Steven Edward Griffith

US Patent:

49868144, Jan 22, 1991

Filed:

Jun 13, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/206214

Inventors:

Bryan T. Burney - Indianapolis IN
Steven L. Griffith - Indianapolis IN
Francis J. Fry - Indianapolis IN
Pamela M. Thornton - Angleton TX
Vern L. Liebmann - Angleton TX

Assignee:

Indianapolis Center for Advanced Research - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

A61M 5178

US Classification:

604164

Abstract:

A catheter assembly comprises a stylus including a first generally conically shaped end tapering to a point at a predetermined angle and a second end. A cannula includes a first lumen for slidably receiving the stylus. The cannula includes a first end having an end wall and a second end. A catheter includes a second lumen for slidably receiving the cannula, a first end and a second end. The first end of the catheter includes an end wall having an outer surface tapered at the predetermined angle and an inner surface. The stylus, cannula, and catheter are configured so that the stylus, cannula, and catheter are aligned when the stylus, cannula and catheter are assembled for insertion into a patient's body. The first end of the stylus projects from the first end of the cannula, the tapered outer surface of the end wall of the catheter is aligned to be substantially coincident with the generally conically shaped end of the stylus to form a generally conical tip portion of the catheter assembly, and the end wall of the cannula abuts the inner surface of the end wall of the catheter to facilitate insertion of the catheter assembly into the patient's body.

US Patent:

50185080, May 28, 1991

Filed:

Mar 14, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/493442

Inventors:

Francis J. Fry - Beaver Island MI
Steven L. Griffith - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

128 24AA

Abstract:

A method for rendering a gallbladder dysfunctional without surgical removal comprises the steps of infusing the gallbladder with methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), then, while the gallbladder is so infused, irradiating the gallbladder with an ultrasound beam in such an ultrasound delivery format as not to elevate the average temperature of the gallbladder more than five degrees Centigrade over the period of treatment, and then removing the MTBE from the gallbladder.