JOSEPH ARDEN THOMAS
Veterinary in Bridgewater, NJ

4349035, Sep 14, 1982

Jun 19, 1980

6/161466

Joseph J. Thomas - Bridgewater NJ
Vincent L. Vaillancourt - Livingston NJ
Marcus J. Millet - New York NY
William F. Smith - Branchburg NJ

Johnson & Johnson - New Brunswick NJ

A61M 100

128766

A blood collection assembly for receiving a blood sample from a patient but for preventing the blood from flowing out once it has been received. This assembly includes an evacuated receptacle, such as a blood collecting tube, for the reception and retention of a sample of blood. An opening is included in the receptacle into which a penetrable stopper is sealably positioned to maintain the evacuated condition inside the receptacle. Located inside the evacuated receptacle is a unidirectional flow valve through which blood entering the receptacle must pass. When the stopper is penetrated by a sharp cannular instrument carrying blood the pressure on the side of the valve facing the stopper is greater than the pressure in the evacuated receptacle, thereby causing the valve to open so that blood flowing from the instrument flows through the valve and into the receptacle. If the pressure in the receptacle changes so that it is greater than the pressure on the other side of the valve, the valve is operable to close to thereby prevent blood from backflowing into the patient.

4381008, Apr 26, 1983

Sep 8, 1978

5/940548

Joseph J. Thomas - Bridgewater NJ
Martin Sobel - Flemington NJ

Johnson & Johnson - New Brunswick NJ

A61M 2500

604265

A method of improving the surface lubricity of extruded thermoplastic tubing for inclusion in medical devices wherein the tubing is intended for insertion into the human body includes providing a finite section of hollow extruded thermoplastic tubing which has been cooled to room temperature following an extrusion process. The tubing has a first lubricity level on its outer surface. The method steps further include maintaining the tubing substantially at room temperature conditions and applying a longitudinal stretching force to the tubing sufficient to exceed the elastic limit of the tubing whereby the tubing is deformed from its original dimensions. This stretching produces a second lubricity level on the outer surface of the tubing which is an improvement over the first lubricity level so that the tubing may slide more clearly and with less friction during insertion. This method of improving the surface characteristics of extruded thermoplastic tubing is adaptable to a method of fabricating an intravenous catheter assembly wherein a section of extruded thermoplastic tubing is connected to a hub which serves as a connection device for delivering solutions to a patient. The tubing may be stretched either before or after its insertion into the hub.

4248234, Feb 3, 1981

Mar 8, 1979

6/018493

John S. Assenza - Basking Ridge NJ
Joseph J. Thomas - Bridgewater NJ

Critikon, Inc. - Tampa FL

A61M 2500

128348

A catheter or like instrument having a variable flexural modulus for insertion into the body includes a length of flexible tubing having a normally relatively low flexural modulus. A first lumen inside the tubing provides a free flow path therethrough. Associated with the catheter tubing for controllably increasing its flexural modulus is a second lumen having a closed distal end and a proximal end adapted to be connected to a pressure source. An increase in pressure inside the second lumen serves to increase the flexural modulus of the catheter tubing to stiffen the same particularly during insertion of the tubing into the body. After insertion of the same, the pressure is controllable so that the catheter tubing is allowed to return to its normally low flexural modulus. A method of inserting an instrument substantially as described above comprises the steps of increasing the flexural modulus of the catheter tubing prior to insertion into the body, inserting the stiffened tubing into the body and then decreasing the flexural modulus so that the tubing returns to its normally relatively low flexural modulus after the tubing is in position in the body.