidification with a containment member; and detaching the containment member from the catheter after solidification of the liquid embolic composition to release the catheter from a mass of solidified embolic composition. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid embolic composition is contained by trapping embolic composition in a nidus during solidification. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the containment member is positioned at the embolization site before delivery of the liquid embolic composition by moving the containment member out of a lumen of the catheter. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the containment member and the catheter are delivered to the embolization site through an introducing catheter.