Thomas F Shaffer

US Patent:

8375952, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Aug 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/228019

Inventors:

Thomas L. Miller - Wilmington DE, US
Thomas H. Shaffer - Chadds Ford PA, US
Mary Theroux - Newark DE, US
John Bernardi - Swedesboro NJ, US

Assignee:

The Nemours Foundation - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61M 16/00
A62B 7/00
A62B 9/06

US Classification:

12820714, 12820026, 12820418, 12820715

Abstract:

A system for unilateral lung ventilation includes an endotracheal tube and a blocking device for blocking the bronchus of a non-ventilated lung to prevent a ventilation medium from entering the lung. The blocking device includes an inflatable member supported by a catheter having an inflation lumen for inflating the inflatable member. The catheter includes at least one lung treatment lumen for delivering a therapeutic agent to the non-ventilated lung. An inner channel within the main channel and a side branch provide a guideway for the blocking device within the tube. A valve may be included to close the side branch when the blocking device is removed from the inner channel for parallel flow of ventilating gas in the main and inner channels. A method of using the system provides for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) matching by respectively delivering cooled air and nitric oxide to the non-ventilated and ventilated lungs.

US Patent:

20060166157, Jul 27, 2006

Filed:

Mar 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/369994

Inventors:

Tariq Rahman - Moylan PA, US
Thomas Shaffer - Chadds Ford PA, US
J. Bowen - Wilmington DE, US

International Classification:

A61C 3/00

US Classification:

433006000

Abstract:

An orthodontic compliance monitor includes a sensor that senses when an orthodontic appliance is properly positioned and a processor that processes an output of the sensor and generates compliance data. A memory device stores compliance data and the processor generates the compliance data based on a compliance protocol. System and methods for orthodontic compliance are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20100056879, Mar 4, 2010

Filed:

Sep 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/231461

Inventors:

Jay S. Greenspan - Merion Station PA, US
Thomas L. Miller - Wilmington DE, US
Thomas H. Shaffer - Chadds Ford PA, US

Assignee:

The Nemours Foundation - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61B 5/02
G08B 23/00

US Classification:

600301, 3405731

Abstract:

A method for maintaining homeostasis for a patient in a health care setting includes the steps of monitoring a physiological parameter and comparing the parameter against an expected parameter range. When it is determined that a difference between the monitored physiological parameter and the expected parameter range presents a patient condition requiring a corrective measure, an alarm warning is presented. The alarm warning has a signature characteristic distinguishing it from other alarm warnings. The alarm warning may be musical and distinguishable based on genre, tempo, loudness, or pitch or, alternatively may be visual. The alarm warning may be adapted to distinguish one patient from other patients. Alternatively, the alarm warning may distinguish differing levels of severity associated with a patient condition of a particular patient or to distinguish between multiple conditions suffered by the same patient.

US Patent:

57412480, Apr 21, 1998

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/487386

Inventors:

Robert G. Stern - Philadelphia PA
Thomas H. Shaffer - Lansdowne PA
Marla R. Wolfson - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

Temple University-of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A61B 1736

US Classification:

606 21

Abstract:

A method for cryogenic treatment of a lesion which includes the steps of delivering a fluorochemical liquid to the lesion, placing at least one cryoprobe into the lesion, and circulating cryogenic fluid through the cryoprobe, the cryogenic fluid causing an ice ball to form in a vicinity around the cryoprobe, wherein the ice ball obliterates at least a portion of the lesion. The fluorochemical liquid is utilized to augment the cryosurgical procedure and is perfused or injected into and/or around the lesioned site prior and/or during the application of a cryoprobe to the site. In one embodiment of the invention, the fluorochemical liquid acts as a contrast agent to enhance real-time medical imaging of the lesioned area and modifies the environment in and around the lesioned area. In another embodiment of the invention, the fluorochemical liquid augments cryosurgical procedures by controlling the size and shape of ice balls formed during the cryosurgical procedures. In this embodiment, a fluorochemical liquid with a properly chosen thermal conductivity and freezing point is utilized.

