Patents by Inventor Laurie B. Gower
Laurie B. Gower 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: 7547449Abstract: The subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable, fibrous matrix, such as collagen, and a mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the organic matrix. Advantageously, once solidified, a high mineral content can be achieved, with the inorganic mineral crystals embedded within the collagen fibers (intrafibrillarly) and oriented such that they are aligned along the long axes of the fibers of the organic matrix, thereby closely mimicking the natural structure of bone.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Laurie B. Gower, Matthew J. Olszta, Elliot P. Douglas, Sivakumar Munisamy, Donna L. Wheeler
-
Patent number: 7544496Abstract: The subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable, fibrous matrix, such as collagen, and a mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the organic matrix. Advantageously, once solidified, a high mineral content can be achieved, with the inorganic mineral crystals embedded within the collagen fibers (intrafibrillarly) and oriented such that they are aligned along the long axes of the fibers of the organic matrix, thereby closely mimicking the natural structure of bone.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Laurie B. Gower, Matthew J. Olszta, Elliot P. Douglas, Sivakumar Munisamy, Donna L. Wheeler
-
Patent number: 7514249Abstract: The subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable, fibrous matrix, such as collagen, and a mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the organic matrix. Advantageously, once solidified, a high mineral content can be achieved, with the inorganic mineral crystals embedded within the collagen fibers (intrafibrillarly) and oriented such that they are aligned along the long axes of the fibers of the organic matrix, thereby closely mimicking the natural structure of bone.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: The University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Laurie B. Gower, Matthew J. Olszta, Elliot P. Douglas, Sivakumar Munisamy, Donna L. Wheeler
-
Patent number: 7514248Abstract: The subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable matrix, such as collagen, and mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the interstices of the organic matrix, and subsequently mineralizes via solidification and crystallization of the precursor phase. The present invention further concerns a method of treating a patient suffering from a bone defect by applying a biomimetic composite to the bone defect site.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Laurie B. Gower, Matthew J. Olszta, Elliot P. Douglas, Sivakumar Munisamy, Donna L. Wheeler
-
Patent number: 7455854Abstract: The present invention pertains to mineral fibers useful as biomimetics of tissue, such as dental enamel and bone, and as filler in paper, paint, coatings, and plastic production. The present invention also concerns methods for producing mineral fibers by contacting an inorganic liquid-phase mineral precursor with a crystalline inorganic substrate under conditions permitting the inorganic liquid-phase mineral precursor to solidify and crystallize, compositions comprising mineral fibers, and methods for treating a tissue defect within a patient by applying mineral fibers to the site of the tissue defect.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Laurie B. Gower, Matthew J. Olszta
-
Publication number: 20040131562Abstract: The subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable, fibrous matrix, such as collagen, and a mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the organic matrix. Advantageously, once solidified, a high mineral content can be achieved, with the inorganic mineral crystals embedded within the collagen fibers (intrafibrillarly) and oriented such that they are aligned along the long axes of the fibers of the organic matrix, thereby closely mimicking the natural structure of bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Laurie B. Gower, Matthew J. Olszta, Elliot P. Douglas, Sivakumar Munisamy, Donna L. Wheeler
-
Publication number: 20040052865Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel materials and methods for use in delivering and sequestering substances, such as pharmacological agents, within a patient. One aspect of the invention is directed towards core-shell particles having a core encapsulated within a calcium carbonate shell, with an intermediate layer composed of an amphiphilic compound surrounding the core. When the particles of the subject invention are administered to a patient, they are capable of removing lipophilic drugs by absorption of the drug through their mineral shell and into their core. The particles of the subject invention can also be administered to a patient as controlled release, drug delivery vehicles. Thus, in another aspect, the subject invention concerns a method of delivering pharmacological agents by administering the core-shell particles of the subject invention to a patient in need of such administration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2002Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Laurie B. Gower, Vishal M. Patel, Piyush Sheth, Allison Kurz, Michael Ossenbeck
-
Publication number: 20030232071Abstract: The subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable matrix, such as collagen, and mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the interstices of the organic matrix, and subsequently mineralizes via solidification and crystallization of the precursor phase. The present invention further concerns a method of treating a patient suffering from a bone defect by applying a biomimetic composite to the bone defect site.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Laurie B. Gower, Matthew J. Olszta, Elliot P. Douglas, Sivakumar Munisamy, Donna L. Wheeler