Patents by Inventor Howard Levinson

Howard Levinson 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).

  • Publication number: 20240130845
    Abstract: An implantable breast tissue mesh for use in reconstructing breast tissue includes a mesh body having a surrounding edge and at least two mesh extensions extending from the surrounding edge of the mesh body, each mesh extension comprised of mesh having a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween, the first end being integrated into or part of the mesh body. Each mesh extension is configured to be passed through surrounding tissue multiple times to create multiple anchor points with the surrounding tissue upon implantation so as to resist high tension across a breast tissue reconstruction site without dehiscing or migrating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Patent number: 11872118
    Abstract: A method of using at least one implantable mesh extension for repairing a tissue defect or reconstructing tissue, wherein the mesh extension is comprised of a mesh having a width and a length extending between a first end and a second end, includes passing the first end of the mesh extension through tissue adjacent to the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed at least once and then passing the first end of the mesh extension through a portion of the mesh. The mesh extension is then pulled to create a first self-locking stitch to anchor the mesh extension to the adjacent tissue so as to immediately resist high tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Publication number: 20230383056
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a series of anti-fouling zwitterionic biodegradable thiol-yne elastomers that incorporate degradable C4-C14 dicarboxylic acid-based monomer units made using a nucleophilic thiol-yne polymerization methodology that targets high cis-content at comparable molar masses to provide excellent mechanical properties and zwitterionic side chains that provide anti fouling properties. As each C4-C14 dicarboxylic acid-based monomer unit contains at least two labile ester linkages, altering the stoichiometry of degradable C4-C14 dicarboxylic acid-based monomer unit incorporation allows the degradation rate of the material to be tuned precisely, while retaining control over the mechanical properties by maintaining the cis/trans stereochemistry of the double bonds to provide independent tuning of mechanical and degradative properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Matthew L. BECKER, Howard Levinson
  • Publication number: 20220346928
    Abstract: A method of using at least one implantable mesh extension for repairing a tissue defect or reconstructing tissue, wherein the mesh extension is comprised of a mesh having a width and a length extending between a first end and a second end, includes passing the first end of the mesh extension through tissue adjacent to the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed at least once and then passing the first end of the mesh extension through a portion of the mesh. The mesh extension is then pulled to create a first self-locking stitch to anchor the mesh extension to the adjacent tissue so as to immediately resist high tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Patent number: 11426267
    Abstract: A method of using an implantable mesh for repairing a tissue defect or reconstructing tissue, wherein the implantable mesh has a mesh body and at least two mesh extensions comprised of mesh extending therefrom, includes positioning the mesh body of the implantable mesh such that the mesh body extends across the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed and passing at least one mesh extension through tissue adjacent to the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed so as to anchor the implantable mesh to the tissue and resist high tension without dehiscing or migrating from the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Patent number: 11351022
    Abstract: An implantable mesh for use in high tension tissue reconstruction includes a mesh body having a surrounding edge and at least two mesh extensions comprised of mesh and extending from the surrounding edge of the mesh body. Each mesh extension has a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween, the first end being integrated into or part of the mesh body. Each mesh extension is configured to be passed through tissue surrounding a reconstruction site to create multiple anchor points with the surrounding tissue upon implantation so as to resist high tension across the reconstruction site without dehiscing or migrating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Publication number: 20210230779
    Abstract: A warp knitted fabric formed by a warp knitting machine includes a first knitted portion formed using a first knitting sequence in a machine direction, the first knitted portion formed of a set of continuous textile strands, and a second knitted portion formed of the set of continuous textile strands using a second knitting sequence in the machine direction, the second knitted portion comprising at least two strips extending lengthwise in the machine direction and detached from one another along their lengthwise edges. The first knitted portion and the second knitted portion alternate sequentially in the machine direction. The second knitting sequence differs from the first knitting sequence in that at least one cross connecting stitch is dropped to form the at least two strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicants: Duke University, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Howard Levinson, James Brian Davis, Don Ward, Jon Rust
  • Patent number: 11001948
    Abstract: A warp knitted fabric formed by a warp knitting machine includes a first knitted portion formed using a first knitting sequence in a machine direction and a formed using a second knitted portion formed using a second knitting sequence in the machine direction, the second knitted portion comprising at least two strips extending in the machine direction, the at least two strips being detached from one another along their lengthwise edges. The second knitted portion has the same width as the first knitted portion, and the first knitted portion and the second knitted portion alternate sequentially in the machine direction and are formed of a single set of continuous textile strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: Duke University, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Howard Levinson, James Brian Davis, Don Ward, Jon Rust
  • Publication number: 20200121437
    Abstract: A method of using an implantable mesh for repairing a tissue defect or reconstructing tissue, wherein the implantable mesh has a mesh body and at least two mesh extensions comprised of mesh extending therefrom, includes positioning the mesh body of the implantable mesh such that the mesh body extends across the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed and passing at least one mesh extension through tissue adjacent to the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed so as to anchor the implantable mesh to the tissue and resist high tension without dehiscing or migrating from the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Publication number: 20200121438
    Abstract: An implantable mesh for use in high tension tissue reconstruction includes a mesh body having a surrounding edge and at least two mesh extensions comprised of mesh and extending from the surrounding edge of the mesh body. Each mesh extension has a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween, the first end being integrated into or part of the mesh body. Each mesh extension is configured to be passed through tissue surrounding a reconstruction site to create multiple anchor points with the surrounding tissue upon implantation so as to resist high tension across the reconstruction site without dehiscing or migrating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Patent number: 10500031
