Joseph F Pierre

US Patent:

7497870, Mar 3, 2009

Filed:

Feb 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/061871

Inventors:

William E. Frey - Kingston MA, US
Joseph Pierre - Brockton MA, US

Assignee:

Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. - Rockland MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607107, 607104

Abstract:

A convective warmer to which blankets of different dimensions may be connected is capable of providing air to the various blankets at flow rates that optimally inflate those blankets to achieve the optimal clinical result for the patients covered by those blankets. The blanket connected to the warmer may range from a full size adult warming blanket to a pediatric warming blanket. The convection warmer may have multiple fixed air flow rates each selectable by a user, via switch(es) either electronically or mechanically. For the electronic selection of a given flow rate, a motor adaptable to rotate a different speeds is used. To vary the flow rate mechanically, a valve is controlled to vary the amount of air that may pass to the blanket. Instead of different fixed flow rates, variable air flow rates, selectable by the user, may be used. Also, a feedback circuit that maintains the pressure sensed at the outlet of the warmer to a preset pressure may be used to eliminate the need for user intervention.

US Patent:

7517360, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Mar 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/080481

Inventors:

William E. Frey - Kingston MA, US
Joseph Pierre - Brockton MA, US

Assignee:

Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. - Rockland MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607104, 607 96, 607108

Abstract:

A convective warmer to which blankets of different dimensions may be connected is capable of providing air to the various blankets at flow rates that optimally inflate those blankets to achieve the optimal clinical result for the patients covered by those blankets. The blanket connected to the warmer may range from a full size adult warming blanket to a pediatric or neonate warming blanket. There is provided on each blanket a code, marking or marker, to be read by a sensor(s) provided at the outlet of the warmer, that identifies the type of blanket when the blanket is coupled to the warmer. Consequently, heated air may be automatically output by the warmer to the blanket at the appropriate flow rate of that blanket to optimally inflate the blanket without any need for intervention by a user. In addition to being used to control the flow rate of the heated air, the code from the blanket may also be used to control the temperature of the heated air to be input to the blanket.

US Patent:

7572285, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Feb 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/061882

Inventors:

William E. Frey - Kingston MA, US
Joseph Pierre - Brockton MA, US

Assignee:

Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. - Rockland MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607104, 607108, 607114

Abstract:

A convective warmer to which blankets of different dimensions may be connected is capable of providing air to the various blankets at flow rates that optimally inflate those blankets to achieve the optimal clinical result for the patients covered by those blankets. The blanket connected to the warmer may range from a full size adult warming blanket to a pediatric warming blanket. The convection warmer may have multiple fixed air flow rates each selectable by a user, via switch(es) either electronically or mechanically. For the electronic selection of a given flow rate, a motor adaptable to rotate a different speeds is used. To vary the flow rate mechanically, a valve is controlled to vary the amount of air that may pass to the blanket. Instead of different fixed flow rates, variable air flow rates, selectable by the user, may be used. Also, a feedback circuit that maintains the pressure sensed at the outlet of the warmer to a preset pressure may be used to eliminate the need for user intervention.

US Patent:

7658756, Feb 9, 2010

Filed:

Apr 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/401957

Inventors:

Joseph Pierre - Brockton MA, US
Rachel Starr - Randolph MA, US

Assignee:

Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. - Rockland MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00
F16L 55/10

US Classification:

607107, 607104, 138 89

Abstract:

An inflatable convective thermal blanket is designed to have at least one section on its top surface that has securely mounted thereon at least one fluid absorbent mechanism for absorbing fluids from a subject that is placed onto the blanket, or from fluids fallen onto the blanket from other sources. The one section is configured onto the blanket in such a way that it forms a well for collecting the fluids. The fluid absorbent mechanism, which may be in the form of a pad, would absorb the collected fluid to thereby minimize evaporative and cooling effects on the subject. Instead of mounting it on top of the blanket, the fluid absorbent pad may be mounted to the underside of the blanket, with appropriate holes and/or openings provided at the fluid collecting section, so that the collected fluids are drained onto the fluid absorbent pad. To enhance the input flow of air to the blanket, as well as to enable the blanket to be flatly folded for storage or shipping, a collapsible retainer mechanism is provided at the input port(s) of the blanket. The retainer mechanism opens up to a shape that facilitates the mating of an air hose to the input port.

