Patents by Inventor Robert A. Allen

Robert A. Allen 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: 10738152
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Univeristy of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Yadong Wang, Eric M. Jeffries, Robert A. Allen
  • Publication number: 20180251596
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Yadong Wang, Eric M. Jeffries, Robert A. Allen
  • Patent number: 9938373
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Yadong Wang, Eric M. Jeffries, Robert A. Allen
  • Publication number: 20150322202
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro-or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Yadong WANG, Eric M. JEFFRIES, Robert A. ALLEN
  • Patent number: 4303536
    Abstract: A novel nonazeotropic mixture containing R-22 and either R-124 or R-152a. This mixture has an improved efficiency in cooling and heating applications. Also provided is a method for producing refrigeration and a method for producing heating using this mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Sabatino R. Orfeo, Robert A. Allen, Leonard I. Stiel, John W. Pelava
  • Patent number: 4224795
    Abstract: Monochlorotetrafluoroethane is useful as a power fluid with particular suitability for large scale Rankine cycle applications based on systems with moderate temperature heat sources. The fluid is utilized in a Rankine cycle application by vaporizing the fluid by passing the same in heat exchange relationship with a heat source and utilizing the kinetic energy of the resulting expanding vapors to perform work. In this manner heat energy is converted to mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard I. Stiel, Robert A. Allen, Kevin P. Murphy