Patents by Inventor Dennis E. Van Epps

Dennis E. Van Epps 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: 9005605
    Abstract: The specification discloses compositions and methods for treating a soft tissue defect of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Wha Bin Im
  • Publication number: 20150064147
    Abstract: Hydrogels comprising a macromolecular matrix and water may be used to augment soft tissue of a human being, promote or support cell or tissue viability or proliferation, create space in tissue, and for other purposes. A macromolecular matrix may comprise a hyaluronic acid component crosslinked to a collagen component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob F. Pollock, Lauren E. Kokai, CUNQI Cui, Xiaojie Yu, Dennis E. Van Epps, Darin J. Messina
  • Patent number: 8926963
    Abstract: The specification discloses compositions and methods for treating a soft tissue defect of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Adam L. Collette, Rebecca L. Horan, Jingsong Chen, Gregory H. Altman, Wha Bin Im
  • Patent number: 8900571
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising a silk fibroin material, adipose tissue and a compound of the structure where X1 and X5 are independently CH or N; X7 is NH, O or S; X8 and X9 are independently CH or N; R13 is an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl and R14 is C1-6 alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl. The composition is administered to a site of a soft tissue condition including those of breast tissue. The silk fibroin material can be in the form of a silk hydrogel, a silk film, a silk scaffold, a silk sheet, a silk porous material or a silk fiber. The silk fibroin material can be substantially sericin free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Adam L. Collette, Rebecca L. Horan, Jingsong Chen, Gregory H. Altman, Wha Bin Im
  • Publication number: 20140350673
    Abstract: Methods for breast reconstruction and augmentation are provided which may reduce the incidence of capsular contracture. Methods for treating an encapsulated breast and reducing potential for capsular contracture in the breast are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Barbara Nofrey, Dennis E. Van Epps
  • Patent number: 8894992
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising adipose tissue, a silk fibroin material and a compound of the structure The composition is administered to a site of a soft tissue condition including those of breast tissue. The silk fibroin material can be in the form of a silk hydrogel, a silk film, a silk scaffold, a silk sheet, a silk porous material, a silk fiber or a combination of those materials. The silk material may be substantially sericin free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Adam L. Collette, Rebecca L. Horan, Jingsong Chen, Gregory H. Altman, Wha Bin Im
  • Patent number: 8889123
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising a hydrogel material that comprises a glycosaminoglycan polymer, adipose tissue and a compound of the structure where X1 and X5 are independently CH or N; X7 is NH, O or S; X8 and X9 are independently CH or N; R13 is an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl and R14 is C1-6 alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl. The composition is administered to a site of a soft tissue condition including those of breast tissue. The hydrogel material can be porous or of solid particles. The glycosaminoglycan polymer can be a hyaluronan polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Wha Bin Im
  • Patent number: 8883139
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising a hydrogel material that comprises a glycosaminoglycan polymer, adipose tissue and a compound of the structure The composition is administered to a site of a soft tissue condition including those of breast tissue. The hydrogel material can be porous or of solid particles. The glycosaminoglycan polymer can be a hyaluronan polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Wha Bin Im
  • Publication number: 20140243973
    Abstract: A soft prosthetic implant shell, such as a silicone breast implant shell, that has discrete fixation surfaces thereon for tissue adhesion. The fixation surfaces may be provided on the posterior face of the shell, as well as either on the periphery or at discrete areas on the anterior face. Band-shaped fixation surfaces may be provided on the anterior face of the shell to generally match the angle of pectoralis major or pectoralis minor muscle groups. The fixation surfaces may be roughened areas of the shell, or may be separate elements adhered to the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Thomas E. Powell
  • Publication number: 20140180413
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane polymer matrices with a porosity of from about 20 microns to about 90 microns that are useful in promoting closure and protection of incision sites; supporting the lower pole position of breast implants; and providing a partial or complete covering of breast implants to provide a beneficial interface with host tissue and to reduce the potential for malpositioning or capsular contracture. The disclosed matrices can be seeded with mammalian cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Thomas E. Powell
  • Publication number: 20140179752
    Abstract: The specification discloses compositions and methods for treating a soft tissue defect of an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guan-Liang Jiang, Wha Bin Im
  • Publication number: 20140170234
    Abstract: The present specification discloses compositions and methods of transplanting tissue, for example, in breast augmentation procedures. The compositions include adipose tissue and compounds that reduce tissue volume loss and increase survival rate of the adipose tissue when the composition is introduced into breast tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guan-Liang Jiang, Wha Bin Im
  • Patent number: 8741281
    Abstract: The specification discloses compositions and methods for treating a soft tissue defect of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Adam L. Collette, Rebecca L. Horan, Jingsong Chen, Gregory H. Altman, Wha Bin Im
  • Patent number: 8697057
    Abstract: The specification discloses compositions and methods for treating a soft tissue defect of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Wha Bin Im
  • Patent number: 8697056
    Abstract: The present specification discloses compositions and methods of transplanting tissue useful for treating a soft tissue condition of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Guang-Liang Jiang, Wha Bin Im
  • Patent number: 8679570
    Abstract: Described herein are foam-like materials having substantially the same physical structure of polyurethane foams but with properties that can be tailored for a particular application. Methods of forming these foam-like materials are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Jordan M. Thompson, Miram M. Abiad, Kevin A. Ma, Dennis E. Van Epps, Nicholas J. Manesis
  • Publication number: 20140005784
    Abstract: A method of augmenting or reconstructing a breast of a patient, the method comprising the step of implanting into the patient, a breast prosthesis, having surface characteristics directed at reducing collagen alignment in periprosthetic tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Barbara Nofrey, Jordan Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140005783
    Abstract: Biocompatible materials are provided which include various textured surfaces, which when such materials are implanted in a human being, for example, as a component of a breast prosthesis, provide for tissue integration, reduce the linear alignment of collagen fibers around the implant and reduce or eliminate the potential for capsular contracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Barbara Nofrey, Jordan Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140003685
    Abstract: A method for quantifying collagen fiber alignment in periprosthetic tissue in a mammal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Barbara Nofrey, Alexei Goraltchouk, Cindy Ren
  • Publication number: 20130310934
    Abstract: A soft prosthetic implant shell, such as a silicone breast implant shell, that has discrete fixation surfaces thereon for tissue adhesion. The fixation surfaces may be provided on the posterior face of the shell, as well as either on the periphery or at discrete areas on the anterior face. Band-shaped fixation surfaces may be provided on the anterior face of the shell to generally match the angle of pectoralis major or pectoralis minor muscle groups. The fixation surfaces may be roughened areas of the shell, or may be separate elements adhered to the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Van Epps, Thomas E. Powell