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).
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Publication number: 20250127605Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2024Publication date: April 24, 2025Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
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Patent number: 12279944Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Patent number: 12268255Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
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Patent number: 12257138Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Publication number: 20250091856Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2024Publication date: March 20, 2025Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Publication number: 20240416012Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2024Publication date: December 19, 2024Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Kenneth Kleinhenz, Michael Milbocker
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Publication number: 20240407785Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2024Publication date: December 12, 2024Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
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Publication number: 20240402071Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Publication number: 20240335306Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2024Publication date: October 10, 2024Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Publication number: 20240325605Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Patent number: 12083146Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
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Patent number: 12083005Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
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Patent number: 12077430Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 24, 2023Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
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Patent number: 12060261Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: BVW HOLDING AGInventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Publication number: 20240243674Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2024Publication date: July 18, 2024Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Patent number: 11969532Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Patent number: 11963684Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
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Publication number: 20240115404Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Patent number: 11942878Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Patent number: 11857700Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Lukas Bluecher, Kenneth Kleinhenz, Michael Milbocker