Patents by Inventor Cheryl Blanchard
Cheryl Blanchard 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).
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Patent number: 8668739Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an orthopedic implant that may be used to repair and/or replace focal defects in an individual's articular cartilage. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a unitary orthopedic implant that includes a bone contacting layer and an articulating layer. In exemplary embodiments, the bone contacting layer may have a thickness of between about 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters. In exemplary embodiments, the articulating layer may have a thickness of between about 1 millimeter and 2 millimeters. As a result, the orthopedic implant may have an overall thickness of between about 2 millimeters and about 5 millimeters.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Cheryl Blanchard, Erin Johnson, Michael Hawkins, Hallie Brinkerhuff
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Publication number: 20120046752Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an orthopedic implant that may be used to repair and/or replace focal defects in an individual's articular cartilage. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a unitary orthopedic implant that includes a bone contacting layer and an articulating layer. In exemplary embodiments, the bone contacting layer may have a thickness of between about 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters. In exemplary embodiments, the articulating layer may have a thickness of between about 1 millimeter and 2 millimeters. As a result, the orthopedic implant may have an overall thickness of between about 2 millimeters and about 5 millimeters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Cheryl Blanchard, Erin Johnson, Michael Hawkins, Hallie Brinkerhuff
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Publication number: 20080089930Abstract: A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. The keratin materials can be incorporated into nonwoven films. The hydrogel can be used as a biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications. Another use for the absorbent keratin and keratin hydrogel is as an excipient in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Arlene Siller-Jackson, Mark Van Dyke, Scott Timmons, Cheryl Blanchard, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20070179607Abstract: A cartilage resurfacing implant is provided for replacing cartilage of an articulating portion of a bone at a skeletal joint having opposed joint surfaces. The cartilage resurfacing implant includes a body having a bearing surface and a bone interface. The bearing surface is able to support articulation with an opposing joint surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2006Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventors: Robert Hodorek, Antony Lozier, Cheryl Blanchard
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Patent number: 6976999Abstract: A method of making a non-modular prosthetic device for a joint arthroplasty. The method comprises molding a polymer interlayer between a porous metal structure and a polymer insert, wherein the insert generally comprises conventional or cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Zimmer Technology, Inc.Inventors: Steven Charlebois, Cheryl Blanchard, Michael Hawkins, Dale Swarts
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Publication number: 20050169963Abstract: A keratin hydrogel-filled implantable prosthetic device. One device is a breast implant for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast including an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel. One keratin hydrogel is formed from a solid precursor which forms a keratin hydrogel upon addition of water. One source of keratin is human hair. In one method, an envelope suitable for implantation and a solid keratin hydrogel precursor are provided. The solid can be in fibrous or powder form. The solid precursor can be inserted into the envelope interior. A small incision near the breast can be made and the envelope inserted into the incision. After insertion, water can be injected into the envelope interior, preferably through the incision and through a self-sealing port in the envelope. In one method, the implant is provided as a kit, with the envelope and keratin hydrogel provided. The hydrogel can be injected into the envelope either before or after insertion into the breast area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2005Publication date: August 4, 2005Inventors: Mark Van Dyke, Cheryl Blanchard, Scott Timmons, Arlene Siller-Jackson, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20040098127Abstract: A method of making a non-modular prosthetic device for a joint arthroplasty. The method comprises molding a polymer interlayer between a porous metal structure and a polymer insert, wherein the insert generally comprises conventional or cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2002Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Steven Charlebois, Cheryl Blanchard, Michael Hawkins, Dale Swarts
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Patent number: 5496374Abstract: The present invention provides for faster and stronger tissue-implant bonding by treating a ceramic implant with an ion beam to modify the surface of the ceramic. The surface modification can give the ceramic improved ion-exchange properties depending upon the particular ceramic and the type of ions used. In a preferred embodiment, a bioactive ceramic orthopaedic, dental, or soft tissue implant is bombarded with a beam of cations. When implanted in the body, the surface modification causes an increase in the release of critical ions, such as calcium or phosphorus, from the surface of the ceramic implant, and thereby accelerates implant-tissue bond formation.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Cheryl Blanchard, Geoffrey Dearnaley, James Lankford, Jr.
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Patent number: 5240782Abstract: A composite material (20) comprises a matrix layer (21) having a plurality of interspersed reinforcing whiskers (23) and a plurality of continuous reinforcing fibers (25) embedded within the matrix layer (21). The preferred embodiment includes a matrix layer (21) which may be a ceramic, intermetallic or metallic material having interspersed reinforcing whiskers (23) upon which a second layer of the matrix (24) having embedded continuous reinforcing fibers (25) is placed, and a third layer (22) of the matrix material having the interspersed reinforcing whiskers (23) on the second layer (24). The composite exhibits improved fracture toughness due to the crack deflection ability of whiskers (23) and crack bridging and fiber pull out due to continuous fibers (25) and minimizes creep associated with known ceramic and intermetallic composites.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1992Date of Patent: August 31, 1993Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Animesh Bose, James Lankford, Richard Page, Cheryl Blanchard
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Patent number: 5166004Abstract: A composite material (20) comprises a matrix layer (21) having a plurality of interspersed reinforcing whiskers (23) and a plurality of continuous reinforcing fibers (25) embedded within the matrix layer (21). The preferred embodiment includes a matrix layer (21) which may be a ceramic, intermetallic or metallic material having interspersed reinforcing whiskers (23) upon which a second layer of the matrix (24) having embedded continuous reinforcing fibers (25) is placed, and a third layer (22) of the matrix material having the interspersed reinforcing whiskers (23) on the second layer (24). The composite exhibits improved fracture toughness due to the crack deflection ability of whiskers (23) and crack bridging and fiber pull out due to continuous fibers (25) and minimizes creep associated with known ceramic and intermetallic composites.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1991Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Animesh Bose, James Lankford, Richard Page, Cheryl Blanchard
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Patent number: RE37718Abstract: The present invention provides for faster and stronger tissue-implant bonding by treating a ceramic implant with an ion beam to modify the surface of the ceramic. The surface modification can give the ceramic improved ion-exchange properties depending upon the particular ceramic and the type of ions used. In a preferred embodiment, a bioactive ceramic orthopaedic, dental, or soft tissue implant is bombarded with a beam of cations. When implanted in the body, the surface modification causes an increase in the release of critical ions, such as calcium or phosphorus, from the surface of the ceramic implant, and thereby accelerates implant-tissue bond formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1997Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Cheryl Blanchard, Geoffrey Dearnaley, James Lankford, Jr.