Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Wilson

Thomas S. Wilson 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: 20190100626
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a silicone-based ink for additive manufacturing includes a vinyl-terminated siloxane macromer, a hydrophobic reinforcing filler, and a rheology modifying additive. In another embodiment, a method of additive manufacturing with silicone-based ink includes adding a mixture that includes a vinyl-terminated siloxane macromer, a hydrophobic reinforcing filler, and a rheology modifying additive to a cartridge for additive manufacturing, extruding the mixture through the cartridge to form a structure, and curing the mixture to at least a predefined extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Matt Durban, Eric Duoss, Jeremy Lenhardt, Thomas S. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20190021838
    Abstract: A stent for treating a physical anomaly. The stent includes a skeletal support structure for expanding in the physical anomaly and a shape memory material coupled to the skeletal support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick R. Buckley, William J. Benett, Jonathan Hartman, David A. Saloner
  • Patent number: 10161390
    Abstract: A resistively heated shape memory polymer device is operated using resistive heating to heat the shape memory polymer device. The resistively heated shape memory polymer device is made by providing a wire that includes a resistive medium. The wire is coated with a first shape memory polymer. The wire is exposed and electrical leads are attached to the wire. In one embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a clot destruction device. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a microvalve. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a micropump. In yet another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a thermostat or relay switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Marion, III, Jane P. Bearinger, Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Patent number: 10107270
    Abstract: A resistively heated shape memory polymer device is operated using resistive heating to heat the shape memory polymer device. The resistively heated shape memory polymer device is made by providing a wire that includes a resistive medium. The wire is coated with a first shape memory polymer. The wire is exposed and electrical leads are attached to the wire. In one embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a clot destruction device. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a microvalve. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a micropump. In yet another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a thermostat or relay switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Marion, III, Jane P. Bearinger, Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Publication number: 20180272599
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes an additive manufacturing print head and a nozzle that receives a bio-based shape memory polymer material and a bio-based material. The nozzle extrudes the bio-based shape memory polymer material and the bio-based material onto a substrate to form a bio-based shape memory polymer part or product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Jennifer Nicole Rodriguez, Eric B. Duoss, James Lewicki, Christopher Spadaccini, Thomas S. Wilson, Cheng Zhu
  • Patent number: 10080642
    Abstract: A stent for treating a physical anomaly. The stent includes a skeletal support structure for expanding in the physical anomaly and a shape memory material coupled to the skeletal support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick R. Buckley, William J. Benett, Jonathan Hartman, David A. Saloner
  • Publication number: 20180263631
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, William J. Benett, Jason M. Ortega, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
  • Publication number: 20180208735
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland, Nicole Docherty, Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, Jason Ortega, Pooja Singhal
  • Publication number: 20180186121
    Abstract: A three-dimensionally patterned energy absorptive material and fabrication method having multiple layers of patterned filaments extrusion-formed from a curable pre-cursor material and stacked and cured in a three-dimensionally patterned architecture so that the energy absorptive material produced thereby has an engineered bulk property associated with the three-dimensionally patterned architecture
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Eric B. Duoss, James M. Frank, Joshua Kuntz, Robert S. Maxwell, Thomas R. Metz, Christopher Spadaccini, Thomas S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10010327
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, William J. Benett, Jason M. Ortega, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
  • Publication number: 20180177508
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam designed to recover its original shape through exposure to a solvent. Thermo-responsive SMPs are polymers designed to maintain a programmed secondary shape until heated above their transition temperature, upon which the polymer recovers its original, or primary, shape. The thermo-responsive SMP foam is programmed to its secondary shape prior to use, typically compression of the foam to a small volume, and remains in this programmed shape until exposed to a selected solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide or ethyl alcohol. Upon exposure to the solvent, the transition temperature of the SMP foam decreases below the temperature of the environment and the SMP foam actuates to its primary shape. The SMP foam is tailored to actuate upon exposure to specific solvents while minimizing or preventing actuation when exposed to water or other solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Anthony J. Boyle, Keith Hearon, Duncan J. Maitland, Landon D. Nash, Thomas S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9962905
    Abstract: A three-dimensionally patterned energy absorptive material and fabrication method having multiple layers of patterned filaments extrusion-formed from a curable pre-cursor material and stacked and cured in a three-dimensionally patterned architecture so that the energy absorptive material produced thereby has an engineered bulk property associated with the three-dimensionally patterned architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Duoss, James M. Frank, Joshua Kuntz, Robert S. Maxwell, Thomas R. Metz, Christopher Spadaccini, Thomas S. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20170362372
    Abstract: New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxyl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Jane P. Bearinger
  • Patent number: 9840577
    Abstract: Compositions and/or structures of degradable shape memory polymers (SMPs) ranging in form from neat/unfoamed to ultra low density materials of down to 0.005 g/cc density. These materials show controllable degradation rate, actuation temperature and breadth of transitions along with high modulus and excellent shape memory behavior. A method of m ly low density foams (up to 0.005 g/cc) via use of combined chemical and physical aking extreme blowing agents, where the physical blowing agents may be a single compound or mixtures of two or more compounds, and other related methods, including of using multiple co-blowing agents of successively higher boiling points in order to achieve a large range of densities for a fixed net chemical composition. Methods of optimization of the physical properties of the foams such as porosity, cell size and distribution, cell openness etc. of these materials, to further expand their uses and improve their performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Pooja Singhal, Thomas S. Wilson, Elizabeth Cosgriff-Hernandez, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Publication number: 20170252045
    Abstract: A system for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel or vein, wherein the aneurysm has a dome, an interior, and a neck. The system includes a shape memory polymer foam in the interior of the aneurysm between the dome and the neck. The shape memory polymer foam has pores that include a first multiplicity of pores having a first pore size and a second multiplicity of pores having a second pore size. The second pore size is larger than said first pore size. The first multiplicity of pores are located in the neck of the aneurysm. The second multiplicity of pores are located in the dome of the aneurysm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jason M. Ortega, William J. Benett, Ward Small, Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
  • Patent number: 9752562
    Abstract: A resistively heated shape memory polymer device is made by providing a rod, sheet or substrate that includes a resistive medium. The rod, sheet or substrate is coated with a first shape memory polymer providing a coated intermediate unit. The coated intermediate unit is in turn coated with a conductive material providing a second intermediate unit. The second coated intermediate unit is in turn coated with an outer shape memory polymer. The rod, sheet or substrate is exposed and an electrical lead is attached to the rod, sheet or substrate. The conductive material is exposed and an electrical lead is attached to the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Marion, III, Jane P. Bearinger, Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Patent number: 9745402
    Abstract: New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Jane P. Bearinger
  • Publication number: 20170198080
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Michael Keith Hearon, Jane P. Bearinger
  • Publication number: 20170181750
    Abstract: A system for occluding a physical anomaly. One embodiment comprises a shape memory material body wherein the shape memory material body fits within the physical anomaly occluding the physical anomaly. The shape memory material body has a primary shape for occluding the physical anomaly and a secondary shape for being positioned in the physical anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland
  • Patent number: 9670308
    Abstract: A device, system and method for treatment of an opening in vascular and/or septal walls including patent foramen ovale. The device has wings/stops on either end, an axis core covered in a shape memory foam and is deliverable via a catheter to the affected opening, finally expanding into a vascular or septal opening where it is held in place by the expandable shape memory stops or wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Pooja Singhal, Thomas S. Wilson, Elizabeth Cosgriff-Hernandez, Duncan J. Maitland