Patents by Inventor Joel C Higgins

Joel C Higgins 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: 9758806
    Abstract: Acellular compositions for treating inflammation, comprising two or more of IL1-ra, sTNF-R1, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-?1, and sIL-1RII. Components of the acellular compositions may be derived from biologic materials, such as blood clots and urine. Components may also be obtained from cell cultures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Joel C. Higgins, Michael D. Leach, Krista O'Shaughnessey
  • Patent number: 9701728
    Abstract: Methods and compositions generating and using an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)-rich solution. Methods for generating and isolating interleukin-1 receptor antagonist include incubating a liquid volume of white blood cells and platelets with polyacrylamide beads to produce interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is isolated from the polyacrylamide beads to obtain the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Methods for treating a site of inflammation in a patient include administering to the site of inflammation the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Joel C. Higgins, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Jacy C. Hoeppner
  • Patent number: 9556243
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating a solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist from a tissue comprising cytokine-producing cells. The apparatus can include a filter used with a separation system. The separation system can include a float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Biologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Joel C. Higgins, Krista O'Shaughnessey
  • Patent number: 9352002
    Abstract: Methods for promoting angiogenesis comprising administering platelet-rich plasma to a site and stimulating the site with an electromagnetic field. Platelets include platelet-rich plasma and compositions can further include stem cells such as adipose stromal cells and cells derived from bone marrow aspirate. Methods also comprise isolating platelets from a patient's blood, forming a composition including the platelets, delivering the composition to a site in need of treatment, and electrically stimulating the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET BIOLOGICS, LLC
    Inventors: Joel C. Higgins, Bruce Simon, Jennifer E. Woodell-May
  • Patent number: 9308224
    Abstract: Methods and compositions generating and using an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)-rich solution. Methods for generating and isolating interleukin-1 receptor antagonist include incubating adipose tissue and/or adipocytes with polyacrylamide beads to produce interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is isolated from the polyacrylamide beads to obtain the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Methods for treating a site of inflammation in a patient include administering to the site of inflammation the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET BIOLOGICS, LLC
    Inventors: Joel C. Higgins, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Jacy C. Hoeppner
  • Publication number: 20160074479
    Abstract: Methods for treating a spinal disorder, such as spinal pain or spinal inflammation, using a blood-derived composition having two or more of IL1-ra, sTNF-R1, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-?1, and sIL-1RII. Compositions may also contain white blood cells and platelets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Jon C. Serbousek, Krista O'Shaughnessey, Joel C. Higgins, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Michael D. Leach
  • Publication number: 20160017010
    Abstract: Methods and compositions generating and using an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)-rich solution. Methods for generating and isolating interleukin-1 receptor antagonist include incubating a liquid volume of white blood cells and platelets with polyacrylamide beads to produce interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is isolated from the polyacrylamide beads to obtain the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Methods for treating a site of inflammation in a patient include administering to the site of inflammation the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Joel C. Higgins, Jennifer E. WOODELL-MAY, Jacy C. HOEPPNER
  • Patent number: 9239276
    Abstract: An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at various fractions in the apparatus. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient. Also selected fractions from the sample can be applied to a patient, either alone or as part of a mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET BIOLOGICS, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew D. Landrigan, Michael D. Leach, Joel C. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20160000870
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and compositions related to generating and using a solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist are provided. Methods include contacting a liquid comprising white blood cells with a solid extraction material and stimulating with an electromagnetic field to activate production of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist can be separated from the solid extraction material. Methods for treating a site of inflammation in a patient include administering the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist to the site of inflammation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Joel C. Higgins, Jacy C. Hoeppner, Jennifer E. Woodell-May
  • Publication number: 20150273360
    Abstract: A material separation system and method is disclosed. The system may include a buoy having a volume that includes or houses a reacting component. The buoy may be placed in a container to hold the material to be separated during a separation procedure. The separated material may be used to various procedures following separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: William KING, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Joel C. Higgins, Michael D. Leach
  • Patent number: 9114334
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at various fractions in the apparatus. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient. Also selected fractions from the sample can be applied to a patient, either alone or as part of a mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Joel C. Higgins
  • Patent number: 9103842
    Abstract: Methods for transfusing blood to a mammalian subject. The method includes obtaining a unit of blood, rejuvenating the blood with an enhancement composition, measuring 2,3-DPG concentration of the blood, and delivering the blood to a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gray, Joel C. Higgins, Matthew D. Landrigan, Grant Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20150147300
    Abstract: Methods of inducing a polarization of macrophages. The method includes obtaining a blood fraction, fractionating the blood fraction to produce a blood fraction, and contacting the blood fraction with a source of macrophages. A blood fraction including platelet-poor plasma polarizes the source of macrophages into M1 macrophages. A blood faction including a protein solution polarizes the source of macrophages into M2 macrophages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Joel C. Higgins, William King
  • Publication number: 20140275497
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating a solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist from a tissue comprising cytokine-producing cells. The apparatus can include a filter used with a separation system. The separation system can include a float.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. LEACH, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Joel C. Higgins, Krista O'Shaughnessey
  • Patent number: 8808551
    Abstract: An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample and mesenchymal stem cells from bone reaming material. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Joel C. Higgins, Matthew Swift, Nathan Gordon
  • Patent number: 8753690
    Abstract: Methods and compositions generating and using an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)-rich solution. Methods for generating and isolating interleukin-1 receptor antagonist include incubating adipose tissue and/or adipocytes with polyacrylamide beads to produce interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is isolated from the polyacrylamide beads to obtain the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Methods for treating a site of inflammation in a patient include administering to the site of inflammation the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Joel C. Higgins, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Jacy Hoeppner
  • Patent number: 8663146
    Abstract: Methods for promoting angiogenesis comprising administering platelet-rich plasma to a site and stimulating the site with an electromagnetic field. Platelets include platelet-rich plasma and compositions can further include stem cells such as adipose stromal cells and cells derived from bone marrow aspirate. Methods also comprise isolating platelets from a patient's blood, forming a composition including the platelets, delivering the composition to a site in need of treatment, and electrically stimulating the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Joel C. Higgins, Bruce Simon, Jennifer E. Woodell-May
  • Patent number: 8603346
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at various fractions in the apparatus. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient. Also selected fractions from the sample can be applied to a patient, either alone or as part of a mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Joel C. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8586324
    Abstract: A method for preparing and isolating clotting serum. The method includes adding reagent and a clotting serum source to a reaction chamber of a clotting serum production device that includes an activator. The reagent, clotting serum source and activator are mixed by shaking the serum production device to bring the contents to a foam. The serum production device is placed in either a vacuum or at room temperature for a period of time, and the clotting serum is extracted from the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Hillary Overholser, Joel C. Higgins, Jason Chavarria, Ned M. Hamman
  • Patent number: 8567609
    Abstract: An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at various fractions in the apparatus. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient. Also selected fractions from the sample can be applied to a patient, either alone or as part of a mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew D. Landrigan, Michael D. Leach, Joel C. Higgins