    Abstract: An implantable mesh for use in reconstructing tissue includes a mesh body and one or more extensions extending from the mesh body. Each mesh extension has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mesh extension is integrated into or part of the mesh body. Each mesh extension is configured to permit multiple anchor points with surrounding tissue upon implantation. In one embodiment, a fixation device is at the second end of each mesh extension. Methods of using the implantable mesh are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Publication number: 20190167260
    Abstract: A fixation device is disclosed. The fixation device includes a first component and a second component. The first component has a top surface, a base, at least one locking projection, and at least one tapered projection extending from the top surface. The at least one locking projection includes a first locking element. The fixation device further includes a second component having a top surface, a base, at least one locking aperture, and at least one second aperture corresponding to the projections on the first component. The at least one locking apertures includes a second locking element. In some embodiments, the at least one locking projection on the first component is configured to lock together with the at least one locking aperture on the second component to secure together two ends of a surgical mesh suture or tape suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Howard Levinson, Kenneth A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20190160198
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wound healing products and methods of making and using the same. The wound healing product comprises a porous scaffold and collagen bound thereon. The scaffold may comprise a poly(L-lactide-co-?-caprolactone) polymer (PLCL) substrate. In some embodiments, the PLCL substrate comprises a mixture of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(?-caprolactone) (PLC) and wherein the PLA and PLC are present in a ratio of about 60:40 to about 40:60. In some embodiments, the collagen is collagen I or collagen III. The scaffold may also have a thickness of at least 0.2 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventors: Howard Levinson, Elizabeth R. Lorden, David A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20190153640
    Abstract: A warp knitted fabric formed by a warp knitting machine includes a first knitted portion formed using a first knitting sequence in a machine direction, the first knitted portion comprises at least two strips extending in the machine direction, the at least two strips being detached from one another along their lengthwise edges. The second knitted portion has the same width as the first knitted portion, and the first knitted portion and the second knitted portion alternate sequentially in the machine direction and are formed of a single set of continuous textile strands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicants: Duke University, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Howard Levinson, James Brian Davis, Don Ward, Jon Rust
  • Publication number: 20180289924
    Abstract: Catheters for debonding fouling agents from an interior surface thereof and related methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a catheter includes a lumen defining a flexible, interior surface that extends substantially along a length of the lumen for contacting a biological material. The catheter also includes cavities extending along the length and positioned within the lumen adjacent to the surface. The cavities each define a cavity opening. The catheter also includes an inflation hub defining hub openings connected to respective cavity openings. The inflation hub defines a pump port configured to interface with a pump. The inflation hub defines one or more fluid pathways that extend between the hub openings and the pump port for permitting flow of gas between the pump and the cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Vrad W. Levering, Changyong Cao, Gabriel P. Lopez, Xuanhe Zhao, Howard Levinson
  • Patent number: 9823127
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for deep spectroscopic imaging of a biological sample. In an aspect, a system includes a broad bandwidth light source configured to generate an illumination beam, an interferometer, and a spectrometer. The interferometer includes a first beam splitter configured to split the illumination beam into an incident beam and a reference beam; an optical lens directs the incident beam onto a biological sample at a predefined offset from corresponding optical axis, and receive a beam scattered from the biological sample. The beams are configured to intersect with each other within a focal zone of the optical lens. Photons of the incident beam undergo multiple forward scattering within the biological sample. A second beam splitter configured to receive and superimpose the scattered and reference beams, to generate an interference beam. The spectrometer uses a spectral domain detection technique to assess tissue properties of the biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Adam Wax, Howard Levinson, William J. Brown, Thomas Matthews, Manuel Medina
  • Publication number: 20170304488
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of preventing and/or reducing scar contraction by utilizing an electrospun biocompatible scaffold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Howard Levinson, Kam W. Leong, Elizabeth R. Lorden, Kyle J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20170290650
    Abstract: An implantable mesh for use in reconstructing tissue includes a mesh body and one or more extensions extending from the mesh body. Each mesh extension has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mesh extension is integrated into or part of the mesh body. Each mesh extension is configured to permit multiple anchor points with surrounding tissue upon implantation. In one embodiment, a fixation device is at the second end of each mesh extension. Methods of using the implantable mesh are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventor: Howard Levinson
  • Publication number: 20160081858
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of preventing and/or reducing scar contracture and methods of promoting wound healing by utilizing an electrospun biocompatible scaffold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Howard Levinson, Kam W. Leong, Elizabeth R. Lorden
  • Publication number: 20150285685
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for deep spectroscopic imaging of a biological sample. In an aspect, a system includes a broad bandwidth light source configured to generate an illumination beam, an interferometer, and a spectrometer. The interferometer includes a first beam splitter configured to split the illumination beam into an incident beam and a reference beam; an optical lens directs the incident beam onto a biological sample at a predefined offset from corresponding optical axis, and receive a beam scattered from the biological sample. The beams are configured to intersect with each other within a focal zone of the optical lens. Photons of the incident beam undergo multiple forward scattering within the biological sample. A second beam splitter configured to receive and superimpose the scattered and reference beams, to generate an interference beam. The spectrometer uses a spectral domain detection technique to assess tissue properties of the biological sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Adam Wax, Howard Levinson, William J. Brown, Thomas Matthews, Manuel Medina