Patents by Inventor Donna Schultz Torres

Donna Schultz Torres 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: 8956373
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch for covering or extending across the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch and may be manipulated to position and/or to secure the patch relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body for positioning and/or manipulating the patch from a location outside the body. A support member may be arranged in or on the patch to help deploy the patch at the surgical site and/or help inhibit collapse or buckling of the patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schultz Torres
  • Patent number: 7806905
    Abstract: The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside of the body. An indicator may be provided on the tether as an aid for a surgeon in determining when the patch or plug has been inserted a sufficient distance within the patient. A support member may be arranged in or on the patch or plug to help deploy the patch or plug at the surgical site and/or help inhibit collapse or buckling of the patch or plug. The patch or plug may be configured with a pocket or cavity to facilitate the deployment and/or positioning of the patch or plug over the opening or weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schultz Torres
  • Publication number: 20090198260
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch and/or plug having a body portion that is larger than a portion of the opening or weakness so that placement of the body portion against the defect will cover or extend across that portion of the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch or plug and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the patch or plug relative to the repair site and/or to secure the patch or plug relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: C.R.Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schultz Torres