Jack Jarron Walker

US Patent:

43142303, Feb 2, 1982

Filed:

Jul 31, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/174136

Inventors:

Raymond F. Cardinal - Fremont CA
Jack M. Walker - Portola Valley CA

Assignee:

Raychem Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

H01C 1012

US Classification:

338314

Abstract:

Electrical devices comprise a conductive polymer element and, in electrical contact therewith, a flame-sprayed layer of a metal or other highly conductive material. Electrical leads can readily be attached to the flame-sprayed layer. Particularly valuable devices are those in which at least part of the conductive polymer element is a PTC or NTC conductive polymer. The flame-sprayed layer can be formed directly by flame-spraying a suitable material onto the device, or by flame-spraying the material onto a carrier and then laminating the layer, on the carrier, to the device.

US Patent:

55992919, Feb 4, 1997

Filed:

Jan 4, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/000274

Inventors:

Daniel J. Balbierz - San Carlos CA
Jack M. Walker - Portola Valley CA
Joseph R. Thomas - San Carlos CA
Robert S. Bley - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

Menlo Care, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61M 3700

US Classification:

604 8

Abstract:

A ureteral stent comprising an elongated member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion joined by a body portion. The elongated member has an initial outer diameter. A retention construction serves for retaining the member within the ureter. The member is formulated of a physiologically acceptable polymer capable of hydrating and expanding from the initial member outer diameter to form a final member outer diameter. The stent can assume differing shapes and can exhibit different degrees of softening at different places along its length.

US Patent:

49558633, Sep 11, 1990

Filed:

Jun 12, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/366268

Inventors:

Jack M. Walker - Portola Valley CA
Neil J. Sheehan - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Menlo Care, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61M 500

US Classification:

604165

Abstract:

The invention relates to a catheter assembly comprising a cannula, needle and catheter inserter wherein the inserter is in slidable relationship to the cannula and wherein the inserter or other device also serves to selectively restrict the cannula and needle from sliding relative to the inserter. The cannula comprises a material which, when inserted into the body of a living subject, softens and/or swells and has a tensile energy to break of at least about 700 N-cm/cm. sup. 3 and a 2. 5% Secant modulus of less than about 7,000 N/cm. sup. 2. The invention also relates to a method of inserting a cannula into a living subject using an inserter which is positioned such that the desired length of cannula for initial insertion extends beyond the inserter. The method also relates to further inserting the cannula into the living subject after initial insertion of the cannula.

US Patent:

60333936, Mar 7, 2000

Filed:

Dec 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/775409

Inventors:

Daniel J. Balbierz - Redwood City CA
Jack Walker - Portola Valley CA

Assignee:

Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc. - Arlington TX

International Classification:

A61M 3100

US Classification:

604508

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for overpressure protection of a catheter from an indwelling catheter. A method in one embodiment includes injecting an agent into the catheter and relieving overpressures in the catheter during the injecting step. The agent is typically a declotting agent and the obstruction is typically a clot (e. g. , blood clot). In one embodiment of the apparatus, a catheter includes a cannula and a first hub and a second hub, each of which are coupled to the cannula. The first hub is for receiving an agent which is placed into the cannula to remove an obstruction, and the second hub includes an overpressure relief valve for relieving an overpressure condition in the cannula. Other embodiments of the invention are also described.

US Patent:

57556938, May 26, 1998

Filed:

Feb 16, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/389294

Inventors:

Jack M. Walker - Portola Valley CA
Daniel J. Balbierz - Sunnyvale CA
George Tsai - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Menlo Care, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61H 5178

US Classification:

604160

Abstract:

An apparatus is provided for facilitating substantially bloodless insertion into and withdrawal from a patient's body of a longitudinal member having a proximal end portion and having a distal end portion which is adapted to extend into the patient's body. The apparatus comprises a longitudinally extending sleeve having proximal and distal end portions and defining a lumen extending there along. The longitudinal member is positioned along the lumen. The sleeve has a line extending longitudinally along it which is either split or splittable so that the sleeve can be separated along the line for removal from about the longitudinal member while the distal end portion of the longitudinal member remains extended into the patient. A valve structure serves for preventing blood flow through the lumen. An access is present for allowing substantially bloodless insertion and withdrawal of the longitudinal member through the lumen.

US Patent:

47817038, Nov 1, 1988

Filed:

Oct 17, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/788461

Inventors:

Jack M. Walker - Portola Valley CA
Dwayne E. Hardy - San Mateo CA

Assignee:

Menlo Care, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604264

Abstract:

A catheter assembly comprises a cannula having proximal and distal end portions and a longitudinal duct having an initial inner cross-section. The duct increases in cross-section when at least a part of the distal end portion of the cannula is inserted into a body of a living subject and maintained in contact with the body, and/or when the duct is contacted by an aqueous liquid, for a period of time sufficient for an enlarged duct cross-section to form. A hub has a passageway from a first to a second end thereof. The passageway has a cross-sectional area throughout at least substantially equal to 125% of the initial inner cross-section of the duct. A proximal end portion of the cannula is attached to the first end of the hub with a passageway through the hub in flow communication with the duct in the proximal end portion of the cannula. The attaching is such that the cross-section of the duct adjacent the proximal end portion, following formation of the enlarged duct cross-section, is throughout at least substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the passageway. Increased flow is provided through the hub whereby advantage can be taken of the expansion of the duct.

US Patent:

43273513, Apr 27, 1982

Filed:

Oct 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/194793

Inventors:

Jack M. Walker - Portola Valley CA

Assignee:

Raychem Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

H01C 702
H01C 114

US Classification:

338 22R

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for continuous manufacture of a laminate comprising a layer of a conductive polymer and at least one electrode. A tape electrode and a heat-softened conductive polymer are fed simultaneously through an elongate aperture of substantially closed cross-section formed by a plurality of rollers, whereby there is produced a laminate in which the conductive polymer layer has a controlled cross-section. Preferably the electrode has a plurality of openings therein and is fed through the aperture so that there is at least one point on the electrode, as it passes through the aperture, which coincides with an angle which is formed by two of said rollers and which is at most 90. degree. Particularly good results are obtained when the roller which contacts the electrode has a plurality of indentations therein, so that conductive polymer not only penetrates into the openings in the electrode but also passes through those openings which overlie the indentations in the roller. Novel laminates are produced in this way.

US Patent:

48468126, Jul 11, 1989

Filed:

Mar 22, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/171563

Inventors:

Jack M. Walker - Portola Valley CA
Ronald C. Brown - Santa Cruz CA
Joseph R. Thomas - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Menlo Care, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61M 500

US Classification:

604264

Abstract:

A tubular cannula has distal and proximal end portions, a central passageway from the distal end portion of the proximal portion and a transition section connecting the distal and proximal end portions. The proximal end portion has larger inner and outer diamters and has thicker walls than does the distal end portion. The diameter difference and thickness are effectuated in a gradual manner in a transition section. The cannula is constructed of a material that softens on being inserted into a living body and/or contacted with an aqueous medium. The cannula combines kink resistance external of the living body with the advantages of a softening and generally swellable catheter.