Patents by Inventor Vernita Kelm

Vernita Kelm 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: 7311706
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seal in an electrosurgical device includes placing components of the electrosurgical device within an elongated housing section, the housing section including an actuator opening, introducing the housing section within a mold filled with a liquid thermoplastic elastomer and allowing the elastomer to flow within the housing, forming an elastomeric inwardly-extending lip portion circumferentially surrounding an opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device for introducing an electrode therein, and allowing the molded elastomer to cure and become integral with the housing to seal the components within the molded elastomer contained within the housing section. The method may also include the step of forming an elastomeric actuator seal around the actuator opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Arthur Schoenman, Joe D. Sartor, Vernita Kelm
  • Publication number: 20040236323
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device is provided having at least one elastomeric seal capable of providing bio-contamination and dielectric protection by inhibiting the ingress of fluids and contaminants through the nose and actuator areas. The elastomeric seal is manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer or resin which while in liquid form is placed within a mold. A housing section having the main circuit components and mechanisms of the electrosurgical device is then placed within the mold. Once the elastomer cures, the elastomeric seal seals the components and mechanisms within the housing partial-section. The elastomeric seal defines a flexible first opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device to accommodate varying diameters of electrodes or blades connected to the nose area of the electrosurgical device. An actuator seal is also provided on the actuator area of the electrosurgical device to prevent fluids and contaminants from entering the electrosurgical device through the actuator area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Arthur Schoenman, Joe D. Sartor, Vernita Kelm
  • Patent number: 6755825
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device is provided having at least one elastomeric seal capable of providing bio-contamination and dielectric protection by inhibiting the ingress of fluids and contaminants through the nose and actuator areas. The elastomeric seal is manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer or resin which while in liquid form is placed within a mold. A housing section having the main circuit components and mechanisms of the electrosurgical device is then placed within the mold. Once the elastomer cures, the elastomeric seal seals the components and mechanisms within the housing partial-section. The elastomeric seal defines a flexible first opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device to accommodate varying diameters of electrodes or blades connected to the nose area of the electrosurgical device. An actuator seal is also provided on the actuator area of the electrosurgical device to prevent fluids and contaminants from entering the electrosurgical device through the actuator area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Arthur Shoenman, Joe D. Sartor, Vernita Kelm
  • Patent number: 6402748
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device is provided having at least one elastomeric seal capable of providing bio-contamination and dielectric protection by inhibiting the ingress of fluids and contaminants through the nose and actuator areas. The elastomeric seal is manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer or resin which while in liquid form is placed within a mold. A housing section having the main circuit components and mechanisms of the electrosurgical device is then placed within the mold. Once the elastomer cures, the elastomeric seal seals the components and mechanisms within the housing partial-section. The elastomeric seal defines a flexible first opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device to accommodate varying diameters of electrodes or blades connected to the nose area of the electrosurgical device. An actuator seal is also provided on the actuator area of the electrosurgical device to prevent fluids and contaminants from entering the electrosurgical device through the actuator area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Arthur Schoenman, Joe D. Sartor, Vernita Kelm
  • Publication number: 20020035364
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device is provided having at least one elastomeric seal capable of providing bio-contamination and dielectric protection by inhibiting the ingress of fluids and contaminants through the nose and actuator areas. The elastomeric seal is manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer or resin which while in liquid form is placed within a mold. A housing section having the main circuit components and mechanisms of the electrosurgical device is then placed within the mold. Once the elastomer cures, the elastomeric seal seals the components and mechanisms within the housing partial-section. The elastomeric seal defines a flexible first opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device to accommodate varying diameters of electrodes or blades connected to the nose area of the electrosurgical device. An actuator seal is also provided on the actuator area of the electrosurgical device to prevent fluids and contaminants from entering the electrosurgical device through the actuator area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Arthur Schoenman, Joe D. Sartor, Vernita Kelm
  • Patent number: 6102497
    Abstract: A cart for supporting various types of medical equipment including a main support shelf, a bottom support shelf and a pair of support legs. Each support leg having a first end attached to the main support shelf and a second end attached to the bottom shelf. The cart also including an upper support shelf which couples in spaced relation to the main support shelf. Additional support shelves can be selectively mounted and stacked atop the main support shelf in a similar fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Chris J. Ehr, Valintina S. Arroyo, Vernita Kelm, Karl D. Roberts, Jr., Brady Austin Olason, Sohrab Vossoughi, James N. Grant