Patents by Inventor James E. Gunter
James E. Gunter 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).
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Patent number: 9017590Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLCInventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Publication number: 20130245772Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.Inventors: David W. SCHROEDER, Jordan H. FREEDMAN, James E. GUNTER, Brian D. SALYER, H. Gene HAWKINS
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Patent number: 8398913Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Patent number: 8262976Abstract: 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 desirable combination of physical and chemical properties. Crosslinked bulk materials are heated to a compression deformable temperature, and pressure is applied to change a transverse dimension of the material. After cooling and stress relieving, a treated bulk material is obtained that has enhanced tensile strength in the axial direction orthogonal to the dimension change. In preferred embodiments, medical implant bearing materials are machined from the treated bulk material with the in vivo load bearing axis substantially parallel or coincident with the axial direction of the treated bulk material.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David Wayne Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Patent number: 8137608Abstract: A radiation crosslinked (50 kGy), pressure-treated UHMWPE material has been developed by applying compressive force on a crosslinked polymer in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. The deformed material is then cooled while held in a deformed state. The resulting material is anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The directionally engineered 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 highly crosslinked UHMWPEs.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Publication number: 20110272862Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: BIOMET MANUFACTURING CORP.Inventors: David W. SCHROEDER, Jordan H. FREEDMAN, James E. GUNTER, Brian D. SALYER, H. Gene HAWKINS
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Patent number: 7993401Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Patent number: 7927536Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Publication number: 20100314800Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing CorporationInventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Publication number: 20100298945Abstract: A radiation crosslinked (50 kGy), pressure-treated UHMWPE material has been developed by applying compressive force on a crosslinked polymer in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. The deformed material is then cooled while held in a deformed state. The resulting material is anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The directionally engineered 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 highly crosslinked UHMWPEs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Patent number: 7780896Abstract: A radiation crosslinked (50 kGy), pressure-treated UHMWPE material has been developed by applying compressive force on a crosslinked polymer in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. The deformed material is then cooled while held in a deformed state. The resulting material is anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The directionally engineered 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 highly crosslinked UHMWPEs.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Publication number: 20090224428Abstract: 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 desirable combination of physical and chemical properties. Crosslinked bulk materials are heated to a compression deformable temperature, and pressure is applied to change a transverse dimension of the material. After cooling and stress relieving, a treated bulk material is obtained that has enhanced tensile strength in the axial direction orthogonal to the dimension change. In preferred embodiments, medical implant bearing materials are machined from the treated bulk material with the in vivo load bearing axis substantially parallel or coincident with the axial direction of the treated bulk material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David Wayne SCHROEDER, Jordan H. FREEDMAN, James E. GUNTER, Brian D. SALYER, H. Gene HAWKINS
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Patent number: 7547405Abstract: 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 desirable combination of physical and chemical properties. Crosslinked bulk materials are heated to a compression deformable temperature, and pressure is applied to change a transverse dimension of the material. After cooling and stress relieving, a treated bulk material is obtained that has enhanced tensile strength in the axial direction orthogonal to the dimension change. In preferred embodiments, medical implant bearing materials are machined from the treated bulk material with the in vivo load bearing axis substantially parallel or coincident with the axial direction of the treated bulk material.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David Wayne Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Publication number: 20090082546Abstract: A radiation crosslinked (50 kGy), pressure-treated UHMWPE material has been developed by applying compressive force on a crosslinked polymer in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. The deformed material is then cooled while held in a deformed state. The resulting material is anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The directionally engineered 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 highly crosslinked UHMWPEs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. SCHROEDER, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Patent number: 7462318Abstract: A radiation crosslinked (50 kGy), pressure-treated UHMWPE material has been developed by applying compressive force on a crosslinked polymer in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. The deformed material is then cooled while held in a deformed state. The resulting material is anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The directionally engineered 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 highly crosslinked UHMWPEs.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Publication number: 20080140196Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2008Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing CorporationInventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Patent number: 7344672Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: David W. Schroeder, Jordan H. Freedman, James E. Gunter, Brian D. Salyer, H. Gene Hawkins
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Patent number: 7293395Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing container assemblies having a cup-shaped insert disposed within a container. A container conveyor conveys a series of open containers along a lower horizontal path, the container conveyor bringing each container in turn to a stop at an insertion station. A generally vertical inserter chute is disposed above the insertion station for conducting a generally cup-shaped insert through the inserter and out the lower end into a container positioned at the insertion station. An insert conveyor disposed above the inserter conveys a series of inserts along an upper horizontal path, each insert on the insert conveyor having an open end and an opposite closed end and being in an inverted orientation such that the open end of the insert faces downward. A lead one of the inserts being conveyed on the insert conveyor tips over and falls into the inserter in an upright orientation.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Robert Galloway, James E. Gunter, Mark Palmieri