Patents by Inventor Joel A. Virkler

Joel A. Virkler 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: 8956378
    Abstract: Described are embolization devices having unique bioactive coatings, as well as methods for their manufacture and use. An illustrative embolization device of the invention comprises an embolic body and a coating material comprising biotropic extracellular matrix material immobilized on a surface of the embolic body. The biotropic extracellular matrix material comprises a network of self-assembled collagen fibrils, and comprises at least one bioactive agent retained in the extracellular matrix material, wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of a proteoglycan, a growth factor, a glycoprotein, and a glycosaminoglycan. In certain forms, such an extracellular matrix material comprises a remodelable, angiogenic extracellular matrix material, for example, a submucosa material such as but not limited to porcine small intestinal submucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Biotech Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel A. Virkler, Lal Ninan
  • Patent number: 8557277
    Abstract: Described, in certain aspects, are medical products comprised of uniquely prepared remodelable extracellular matrix (ECM) materials retaining at least a portion of their native bioactivity. Also described are methods for forming and using such products. In one embodiment, an inventive product comprises a layer of remodelable ECM material modified through contact with periodic acid or a salt thereof. In some forms, such a modified ECM material layer includes non-native Schiff's base crosslinks within and/or between certain components of the ECM material (e.g., between two collagen molecules, two non-collagen molecules, and/or a collagen molecule and a non-collagen molecule). Other inventive products are comprised of various gels, foams, pastes, and formed, coherent, porous bodies at least containing ECM materials that have been modified in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cook Biotech Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel A. Virkler, Lal Ninan, Bhavin Shah
  • Publication number: 20100221310
    Abstract: Described, in certain aspects, are medical products comprised of uniquely prepared remodelable extracellular matrix (ECM) materials retaining at least a portion of their native bioactivity. Also described are methods for forming and using such products. In one embodiment, an inventive product comprises a layer of remodelable ECM material modified through contact with periodic acid or a salt thereof. In some forms, such a modified ECM material layer includes non-native Schiff's base crosslinks within and/or between certain components of the ECM material (e.g., between two collagen molecules, two non-collagen molecules, and/or a collagen molecule and a non-collagen molecule). Other inventive products are comprised of various gels, foams, pastes, and formed, coherent, porous bodies at least containing ECM materials that have been modified in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Joel A. Virkler
  • Publication number: 20090270978
    Abstract: Described are embolization devices having unique bioactive coatings, as well as methods for their manufacture and use. An illustrative embolization device of the invention comprises an embolic body and a coating material comprising biotropic extracellular matrix material immobilized on a surface of the embolic body. The biotropic extracellular matrix material comprises a network of self-assembled collagen fibrils, and comprises at least one bioactive agent retained in the extracellular matrix material, wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of a proteoglycan, a growth factor, a glycoprotein, and a glycosaminoglycan. In certain forms, such an extracellular matrix material comprises a remodelable, angiogenic extracellular matrix material, for example, a submucosa material such as but not limited to porcine small intestinal submucosa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Joel A. Virkler, Lal Ninan