Patents by Inventor Robert L. Ballard

Robert L. Ballard 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).

  • Publication number: 20130059497
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for forming a multilayered electrospun composite is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric nanofibers, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto a first ePTFE layer. A second ePTFE layer is applied onto the nanofibers to form a composite structure. The composite structure is heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert L. Ballard, David P. Gamer
  • Publication number: 20130053948
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process of forming a prosthetic device is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric nanofibers, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. A tubular frame is positioned over a tubular polymeric structure. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto the tubular frame to form a prosthetic device. The prosthetic device is heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert L. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8262979
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process of forming a prosthetic device is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric particles, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. A tubular frame is positioned over a tubular polymeric structure. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto the tubular frame to form a prosthetic device. The prosthetic device is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Zeus Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert L. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8257640
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for forming a multilayered electrospun composite is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric particles, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto a first ePTFE layer. A second ePTFE layer is applied onto the nanofibers to form a composite structure. The composite structure is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zeus Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert L. Ballard, David P. Garner
  • Publication number: 20120114722
    Abstract: A method of preparing antimicrobial-containing polymeric products is provided, the method involving electrospinning a dispersion comprising a dispersible polymer, a fiberizing polymer, and one or more antimicrobial agents. The electrospun material is heated to remove solvent and the fiberizing polymer, giving a nonwoven polymeric material having antimicrobial agent incorporated therein. The material can be in the form of, for example, a non-woven sheet, tube, or covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Robert L. Ballard, Bruce L. Anneaux, Joshua L. Manasco
  • Publication number: 20110030885
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process of forming a prosthetic device is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric nanofibers, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. A tubular frame is positioned over a tubular polymeric structure. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto the tubular frame to form a prosthetic device. The prosthetic device is heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: ZEUS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert L. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20110031656
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for forming a multilayered electrospun composite is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric nanofibers, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto a first ePTFE layer. A second ePTFE layer is applied onto the nanofibers to form a composite structure. The composite structure is heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: ZEUS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert L. Ballard, David P. Garner
  • Patent number: 6863852
    Abstract: A process for extruding of products from fluoropolymers preferably shaped as rods or tubes which have unique physical and other properties resulting from the addition of nanoparticles under unique processing conditions while also utilizing accurate control of processing parameters such as time and temperature and others according to novel methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Zeus Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Ballard, Eric R. George
  • Publication number: 20030099798
    Abstract: A nanocomposite reinforced polymer and blends produced therefrom used for engineering and other purposes with mechanical properties such as stiffness, elasticity, tensile strength and lubricity which can be varied by metering the polymers and nanocomposite polymers prior to and during extrusion and by modifying the extrusion process by varying the parameters thereof including time, temperature and overall cool down time as well as controlling the draw down extrusion ratio, and the application in multilayer extrusion. The mechanical properties of the final resultant nanocomposite reinforced polymer blend can be accurately controlled by varying the mixing proportions with pure virgin polymers and copolymers. This unique process provides a method for customizing the mechanical properties of a nanocomposite reinforced polymer blend to specific target values which may exceed or be located between the mechanical properties values of the individual components of the resultant polymer blend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Eric R. George, Robert L. Ballard