Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Smith

Stephen M. Smith 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: 20240341972
    Abstract: A composite material for use, for example, as an orthopedic implant, that includes a porous reinforced composite scaffold that includes a polymer, reinforcement particles distributed throughout the polymer, and a substantially continuously interconnected plurality of pores that are distributed throughout the polymer, each of the pores in the plurality of pores defined by voids interconnected by struts, each pore void having a size within a range from about 10 to 500 ?m. The porous reinforced composite scaffold has a scaffold volume that includes a material volume defined by the polymer and the reinforcement particles, and a pore volume defined by the plurality of pores. The reinforcement particles are both embedded within the polymer and exposed on the struts within the pore voids. The polymer may be a polyaryletherketone polymer and the reinforcement particles may be anisometric calcium phosphate particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: HAPPE SPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan K. ROEDER, Gabriel L. Converse, Stephen M. Smith
  • Patent number: 12048633
    Abstract: A composite material for use, for example, as an orthopedic implant, that includes a porous reinforced composite scaffold that includes a polymer, reinforcement particles distributed throughout the polymer, and a substantially continuously interconnected plurality of pores that are distributed throughout the polymer, each of the pores in the plurality of pores defined by voids interconnected by struts, each pore void having a size within a range from about 10 to 500 nm. The porous reinforced composite scaffold has a scaffold volume that includes a material volume defined by the polymer and the reinforcement particles, and a pore volume defined by the plurality of pores. The reinforcement particles are both embedded within the polymer and exposed on the struts within the pore voids. The polymer may be a polyaryletherketone polymer and the reinforcement particles may be anisometric calcium phosphate particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: HAPPE SPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan K. Roeder, Gabriel L. Converse, Stephen M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220062004
    Abstract: A composite material for use, for example, as an orthopedic implant, that includes a porous reinforced composite scaffold that includes a polymer, reinforcement particles distributed throughout the polymer, and a substantially continuously interconnected plurality of pores that are distributed throughout the polymer, each of the pores in the plurality of pores defined by voids interconnected by struts, each pore void having a size within a range from about 10 to 500 ?m. The porous reinforced composite scaffold has a scaffold volume that includes a material volume defined by the polymer and the reinforcement particles, and a pore volume defined by the plurality of pores. The reinforcement particles are both embedded within the polymer and exposed on the struts within the pore voids. The polymer may be a polyaryletherketone polymer and the reinforcement particles may be anisometric calcium phosphate particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: HAPPE SPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan K. ROEDER, Gabriel L. CONVERSE, Stephen M. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11179243
    Abstract: Implantable devices for orthopedic, including spine and other uses are formed of porous reinforced polymer scaffolds. Scaffolds include a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuously interconnected pores. The porosity and the size of the pores within the scaffold are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material, and the composite material includes a plurality of reinforcement particles integrally formed within and embedded in the matrix and exposed on the pore surfaces. The reinforcement particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: HAPPE SPINE LLC
    Inventors: Ryan K. Roeder, Gabriel L. Converse, Stephen M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210177620
    Abstract: A composite material for use, for example, as an orthopedic implant, that includes a porous reinforced composite scaffold that includes a polymer, reinforcement particles distributed throughout the polymer, and a substantially continuously interconnected plurality of pores that are distributed throughout the polymer, each of the pores in the plurality of pores defined by voids interconnected by struts, each pore void having a size within a range from about 10 to 500 ?m. The porous reinforced composite scaffold has a scaffold volume that includes a material volume defined by the polymer and the reinforcement particles, and a pore volume defined by the plurality of pores. The reinforcement particles are both embedded within the polymer and exposed on the struts within the pore voids. The polymer may be a polyaryletherketone polymer and the reinforcement particles may be anisometric calcium phosphate particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: HAPPE SPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan K. ROEDER, Gabriel L. CONVERSE, Stephen M. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210015977
    Abstract: Synthetic composite materials for use, for example, as orthopedic implants are described herein. In one example, a composite material for use as a scaffold includes a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuous porosity and a plurality of pores. The porosity and the size of the pores are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material. The example composite material also includes a plurality of a anisometric calcium phosphate particles integrally formed, embedded in, or exposed on a surface of the porous matrix. The calcium phosphate particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan K. Roeder, Gabriel L. Converse, Stephen M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210000611
    Abstract: Implantable devices for orthopedic, including spine and other uses are formed of porous reinforced polymer scaffolds. Scaffolds include a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuously interconnected pores. The porosity and the size of the pores within the scaffold are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material, and the composite material includes a plurality of reinforcement particles integrally formed within and embedded in the matrix and exposed on the pore surfaces. The reinforcement particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan K. ROEDER, Gabriel L. CONVERSE, Stephen M. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20190083282
    Abstract: Implantable devices for orthopedic, including spine and other uses are formed of porous reinforced polymer scaffolds. Scaffolds include a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuously interconnected pores. The porosity and the size of the pores within the scaffold are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material, and the composite material includes a plurality of reinforcement particles integrally formed within and embedded in the matrix and exposed on the pore surfaces. The reinforcement particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan K. ROEDER, Gabriel L. CONVERSE, Stephen M. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10132515
    Abstract: An appliance includes a housing defining a cavity having an opening, and a cover member pivotable between open and closed positions with respect to the opening to selectively allow access to the cavity through the opening. A plurality of vents is engaged with the housing about the opening, including a positive pressure vent configured to direct a positive airflow in a first lateral cross-opening direction, a negative pressure vent configured to apply a suction in a second lateral cross-opening direction to pull at least a portion of the positive airflow therethrough, and opposing first and second neutral vents arranged laterally across the opening and configured to neutralize effects on and maintain the positive airflow from the positive pressure vent and pulled through the negative pressure vent by the applied suction caused by the cover member pivoting between open and closed positions. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170146255
    Abstract: An appliance includes a housing defining a cavity having an opening, and a cover member pivotable between open and closed positions with respect to the opening to selectively allow access to the cavity through the opening. A plurality of vents is engaged with the housing about the opening, including a positive pressure vent configured to direct a positive airflow in a first lateral cross-opening direction, a negative pressure vent configured to apply a suction in a second lateral cross-opening direction to pull at least a portion of the positive airflow therethrough, and opposing first and second neutral vents arranged laterally across the opening and configured to neutralize effects on and maintain the positive airflow from the positive pressure vent and pulled through the negative pressure vent by the applied suction caused by the cover member pivoting between open and closed positions. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9650435
    Abstract: Isolated monoclonal antibodies that bind to HIV-2 isolate NWK08F are provided. In some embodiments, the antibodies bind a polypeptide comprising the HIV-2NWK08F Env, Pol, or Nef proteins, or fragments thereof, respectively. Antigen-binding fragments and humanized versions of the antibody are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund
    Inventors: Stephen M. Smith, Preston A. Marx, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9384622
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons or tellers select a graphic area on a display element to place runners in a position of a pari-mutuel wager. In another method, a patron or teller selects a graphic area of a display element to copy a runner of a position to another position of a pari-mutuel wager. Another method provides a patron or teller with an opportunity to sort a list of runners of a pari-mutuel gaming activity by selecting an icon of a display element. In a further method, a patron or teller places a multi-position pari-mutuel wager by selecting an area of a display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Patent number: 9187588
    Abstract: A method of eluting metal ions from a bed of metal-loaded chelating resin wherein the resin includes a crosslinked styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer matrix with pendent methyleneaminopyridine or phosphonic acid groups and the method includes the step of passing an eluant through the bed to at least partially remove the metal ions from the chelating resin and create a metal-rich eluate, wherein the eluant includes an aqueous solution comprising an amino acid compound having a molecular weight less than 500 Daltons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Marston, Stephen M. Smith, Matthew L. Rodgers, Karen S. Eastman
  • Publication number: 20150175728
    Abstract: A method of eluting metal ions from a bed of metal-loaded chelating resin wherein the resin includes a crosslinked styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer matrix with pendent methyleneaminopyridine or phosphonic acid groups and the method includes the step of passing an eluant through the bed to at least partially remove the metal ions from the chelating resin and create a metal-rich eluate, wherein the eluant includes an aqueous solution comprising an amino acid compound having a molecular weight less than 500 Daltons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Charles R. Marston, Stephen M. Smith, Matthew L. Rodgers, Karen S. Eastman
  • Patent number: 8814700
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering may enable an organization to set rules to display the gaming activity. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering may enable players to make subscription as well as programmed bets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20140236299
    Abstract: Synthetic composite materials for use, for example, as orthopedic implants are described herein. In one example, a composite material for use as a scaffold includes a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuous porosity and a plurality of pores. The porosity and the size of the pores are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material. The example composite material also includes a plurality of a anisometric calcium phosphate particles integrally formed, embedded in, or exposed on a surface of the porous matrix. The calcium phosphate particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan K. Roeder, Gabriel L. Converse, Stephen M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140234332
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel strain of HIV-2 capable of causing immunodeficiency. The invention also provides compositions comprising the nucleic acids and polypeptides characteristic of this HIV-2 virus, antibodies specific for this HIV-2 virus, methods of using these compositions, and methods of detecting HIV-2 virus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Tulane University Health and Sciences Center
    Inventors: Stephen M. Smith, Preston A. Marx, JR.
  • Patent number: 8747862
    Abstract: The claimed invention is directed toward an HIV-2 isolate designated NWK08F, including variants, and isolated proteins and nucleotides obtained from said isolates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Tulane University Health Sciences Center
    Inventors: Stephen M. Smith, Preston A. Marx
  • Patent number: 8292729
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons select runners, and betting options of selected runners are presented. In another method, a first wager is placed and other wagers are presented, wherein the additional wagers may include a runner of the first wager. Another method allows patrons to wager on a runner, wherein an area representing the runner is marked to indicate that this runner was selected on a previous wager or in the current wager. In another method, a portion of a wager is patron selected and a portion of the wager is suggested by the betting interface. In another method, patrons may construct wager(s) for single or future races, or specify criteria for those wagers. In another method, runners are displayed in a table and patrons may select or deselect runner combinations by selecting cells within the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20120107909
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel strain of HIV-2 capable of causing immunodeficiency. The invention also provides compositions comprising the nucleic acids and polypeptides characteristic of this HIV-2 virus, antibodies specific for this HIV-2 virus, methods of using these compositions, and methods of detecting HIV-2 virus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen M. Smith, Preston A. Marx