US Patent:

7666214, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Apr 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/401956

Inventors:

Joseph Pierre - Brockton MA, US
Rachel Starr - Randolph MA, US
Gregory Hughes - Hanover MA, US

Assignee:

Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. - Rockland MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607104, 607107, 607108

Abstract:

An inflatable convective thermal blanket is designed to have at least one section on its top surface that has securely mounted thereon at least one fluid absorbent mechanism for absorbing fluids from a subject that is placed onto the blanket, or from fluids fallen onto the blanket from other sources. The one section is configured onto the blanket in such a way that it forms a well for collecting the fluids. The fluid absorbent mechanism, which may be in the form of a pad, would absorb the collected fluid to thereby minimize evaporative and cooling effects on the subject. Instead of mounting it on top of the blanket, the fluid absorbent pad may be mounted to the underside of the blanket, with appropriate holes and/or openings provided at the fluid collecting section, so that the collected fluids are drained onto the fluid absorbent pad. To enhance the input flow of air to the blanket, as well as to enable the blanket to be flatly folded for storage or shipping, a collapsible retainer mechanism is provided at the input port(s) of the blanket. The retainer mechanism opens up to a shape that facilitates the mating of an air hose to the input port.

US Patent:

8048137, Nov 1, 2011

Filed:

Dec 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/646458

Inventors:

Joseph Pierre - Brockton MA, US
Rachel Starr - Randolph MA, US

Assignee:

Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. - Rockland MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607107, 607104, 607109

Abstract:

Each leg of a U tube blanket is configured to have at least one row of holes extending substantially along the length thereof. The size of the holes is incrementally increased from the proximal portion that is closest to the air inlet cross section of the blanket where heated air is input to the blanket for inflating the same to the distal portion of the legs of the blanket. For an embodiment of the inventive blanket, the plurality of vent holes along each leg of the blanket are grouped into a number of sections, for illustration purposes three, with the vent holes in each section having the same dimension. With the size of the holes being incrementally larger along the leg away from the heat source, a greater amount of warm air is output at the distal portion of the blanket to compensate for the distance the warm air needs to travel before it is vented from the blanket. As a result, a substantially evenly distributed bath of warm air is output from the legs of the blanket to the sides of the patient so that the patient is evenly warmed along his entire body. Straps that are separable from the legs of the blanket are provided to secure the blanket to the patient.

US Patent:

8172890, May 8, 2012

Filed:

Feb 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/379260

Inventors:

Joseph Pierre - Brockton MA, US
Rachel Starr - Randolph MA, US
Alan Stec - East Bridgewater MA, US

Assignee:

Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. - Rockland MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607108

Abstract:

A combination underbody and overbody blanket has first and second portions sandwiching a middle portion. The first portion may be shorter than the second portion. An opening is provided at the middle portion, or at a location that overlaps the middle and first portions. The opening has a dimension sufficiently large to enable the head of a patient to pass through. At least one air inlet is provided at the middle portion to allow air to be input into the blanket. The blanket is configured in the shape of a poncho, with the first portion covering the front torso of the patient and the second portion covering the back of the patient. A tearable seal is provided at the first portion that allows the first portion to be separated into two halves to expose the front upper torso of the patient and/or to facilitate the placement of the middle portion about the neck and onto the shoulders of the patient.

US Patent:

8197525, Jun 12, 2012

Filed:

Feb 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/379160

Inventors:

Joseph Pierre - Brockton MA, US
Rachel Starr - Randolph MA, US
Alan Stec - East Bridgewater MA, US

Assignee:

Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. - Rockland MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607104

Abstract:

A full body blanket has a central bonded strip that extends from a distal end of an upper portion of the blanket to the foot end of the blanket to divide the main body of the blanket into two longitudinal portions. A discontinuous slit or tearable line is provided along the length of the strip to enable the longitudinal portions to be separable from each other by a user applying a force along the tearable strip. The strip may be torn anywhere along its entire length so that the longitudinal portion to be removed from the patient may be folded back anywhere along the length of the strip to selectively expose particular body parts of the patient. The blanket is inflated by heated air, and the heated air is circulated by channels that extend longitudinally along each of the longitudinal portions. Rows of apertures provided along the channels at the layer of the blanket that makes contact with the patient output the heated air to warm the patient.