Patents by Inventor Albert E. Heacox
Albert E. Heacox 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: 5257692Abstract: A three-envelope package for preserving tissue specimens or other sterile objects. A sterile tissue sample is sealed within an innermost envelope sterile inside and out. The innermost envelope is sealed within the sterile interior of an intermediate envelope equipped with a peel-back seal for subsequent opening. Both the inside and the outside of the intermediate envelope are sterile. The intermediate envelope is sealed within the sterile interior of an outermost envelope, made of foil or another substance impermeable to a storage medium, such as liquid nitrogen. The outermost envelope provides complete impermeability to liquid nitrogen, eliminating the possibility of nitrogen seepage through the peel-back seal of the intermediate envelope. When the envelope package is removed from storage, the intermediate envelope is removed from the outermost envelope and can be opened in an assumed non-sterile environment, without contaminating the innermost envelope or the tissue specimen therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1991Date of Patent: November 2, 1993Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.Inventor: Albert E. Heacox
-
Patent number: 5158867Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1990Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Assignees: CryoLife Inc., Medical Univ. of South CarolinaInventors: Robert T. McNally, Cameron McCaa, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Albert E. Heacox, Harvey L. Bank
-
Patent number: 5149621Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant and DMSO is disclosed as a penetrating cyroprotectant.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1990Date of Patent: September 22, 1992Assignee: CryoLife, Inc. & Medical Univ. of South CarolinaInventors: Robert T. McNally, Cameron McCaa, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Albert E. Heacox, Harvey L. Bank
-
Patent number: 5145769Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of styles insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The styles are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1987Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignees: CryoLife Inc., Medical Univ. of South CarolinaInventors: Robert T. McNally, Cameron McCaa, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Albert E. Heacox, Harvey L. Bank
-
Patent number: 5122110Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1990Date of Patent: June 16, 1992Assignees: CryoLife, Inc., Medical Univ. of South CarolinaInventors: Robert T. McNally, Cameron McCaa, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Albert E. Heacox, Harvey L. Bank
-
Patent number: 5031762Abstract: A three-envelope package for preserving tissue specimens or other sterile objects. A sterile tissue sample is sealed within an innermost envelope sterile inside and out. The innermost envelope is sealed within the sterile interior of an intermediate envelope equipped with a peel-back seal for subsequent opening. Both the inside and the outside of the intermediate envelope are sterile. The intermediate envelope is sealed within the sterile interior of an outermost envelope, made of foil or another substance impermeable to a storage medium, such as liquid nitrogen. The outermost envelope provides complete impermeability to liquid nitrogen, eliminating the possibility of nitrogen seepage through the peel-back seal of the intermediate envelope. When the envelope package is removed from storage, the intermediate envelope is removed from the outermost envelope and can be opened in an assumed non-sterile environment, without contaminating the innermost envelope or the tissue specimen therein.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1989Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Inventor: Albert E. Heacox
-
Patent number: RE36071Abstract: A three-envelope package for preserving tissue specimens or other sterile objects. A sterile tissue sample is sealed within an innermost envelope sterile inside and out. The innermost envelope is sealed within the sterile interior of an intermediate envelope equipped with a peel-back seal for subsequent opening. Both the inside and the outside of the intermediate envelope are sterile. The intermediate envelope is sealed within the sterile interior of an outermost envelope, made of foil or another substance impermeable to a storage medium, such as liquid nitrogen. The outermost envelope provides complete impermeability to liquid nitrogen, eliminating the possibility of nitrogen seepage through the peel-back seal of the intermediate envelope. When the envelope package is removed from storage, the intermediate envelope is removed from the outermost envelope and can be opened in an assumed non-sterile environment, without contaminating the innermost envelope or the tissue specimen therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: CryoLife, Inc.Inventor: Albert E. Heacox
-
Patent number: RE36132Abstract: A three-envelope package for preserving tissue specimens or other sterile objects. A sterile tissue sample is sealed within an innermost envelope sterile inside and out. The innermost envelope is sealed within the sterile interior of an intermediate envelope equipped with a peel-back seal for subsequent opening. Both the inside and the outside of the intermediate envelope are sterile. The intermediate envelope is sealed within the sterile interior of an outermost envelope, made of foil or another substance impermeable to a storage medium, such as liquid nitrogen. The outermost envelope provides complete impermeability to liquid nitrogen, eliminating the possibility of nitrogen seepage through the peel-back seal of the intermediate envelope. When the envelope package is removed from storage, the intermediate envelope is removed from the outermost envelope and can be opened in an assumed non-sterile environment, without contaminating the innermost envelope or the tissue specimen therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: CryoLife, Inc.Inventor: Albert E. Heacox