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: 20220382405
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gripping surfaces and devices comprising the same, wherein the gripping surface comprises a shape tunable surface microstructure, wherein the height, width and spatial periodicity of the microstructures corresponds to an integer multiple of Schallamach wave amplitudes and wavelengths of a target surface, wherein the device microstructures and induced Schallamach waves are entrained by applying strain to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11419711
    Abstract: Bio-adhesive textured surfaces 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: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11390778
    Abstract: A microstructured pressure-sensitive surface is described comprising a Wenzel-Cassie hydrophilic-hydrophobic zone structure and capillary action with improved peel strength. The capillary action is enhanced by the Wenzel-Cassie zone creation, and the barrier energy to disruption of the Wenzel-Cassie zone is increased by the capillary action. The micro-structured surfaces of the present invention create water zones of exclusion, where entropic effects reinforce Wenzel-Cassie zone stability, creating a suction effect that conforms the microstructure surface to a target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11382776
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an endoprosthesis where a preferably polymeric coating has a number of surface features such as protrusions or textures that are arranged in a micropattern. The endoprosthesis optionally has an expanded state and a contracted state, and in some cases includes a stent with a polymeric coating attached to an outer surface of the stent. The stent may have an inner surface defining a lumen, an outer surface, and a stent thickness defined between the inner surface and outer surface. The stent may comprise a plurality of surface textures extending from the stent surfaces, wherein the textures are arranged in a macropattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20220211905
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and particularly to a three-dimensional biomimetic tissue scaffold that exploits the use of three-dimensional print technology. Surface energy is controlled by precisely placing polymers with differing surface chemistry, and using surface texture and bulk composition to pattern absorbable and non-absorbable polymers for the purpose of promoting functional healing in a mammalian body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11372494
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gripping surfaces and devices comprising the same, wherein the gripping surface comprises a shape tunable surface microstructure, wherein the height, width and spatial periodicity of the microstructures corresponds to an integer multiple of Schallamach wave amplitudes and wavelengths of a target surface, wherein the device microstructures and induced Schallamach waves are entrained by applying strain to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: BVW HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20220161301
    Abstract: Provided herein is a hierarchical superhydrophobic surface comprising an array of first geometrical features disposed on a substrate comprising a first material and a terminal level disposed on the second features, wherein the terminal level comprises a second material, the second material being different from the first material. The second material has a hydrophilicity different from the hydrophilicity of at least one of 1) the hydrophilicity of the second material and 2) hydrophilicity induced by the hierarchical structure. The present disclosure further includes methods of preparing hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces and medical devices comprising the hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Patent number: 11331408
    Abstract: Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with a biofunctional moiety, biodegradable and permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body and intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising four structural elements: a) a polymeric backbone which defines the overall polymeric morphology, b) linkage groups, c) side chains, and d) biofunctional end groups. The hydrophobicity of the various structural elements are chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance the biofunctional aspect of the end groups. The morphology of these polymers are typically of high molecular weight and have shape to encourage entanglement. Useful structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11298440
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and particularly to a three-dimensional biomimetic tissue scaffold that exploits the use of three-dimensional print technology. Surface energy is controlled by precisely placing polymers with differing surface chemistry, and using surface texture and bulk composition to pattern absorbable and non-absorbable polymers for the purpose of promoting functional healing in a mammalian body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11278941
    Abstract: Provided herein is a hierarchical superhydrophobic surface comprising an array of first geometrical features disposed on a substrate comprising a first material, and an array of second geometrical features disposed on the first features to form a hierarchical structure and a terminal level disposed on the second features, wherein the terminal level comprises a second material, the second material being different from the first material. The second material has a hydrophilicity different from the hydrophilicity of at least one of 1) the hydrophilicity of the second material and 2) hydrophilicity induced by the hierarchical structure. The present disclosure further methods of preparing hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces and medical devices comprising the hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Publication number: 20220039934
    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 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Publication number: 20220031734
    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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Publication number: 20210353400
    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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20210353401
    Abstract: Bio-adhesive textured surfaces 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20210340412
    Abstract: An adhesive device comprising a microstructure and polymer designed to interdigitate with the surface structure of a target surface. The device may include a microstructure material having an elastomeric, crosslinked polymer which may swell in the presence of a liquid. In the pre-swell state, the device microstructure may interdigitate with a target surface microstructure. When liquid on the target surface contacts the microstructure surface of the device, the liquid may cause the microstructure surface of the device to swell. The swelling may cause the microstructure to grasp the target surface resulting in adhesion between the device and the target surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20210338405
    Abstract: Soft tissue repair grafts are described comprising an anti-adhesion layer, a structural layer, and a localization layer. These layers may be distinct or integrated into one substrate. The term layer is used to distinguish tissue repair graft functionality rather than distinct material layers. The distinct layers of functionality may comprise a single plane of a substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Patent number: 11141260
    Abstract: Bio-adhesive textured surfaces 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, are 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 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20210307891
    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: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
  • Publication number: 20210290241
    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 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Publication number: 20210290820
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and particularly to a three-dimensional biomimetic tissue scaffold that exploits the use of three-dimensional print technology. Surface energy is controlled by precisely placing polymers with differing surface chemistry, and using surface texture and bulk composition to pattern absorbable and non-absorbable polymers for the purpose of promoting functional healing in a mammalian body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker