Patents by Inventor David H. Grulke

David H. Grulke 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).

  • Publication number: 20240114988
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. The helmet has a chin bar that extends forward of the face of the individual wearing the system. At least one manually actuated control for regulating one aspect of operation of the system is mounted to the chin bar. Sometimes the control is a button that is depressed to control the operation of a helmet mounted fan that draws air into the hood or toga. A microphone may also be mounted to the chin bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, David H. Grulke, Bruce D. Henniges
  • Patent number: 11910861
    Abstract: A surgical protection system to define a barrier between the user and the external environment. The surgical protection system comprising a helmet assembly, a hood and a transparent face shield. The helmet including a shell, a face frame coupled to the shell, a static tab, a first fastener disposed on the face frame; and a fan mounted to the shell and configured to circulate air about the user. The hood may include a first material defining an opening. The shield may be formed from flexible material and disposed within the opening of the hood. The shield may further include a tab extending from a top portion of the shield and define an opening configured to receive the static tab of the helmet to align the shield to the helmet. The first fastener disposed on the face frame may be configured to facilitate removable attachment of the shield to the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, David H. Grulke, Bruce D. Henniges
  • Publication number: 20230292876
    Abstract: A surgical protection system to define a barrier between the user and the external environment. The surgical protection system comprising a helmet assembly, a hood and a transparent face shield. The helmet including a shell, a face frame coupled to the shell, a static tab, a first fastener disposed on the face frame; and a fan mounted to the shell and configured to circulate air about the user. The hood may include a first material defining an opening. The shield may be formed from flexible material and disposed within the opening of the hood. The shield may further include a tab extending from a top portion of the shield and define an opening configured to receive the static tab of the helmet to align the shield to the helmet. The first fastener disposed on the face frame may be configured to facilitate removable attachment of the shield to the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, David H. Grulke, Bruce D. Henniges
  • Patent number: 11684106
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system may include a head unit over which surgical garment such as a hood or a toga may be suspended over. The surgical garment may include a sterile material and a shield configured to be disposed in front of the wearers face when disposed over the head unit. The shield may comprise an anti-reflective coating configured to reduce the glare observed by the individual through said shield. The head unit may comprises a light assembly that is disposed on the wearers side of the surgical garment, and an inner surface of said surgical garment may comprise a light reflective material configured to reduce the amount of light emitted from said light assembly that is reflected back toward the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, David H. Grulke, Bruce D. Henniges
  • Publication number: 20210177083
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system may include a head unit over which surgical garment such as a hood or a toga may be suspended over. The surgical garment may include a sterile material and a shield configured to be disposed in front of the wearers face when disposed over the head unit. The shield may comprise an anti-reflective coating configured to reduce the glare observed by the individual through said shield. The head unit may comprises a light assembly that is disposed on the wearers side of the surgical garment, and an inner surface of said surgical garment may comprise a light reflective material configured to reduce the amount of light emitted from said light assembly that is reflected back toward the individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, David H. Grulke, Bruce D. Henniges
  • Patent number: 10874163
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. A microphone, an amplifier and a speaker are mounted to the helmet. Speech of the individual wearing the personal protection system is picked up by the microphone and amplified speech is broadcast by the speaker. The speaker is outwardly directed so as to broadcast the speech out through the hood or toga covering the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, David H. Grulke, Bruce D. Henniges
  • Patent number: 10201207
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. A microphone, an amplifier and a speaker are mounted to the helmet. Speech of the individual wearing the personal protection system is picked up by the microphone and amplified speech is broadcast by the speaker. The speaker is outwardly directed so as to broadcast the speech out through the hood or toga covering the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian VanDerWoude, David H. Grulke, Marshall Proulx
  • Publication number: 20180035741
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. A microphone, an amplifier and a speaker are mounted to the helmet. Speech of the individual wearing the personal protection system is picked up by the microphone and amplified speech is broadcast by the speaker. The speaker is outwardly directed so as to broadcast the speech out through the hood or toga covering the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Brian VanDerWoude, David H. Grulke, Marshall Proulx
  • Publication number: 20130110035
    Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigator comprising a handpiece and a tip assembly that is removably attached to the handpiece. Internal to the handpiece is a variable speed pulse pump from which irrigation fluid is discharged through the tip assembly. A single, variable speed motor regulates the pumping rate of the pump. The tip assembly includes a suction wand through which the discharged fluid is drawn away from the site to which the fluid is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Arnett, Nicholas V. Gately, David H. Grulke, Ruth A. Hilsbos, James L. Sertic
  • Patent number: 8282234
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. Integral with the helmet is a ventilation fan. The helmet also includes a light assembly for illuminating the surgical field. The helmet includes a front nozzle from which air from the ventilation fan is discharged. The light assembly is mounted to the helmet and is located below the front nozzle. Air discharged from the front nozzle blows heat generated by the light assembly away from the light assembly. In some versions of the invention, the light assembly includes a control arm connected to the light assembly for pivoting the light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, Jacob C. Foor, Douglas Campbell, David H. Grulke
