Patents by Inventor Lukas Bluecher

Lukas Bluecher 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).

  • Publication number: 20250127605
    Abstract: The present disclosure comprises micropatterned fabric, meshes, textiles, and implantable devices which may include having one substrate including a mesh, a second substrate having a microstructured surface, and a fibrous layer disposed therebetween. The fibrous layer comprises a plurality of randomly oriented fibers. The devices having the microstructured surface may include a plurality of first level microfeatures and a plurality of second level microfeatures wherein the plurality of second level microfeatures are disposed hierarchically the first level microfeatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Patent number: 12279944
    Abstract: Bio-adhesive textured surfaces and methods of making the same are described which allow implants to be localized within a living body. Hierarchical levels of texture on an implantable medical device, some capable of establishing a Wenzel state and others a Cassie state, may be employed to interface with living structures to provide resistance to device migration. Since a gaseous state is traditionally required to establish a Cassie or Wenzel state, and gases do not remain long in living tissue, described herein are tissue/device interactions analogous to the above states with the component normally represented by a gas replaced by a bodily constituent, wherein separation of tissue constituents develops and an analogous Cassie, Wenzel, or Cassie-Wenzel state evolves. Further methods of making molds to produce said devices are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 12268255
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides microstructured hydrophobic surfaces and devices for gripping wet deformable surfaces. The surfaces and devices disclosed herein utilize a split contact Wenzel-Cassie mechanism to develop multi-level Wenzel-Cassie structures. The Wenzel-Cassie structures are separated with a spatial period corresponding to at least one wrinkle eigenmode of a wet deformable surface to which the microstructure or device is designed to contact, allowing grip of the deformable surface without slippage. Microstructures of the present invention are specifically designed to prevent the formation of Shallamach waves when a shear force is applied to a deformable surface. The multi-level Wenzel-Cassie states of the present disclosure develop temporally, and accordingly are characterized by hierarchical fluid pinning, both in the instance of slippage, and more importantly in the instance of localization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Patent number: 12257138
    Abstract: A device comprising a microstructured surface wherein in one aspect, the microstructured surface is arranged hierarchically with dual-functioning textured features. The surface may achieve adhesive properties by varying the parameters of the microstructure features. Additionally, the surface may achieve cellular and/or tissues in-growth functionality by varying the same parameters. Generally, the dual-functional aspect includes at least one surface feature having a varied periodicity which may be imposed on at least one other surface feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20250091856
    Abstract: The present application relates to multifunctional hierarchically microstructured surfaces and three-dimensional anchored interfacial domain structures. The multifunctional properties are extremal. In one aspect the microstructured surfaces may be super-adhesive. Examples of super-adhesive mechanisms may include gas trapping, fluid trapping, and solid wrinkle trapping. In another aspect the microstructured surfaces may be nearly adhesive-less. Examples of adhesive-less mechanisms may include inter-solid surface lubrication, energy conserving fluid flows, and super-low drag phase-phase lateral displacement. The extremal structures may be obtained by anchoring mechanisms. Examples of anchoring mechanisms may include Wenzel-Cassie formation, contact angle confusion, and capillary effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20240416012
    Abstract: Polymer devices are disclosed with microstructured surfaces that modify their absorption pathway. Polymers which generally degrade in water by fracturing into high surface energy fragments, are modified to degrade in vivo without the formation of sharp fragments. Devices are disclosed that possess improved handling characteristics and degrade in an aqueous environment in a uniform and continuous way that favors the formation of soluble monomers rather than solid particulate. Absorbable medical implants with the disclosed surface modifications are more biocompatible, with reduced foreign body response, and dissolution into metabolizable molecular species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Kenneth Kleinhenz, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20240407785
    Abstract: A microstructured hemostat comprising multiple layers of microstructure, each layer characterized by one or more length scales, is described. Microstructured hemostats of the present invention, can reduce the time for blood coagulation, control the morphology of the coagulation, and provide a novel diagnostic platform for evaluation of coagulation function from a morphological perspective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Publication number: 20240402071
    Abstract: A device with a microstructure arrangement for gripping low coefficient of friction material which may include a set of microfeatures disposed on a substrate. The microfeatures may provide a physical property of a grip force exceeding a grip force theoretically achieved by friction theory alone. The microfeatures may provide a grip force in excess of 50.0 N. The microstructure arrangement may include a gripping surface with a contact area of 25% or less of the total macroscopic area of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20240335306
    Abstract: Low radial force stents with good resistance to migration are described comprising microstructured surfaces which generate inward radially directed grip to a lumen. In particular, stents are described for deployment within biological lumens where a novel combination of low outwardly directed radial force and resistance to shear slippage within the lumen is achieved by hierarchical microstructured surfaces which provide non-frictional grip to the luminal surface. Combinations of microstructured surfaces which combine low radial force frictional grip and non-frictional grip which do not rely on axially dependent changes in stent diameter or stent oversizing are described. These combinations of microstructured surfaces when placed on the outer surface of a stent provide a non-migrating stent. The hierarchical levels of the disclosed microstructures may themselves by composites of microstructures, which may or may not be self-similar to other hierarchical levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20240325605
    Abstract: Provided herein is a tissue scaffold that may include microstructure patterns on one or more surfaces that can modify the physical properties of the tissue scaffold. The microstructure patterns may be cell-directing across a larger spatial range than the prior art which uses chemically modified substrates. The present disclosure further includes tissue scaffold configured such that cells may infiltrate the tissue scaffold by responding to patterns of surface energy gradients on the tissue scaffold and the cells may not be constrained into patterns by physical means. As the cells proliferate, they associate and orient in response to long-range patterns to form confluent monolayers of cells while constructing functional macro-structure across the tissue scaffold surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 12083146
