Patents by Inventor Jerry L. Spence

Jerry L. Spence 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: 5733304
    Abstract: A disposable inflatable tourniquet cuff which may include an inflatable bladder having inner and outer walls which, in order to reduce cost and complexity, may be of the same size and made from the same material. A stiffener may be located within the bladder's inflatable fluid space, to eliminate the need for any separate parts to properly locate or hold the stiffener. The walls may have exterior, velcro-type soft, fuzzy loops or filaments; and be secured together with welds having a width selected to prevent the longitudinal sides of the cuff from spontaneously rolling up. The soft, fuzzy inner wall may serve as the patient contacting part of the cuff, thereby eliminating the need for a separate soft, fuzzy inner cover to protect the patient; and may serve to engage the hook-type velcro surface on other parts of the cuff, to hold them in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: InstruMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Spence
  • Patent number: 5148804
    Abstract: A device, system, and methods for applying cryotherapy to a joint or body part are disclosed herein. The device comprises an adjustable wrap structure capable of wrapping at least partially around various joints or body parts. Two pockets each having an easily accessible opening manufactured on opposite sides of the wrap structure's central region on the inside surface of the wrap structure in which a cooling vehicle, such as a ice bag or a gel pack, may be inserted. A joint alignment means is manufactured on the in the central region of each device so that the device can be properly aligned and position on the joint or body part. An adjustable device attachment means is included to hold the device in place during use. The system for applying cryotherapy uses the above disclosed device and multiple sets of gel packs each set containing a coolant substance having a different freezing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventors: Dennis M. Hill, Jerry L. Spence
  • Patent number: 4979953
    Abstract: A disposable inflatable tourniquet apparatus includes an inner inflatable bladder formed of two rectangular bladder wall members of polymer impregnated fabric peripherally welded to form a peripheral bond that develops the burst pressure of the bladder wall members. A conduit inflates the bladder, and a fabric cover is peripherally stitched at a border to the bladder at the peripheral bond. A curved stiffener plate is held inside the cover but outside the bladder, and within the stitched border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: InstruMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Spence
  • Patent number: 4919888
    Abstract: At least one seal for a sterilization container system, wherein the sterilization container system comprises a base, a lid, and a gasket for providing a microorganism proof seal between the lid and the base. The seal comprises a belt of shrinkable material having an anchor at each end. Corresponding anchor openings are provided in the base of the sterilization container system for the seal's anchors. The seal is installed by engaging one of its anchors in a corresponding anchor opening on one side of the sterilization container system's base, passing its belt over the lid of the sterilization container system, and then securing its other anchor in a corresponding anchor opening on the opposite side of the sterilization container's base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: InstruMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Spence
  • Patent number: 4783321
    Abstract: A sterilization container system for sterilizing surgical instruments, having a lid secured to a base by latches. The latches are automatically disengaged when the latches' release arms are raised to form handles by which the lid can be easily and securely manipulated; while the latches are automatically engaged when the latches' release arms are lowered, sealing the lid to the base. The base is provided with an outer safety wall, which is lower than and which extends around the base's inner wall, in order to help protect the top of the base's inner wall from inadvertent contamination when the lid is removed. Disposable paper filters are sealed over the vents inside the lid and base by cooperating filter paper sealing flanges provided in the filter papers' retainers, lid and base, in order to maintain the sterility of the contents of the sterilization container system after sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Instrumed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Spence
  • Patent number: 4706839
    Abstract: Closures for a sterilization container system comprising at least one band of shrinkable material encircling the base and lid of a sterilization container system. The closures are formed from a shrinkable material which, when exposed to a shrinking agent, shrinks to pull said lid and base tightly against each other for the goal of providing a microorganism proof seal to prevent the entry of microorganisms into the interior of the sterilization container system. Also disclosed are the method of using the closures to achieve that goal, and the method of using at least one agent which simultaneously shrinks the at least one band of shrinkable material and sterilizes the sterilization container system and its contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Instrumed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Spence