US Patent:

55906516, Jan 7, 1997

Filed:

Jan 17, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/373662

Inventors:

Thomas H. Shaffer - Lansdowne PA
Marla R. Wolfson - Philadelphia PA
Thomas F. Miller - Philadelphia PA
Raymond Foust - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

Temple University - Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A61B 5097
A61M 1600

US Classification:

128632

Abstract:

The amount of breathable liquid eliminated from a mammal through volatilization in the lungs and/or through skin transpiration is detected by measuring the amount of saturation of the expiratory gas by vapors or the breathable liquid. Instantaneous saturation values are employed to gauge the amount of interaction in the lungs between the breathable liquid and respiratory gas flowing therein and to control selected feedback operations to maintain the maximum possible amount of interaction therebetween. The saturation level of expiratory gas is also employed to optimize operating parameters or a system for recovering the breathable liquid from the expiratory gas, directly from the patient, or from a gas or liquid ventilator. The saturation level or expiratory gas is also employed to perform functional residual capacity studies and to correct for errors in conventional functional residual capacity measurements performed while a patient undergoes partial liquid ventilation. When breathable liquid is employed as a blood substitute, the quantification or the loss of the breathable liquid from volatilization and transpiration helps to determine when to replenish the breathable liquid in the bloodstream.

US Patent:

54291232, Jul 4, 1995

Filed:

Dec 15, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/167680

Inventors:

Thomas H. Shaffer - Lansdowne PA
Marla R. Wolfson - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

Temple University - Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A61M 1600
F16K 3102
G05B 101

US Classification:

12820423

Abstract:

A process is provided for controlling a ventilation procedure wherein a heliox ventilation system passes a breathing medium through at least a portion of a patient's pulmonary pathways. In this process, desired ranges for certain process parameters associated with the heliox ventilation system are established. These desired ranges are input into a signal processor. Initial settings for the heliox ventilation system are then made such that the actual conditions which will initially occur during the heliox ventilation procedure fall within their respective desired ranges. Thereafter, the heliox ventilation procedure is commenced. During the heliox ventilation procedure, conditions which relate to the established ranges are continually monitored by appropriate sensors. The monitored information is also input into the signal processor. The signal processor is designed to compare the actually-occurring monitored conditions to their respective desired ranges and determine if there is a difference therebetween.

US Patent:

53503597, Sep 27, 1994

Filed:

Jul 16, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/916332

Inventors:

Thomas H. Shaffer - Lansdowne PA
Marla R. Wolfson - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A61M 3100

US Classification:

604 51

Abstract:

This invention pertains to the use of a degassed perfluorocarbon ("PFC") liquid as a method of removing gas emboli from parts of a patient's internal anatomy. Moreover, the invention can be used as a method of imaging parts of a patient's internal anatomy. Furthermore, the invention can also be used as a way of delivering biological agents to parts of a patient's internal anatomy which contain or are surrounded by gas emboli and/or which are to be imaged. In this invention, a degassed PFC liquid is delivered to a region within the patient's internal anatomy which contains gas emboli and/or which is to be imaged. If gas emboli are present, the degassed liquid is permitted to absorb at least a portion of the emboli. Thereafter, the emboli-containing liquid is removed from the patient or is used as an imaging agent. If gas emboli are not present, the cite is imaged before the degassed liquid reaches atmospheric equilibrium.

US Patent:

20150265267, Sep 24, 2015

Filed:

Mar 18, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/661767

Inventors:

- Jacksonville FL, US
Tariq Rahman - Moylan PA, US
Thomas H. Shaffer - Chadds-Ford PA, US
Jordan Wang - Chadds-Ford PA, US
Whitney Sample - Wilmington DE, US

Assignee:

The Nemours Foundation - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61B 17/02
G05B 15/02
B29C 67/00

Abstract:

A retractor for use in lingual frenotomy has a tapered hollow shield, having a closed distal end and an open proximal rim, a groove opening through the distal end to seat over the lingual frenulum, and a handle extending from the proximal rim in line with the groove.