Patents by Inventor Karen Smit

Karen Smit has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8357169
    Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula (18) in which there is an agglomeration of beads (20) and cement (22). A membrane is disposed over the open end of the cannula. When the agglomeration is discharged from the cannula it fills the membrane. The membrane thus forms the outer shell of the implant internal to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Spinal Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce D. Henniges, Richard F. Huyser, Douglas L. Tyler, Karen Smit
  • Publication number: 20080009792
    Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula (18) in which there is an agglomeration of beads (20) and cement (22). A membrane is disposed over the open end of the cannula. When the agglomeration is discharged from the cannula it fills the membrane. The membrane thus forms the outer shell of the implant internal to the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Henniges, Doug Tyler, Richard Huyser, Karen Smit
  • Publication number: 20070112299
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device is provided for delivering fluid to a target site such as an intervertebral disc during discography. The fluid delivery device includes pressure and volume sensors to determine the pressure and the volume of the fluid delivered to the intervertebral disc. The fluid delivery device is hand-held during use and includes a syringe assembly having a plunger with threads that enables controlled discharge of the fluid from the fluid delivery device by rotating the plunger in a housing of the fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery device may also include a communication module to wirelessly transfer data to an external device outside of a sterile field, while the fluid delivery device is in the sterile field. The fluid delivery device may also include a physiological sensor to monitor involuntary pain responses based on changing physiological parameters such as increases in body temperature or blood pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: STRYKER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karen Smit, Steven Carusillo, David Gennrich, Douglas Rodenkirch, Michael Strickler
  • Publication number: 20050189283
    Abstract: A manifold assembly (12) for a medical waste collection device (10) is provided. The manifold assembly (12) comprises a housing (14) and a cap (16) connected to the housing (14) by a snap-fit connection (18). The housing (14) includes a bottom (20) and a wall (24) extending upwardly therefrom about an axis (26). A support structure (22) is disposed on the bottom (20) of the housing (14) to support a plurality of filters (60, 62). An intake port (58) is disposed on the cap (16) at a tangential position relative to the wall (24) such that the fluid and material entering the manifold assembly (12) is directed along the wall (24) to better separate the material from the fluid and increase the life of the filters (60, 62).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Karen Smit, Mark Wasserman
  • Publication number: 20050109337
    Abstract: An air filtration system and a helmet for use in the air filtration system are disclosed and utilized to filter air between a head and body of a user and an external environment. The air filtration system and helmet include inner and outer shells that define an air flow channel for channeling air about the user. A fan module is mounted between the inner and outer shells and a scroll housing is mounted adjacent the fan module. The scroll housing includes an air inlet for drawing air into the air filtration system and helmet, and at least one air outlet to distribute air flow to the air flow channel. The helmet includes air exits at front and rear sections that are in fluid communication with the air flow channel and the air outlet or outlets. The air filtration system includes a gown operating as a filter for filtering the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Luis Diaz, Bruce Henniges, Mark Wasserman, Karen Smit
  • Publication number: 20050071909
    Abstract: An air filtration system and a helmet for use in the air filtration system are disclosed and utilized to filter air between a head and body of a user and an external environment. The air filtration system and helmet include inner and outer shells that define an air flow channel for channeling air about the user. A fan module is mounted between the inner and outer shells and a scroll housing is mounted adjacent the fan module. The scroll housing includes an air inlet for drawing air into the air filtration system and helmet, and at least one air outlet to distribute air flow to the air flow channel. The helmet includes air exits at front and rear sections that are in fluid communication with the air flow channel and the air outlet or outlets. The air filtration system includes a gown operating as a filter for filtering the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Luis Diaz, Bruce Henniges, Mark Wasserman, Karen Smit