Patents by Inventor Satomi Tajima

Satomi Tajima 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: 8927283
    Abstract: Methods for treating surfaces of polymeric substrates (as used in medical implants) with inert plasmas to promote the growth of bioentities (such as cells) on these surfaces is disclosed. The treated surfaces are subsequently exposed to an environment to form functionalities associated with enhanced growth of the bioentity on the surface. For example, the substrate may be exposed to the ambient environment. The bioentity may then be deposited on the modified surface. This inert plasma treatment and exposure to a suitable environment does not degrade the implants, and thus improved implants are created. Also, due to the specific functional groups at the modified surface, high cell densities are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kyriakos Komvopoulos, Satomi Tajima
  • Patent number: 8168074
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a surface of a polymer with a shielded plasma are provided. The surface may be modified to create a surface with increased crosslinking and/or a particular mechanical property, such as a coefficient of friction. A shielding arrangement is used to modify the plasma to which the polymer surface is exposed, thereby providing a surface with the desired mechanical properties. In one aspect, a single source that provides multiple species of plasma particles is advantageously used instead of having to switch or move in multiple sources. The extent of crosslinking is evaluated using a surface force microscope to determine a frictional property that is correlated to the crosslinking, e.g., via calibrated values determined from reference surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kyriakos Komvopoulos, Satomi Tajima
  • Patent number: 7879418
    Abstract: A method for forming a carbon-containing layer on a polymeric substrate is disclosed. The polymeric substrate is modified physically and chemically using an inductively coupled plasma process. The carbon-containing layer can be fluorocarbon film with different physicochemical properties and structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kyriakos Komvopoulos, Satomi Tajima
  • Publication number: 20090130164
    Abstract: Methods for treating surfaces of polymeric substrates (as used in medical implants) with inert plasmas to promote the growth of bioentities (such as cells) on these surfaces is disclosed. The treated surfaces are subsequently exposed to an environment to form functionalities associated with enhanced growth of the bioentity on the surface. For example, the substrate may be exposed to the ambient environment. The bioentity may then be deposited on the modified surface. This inert plasma treatment and exposure to a suitable environment does not degrade the implants, and thus improved implants are created. Also, due to the specific functional groups at the modified surface, high cell densities are achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Kyriakos Komvopoulos, Satomi Tajima
  • Publication number: 20090071939
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a surface of a polymer with a shielded plasma are provided. The surface may be modified to create a surface with increased crosslinking and/or a particular mechanical property, such as a coefficient of friction. A shielding arrangement is used to modify the plasma to which the polymer surface is exposed, thereby providing a surface with the desired mechanical properties. In one aspect, a single source that provides multiple species of plasma particles is advantageously used instead of having to switch or move in multiple sources. The extent of crosslinking is evaluated using a surface force microscope to determine a frictional property that is correlated to the crosslinking, e.g., via calibrated values determined from reference surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Kyriakos Komvopoulos, Satomi Tajima