Patents Assigned to LifeNet
  • Patent number: 7977094
    Abstract: Tissue repair compositions, particularly bone repair compositions, containing demineralized bone fragments and homogenized connective tissues, and methods for making the same. The compositions can be used in the form of an injectable gel, an injectable paste, a paste, a putty, or a rehydratable freeze-dried form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Leila Masinaei, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110045044
    Abstract: Tissue repair compositions, particularly bone repair compositions, containing (a) bone fragments and (b) homogenized connective tissue, and methods for making the same are provided. Some of the inventive tissue repair compositions contain a radioprotectant. The compositions can be used in the form of an injectable gel, an injectable paste, a paste, a putty, or a rehydratable freeze-dried form. Kits for using such tissue repair compositions are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Leila Masinaei, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, JR., Silvia S. Chen, Alyce Linthurst Jones, Jingsong Chen
  • Publication number: 20110027871
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone. The apparatus demineralizes bone by subjecting bone, including, for example, ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to either a rapid high volume pulsatile acidification wave process or to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The pulsatile acidification wave process includes subjecting bone to two or more rapid pulse/drain cycles in which one or more demineralizing acids is rapidly pulsed into a vessel containing bone, and after a desired period of time, is rapidly drained from the vessel. The continuous acid demineralization process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution in which the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the container holding the bone through an ion exchange media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Barton D. Gaskins, Louis Ford, Debra Moore-Smith, Robert K. O'Leary, Anne Wilson, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110015757
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, JR., Robert K. O'Leary, Billy G. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100196333
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber, preferably bone fiber, having a textured surface, which acts as an effective binding substrate for bone-forming cells and for the induction or promotion of new bone growth by bone-forming cells, which bind to the fiber. Methods of using the bone fibers to induce or promote new bone growth and bone material compositions comprising the bone fibers are also described. The invention further relates to a substrate cutter device and cutter, which are effective in producing substrate fibers, such as bone fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Barton D. Gaskins, Dennis L. Phelps, Daniel B. Osborne, Louis E. Ford, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100185284
    Abstract: The invention provides a plasticized bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in natural tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the plasticized bone or soft tissue product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Katrina Crouch, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, JR.
  • Patent number: 7744597
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber, preferably bone fiber, having a textured surface, which acts as an effective binding substrate for bone-forming cells and for the induction or promotion of new bone growth by bone-forming cells, which bind to the fiber. Methods of using the bone fibers to induce or promote new bone growth and bone material compositions comprising the bone fibers are also described. The invention further relates to a substrate cutter device and cutter, which are effective in producing substrate fibers, such as bone fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Barton D. Gaskins, Dennis L. Phelps, Daniel B. Osborne, Louis E. Ford, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090162445
    Abstract: Tissue repair compositions, particularly bone repair compositions, containing demineralized bone fragments and homogenized connective tissues. The compositions can be used in the form of an injectable gel, an injectable paste, a paste, a putty, or a rehydratable freeze-dried form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Leila Masinaei, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, JR.
  • Patent number: 7498040
    Abstract: Tissue repair compositions, particularly bone repair compositions, containing demineralized bone fragments and homogenized connective tissues, and methods for making the same. The compositions can be used in the form of an injectable gel, an injectable paste, a paste, a putty, or a rehydratable freeze-dried form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Leila Masinaei, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7498041
    Abstract: Tissue repair compositions, particularly bone repair compositions, containing demineralized bone fragments and homogenized connective tissues. The compositions can be used in the form of an injectable gel, an injectable paste, a paste, a putty, or a rehydratable freeze-dried form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Leila Masinaei, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7494811
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of growing new bone, bone-like tissue or extracellular matrix under in vitro cell culture conditions. The method utilizes a bioreactor allowing for the flow of nutrient solutions into, through, and out of the bioreactor, wherein ground demineralized bone and bone-forming cells are present in the bioreactor. The resulting bone, bone-like tissue or extracellular matrix produced by the invention are within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the present invention is directed to the bioreactor device used to grow the new bone, bone-like tissue, or extracellular matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr., XiaoFei Qin
  • Publication number: 20090041729
    Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing acellular soft-tissue implants, both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. An acellular graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a treating solution, then washing the treated tissue to produce the acellular graft. The acellular grafts produced are uniform and non-immunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple decellularized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes. In clinical use, the decellularized grafts produced exhibit significantly improved in long-term durability and function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: LifeNet Health
