Patents by Inventor John B. Bulko

John B. Bulko 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: 7722735
    Abstract: A method is described for forming a porous coating on the surface of a substrate such as an implantable prosthesis wherein a microstructure appliqué is made in the shape and depth of the area to be coated, adhesively attached to that area and subsequently bonded to the substrate through the application of an appropriate sintering treatment. Manufacture of the microstructure appliqué is accomplished through the transfer and deposition of one or more packed layers of uniformly-sized, metallic particles onto a shaped pattern followed by the addition of a binder solution for preserving the packing of particles and the integrity of the shaped piece. The method disclosed herein provides a means of making uniform and reproducible structures possessing uniform porosity and is adaptable to automation for producing larger quantities of appliqués, which may help in reducing costs associated with prosthetic implant production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: C3 Materials Corp.
    Inventor: John B. Bulko
  • Publication number: 20070243312
    Abstract: A method is described for forming a porous coating on the surface of a substrate such as an implantable prosthesis wherein a microstructure appliqué is made in the shape and depth of the area to be coated, adhesively attached to that area and subsequently bonded to the substrate through the application of an appropriate sintering treatment. Manufacture of the microstructure appliqué is accomplished through the transfer and deposition of one or more packed layers of uniformly-sized, metallic particles onto a shaped pattern followed by the addition of a binder solution for preserving the packing of particles and the integrity of the shaped piece. The method disclosed herein provides a means of making uniform and reproducible structures possessing uniform porosity and is adaptable to automation for producing larger quantities of appliqués, which may help in reducing costs associated with prosthetic implant production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: John B. Bulko
  • Patent number: 6153164
    Abstract: A method for producing uranium oxide includes combining uranium tetrafluoride and a phyllosilicate mineral containing a solid oxidizing agent within the mineral's structure having a lower thermodynamic stability than the uranium oxide; heating the combination below the vapor point of the uranium tetrafluoride to sufficiently react the uranium tetrafluoride and the oxidizing agent to produce uranium oxide and a non-radioactive fluorine compound; and removing the fluorine compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Starmet Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Bulko, Bridget M. Smyser
  • Patent number: 6096281
    Abstract: A method for producing uranium oxide includes combining uranium oxyfluoride and a solid oxidizing agent having a lower thermodynamic stability than the uranium oxide after "oxide"; heating the combination below the vapor point of the uranium oxyfluoride to sufficiently react the uranium oxyfluoride and the oxidizing agent to produce uranium oxide and a non-radioactive fluorine compound; and removing the fluorine compound after "compound".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Starmet Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Bulko, Bridget M. Smyser
  • Patent number: 6086836
    Abstract: A method for producing uranium oxide includes combining uranium oxyfluoride and silicon and heating the combination below the vapor point of the uranium oxyfluoride to sufficiently react the uranium oxyfluoride and silicon to produce uranium oxide and a non-radioactive fluorine compound; and removing the fluorine compound, e.g. silicon tetrafluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Starmet Corporation
    Inventors: Bridget M. Smyser, John B. Bulko
  • Patent number: 6033642
    Abstract: A method for producing silicon tetrafluoride includes combining uranium oxyfluoride and silicon dioxide; heating the combination below the melting point of the uranium oxyfluoride to sufficiently react the uranium oxyfluoride and the silicon dioxide to produce non-radioactive silicon tetrafluoride and an oxide of uranium; and removing the silicon tetrafluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Starmet Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Bulko, Bridget M. Smyser
  • Patent number: 5918106
    Abstract: A method for producing uranium oxide includes combining uranium tetrafluoride and a solid oxidizing agent having a lower thermodynamic stability than the uranium oxide; heating the combination below the vapor point of the uranium tetrafluoride to sufficiently react the uranium tetrafluoride and the oxidizing agent to produce uranium oxide and a non-radioactive fluorine compound; and removing the fluorine compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Starmet Corp.
    Inventors: John B. Bulko, William T. Nachtrab
  • Patent number: 5901338
    Abstract: A method for producing uranium oxide includes combining uranium tetrafluoride, silicon and a gaseous anhydrous oxidizing agent having a lower thermodynamic stability than any oxide of uranium produced; heating the combination below the vapor point of the uranium tetrafluoride to sufficiently react the uranium tetrafluoride, silicon and the oxidizing agent to produce uranium oxide and a non-radioactive fluorine compound; and removing the fluorine compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Starmet Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Nachtrab, John B. Bulko
  • Patent number: 5888468
    Abstract: A method for producing silicon tetrafluoride includes combining uranium tetrafluoride and silicon dioxide; heating the combination below the melting point of the uranium tetrafluoride to sufficiently react the uranium tetrafluoride and the silicon dioxide to produce non-radioactive silicon tetrafluoride and an oxide of uranium; and removing the silicon tetrafluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Starmet Corp.
    Inventors: William T. Nachtrab, John B. Bulko