Jessica Hudak

Jessica Hudak (nee Connor) is currently working as Intellectual Property Manager at Baxano, Inc where she provides strategic patent counseling, portfolio management, and effective prosecution of United States and international patent applications. She also conducts investigations and analyses for Freedom to Operate and the patentability of new inventions. Baxano is focused on developing minimally invasive tools to restore spine function and preserve healthy tissue.

Prior to joining Baxano full time, Jessica worked as a patent agent for ShayGlenn LLP where her practice focused on medical devices in multiple clinical areas for early stage start-up companies. Jessica was Schox Patent Group's Senior Patent Agent from 2004 to 2008, also specializing in medical devices.

In September of 2006, Jessica graduated from the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship Program, which is known for its intensive clinical immersion. During her time as a fellow, Jessica reached a deep understanding of multiple clinical areas including obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, laparoscopic surgery, heart failure, and emphysema. Jessica and her team filed three patents, received an NCIIA Advanced E-Team grant, won second place in the Stanford Business Plan competition, and were semi-finalists for the USF and the MIT 100K.

Jessica received her M.S. in Biomechanical Engineering from Stanford University and her B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. Jessica interned for the IDEO Health Practice in 2006, Ethicon Endo-Surgery in 2004, and for Stryker Instruments in 2003.

Employer:	BAXANO, INC.
Position:	Intellectual Property Manager
Time period:	September 2008 - Present
Description:	Strategically advise and advance company’s US and foreign patent portfolio by initiating and completing audit of company’s patent portfolio and competitive portfolios. Prepare patent applications (Provisionals, Non-Provisionals, PCT), appeal briefs, and office actions (US and OUS). File same via USPTO Electronic Filing System.

Employer:	STRYKER INSTRUMENTS
Position:	Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Intern
Description:	Was responsible for the manufacturing procedures for new Surgical Drill products launched. Wrote assembly procedures, designed and modeled in Pro/E assembly and disassembly fixtures, and assisted the assemblers through initial production.

Employer:	SHAYGLENN, LLP
Position:	Patent Agent
Time period:	September 2008 - December 2009
Description:	Prepare patent applications (Provisionals, Non-Provisionals, PCT), appeal briefs, and office actions (US and OUS). Conduct patentability and FTO searches.

Employer:	IDEO
Position:	Mechanical Engineer
Time period:	February 2006 - April 2006
Description:	Designed, prototyped, and tested mechanisms for a medical device drug injection system. Conducted extensive design and modeling work in Pro/E. Researched and analyzed market dynamics, branding, and consumer base for current over-the-counter at home testing devices.

Employer:	SCHOX, PLC
Position:	Patent Agent
Time period:	August 2004 - August 2008
Description:	Complete patent applications, provisional applications, patentability opinions, and office actions. Strategically advise clients and advance their patent portfolios. Conduct patentability searches and technology research.

Employer:	GE AIRCRAFT ENGINES
Position:	Military Inlets and Exhaust Systems Co-op
Time period:	September 2003 - December 2003
Description:	Performed design, test, and analysis work on projects such as Engine Producibility Improvement and Failure Investigations. Applied Six Sigma methodology to improve manufacturability of Aircraft Engine parts and reduce cost.

Employer:	ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY
Position:	Gastric Band R&D Intern
Time period:	August 2004
Description:	Wrote test procedures and conducted testing on synthetic and porcine specimens to establish product requirement specifications. Established an analysis method for a surgeon’s test results of a banded stomach pressure study. Designed a key component of the Applier utensil for the Gastric Band Port.

University:	Stanford University
Time period:	2007
Degree:	Biomechanical Engineering, MSc

University:	University of Michigan System - Ann Arbor
Time period:	2004
Degree:	Mechanical Engineering, BSc

University:	Universidad de Granada
Time period:	2002

Articles:	Connor, Jessica A. "Making Sense of the Food and Drug Administration." Seminars in Pediatric Surgery 15.4 (2006): 293-301. Krummel TM, Gertner M, Makower J, Milroy C, Gurtner G, Woo R, Riskin DJ, Binyamin G, Connor JA, Mery CM, Shafi BM, Yock PG. “Inventing our future: Training the next generation of surgeon innovators.” Seminars in Pediatric Surgery 15.4 (2006): 309-318.
Papers:	"Re-inventing invention | Do-it-yourself medical device course" Stanford Medicine Magazine http://stanmed.stanford.edu/2006fall/biodesign.html “Surgical Innovation Team Develops Sleep Apnea Device” Packard Children’s News 7.2 (Fall 2006) 24-25. “Social-impact teams vie with biz ventures in MIT $100K” Boston Business Journal May 5th, 2006 http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2006/05/08/s...
Patents:	See Resume

Sports:	Skiing and Water Skiing.
Hobbies:	Horseback Riding, Cycling, Running.
Memberships:	Active Member, Stanford Professional Women (SPW), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Law Association (SVIPLA), American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), and Women's Intellectual Property Lawyers Association (WIPLA)
Awards:	James F. Lincoln Bronze Award