Patents by Inventor Gerard E. Kedge

Gerard E. Kedge 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).

  • Negative pressure, thermal energy transfer device that also provides positive pressure to the patient
    Patent number: 8052624
    Abstract: A negative pressure, thermal energy device has an enclosure that receives a patient's body part. The body part is positioned in the enclosure and contacts a thermal energy contacting surface. The thermal energy contacting surface transfers its thermal energy to the body part. While in the enclosure, the body part is also exposed to a negative pressure to cause vasodilation. The combination of the vasodilation and the thermal energy transfer alter the patient's body core temperature. To ensure the body part remains in contact with the thermal contacting surface, the enclosure has a portion thereof that moves when negative pressure is in the enclosure. When the negative pressure is applied, the deforming enclosure material is pulled toward the body part to provide a positive pressure on the body part that ensures the body part effectively contacts the thermal energy contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Buchanan, Greg Pepe, Gerard E. Kedge, Marcus B. Vail
  • Negative Pressure, Thermal Energy Transfer Device That Also Provides Positive Pressure to the Patient
    Publication number: 20100106230
    Abstract: A negative pressure, thermal energy device has an enclosure that receives a patient's body part. The body part is positioned in the enclosure and contacts a thermal energy contacting surface. The thermal energy contacting surface transfers its thermal energy to the body part. While in the enclosure, the body part is also exposed to a negative pressure to cause vasodilation. The combination of the vasodilation and the thermal energy transfer alter the patient's body core temperature. To ensure the body part remains in contact with the thermal contacting surface, the enclosure has a portion thereof that moves when negative pressure is in the enclosure. When the negative pressure is applied, the deforming enclosure material is pulled toward the body part to provide a positive pressure on the body part that ensures the body part effectively contacts the thermal energy contacting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: GAYMAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Buchanan, Greg Pepe, Gerard E. Kedge, Marcus B. Vail
  • Heat transfer device: seal and thermal energy contact units
    Publication number: 20090048649
    Abstract: A device has four fundamental components: an enclosure, a soft seal, a vacuum system and a thermal energy system having a thermal energy contacting element. The device provides thermal energy therapy and negative pressure therapy device simultaneously and/or in conjunction to a patient. The device has a thermal energy system that is more efficient in thermal energy transfer and the soft seal decreases tissue interface pressure to obtain the desired soft seal effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: James Peret, Laura C. Grisanti, Gerard E. Kedge, Karl Cazzini, James McGee