Patents by Inventor William Hudson Hofmeister
William Hudson Hofmeister 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).
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Patent number: 12145095Abstract: A tunable nanofiber filter device can include a filter housing defining an interior space, the housing having defined therein and inlet and an outlet, each in fluid communication with the interior space, and a plurality of filter laminas disposed within the interior space, each filter lamina including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture defined therethrough. The plurality of filter laminas can be arranged in a stack wherein the opposing surfaces of adjacent filter laminas define a portion of an interlaminar flow space extending between the opposing surfaces. The flow space can be in fluid communication with the apertures of corresponding adjacent filter laminas to form a continuous flow passage extending through the lamina stack from the inlet to the outlet. An array nanofibers can extend into the flow passage from a portion of each filter lamina such that a fluid flowed through the flow passage flows across a portion of said array.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2021Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Keith Allen Holloway
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Patent number: 12109737Abstract: Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2023Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa, Kathleen Stacia Lansford, Deepak Rajput, Lloyd M. Davis
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Publication number: 20230405885Abstract: Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa, Kathleen Stacia Lansford, Deepak Rajput, Lloyd M. Davis
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Patent number: 11667062Abstract: Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa, Kathleen Stacia Lansford, Deepak Rajput, Lloyd M. Davis
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Publication number: 20220024084Abstract: Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa, Kathleen Stacia Lansford, Deepak Rajput, Lloyd M. Davis
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Publication number: 20210346835Abstract: A tunable nanofiber filter device can include a filter housing defining an interior space, the housing having defined therein and inlet and an outlet, each in fluid communication with the interior space, and a plurality of filter laminas disposed within the interior space, each filter lamina including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture defined therethrough. The plurality of filter laminas can be arranged in a stack wherein the opposing surfaces of adjacent filter laminas define a portion of an interlaminar flow space extending between the opposing surfaces. The flow space can be in fluid communication with the apertures of corresponding adjacent filter laminas to form a continuous flow passage extending through the lamina stack from the inlet to the outlet. An array nanofibers can extend into the flow passage from a portion of each filter lamina such that a fluid flowed through the flow passage flows across a portion of said array.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Keith Allen Holloway
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Patent number: 11155007Abstract: Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa, Kathleen Stacia Lansford, Deepak Rajput, Lloyd M. Davis
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Patent number: 11014035Abstract: A tunable nanofiber filter device can include a filter housing defining an interior space, the housing having defined therein and inlet and an outlet, each in fluid communication with the interior space, and a plurality of filter laminas disposed within the interior space, each filter lamina including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture defined therethrough. The plurality of filter laminas can be arranged in a stack wherein the opposing surfaces of adjacent filter laminas define a portion of an interlaminar flow space extending between the opposing surfaces. The flow space can be in fluid communication with the apertures of corresponding adjacent filter laminas to form a continuous flow passage extending through the lamina stack from the inlet to the outlet. An array nanofibers can extend into the flow passage from a portion of each filter lamina such that a fluid flowed through the flow passage flows across a portion of said array.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Keith Allen Holloway
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Publication number: 20210079352Abstract: A biomimetic lamellar tissue scaffold for tissue regeneration comprises a plurality of lamellae formed of a polymer film and each having a first surface and a second surface. A patterned array of polymer nanofibers protrudes from the first surface of each lamella of the plurality. The lamellae form a plurality of interlamellar spaces between the first and second surfaces of adjacent lamellae. Protuberances formed on the first surface of each lamella maintain the interlamellar spaces. The arrays of polymer nanofibers on the first lamellar surface of each lamella protrude into the interlamellar spaces between adjacent lamellae and are configured to influence the propagation and differentiation of cells populated to or recruited to the scaffold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyke, Christopher P. Dougherty, Collin David Anderson
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Patent number: 10941380Abstract: Embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter provide biomimetic cell culture substrates comprising highly tunable patterned polymer nanofiber matrices capable of modulating expression of critical self-renewal factors and markers of cell-cell interaction to maintain stemness of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter also provide scalable, highly repeatable methods of making biomimetic cell culture substrates by hot pressing thermoplastic polymer films into femtosecond laser-ablated nanopore molds to form patterned polymer nanofiber matrices on flat thermoplastic substrates.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Ultra Small Fibers, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Lucas Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa
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Patent number: 10876095Abstract: A biomimetic lamellar tissue scaffold for tissue regeneration comprises a plurality of lamellae formed of a polymer film and each having a first surface and a second surface. A patterned array of polymer nanofibers protrudes from the first surface of each lamella of the plurality. The lamellae form a plurality of interlamellar spaces between the first and second surfaces of adjacent lamellae. Protuberances formed on the first surface of each lamella maintain the interlamellar spaces. The arrays of polymer nanofibers on the first lamellar surface of each lamella protrude into the interlamellar spaces between adjacent lamellae and are configured to influence the propagation and differentiation of cells populated to or recruited to the scaffold.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Christopher P. Dougherty, Collin David Anderson
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Publication number: 20200360923Abstract: A semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane comprises a substantially optically transparent polymer film having a surface area to thickness ratio of at least 1,000,000:1, and an array of precisely spatially ordered pores of a user-selected diameter defined therethrough. Such membranes can be fabricated by providing a mold having a patterned array of nanoholes femtosecond laser ablated in a surface thereof; applying a first polymer solution onto the mold surface so that the first polymer solution infiltrates the nanoholes; allowing the first polymer solution to dry and form a replica of the mold having a plurality of freestanding nanoneedles extending from a surface of the replica; removing the replica from the mold; coating the replica surface with a second polymer solution; drying the second polymer solution to form a porous polymer film; and dissolving the replica in a solvent to release the film from the replica as a semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa
