Patents by Inventor Ralph T. Francis
Ralph T. 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).
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Publication number: 20040107006Abstract: A non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g., bovine pericardium) having particular use as an implantable resorbable material. The material is treated by alkylating its primary amine groups in a manner sufficient to reduce the antigenicity of the tissue, permitting the treated tissue to be used in vivo and without crosslinking, and in turn, permitting it to be resorbable. The material can be used in surgical repair of soft tissue deficiencies for a certain period of time while the implant itself is gradually remodeled or absorbed by the host. Also provided are a method of preparing such a material, as well as a method of using such a material for surgical repair.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, Amy Desmith, B. Nicholas Oray
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Patent number: 6652594Abstract: A non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g., bovine pericardium) having particular use as an implantable resorbable material. The material is treated by alkylating its primary amine groups in a manner sufficient to reduce the antigenicity of the tissue, permitting the treated tissue to be used in vivo and without crosslinking, and in turn, permitting it to be resorbable. The material can be used in surgical repair of soft tissue deficiencies for a certain period of time while the implant itself is gradually remodeled or absorbed by the host. Also provided are a method of preparing such a material, as well as a method of using such a material for surgical repair.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Synovis Life Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, Amy DeSmith, B. Nicholas Oray
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Publication number: 20020138152Abstract: A non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g., bovine pericardium) having particular use as an implantable resorbable material. The material is treated by alkylating its primary amine groups in a manner sufficient to reduce the antigenicity of the tissue, permitting the treated tissue to be used in vivo and without crosslinking, and in turn, permitting it to be resorbable. The material can be used in surgical repair of soft tissue deficiencies for a certain period of time while the implant itself is gradually remodeled or absorbed by the host. Also provided are a method of preparing such a material, as well as a method of using such a material for surgical repair.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, Amy DeSmith, B. Nicholas Oray
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Publication number: 20020123789Abstract: A stent cover useful as a barrier between an expandable stent and the vascular surface. The cover provides an optimal combination of such properties as thickness, physical characteristics and biocompatability. The cover can be formed to and positioned upon the size and shape of the unexpanded stent, and to then be expanded in situ upon expansion of the stent itself. The cover is prepared from natural tissues such as umbilical arteries, bovine pericardium, and porcine peritoneum.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, B. Nicholas Oray, Anne E. Metzger
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Patent number: 6312474Abstract: A non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g., bovine pericardium) having particular use as an implantable resorbable material. The material is treated by alkylating its primary amine groups in a manner sufficient to reduce the antigenicity of the tissue, permitting the treated tissue to be used in vivo and without crosslinking, and in turn, permitting it to be resorbable. The material can be used in surgical repair of soft tissue deficiencies for a certain period of time while the implant itself is gradually remodeled or absorbed by the host. Also provided are a method of preparing such a material, as well as a method of using such a material for surgical repair.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1999Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Bio-Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, Amy Desmith, B. Nicholas Oray
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Patent number: 5945340Abstract: A pre-determined concentration of stabilized, maturation-arrested porcine reticulocytes in a red blood cell base, useful as a reticulocyte control composition. The composition can be provided in the form of a concentrated reticulocyte composition, to be diluted to a desired final reticulocyte concentration at the time of use. The composition can also be provided in the form of a diluted, ready-to-use control composition. Also included is a method of preparing such a composition, the method involving sequential steps of forming and sedimenting Rouleaux bodies.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1999Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Research & Diagnostics Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Alan M. Johnson
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Patent number: 5858789Abstract: A pre-determined concentration of stabilized, maturation-arrested porcine reticulocytes in a red blood cell base, useful as a reticulocyte control composition. The composition can be provided in the form of a concentrated reticulocyte composition, to be diluted to a desired final reticulocyte concentration at the time of use. The composition can also be provided in the form of a diluted, ready-to-use control composition. Also included is a method of preparing such a composition, the method involving sequential steps of forming and sedimenting Rouleaux bodies.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Research & Diagnostic Systems, inc.Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Alan M. Johnson
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Patent number: 5752965Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing reinforced surgical fastener suture lines to prevent tissue tearing and fluid leakage following the creation of an anastomosis, the closing of margins following the removal of diseased tissue, and/or the ligating and dividing of individual blood vessels. A retainer assembly is provided having an alignment frame and a pressure equalization member. The alignment frame includes an internally disposed receiving area for housing the pressure equalization member and a pair of guide channels disposed in fluid communication with the receiving area for guiding the jaw members of a surgical fastener applying device into contact with pledget material disposed within the receiving area.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Bio-Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Mark E. Hughes, Anne E. Claeson, Joel Cooper
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Patent number: 5736402Abstract: A pre-determined concentration of stabilized, maturation-arrested porcine reticulocytes in a red blood cell base, useful as a reticulocyte control composition. The composition can be provided in the form of a concentrated reticulocyte composition, to be diluted to a desired final reticulocyte concentration at the time of use. The composition can also be provided in the form of a diluted, ready-to-use control composition. Also included is a method of preparing such a composition, the method involving sequential steps of forming and sedimenting Rouleaux bodies.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1996Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: Research & Diagnostics Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Alan M. Johnson