Patents by Inventor Sue J. Mecham

Sue J. Mecham 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: 20220168218
    Abstract: Geometrically complex intravaginal rings, systems and methods of making the same are provided herein. Disclosed herein are geometrically complex intravaginal rings with tunable and enhanced drug release, which in some embodiments can be fabricated by 3D printing technologies. The disclosed IVRs include a ring structure comprising a plurality of unit cells or macroscopic and/or microscopic architecture, which can be tuned to control the loading capacity of an active compound within the IVR, the diffusion of an active compound from the IVR, the surface area of the IVR, and/or the mechanical properties of the IVR. The disclosed geometrically complex IVRs can provide superior control over drug loading and drug release compared to conventional IVRs fabricated by injection molding or hot-melt extrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Soumya Rahima Benhabbour, Rima Janusziewicz, Sue J. Mecham
  • Patent number: 11219595
    Abstract: Geometrically complex intravaginal rings, systems and methods of making the same are provided herein. Disclosed herein are geometrically complex intravaginal rings with tunable and enhanced drug release, which in some embodiments can be fabricated by 3D printing technologies. The disclosed IVRs include a ring structure comprising a plurality of unit cells or macroscopic and/or microscopic architecture, which can be tuned to control the loading capacity of an active compound within the IVR, the diffusion of an active compound from the IVR, the surface area of the IVR, and/or the mechanical properties of the IVR. The disclosed geometrically complex IVRs can provide superior control over drug loading and drug release compared to conventional IVRs fabricated by injection molding or hot-melt extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Soumya Rahima Benhabbour, Rima Janusziewicz, Sue J. Mecham
  • Publication number: 20190091141
    Abstract: Geometrically complex intravaginal rings, systems and methods of making the same are provided herein. Disclosed herein are geometrically complex intravaginal rings with tunable and enhanced drug release, which in some embodiments can be fabricated by 3D printing technologies. The disclosed IVRs include a ring structure comprising a plurality of unit cells or macroscopic and/or microscopic architecture, which can be tuned to control the loading capacity of an active compound within the IVR, the diffusion of an active compound from the IVR, the surface area of the IVR, and/or the mechanical properties of the IVR. The disclosed geometrically complex IVRs can provide superior control over drug loading and drug release compared to conventional IVRs fabricated by injection molding or hot-melt extrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Soumya Rahima Benhabbour, Rima Janusziewicz, Sue J. Mecham
  • Patent number: 6569984
    Abstract: The invention is directed to method for making a polyimide by converting the dianhydride to the ester acid and reacting the ester acid with a diamine. The invention allows for the controlled addition of aliphatic diamines resulting in control of the polyimide properties such as the glass transition temperature, solubility, and melt processability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Sue J. Mecham
  • Publication number: 20020022710
    Abstract: The invention is directed to method for making a polyimide by converting the dianhydride to the ester acid and reacting the ester acid with a diamine. The invention allows for the controlled addition of aliphatic diamines resulting in control of the polyimide properties such as the glass transition temperature, solubility, and melt processability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Sue J. Mecham