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Patent number: 10758902Abstract: A semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane comprises a substantially optically transparent polymer film having a surface area to thickness ratio of at least 1,000,000:1, and an array of precisely spatially ordered pores of a user-selected diameter defined therethrough. Such membranes can be fabricated by providing a mold having a patterned array of nanoholes femtosecond laser ablated in a surface thereof; applying a first polymer solution onto the mold surface so that the first polymer solution infiltrates the nanoholes; allowing the first polymer solution to dry and form a replica of the mold having a plurality of freestanding nanoneedles extending from a surface of the replica; removing the replica from the mold; coating the replica surface with a second polymer solution; drying the second polymer solution to form a porous polymer film; and dissolving the replica in a solvent to release the film from the replica as a semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Ultra Small Fibers, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa
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Patent number: 10695961Abstract: A method for modifying the wettability of a surface of an object can comprise forming on the surface of the object one or more arrays of nanofibers, wherein the one or more arrays of nanofibers includes nanofibers spaced along an X-axis and a Y-axis at the same or different intervals along either axis, the one or more arrays of nanofibers is integral with the object, and the nanofibers all have a base portion that is substantially normal to the surface. The intervals, diameter, and length of the nanofibers of the one or more arrays of nanofibers are selected so that the wettability of the surface for one or more predetermined liquids is increased or decreased relative to the wettability of the surface in the absence of the array of nanofibers.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Ultra Small Fibers, LLCInventor: William Hudson Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20200039122Abstract: A method for modifying the wettability of a surface of an object can comprise forming on the surface of the object one or more arrays of nanofibers, wherein the one or more arrays of nanofibers includes nanofibers spaced along an X-axis and a Y-axis at the same or different intervals along either axis, the one or more arrays of nanofibers is integral with the object, and the nanofibers all have a base portion that is substantially normal to the surface. The intervals, diameter, and length of the nanofibers of the one or more arrays of nanofibers are selected so that the wettability of the surface for one or more predetermined liquids is increased or decreased relative to the wettability of the surface in the absence of the array of nanofibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventor: William Hudson Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20190076775Abstract: A tunable nanofiber filter device can include a filter housing defining an interior space, the housing having defined therein and inlet and an outlet, each in fluid communication with the interior space, and a plurality of filter laminas disposed within the interior space, each filter lamina including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture defined therethrough. The plurality of filter laminas can be arranged in a stack wherein the opposing surfaces of adjacent filter laminas define a portion of an interlaminar flow space extending between the opposing surfaces. The flow space can be in fluid communication with the apertures of corresponding adjacent filter laminas to form a continuous flow passage extending through the lamina stack from the inlet to the outlet. An array nanofibers can extend into the flow passage from a portion of each filter lamina such that a fluid flowed through the flow passage flows across a portion of said array.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Keith Allen Holloway
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Patent number: 10159926Abstract: A tunable nanofiber filter device can include a filter housing defining an interior space, the housing having defined therein and inlet and an outlet, each in fluid communication with the interior space, and a plurality of filter laminas disposed within the interior space, each filter lamina including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture defined therethrough. The plurality of filter laminas can be arranged in a stack wherein the opposing surfaces of adjacent filter laminas define a portion of an interlaminar flow space extending between the opposing surfaces. The flow space can be in fluid communication with the apertures of corresponding adjacent filter laminas to form a continuous flow passage extending through the lamina stack from the inlet to the outlet. An array nanofibers can extend into the flow passage from a portion of each filter lamina such that a fluid flowed through the flow passage flows across a portion of said array.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Ultra Small Fibers, LLCInventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Keith Allen Holloway
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Publication number: 20180243951Abstract: Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos de Costa, Kathleen Stacia Lansford, Deepak Rajput, Lloyd M. Davis
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Publication number: 20170320057Abstract: A semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane is a microfluidic device that comprises a substantially optically transparent polymer film having a surface area to thickness ratio of at least 1,000,000:1, and an array of precisely spatially ordered pores of a user-selected diameter defined therethrough. Such membranes can be fabricated by providing a mold having a patterned array of nanoholes femtosecond laser ablated in a surface thereof; applying a first polymer solution onto the mold surface so that the first polymer solution infiltrates the nanoholes; allowing the first polymer solution to dry and form a replica of the mold having a plurality of freestanding nanoneedles extending from a surface of the replica; removing the replica from the mold; coating the replica surface with a second polymer solution; drying the second polymer solution to form a porous polymer film; and dissolving the replica in a solvent to release the film from the replica as a semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Alexander Yuryevich Terekhov, Jose Lino Vasconcelos da Costa
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Publication number: 20170072349Abstract: A tunable nanofiber filter device can include a filter housing defining an interior space, the housing having defined therein and inlet and an outlet, each in fluid communication with the interior space, and a plurality of filter laminas disposed within the interior space, each filter lamina including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture defined therethrough. The plurality of filter laminas can be arranged in a stack wherein the opposing surfaces of adjacent filter laminas define a portion of an interlaminar flow space extending between the opposing surfaces. The flow space can be in fluid communication with the apertures of corresponding adjacent filter laminas to form a continuous flow passage extending through the lamina stack from the inlet to the outlet. An array nanofibers can extend into the flow passage from a portion of each filter lamina such that a fluid flowed through the flow passage flows across a portion of said array.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: William Hudson Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Keith Allen Holloway