    Inventors: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, JR., Perry Lange, Alyce Linthurst Jones, Eric Moore, Barry Nolf
  • Patent number: 7387295
    Abstract: Above ground fences are constructed with used tires from vehicles. Various arrangements of tires and inter-tire binding and anchorage of tires in place are disclosed. Usage for area fencing for animal containment, for privacy fencing, for limited privacy screening, for noise control, for roadway collision safety and for building wall protection are disclosed. Avoidance of collection and stagnation of water from rain, snow and sprinkling, is disclosed. The use of the tread portion of waste tires, for tire fence binding material, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Lifenet Softwalls, LLC
    Inventor: Alex F. Talbott
  • Patent number: 7338757
    Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing acellular soft-tissue implants, both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. An acellular graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a treating solution, then washing the treated tissue to produce the acellular graft. The acellular grafts produced are uniform and non-immunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple decellularized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes. In clinical use, the decellularized grafts produced exhibit significantly improved in long-term durability and function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Lifenet Health
    Inventors: Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr., Perry Lange, Alyce Linhurst Jones, Eric Moore, Barry Nolf
  • Patent number: 7258326
    Abstract: Above ground fencing is constructed with slices of used tires from vehicles. There are various arrangements of tire slices and inter-slice binding and anchorage of slices in places. One use for such fencing is for roadway collision safety. One use of the tread portion of waste tires is as binding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Lifenet Softwalls, LLC
    Inventor: Alex F. Talbott
  • Patent number: 7063726
    Abstract: The invention provides a plasticized bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in natural tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the plasticized bone or soft tissue product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: LifeNet
    Inventors: Katrina Crouch, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Robert O'Leary, Louis Ford
  • Publication number: 20050261767
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite bone graft for implantation in a patient, and methods of making and using the composite bone graft, along with methods for treating patients by implanting the composite bone graft at a site in a patient. The composite bone graft includes two or more connected, discrete, bone portions, and includes one or more biocompatible connectors which hold together the discrete bone portions to form the composite bone graft. The composite bone graft may include one or more textured bone surfaces. The textured surface preferably includes a plurality of closely spaced protrusions, preferably closely spaced continuous protrusions. The composite bone graft is useful for repairing bone defects caused by congenital anomaly, disease, or trauma, in a patient, for example, for restoring vertical support of the anterior and/or posterior column. Implantation of the composite bone graft results in improved graft stability and osteoinductivity, without a decrease in mechanical strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: LifeNet
    Inventors: Billy Anderson, Lloyd Wolfinbarger
  • Patent number: 6902578
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite bone graft for implantation in a patient, and methods of making and using the composite bone graft, along with methods for treating patients by implanting the composite bone graft at a site in a patient. The composite bone graft includes two or more connected, discrete, bone portions, and includes one or more biocompatible connectors which hold together the discrete bone portions to form the composite bone graft. The composite bone graft may include one or more textured bone surfaces. The textured surface preferably includes a plurality of closely spaced protrusions, preferably closely spaced continuous protrusions. The composite bone graft is useful for repairing bone defects caused by congenital anomaly, disease, or trauma, in a patient, for example, for restoring vertical support of the anterior and/or posterior column. Implantation of the composite bone graft results in improved graft stability and osteoinductivity, without a decrease in mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: LifeNet
    Inventors: Billy G. Anderson, Lloyd Wolfinbarger, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050064041
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone, and demineralized osteoinductive bone produced thereby. The process achieves demineralization of bone by subjecting bone, including for example ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution where the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the substantially closed container through an ion exchange media to remove calcium and phosphate thereby producing a regenerated acid, and returning the regenerated acid to the substantially closed container to produce osteoinductive demineralized bone. The process allows bone to be rapidly demineralized to a precise and specific desired residual calcium level, without sacrificing osteoinductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: LifeNet
    Inventors: Robert O'Leary, Jan Zajdowicz, Lloyd Wolfinbarger
  • Publication number: 20050059953
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone. The apparatus demineralizes bone by subjecting bone, including, for example, ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to either a rapid high volume pulsatile acidification wave process or to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The pulsatile acidification wave process includes subjecting bone to two or more rapid pulse/drain cycles in which one or more demineralizing acids is rapidly pulsed into a vessel containing bone, and after a desired period of time, is rapidly drained from the vessel. The continuous acid demineralization process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution in which the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the container holding the bone through an ion exchange media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: LifeNet
    Inventors: Barton Gaskins, Louis Ford, Debra Moore-Smith, Robert O'Leary, Anne Wilson, Lloyd Wolfinbarger