# US 11,077,270 B2 · Patterns for flow control and bioadhesion control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,270 B2 - Document ID: US11077270B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/502,359 - Filed: 2015-08-07 - Published: 2017-08-03 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-07 - Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.; Sharklet Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Sharklet Technologies, Inc.; University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. - Inventors: Chelsea Marie Magin; Shravanthi T. Reddy; Anthony B. Brennan; Rhea Marie May; Ethan Eugene Mann; Michael Ryan Mettetal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077270B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/04: Tracheal tubes (catheters in general A61M25/00) - A61F 2/0077: {Special surfaces of prostheses, e.g. for improving ingrowth (A61F2/30767 takes precedence)} - A61F 2/1601: {Lens body having features to facilitate aqueous fluid flow across the intraocular lens, e.g. for pressure equalization or nutrient delivery} - A61M 25/00: Catheters; Hollow probes (dilators A61M29/00; {peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00} ; for measuring or testing A61B; {materials for catheters A61L29/00}) - F16L 9/12: of plastics with or without reinforcement (F16L9/16 - F16L9/22 take precedence) - F28F 1/00: Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements (specially adapted for movement F28F5/00) - A61F 2002/009: {for hindering or preventing attachment of biological tissue} - A61F 2250/0026: differing in surface structures - A61F 2250/0051: differing in tissue ingrowth capacity, e.g. made from both ingrowth-promoting and ingrowth-preventing parts - A61F 2250/0056: differing in wettability, e.g. in hydrophilic or hydrophobic behaviours - A61F 2250/0068: the pharmaceutical product being in a reservoir - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) ## Abstract An article includes a path that extends across at least a portion of a surface of the article, the path being defined by at least one channel that traverses at least a portion of the surface or a first plurality of spaced features disposed on or in at least a portion of the surface. The first plurality of spaced features are arranged in a plurality of groupings. The groupings of features comprise repeat units, where the spaced features within a grouping are spaced apart at an average distance of about 1 nanometer to about 500 micrometers to define a path that traverses the plurality of spaced features. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An article comprising: a first plurality of spaced features disposed on or in at least a portion of a surface of the article; the first plurality of spaced features arranged in a plurality of grouping; each grouping being a repeat unit of a plurality of repeat units that is repeated across the surface; the first plurality of spaced features within the grouping being spaced apart at an average distance of about 1 nanometer to about 500 micrometers to define a continuous path that traverses the first plurality of spaced features; where the continuous path extends across the portion of the surface of the article; each spaced feature having a surface that is substantially parallel to a surface on a neighboring spaced feature; each spaced feature being separated from the neighboring spaced feature; where the article comprises grids; wherein each grid encompasses the plurality of repeat units; and wherein the plurality of repeat units in adjacent grids are inclined at an angle of 50 to 150 degrees to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the continuous path is a linear path and is oriented parallel to a direction of fluid flow. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the continuous path is a linear path and is oriented perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the continuous path is a linear path and is oriented at an angle of about 1 to about 50 degrees from a direction of fluid flow. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the continuous path is a curvilinear path and is oriented at an angle of 0 to about 45 degrees from a direction of fluid flow. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the continuous path is a curvilinear path and is oriented at an angle of about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees from a direction of fluid flow. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the continuous path is defined by a plurality of linear channels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the first plurality of spaced features have thicknesses that vary with distance from a given point. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the first plurality of spaced features have densities that vary with distance from a given point. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the article is an endotracheal tube or a catheter, where the continuous path is a linear path and is oriented parallel to a direction of fluid flow and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the endotracheal tube or the catheter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the article comprises a plurality of sectors where the path is a linear path but is oriented differently in different sectors. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The article of claim 8, where the article is a wound dressing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, where the spaced features of the article are arranged in a zig zag fashion.