    Abstract: A medical composition and devices made from the composition for the delivery of extracts obtained from Boswellia genus, similar compounds synthetically derived, and in particular derivatives of triterpenes is disclosed. The medical device may be implantable, or alternatively a device which contacts the interior of a mammalian body. The medical device may be comprised, of or present an absorbable component containing Boswellia derivatives, or an eluting component. When administered into a particular body site, the Boswellia component may be released substantially and immediately, released slowly, or not released, into the body and residing actively on the medical device surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Patent number: 12083005
    Abstract: The present disclosure comprises micropatterned fabric, meshes, textiles, and implantable devices which may include having one substrate including a mesh, a second substrate having a microstructured surface, and a fibrous layer disposed therebetween. The fibrous layer comprises a plurality of randomly oriented fibers. The devices having the microstructured surface may include a plurality of first level microfeatures and a plurality of second level microfeatures wherein the plurality of second level microfeatures are disposed hierarchically the first level microfeatures. Also disclosed are methods for making such micropatterned fabric, meshes, textiles, and implantable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Patent number: 12077430
    Abstract: The present invention relates to textile articles and clothing such as outdoor garments, indoor garments, and commercial protective wear exposed to contact mixtures of water and oil, swimwear and winter wear exposed to mixtures of water and air. At least part of these textile articles possess a surface provided with at least one of 1) a high surface area, 2) hierarchical pattern, 3) contact angles such that hydrophilic portion of a contact mixture possesses a high contact angle and the hydrophobic portion of a contact mixture possesses a low contact angle, and 4) hysteresis angle greater than 5 degrees. Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic contact mixtures of the present invention can be surfaces where water and or ice are present in combination with oil and or air. The textile articles of the present invention resist slippage on surfaces possessing hydrophobic/hydrophilic contact mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Patent number: 12060261
    Abstract: The present application relates to multifunctional hierarchically microstructured surfaces and three-dimensional anchored interfacial domain structures. The multifunctional properties are extremal. In one aspect the microstructured surfaces may be super-adhesive. Examples of super-adhesive mechanisms may include gas trapping, fluid trapping, and solid wrinkle trapping. In another aspect the micro structured surfaces may be nearly adhesive-less. Examples of adhesive-less mechanisms may include inter-solid surface lubrication, energy conserving fluid flows, and super-low drag phase-phase lateral displacement. The extremal structures may be obtained by anchoring mechanisms. Examples of anchoring mechanisms may include Wenzel-Cassie formation, contact angle confusion, and capillary effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: BVW HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20240243674
    Abstract: A microstructured device is disclosed utilizing Coulomb field modification of surface energy and electroadhesion to localize a device surface or to levitate a device surface with respect to a target surface. The surface energy modification can be permanent or reversible depending on whether the charge is externally delivered to the device or derived on the device galvanically. The microstructure aspect of the device induces various hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions with the target surface. The Coulomb field can be used to enhance or decrease the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions. In combination, the disclosed electro-microstructured device provides for localizing implants in a mammalian body, and additionally means for controlling cell interaction with the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11969532
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a microstructured discrimination device for separating hydrophobic-hydrophilic fluidic composites comprising particulate and/or fluids in a fluid flow. The discrimination is the result of surface energy gradients obtained by physically varying a textured surface and/or by varying surface chemical properties, both of which are spatially graded. Such surfaces discriminate and spatially separate particulate and/or fluids without external energy input. The device of the present invention comprises a platform having bifurcating microchannels arranged radially. The lumenal surfaces of the microchannels may have a surface energy gradient created by varying the periodicity of hierarchically arranged microstructures along a dimension. The surface energy gradient is varied in two regions. In one pre-bifurcation region the surface energy gradient generates a fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11963684
    Abstract: A microstructured hemostat comprising multiple layers of microstructure, each layer characterized by one or more length scales, is described. Microstructured hemostats of the present invention, can reduce the time for blood coagulation, control the morphology of the coagulation, and provide a novel diagnostic platform for evaluation of coagulation function from a morphological perspective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Publication number: 20240115404
    Abstract: An endoprosthesis device comprising a tubular structure having an outer surface and an inner surface such that the inner surface locates a lumen, and wherein the outer surface includes a microstructure pattern having hierarchical microstructures generating an adhesive effect to a target surface. The inner surface comprises a microstructure pattern that is superhydrophobic or oleophobic that is capable of being anti-fouling wherein the microstructure pattern of the inner surface comprises microridges. Additionally, the outer surface may include pores that fluidly connect the outer surface to the inner surface for transporting fluid from the target surface interface into the endoprosthesis lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11942878
    Abstract: A microstructured device is disclosed utilizing Coulomb field modification of surface energy and electroadhesion to localize a device surface or to levitate a device surface with respect to a target surface. The surface energy modification can be permanent or reversible depending on whether the charge is externally delivered to the device or derived on the device galvanically. The microstructure aspect of the device induces various hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions with the target surface. The Coulomb field can be used to enhance or decrease the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions. In combination, the disclosed electro-microstructured device provides for localizing implants in a mammalian body, and additionally means for controlling cell interaction with the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11857700
    Abstract: Polymer devices are disclosed with microstructured surfaces that modify their absorption pathway. Polymers which generally degrade in water by fracturing into high surface energy fragments, are modified to degrade in vivo without the formation of sharp fragments. Devices are disclosed that possess improved handling characteristics and degrade in an aqueous environment in a uniform and continuous way that favors the formation of soluble monomers rather than solid particulate. Absorbable medical implants with the disclosed surface modifications are more biocompatible, with reduced foreign body response, and dissolution into metabolizable molecular species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Kenneth Kleinhenz, Michael Milbocker