Patents by Inventor Nicola Francis

Nicola Francis 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: 8877498
    Abstract: The present invention relates to scaffolds that can physically guide cells, e.g. neurons, while best matching the material properties of native tissue. The present invention also relates to methods of generating such scaffolds, and for the use of such scaffolds, e.g. in spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury repair. The methods of the present invention include a uniquely controlled freeze casting process to generate highly porous, linearly oriented scaffolds. The scaffolds of the present invention not only comprise a highly aligned porosity, but also contain secondary guidance structures in the form of ridges running parallel to the pores to create a series of microstructured and highly aligned channels. This hierarchy of structural guidance aligns and guides neurite outgrowth down the channels created by the ridges, and keep neurites from branching perpendicular to the inter-ridge grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Ulrike G.K. Wegst, Margaret Wheatley, Benjamin W. Riblett, Nicola Francis, Amalie Elizabeth Donius
  • Publication number: 20120149111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to scaffolds that can physically guide cells, e.g. neurons, while best matching the material properties of native tissue. The present invention also relates to methods of generating such scaffolds, and for the use of such scaffolds, e.g. in spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury repair. The methods of the present invention include a uniquely controlled freeze casting process to generate highly porous, linearly oriented scaffolds. The scaffolds of the present invention not only comprise a highly aligned porosity, but also contain secondary guidance structures in the form of ridges running parallel to the pores to create a series of microstructured and highly aligned channels. This hierarchy of structural guidance aligns and guides neurite outgrowth down the channels created by the ridges, and keep neurites from branching perpendicular to the inter-ridge grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Ulrike G.K. WEGST, Margaret WHEATLEY, Benjamin W. RIBLETT, Nicola FRANCIS, Amalie Elizabeth DONIUS
  • Publication number: 20110033504
    Abstract: The invention concerns substrates comprising a biocompatible gel and at least one of a plurality of cells, said cells being capable of producing at least one therapeutic agent. Other aspects of the invention concern methods of making such substrates and methods of repairing and regenerating damaged nervous tissue with the substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Margaret Wheatley, Justin Lathia, Mihir Shanbhag, Nicola Francis