Patents by Inventor Kevin S. Cook

Kevin S. Cook 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: 10886032
    Abstract: A method of storing nuclear fuel is described. In some cases, the method includes submerging at least a portion of a nuclear fuel rod in a storage pool containing an aqueous solution including at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions. In some cases, the method includes adding a salt having a polyhedral boron hydride anion or carborane anion to a storage pool containing water and at least a portion of a nuclear fuel rod submerged in it. The method may include both of these. A storage pool is also described. The storage pool includes an aqueous solution having at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions with at least a portion of a nuclear fuel rod submerged in the aqueous solution. A method of servicing a nuclear reactor core is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, Beth D. Bosley
  • Patent number: 10679759
    Abstract: A method of cooling a nuclear reactor core is disclosed. The method includes contacting the nuclear reactor core with an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions. Nuclear reactors are also disclosed. The nuclear reactor has a neutron moderator that is an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions, or the nuclear reactor has an emergency core cooling system including a vessel containing a volume of an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions. The nuclear reactor can also have both an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions as a neutron moderator and an emergency core cooling system that includes an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ceradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, Beth D. Bosley
  • Publication number: 20170047133
    Abstract: A method of storing nuclear fuel is described. In some cases, the method includes submerging at least a portion of a nuclear fuel rod in a storage pool containing an aqueous solution including at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions. In some cases, the method includes adding a salt having a polyhedral boron hydride anion or carborane anion to a storage pool containing water and at least a portion of a nuclear fuel rod submerged in it. The method may include both of these. A storage pool is also described. The storage pool includes an aqueous solution having at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions with at least a portion of a nuclear fuel rod submerged in the aqueous solution. A method of servicing a nuclear reactor core is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, Beth D. Bosley
  • Publication number: 20160278927
    Abstract: Methods of ordering and manufacturing orthopedic components eliminate the need to stockpile and inventory large volumes of implants and instruments. In one exemplary embodiment, the surgeon begins by acquiring anatomical data from a patient. The anatomical data may then be loaded into a data comparison program. The data comparison program performs a best-fit analysis by comparing the patient's anatomical data to a number of predesigned, tested, and validated virtual implant models that are stored in a database. Once an implant has been identified by the data comparison program for the individual patient, the surgeon may place an order electronically with the manufacturer via the internet. In one exemplary embodiment, when placing the order, the surgeon will specify the type of implant, the surgery date, specific patient information, shipping information, and the preferred surgical technique that the surgeon anticipates using.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, James Grimm, Anthony Romano
  • Patent number: 9375303
    Abstract: Methods of ordering and manufacturing orthopedic components eliminate the need to stockpile and inventory large volumes of implants and instruments. In one exemplary embodiment, the surgeon begins by acquiring anatomical data from a patient. The anatomical data may then be loaded into a data comparison program. The data comparison program performs a best-fit analysis by comparing the patient's anatomical data to a number of predesigned, tested, and validated virtual implant models that are stored in a database. Once an implant has been identified by the data comparison program for the individual patient, the surgeon may place an order electronically with the manufacturer via the internet. In one exemplary embodiment, when placing the order, the surgeon will specify the type of implant, the surgery date, specific patient information, shipping information, and the preferred surgical technique that the surgeon anticipates using.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, James E. Grimm, Anthony P. Romano
  • Publication number: 20160019989
    Abstract: A method of cooling a nuclear reactor core is disclosed. The method includes contacting the nuclear reactor core with an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions. Nuclear reactors are also disclosed. The nuclear reactor has a neutron moderator that is an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions, or the nuclear reactor has an emergency core cooling system including a vessel containing a volume of an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions. The nuclear reactor can also have both an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions as a neutron moderator and an emergency core cooling system that includes an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride an ions or carborane anions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, Beth D. Bosley
  • Patent number: 9149287
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a femoral cut guide for preparing a distal femur to receive a prosthetic femoral component of a knee implant. The prosthetic femoral component includes a central box. The femoral cut guide replicates the size and shape of the prosthetic femoral component, such that the femoral cut guide may serve as a trial or provisional component used to reduce and test the prepared knee joint before implanting the final prosthetic femoral component. The femoral cut guide includes a detachable box cut guide for preparing the distal femur to receive the central box of the prosthetic femoral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M Bailey, Kevin S. Cook, Christopher M. Byrd, Prashanth Hegde
  • Publication number: 20150157342
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a femoral cut guide for preparing a distal femur to receive a prosthetic femoral component of a knee implant. The prosthetic femoral component includes a central box. The femoral cut guide replicates the size and shape of the prosthetic femoral component, such that the femoral cut guide may serve as a trial or provisional component used to reduce and test the prepared knee joint before implanting the final prosthetic femoral component. The femoral cut guide includes a detachable box cut guide for preparing the distal femur to receive the central box of the prosthetic femoral component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron M. Bailey, Kevin S. Cook, Christopher M. Byrd, Prashanth Hegde
  • Patent number: 9005305
