Patents Assigned to Lifenet Research Foundation
  • Patent number: 6024735
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions effective for the cleansing of mammalian soft tissue optionally attached to bones, and particularly the removal of blood deposits and bone marrow therefrom. The compsotions are composed of an aqueous solution containing as its essential ingredients a detergent having a functionality of the nature of a polyoxyethylene-23-lauryl either, a detergent having a functionality of the nature of exyethylated alkylphenol, and water, where the compositions are free from any membrane stabilizers. The present invention is also directed to a method and composition for cleaning cadaveric soft tissue optionally attached to bone to produce soft tissue grafts optionally attached to bone suitable for transplantation into a human. The present method involves removing bone marrow elements, blood deposits and any bacteria, virus or fungi contamination, from the donor bone and/or associated soft tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: LifeNet Research Foundation
    Inventor: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5976104
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for cleaning large bone grafts using a pressure mediated flow of solutions, and to the bone grafts produced thereby where the bone grafts are suitable for transplantation into a human. The present method includes inducing a positive and/or negative pressure-mediated flow of solvent through an opening in the bone shaft of the large bone graft thereby removing bone marrow elements, as well as any bacteria particles and/or virus particles present. The bone grafts produced are suitable for transplantation into a human and are essentially free from viral and bacterial contamination, for example, free from HIV infectious particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: LifeNet Research Foundation
    Inventor: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5977034
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions effective for the cleansing of mammalian bones and particularly the removal of bone marrow and like blood deposits therefrom. The compositions are composed of an aqueous solution containing as its essential ingredients a detergent having a functionality of the nature of a polyoxyethylene-23-lauryl ether, a detergent having a functionality of the nature of oxyethylated alkylphenol, and water, where the compositions are free from any membrane stabilizers. The detergent having a functionality of the nature of a lauryl ether and the detergent having a functionality of the nature of oxyethylated alkylphenol are present in a weight percent ratio of about 1.65:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: LifeNet Research Foundation
    Inventor: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5820581
    Abstract: A process for removing substantially all bone marrow from a large bone and a bone graft produced thereby. A large substantially intact bone is selected and excess cartilage is removed from at least one articulating surface of the bone. An opening is prepared through the cortical layer of the bone to permit access of a vacuum line to the bone cavity. A vacuum line is attached to the bone via the opening for application of vacuum to the bone cavity, and the opening is sealed. A vacuum is applied to draw a first cleaning solution through the bone cavity so as to draw the first solution and solubilized bone marrow through the vacuum line to exit the bone at the opening. The vacuum is discontinued when the bone has been substantially cleaned of bone marrow. Subsequently, a second flushing solution may be drawn through the bone cavity via vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: LifeNet Research Foundation
    Inventor: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5797871
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for cleaning cadaveric donor bone to produce bone grafts suitable for transplantation into a human, as well as the bone grafts produced thereby. The present method involves removing bone marrow potentially containing bacteria, virus or fungi, from the donor bone by sonicating the bone in a solvent containing one or more detergents to produce bone grafts essentially free from bone marrow, as well as bone grafts essentially free from any detectable bacterial, fungal, or viral contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: LifeNet Research Foundation
    Inventor: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5556379
    Abstract: A process for removing substantially all bone marrow from a large bone and a bone graft produced thereby. A large substantially intact bone is selected and excess cartilage is removed from at least one articulating surface of the bone. An opening is prepared through the cortical layer of the bone to permit access of a vacuum line to the bone cavity. A vacuum line is attached to the bone via the opening for application of vacuum to the bone cavity, and the opening is sealed. A vacuum is applied to draw a first cleaning solution through the bone cavity so as to draw the first solution and solubilized bone marrow through the vacuum line to exit the bone at the opening. The vacuum is discontinued when the bone has been substantially cleaned of bone marrow. Subsequently, a second flushing solution may be drawn through the bone cavity via vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Lifenet Research Foundation
    Inventor: Lloyd Wolfinbarger