Patents by Inventor Gene Hawkins

Gene Hawkins 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: 7344672
    Abstract: Solid-state deformation processing of crosslinked high molecular weight polymers such as UHMWPE, for example by extrusion below the melt transition, produces materials with a combination of high tensile strength and high oxidative stability. The materials are especially suitable for use as bearing components in artificial hip and other implants. Treated bulk materials are anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The material is oxidatively stable even after four weeks of accelerated aging in a pressure vessel containing five atmospheres of oxygen (ASTM F2003). Because of its oxidative stability, the deformation processed material is a suitable candidate for air-permeable packaging and gas sterilization, which has thus far been reserved for remelted crosslinked UHMWPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7172071
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging, reconstituting, and delivering an allograft material formed from a first container, and a second container. The first container is operable for containing and maintaining the allograft material at a vacuum. The first container is further operable for providing a favorable negative pressure during reconstitution of the allograft. The first container is also operable for use as an allograft delivery device to a surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: H. Gene Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6736834
    Abstract: A heating device for maintaining an elevated temperature of a polymer resorbable implant is disclosed. The heating device has a pair of members coupled by a hinge. At least one of the members defines a sealed cavity containing a heated liquid which maintains the temperature of the resorbable polymer implant above the implant's glass transition temperature. The members of the device being rotatable about a hinge to allow encapsulation of the resorbable implant adjacent to the heat bearing liquid while maintaining a separation between the liquid and the implant device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Biomet, Inc.
    Inventors: Mukesh Kumar, H. Gene Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6387113
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a torn meniscus during an arthroscopic surgical procedure includes a surgical staple and a pneumatic powered implant device. The surgical staple includes a pair of legs and a connection member retaining the pair of legs in a substantial parallel alignment. The pneumatic powered implant device is a portable and disposable device that can easily implant the surgical staple at any desired location during an arthroscopic surgical procedure. The pneumatic powered implant device also includes several quick disconnect barrels having different shapes providing the surgeon with the option of how to position the implant device during the arthroscopic surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Biomet, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Gene Hawkins, David R. Sarver
  • Patent number: 5575694
    Abstract: An electrical connector (1) for attachment to a medical device. The connector includes a shaft of electrically conductive material having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3). Screw threads (4) are disposed on the proximal end of the shaft for attachment of the connector (1) to the device. A longitudinally extending slot (6) extends from the distal end of the connector and forms two legs (7a) and (7b). A pair of shoulders (8a) and (8b) extend from the middle of the connector. The shoulders are adapted to engage internal walls of one type of a female connector. A circumferentially extending recess (9a) and (9b) is disposed adjacent the distal end of the connector. The recess forms a head disposed distally of the recess. The recess is adapted to engage a ring disposed within another type of female socket. The legs are displaceable such that they provide spring engagement of the connector within the female connector by either the circumferentially extending recess or by the shoulders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: H. Gene Hawkins, Vincent J. Testa, Randall L. Hacker
  • Patent number: 4896782
    Abstract: A closure having an insert which acts as a barrier over a container neck lip to selectively shield the product being packaged. An elastic sealing member which can be in the form of an O-ring is compressed between the insert and the container neck lip by a threaded cap of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: H. Gene Hawkins, Randall K. Julian, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 4844273
    Abstract: A closure having an enhanced seal for withstanding distortion of the closure and the container to which it is attached during sterilization.An inner plug cooperates with an outer bead to capture the container neck lip and maintain a separate resilient hermetic seal in position between the closure top and the container neck lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: H. Gene Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4682700
    Abstract: A safety closure and container package including an internally threaded closure cap and a container having a threaded neck. A retention flange is located on the container neck below the threads, having a gradually sloping upper surface and an abrupt, inwardly directed lower surface extending downwardly toward the neck at 45.degree.-90.degree.. A coacting inwardly projecting retention bead on the cap completes this child-resistant feature requiring considerably more force for removal of the closure than application. The safety package can also include a second container flange and cap bead located between the retention flange and bead and the threads to provide a non-backoff feature. The non-backoff flange has a gradually sloping upper surface and a gradually sloping inwardly directed surface extending downwardly toward the container neck at 15.degree.-25.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Montgomery, Gene Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4570810
    Abstract: A closure for a bottle comprises a tamper indicating band and a cap which is connected to the band in such a manner that the cap cannot be removed until the band is broken.The band provides a permanent tamper indication in that once it is broken, it cannot be restored to its original condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Gene Hawkins