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for attaching tissue structures to orthopaedic implants. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal tibial implant. In another exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal femoral implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Meyers, Robert E. Montgomery, Dennis R. Aquilo, Douglas G. Branscome, Kelly A. Timmons, Kimberly Les, Peter F. Choong, Peter E. Darrigan, Luke Vaughan, Ernest U. Conrad, Jay S. Wunder, David H. Anderson, Kevin S. Cook, G. Douglas Letson, Gary D. Bos
  • Patent number: 8986310
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a femoral cut guide for preparing a distal femur to receive a prosthetic femoral component of a knee implant. The prosthetic femoral component includes a central box. The femoral cut guide replicates the size and shape of the prosthetic femoral component, such that the femoral cut guide may serve as a trial or provisional component used to reduce and test the prepared knee joint before implanting the final prosthetic femoral component. The femoral cut guide includes a detachable box cut guide for preparing the distal femur to receive the central box of the prosthetic femoral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M Bailey, Kevin S. Cook, Christopher M. Byrd, Prashanth Hegde
  • Publication number: 20140288564
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a femoral cut guide for preparing a distal femur to receive a prosthetic femoral component of a knee implant. The prosthetic femoral component includes a central box. The femoral cut guide replicates the size and shape of the prosthetic femoral component, such that the femoral cut guide may serve as a trial or provisional component used to reduce and test the prepared knee joint before implanting the final prosthetic femoral component. The femoral cut guide includes a detachable box cut guide for preparing the distal femur to receive the central box of the prosthetic femoral component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Aaron M Bailey, Kevin S. Cook, Christopher M. Byrd, Prashanth Hegde
  • Patent number: 8771280
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a femoral cut guide for preparing a distal femur to receive a prosthetic femoral component of a knee implant. The prosthetic femoral component includes a central box. The femoral cut guide replicates the size and shape of the prosthetic femoral component, such that the femoral cut guide may serve as a trial or provisional component used to reduce and test the prepared knee joint before implanting the final prosthetic femoral component. The femoral cut guide includes a detachable box cut guide for preparing the distal femur to receive the central box of the prosthetic femoral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Bailey, Kevin S. Cook, Christopher M. Byrd, Prashanth Hegde
  • Patent number: 8753600
    Abstract: New methods are provided for synthesis of ClusterBoron® (B18H22). Preferred methods of the invention include generation of the conjugate acid of B20H182? and degradation of the acid in solution to produce B18H22 in high yields and high purity. The invention further provides isotopically enriched boranes, particularly isotopically enriched 10B18H22 and 11B18H22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: SemEquip, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, Mark Oxford
  • Patent number: 8673251
    Abstract: The invention provides new methods for synthesis of ClusterBoron® (B18H22). Preferred methods of the invention include generation of the conjugate acid of B20H182? and degradation of the acid in solution to produce B18H22 in high yields and high purity. The invention further provides isotopically enriched boranes, particularly isotopically enriched 10B18H22 and 11B18H22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: SemEquip, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, Mark Oxford
  • Patent number: 8623309
    Abstract: The invention provides new methods for synthesis of ClusterBoron (B18H22). Preferred methods of the invention include in situ generation of the conjugate acid of B20H182? and degradation of the acid in solution to produce B18H22 in high yields and high purity. The invention further provides isotopically enriched boranes, particularly isotopically enriched 10B)18H22 and 11B18H22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: SemEquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin S. Cook
  • Publication number: 20130236384
    Abstract: New methods are provided for synthesis of ClusterBoron® (B18H22). Preferred methods of the invention include generation of the conjugate acid of B20H182? and degradation of the acid in solution to produce B18H22 in high yields and high purity. The invention further provides isotopically enriched boranes, particularly isotopically enriched 10B18H22 and 11B18H22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SEMEQUIP, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Cook, Mark Oxford
  • Patent number: 8329131
    Abstract: The invention provides new methods for synthesis of large boron hydride clusters, e.g., boron hydride molecules of the formula BnHm where 5?n?96 and m?n+8, wherein m and n satisfy the electron counting rules of macropolyhedral boranes. The invention is particularly useful for synthesis of octadecaborane (B18H22). Preferred methods of the invention include iteratively generating a conjugate acid from a salt of the [BaHb]c? or [Bn+2Hm?4]2? anion followed by degradation under conditions conducive to concentrating and drying of the conjugate acid to provide a borane BnHm and residual salt of the [BaHb]c? or [Bn+2Hm?4]2? anion which is reused in the method of synthesis. The invention further provides isotopically enriched boranes, particularly isotopically enriched 10B18H22 and 11B18H22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: SemEquip, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Spielvogel, Kevin S. Cook
  • Publication number: 20120191207
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for attaching tissue structures to orthopaedic implants. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal tibial implant. In another exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatuses are used to attach soft tissue and/or bone to a proximal femoral implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: John E. Meyers, Robert E. Montgomery, Dennis R. Aquilo, Douglas G. Branscome, Kelly A. Timmons, Kimberly Les, Peter F. Choong, Peter E. Darrigan, Luke Vaughan, Ernest U. Conrad, Jay S. Wunder, David H. Anderson, Kevin S. Cook, G. Douglas Letson, Gary D. Bos
  • Patent number: 8084007
    Abstract: The invention provides new methods for the synthesis of isotopically enriched metal borohydrides, metal tetrahydroundecaborate salts, and decaborane from isotopically enriched 10B-boric acid or 11B-boric acid. The invention is particularly useful for synthesis of isotopically enriched sodium or lithium borohydride, MB11H14 (where M is Li, Na, K, or alkylammonium), and decaborane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: SemEquip Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Spielvogel, Kevin S. Cook
  • Patent number: D649640
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Bailey, Kevin S. Cook, Christopher M. Byrd, Prashanth Hegde