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).

  • Patent number: 5797679
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing a two part cement of a type adapted for fixing a repair element to hard, rigid tissue of a patient and containing the mixed cement preparatory to dispensing for such fixation. A mixing chamber has an outlet for mixed cement. A cartridge has an inlet releasably coupled to the outlet of the mixing chamber for receiving mixed cement therefrom. A rotating blade in the mixing chamber mixes cement, removes voids therefrom and moves mixed cement off the inner surface of the mixing chamber and into the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Grulke, Richard F. Huyser, Eugene Lautenschlager, Dennis A. Stratton, Harry A. Wellons, III, Richard L. Wixson
  • Patent number: 5718668
    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: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Arnett, Nicholas V. Gately, David H. Grulke, Ruth A. Hilsbos, James L. Sertic
  • Patent number: 5470305
    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: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Arnett, Nicholas V. Gately, David H. Grulke, Ruth A. Hilsbos, James L. Sertic
  • Patent number: 5464390
    Abstract: A tip member is to be fixed adjacent the distal end of the irrigation outlet tube of a surgical irrigation handpiece. The tip member modifies the irrigation liquid flow to direct same forwardly toward a surgical site as multiple, narrow, discrete streams of irrigation liquid. Such streams have length axes which are skewed with respect to each other, so as to cross each other in laterally spaced relation. Such streams angle away from the central axis of the irrigation tube. Such angled, pulsed streams can more easily be directed at an acute angle to a surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Arnett, David H. Grulke
  • Patent number: 5460604
    Abstract: A tip member is to be fixed adjacent the distal end of the irrigation outlet tube of a surgical irrigation handpiece. The tip member modifies the irrigation liquid flow to direct same forwardly toward a surgical site as a hollow, divergent, substantially circumferentially continuous, generally funnel-shaped wash of irrigation liquid and thereby for wetting substantially the perimeter of a circle, rather than the center of such circle, on the surgical site, at a given instant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Arnett, David H. Grulke
  • Patent number: 5269750
    Abstract: A tip unit is removably affixed to and extends forward from the barrel of a surgical handpiece, for fluid transfer with respect to the surgical site. The tip unit includes a casing extending forward from the handpiece barrel and a fluid transfer tube extending forward from the casing. The fluid transfer tube extends in sealed relation through axially aligned holes in the front and rear walls of the casing for connection with a fluid transfer unit in the handpiece. A lamp at the far end of the tube is energized by a battery unit in the casing under control of a switch accessible at the outside of the casing. A light transmitting enclosure at the far end of the tube protects against liquid contact with the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Grulke, Jeffery D. Arnett
  • Patent number: 5207697
    Abstract: A pistol-shaped surgical handpiece comprises a pistol-shaped housing including a forward/rearward extending barrel and a handle fixedly depending from the barrel. A motor and control circuit are supported in the barrel. The motor drives a tool carrier at the front end of the barrel. In one preferred embodiment, the housing is of formed sheet metal and the motor, control unit and a drive train for driving the tool carrier, are mounted as a sealed unitary cartridge within the sheet metal barrel. In one embodiment, the battery is inserted upward into the bottom of the handle and telescopes therein for a substantial distance to permit a relatively compact handle arrangement while yet permitting a full size handle rigidly joined to the barrel of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Carusillo, David H. Grulke
  • Patent number: 5046486
    Abstract: A surgical pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pistol-like housing having a handle and a barrel extending forwardly from the top of the handle. A finger actuable trigger is provided on the handle front edge. An axially elongate pulsing pump extends longitudinally in the handle. An outlet tube extending from the top of the pump bends forwardly toward the front end of the barrel. The trigger controls pulsed liquid outflow from the pulsing pump through outlet tube. A preferred pulsing pump provides a piston axially slidable in a casing and a poppit axially slidable with respect to the piston. A first spring urges the piston rearward in the casing. A second spring urges the poppit forwardly with respect to the piston. A pumped liquid chamber in the casing ahead of the piston responds to piston reciprocation to provide a pulsed liquid outflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Grulke, Douglas L. Tyler, Sr., William M. Booth, III
  • Patent number: D329092
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Carusillo, Kris D. Eager, David H. Grulke