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).

  • Publication number: 20040107006
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, Amy Desmith, B. Nicholas Oray
  • Patent number: 6652594
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Synovis Life Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, Amy DeSmith, B. Nicholas Oray
  • Publication number: 20020138152
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, Amy DeSmith, B. Nicholas Oray
  • Publication number: 20020123789
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, B. Nicholas Oray, Anne E. Metzger
  • Patent number: 6312474
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Bio-Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Qing Hong Zhao, Amy Desmith, B. Nicholas Oray
  • Patent number: 5945340
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Research & Diagnostics Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Alan M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5858789
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Research & Diagnostic Systems, inc.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Alan M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5752965
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Bio-Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Mark E. Hughes, Anne E. Claeson, Joel Cooper
  • Patent number: 5736402
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Research & Diagnostics Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Francis, Alan M. Johnson