US6341952B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fabrication of tissue products with additives by casting or molding using a mold formed by solid free-form methods
Assignee: Theken Spine LLC
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Filing: 2001-01-22
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Granted: 2002-01-29
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Expires: 2021-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A system for molding a tissue or substitute tissue product in a mold having an exterior surface, and an interior surface, wherein at least one portion of the interior surface is porous and whose pores are in continuous communication with the exterior surface, and wherein said mold can be fabricated using solid free-form fabrication techniques is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher M. Gaylo
- 👤 Walter Flamenbaum
- 👤 Miles J. Flamenbaum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K31/00; A61K31/60; B; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/141; B29C64/153; B33; B33Y; B33Y30/00; B33Y40/00; B33Y40/20; B33Y80/00; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7532; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A mold having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said mold has at least one portion of said interior surface which is porous and whose pores are in continuous communication with said exterior surface, and wherein said mold comprises an additive useful for making a molded product for use as a tissue substitute, said additive selected from the group consisting of pharmaceuticals, hormones, growth factors, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, cellular attractants, living cells, natural tissue extract, fragments of natural tissue, and surface active agents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A mold having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said mold has at least one portion of said interior surface which is porous and whose pores are in continuous communication with said exterior surface, and wherein said mold comprises an additive useful for making a molded product for use as a tissue substitute, said additive selected from the group consisting of pharmaceuticals, hormones, growth factors, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, cellular attractants, living cells, natural tissue extract, fragments of natural tissue, and surface active agents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mold of claim 1 , wherein said mold is fabricated using a solid free-form fabrication technique.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mold of claim 2 , wherein said mold is fabricated using three dimensional printing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mold of claim 3 , wherein said mold is adapted for coupling to a liquid removal means for removing a liquid substance from the interior surface of said mold to the exterior surface of said mold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mold of claim 4 , wherein said liquid removal means is selected from a group consisting of a pump, a centrifuge, and gravity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mold of claim 5 , wherein said liquid removal means is a pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mold of claim 5 , wherein said liquid removal means is a centrifuge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mold of claim 5 , wherein said liquid removal means is gravity.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for manufacturing a molded product for use as a tissue substitute, comprising: a) a mold having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said mold has at least one portion of said interior surface which is porous and whose pores are in continuous communication with said exterior surface, and wherein said mold comprises an additive, said additive selected from the group consisting of pharmaceuticals, hormones, growth factors, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, cellular attractants, living cells, natural tissue extract, fragments of natural tissue, and surface active agents; b) introduction means for introducing into said mold a mixture comprising a solid component selected from the group consisting of bioerodible, non-bioerodible and composite materials, wherein said mixture further comprises a liquid substance at least a portion of which can pass through said pores; and c) liquid removal means for removing a portion of said liquid substance from said solid component by withdrawal through the at least one portion of said interior surface which is porous.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for manufacturing a molded product for use as a tissue substitute, comprising: a) a mold having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said mold has at least one portion of said interior surface which is porous and whose pores are in continuous communication with said exterior surface, and wherein said mold comprises an additive, said additive selected from the group consisting of pharmaceuticals, hormones, growth factors, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, cellular attractants, living cells, natural tissue extract, fragments of natural tissue, and surface active agents; b) introduction means for introducing into said mold a mixture comprising a solid component selected from the group consisting of bioerodible, non-bioerodible and composite materials, wherein said mixture further comprises a liquid substance at least a portion of which can pass through said pores; and c) liquid removal means for removing a portion of said liquid substance from said solid component by withdrawal through the at least one portion of said interior surface which is porous.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system for manufacturing a molded product for use as a tissue substitute of claim 9 , wherein said mold is fabricated using a solid free-form fabrication technique.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system for manufacturing a molded product for use as a tissue substitute of claim 10 , wherein said mold is fabricated using three dimensional printing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system for manufacturing a molded product for use as a tissue substitute of claim 9 , wherein said liquid removal means is selected from a group consisting of a pump, a centrifuge, and gravity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system for manufacturing a molded product for use as a tissue substitute of claim 12 , wherein said liquid removal means is a pump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system for manufacturing a molded product for use as a tissue substitute of claim 12 , wherein said liquid removal means is a centrifuge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system for manufacturing a molded product for use as a tissue substitute of claim 12 , wherein said liquid removal means is gravity
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-01-28 | 2005-07-30 | 2006-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-28 | 2009-07-30 | 2010-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-28 | 2013-07-30 | 2014-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |