Patents by Inventor Keith Hearon

Keith Hearon 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: 11958932
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Michael Keith Hearon, Jane P. Bearinger
  • Publication number: 20240011990
    Abstract: The systems, methods, devices and kits disclosed herein be used to determine the presence and/or level a target analyte(s) in a biological sample, wherein the analyte(s) is associated with a pathogenic (e.g., a viral antigen or whole virus) or otherwise altered physiological condition (e.g., pregnancy). In certain embodiments, the systems, methods, devices and kits provide one or more improved properties relative to the RT-PCT and lateral flow antibody assays known in the art for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, including but not limited to, assay time, ease of use, risk of infection, accuracy, specificity, selectivity, limit of detection of the assay, quantitative detection and the effect of common interferents to the sensor output, cost, simplicity or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Karthika SANKAR, Scott SCHAUS, James GALAGAN, Catherine KLAPPERICH, John CONNOR, Mark GRINSTAFF, Keith HEARON
  • Publication number: 20230250212
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Publication number: 20230141620
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Michael Keith Hearon, Jane P. Bearinger
  • Patent number: 11613603
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Patent number: 11530291
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Michael Keith Hearon, Jane P. Bearinger
  • Publication number: 20220395615
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a substrate of a medical device; an un-foamed polyurethane coating directly contacting the substrate and fixedly attached to the substrate; a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, having first and second states, which directly contacts the polyurethane coating and fixedly attaches to the polyurethane coating; wherein the polyurethane coating fixedly attaches the SMP foam to the substrate. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Rachael Muschalek, Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Patent number: 11369720
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a substrate of a medical device; an un-foamed polyurethane coating directly contacting the substrate and fixedly attached to the substrate; a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, having first and second states, which directly contacts the polyurethane coating and fixedly attaches to the polyurethane coating; wherein the polyurethane coating fixedly attaches the SMP foam to the substrate. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Rachael Muschalek, Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Publication number: 20220119569
    Abstract: Curable formulations, cured formulations, and mixtures and composites thereof which are solvent and/or water soluble or solvent and/or water degradable are described, as well as methods of making and using the formulations, mixtures, and composites. Patterned structures formed from curable formulations, which are solvent soluble, are also described. Such curable formulations and the patterned structures formed therefrom can be used to manufacture articles or products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ioana Knopf, Paige Omura, Keith Hearon, Anthony Tabet
  • Publication number: 20210276077
    Abstract: Articles of manufacture such as ceramic cores and cast metal turbomachinery components are disclosed herein, as well as methods of preparing such articles of manufacture. The articles and methods of manufacture are directed to improving the production and performance of internal combustion engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Steven Lee, Ioana Knopf
  • Patent number: 11109869
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam designed to recover its original shape through exposure to a solvent. Thermo-responsive SMPs are polymers designed to maintain a programmed secondary shape until heated above their transition temperature, upon which the polymer recovers its original, or primary, shape. The thermo-responsive SMP foam is programmed to its secondary shape prior to use, typically compression of the foam to a small volume, and remains in this programmed shape until exposed to a selected solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide or ethyl alcohol. Upon exposure to the solvent, the transition temperature of the SMP foam decreases below the temperature of the environment and the SMP foam actuates to its primary shape. The SMP foam is tailored to actuate upon exposure to specific solvents while minimizing or preventing actuation when exposed to water or other solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Anthony Boyle, Keith Hearon, Duncan J. Maitland, Landon D. Nash, Thomas S. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20210070918
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Michael Keith Hearon, Jane P. Bearinger
  • Publication number: 20200339730
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Publication number: 20200253616
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam designed to recover its original shape through exposure to a solvent. Thermo-responsive SMPs are polymers designed to maintain a programmed secondary shape until heated above their transition temperature, upon which the polymer recovers its original, or primary, shape. The thermo-responsive SMP foam is programmed to its secondary shape prior to use, typically compression of the foam to a small volume, and remains in this programmed shape until exposed to a selected solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide or ethyl alcohol. Upon exposure to the solvent, the transition temperature of the SMP foam decreases below the temperature of the environment and the SMP foam actuates to its primary shape. The SMP foam is tailored to actuate upon exposure to specific solvents while minimizing or preventing actuation when exposed to water or other solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony Boyle, Keith Hearon, Duncan J. Maitland, Landon D. Nash, Thomas S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10730991
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Publication number: 20200222595
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a substrate of a medical device; an un-foamed polyurethane coating directly contacting the substrate and fixedly attached to the substrate; a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, having first and second states, which directly contacts the polyurethane coating and fixedly attaches to the polyurethane coating; wherein the polyurethane coating fixedly attaches the SMP foam to the substrate. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Rachael Muschalek, Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Publication number: 20200062877
    Abstract: Curable formulations, cured formulations, and mixtures and composites thereof which are solvent and/or water soluble or solvent and/or water degradable are described, as well as methods of making and using the formulations, mixtures, and composites. Patterned structures formed from curable formulations, which are solvent soluble, are also described. Such curable formulations and the patterned structures formed therefrom can be used to manufacture articles or products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Ioana Knopf, Paige Omura, Keith Hearon, Anthony Tabet
  • Patent number: 10561765
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a substrate of a medical device; an un-foamed polyurethane coating directly contacting the substrate and fixedly attached to the substrate; a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, having first and second states, which directly contacts the polyurethane coating and fixedly attaches to the polyurethane coating; wherein the polyurethane coating fixedly attaches the SMP foam to the substrate. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Rachael Muschalek, Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Patent number: 10548608
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam designed to recover its original shape through exposure to a solvent. Thermo-responsive SMPs are polymers designed to maintain a programmed secondary shape until heated above their transition temperature, upon which the polymer recovers its original, or primary, shape. The thermo-responsive SMP foam is programmed to its secondary shape prior to use, typically compression of the foam to a small volume, and remains in this programmed shape until exposed to a selected solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide or ethyl alcohol. Upon exposure to the solvent, the transition temperature of the SMP foam decreases below the temperature of the environment and the SMP foam actuates to its primary shape. The SMP foam is tailored to actuate upon exposure to specific solvents while minimizing or preventing actuation when exposed to water or other solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Lawrenece Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Boyle, Keith Hearon, Duncan J. Maitland, Landon D. Nash, Thomas S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10494470
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Michael Keith Hearon, Jane P. Bearinger