  • Publication number: 20110004979
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. Integral with the helmet is a ventilation fan. The helmet also includes a light assembly for illuminating the surgical field. The helmet includes a front nozzle from which air from the ventilation fan is discharged. The light assembly is mounted to the helmet and is located below the front nozzle. Air discharged from the front nozzle blows heat generated by the light assembly away from the light assembly. In some versions of the invention, the light assembly includes a control arm connected to the light assembly for pivoting the light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, Jacob C. Foor, Douglas Campbell, David H. Grulke
  • Patent number: 7735156
    Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a head unit over which a hood or a toga suspended. Internal to the head unit is a ventilation fan, a light for illuminating the surgical field and communications system for communicating with others. The head unit includes a head band. The ventilation fan is adjustably mounted to the head band so it can be positioned at a location to minimize the strain imposed on the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian VanDerWoude, Marshall Proulx, Douglas Campbell, David H. Grulke
  • Patent number: 7144383
    Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigating handpiece with both a discharge line through which fluid is applied to the site and a suction line through which the discharge fluid is drawn away. The handpiece has a variable speed pulse pump. A single, variable-speed motor actuates the pump to regulate the pumping rate. Power to actuate the motor comes from a battery pack that remote to the handpiece. A control mechanism attached to the handpiece regulates the energization signal applied to the motor so as to regulate motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Arnett, Nicholas V Gately, David H. Grulke, Ruth A. Hilsbos, James L Sertic
  • Patent number: 6945688
    Abstract: A container assembly for mixing materials having a base defining a mixing chamber for mixing the materials and a cover mounted to the base covering the mixing chamber. A sealing portion depends from the cover and engages an inner wall of the base. The sealing portion is flexible and angled outwardly such that during the engagement of the sealing portion with the inner wall, the sealing portion flexes and conforms to the inner wall to seal the mixing chamber. In addition, a first locking device is disposed on the base and a second locking device is disposed on the cover. A lifting mechanism is disposed on one of the base and cover for automatically lifting the cover relative to the base as the cover is being removed from the base for preventing a discharge of material from the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Stryker Instruments
    Inventors: Richard F. Huyser, Shea Morrissey, David H. Grulke, James F. O'Connell, Christopher Matthew Tague
  • Publication number: 20040210186
    Abstract: A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation.
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Arnett, Nicholas V. Gately, David H. Grulke, Ruth A. Hilsbos, James L. Sertic
  • Patent number: 6746419
    Abstract: A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Arnett, Nicholas V. Gately, David H. Grulke, Ruth A. Hilsbos, James L. Sertic
  • Publication number: 20020089893
    Abstract: A container assembly for mixing materials having a base defining a mixing chamber for mixing the materials and a cover mounted to the base covering the mixing chamber. A sealing portion depends from the cover and engages an inner wall of the base. The sealing portion is flexible and angled outwardly such that during the engagement of the sealing portion with the inner wall, the sealing portion flexes and conforms to the inner wall to seal the mixing chamber. In addition, a first locking device is disposed on the base and a second locking device is disposed on the cover. A lifting mechanism is disposed on one of the base and cover for automatically lifting the cover relative to the base as the cover is being removed from the base for preventing a discharge of material from the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: STRYKER INSTRUMENTS
    Inventors: Richard F. Huyser, Shea Morrissey, David H. Grulke, James F. O'Connell, Christopher Matthew Tague
  • Patent number: 6179807
    Abstract: An irrigator (20) useful for surgical and medical procedures. The irrigator includes a handpiece (22) to which a tip assembly (30) is attached. The handpiece (22) includes a drain tube (50) that extends through the body of the handpiece and outside of the handpiece to the complementary suction system. The tip assembly includes a discharge tube (32) that is snap secured into the front of the handpiece and a suction tube (48) that seats in the open front end of the drain tube. A removable splash shield (181) is attached to the front end of the tip assembly. A trigger (44) allows one-handed control of, the position of the handpiece, the on/off state of the irrigator and the rate at which fluid is discharged from the irrigator. A rechargeable power pack (222) can be used to supply the energization current needed to activate a number of different handpieces at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Henniges, Kris D. Eager, David A. Burke, Douglas L. Tyler, Sr., David H. Grulke
  • Patent number: 6099494
    Abstract: An irrigator (20) useful for surgical and medical procedures. The irrigator includes a handpiece (22) to which a tip assembly (30) is attached. The handpiece (22) includes a drain tube (50) that extends through the body of the handpiece and outside of the handpiece to the complementary suction system. The tip assembly includes a discharge tube (32) that is snap secured into the front of the handpiece and a suction tube (48) that seats in the open front end of the drain tube. A removable splash shield (181) is attached to the front end of the tip assembly. A trigger (44) allows one-handed control of, the position of the handpiece, the on/off state of the irrigator and the rate at which fluid is discharged from the irrigator. A rechargeable power pack (222) can be used to supply the energization current needed to activate a number of different handpieces at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Henniges, Kris D. Eager, David A. Burke, Don Malackowski, Douglas L. Tyler, Sr., David H. Grulke
  • Patent number: 6022329
    Abstract: A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Arnett, Nicholas V. Gately, David H. Grulke, Ruth A. Hilsbos, James L. Sertic