Patents Assigned to The University of Montana
  • Publication number: 20170233374
    Abstract: The present invention provides T-type calcium channel modulators and methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, compounds of the invention are of the formula: where R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, polyether, alkoxy and cycloalkyl; X is selected from the group consisting of methylene, —C(?O)—[NR4]a, —C(?S)—, and —S(?O)b; R2 is selected from the group consisting of heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl; R3 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, polyether, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, —NR5R6, —C(?O)NR5R6, —C(?O)ORa (where Ra is alkyl, typically C1-C8 alkyl, often C2-C6 alkyl, and in one particular embodiment Ra is tert-butyl), and —SO2NR5R6; R4 is hydrogen, alkyl, or a nitrogen protecting group; each of R5 and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl; a is 0 or 1; b is 1 or 2; n=1 to 3; and m=0 to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicants: UTI Limited Partnership, University of Montana
    Inventors: Gerald Werner Zamponi, Philippe Diaz
  • Publication number: 20170197996
    Abstract: The invention provides compounds that inhibit cholinesterases, such as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Such compounds are useful to prevent or treat exposure of a patient (e.g., a human) to an organophosphoric nerve agent (e.g., sarin and VX) or to treat a patient suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer's Disease or Lewy Body Dementia. The compounds are further useful as diagnostic tools for use in medical or research radiography (e.g., positron emission tomography) when synthesized with a radionuclide (e.g., [18F]. Synthetic schemes to produce such compounds are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Charles M. Thompson, John M. Gerdes, Syed K. Ahmed, Yamina Belabassi
  • Patent number: 9688557
    Abstract: A process of growing a culture of cyanobacteria or algae using chitin or chitosan as a source of nitrogen for photosynthetic growth is described. This process can be used to remove pollutants from nitrogen-deficient natural waters or wastewaters including buchu mercaptan production wastewater. Biomass that results from photosynthetic growth on chitin can be used, either as whole cells or the isolated components of the cells, for a large variety of commercial purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Carrine Blank, Nancy W. Hinman
  • Patent number: 9670074
    Abstract: Silica polyamine composites (SPC) made from silanized amorphous nano-porous silica gel and poly(allylamine) (BP-1) were functionalized with phosphorus acid using the Mannich reaction, resulting in a phosphonic acid modified composite (BPAP). Zirconium (IV) was immobilized on BPAP. Arsenate anions strongly adsorbed on the ZrBPAP composite in the pH range 2 to 8, while arsenite only adsorbed well at pH 10. Regeneration of the resin was carried out successfully for As(V) and As(III) using 2M-H2SO4. Four adsorption/desorption cycles were performed for As(V) at pH 4 without significant decrease in the uptake performance. ZrBPAP capture capacity and kinetics for arsenate were tested for longevity over 1000 cycles with only a marginal loss of performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Edward Rosenberg, Varadharajan Kailasam, Daniel Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9605315
    Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive methods of detecting, diagnosing, and assessing neuronal damage associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Specific species of microRNAs (miRNA), small, noncoding RNA molecules that play gene regulatory functions, are correlated with cellular damage and oxidative stress following TBI or CTE, allowing for rapid, minimally-invasive diagnosis and assessment of brain injury. The early identification and longitudinal assessment of neuronal damage in subjects suffering from or at risk of suffering from a TBI (e.g., football players, boxers, military personnel, fall victims) will improve clinical outcomes by guiding critical medical and behavioral decision making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Sarjubhai Patel, Thomas Rau
  • Patent number: 9512074
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of Formula (I) or (II) or a salt thereof, wherein R is described herein. The compounds are novel hydroxy-proline analog inhibitors of the ASCT1 and ASCT2 neutral amino acid transporters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
    Inventors: Christopher Sean Esslinger, Michael P. Kavanaugh, Brent Lyda, Nicholas R. Natale
  • Patent number: 9505882
    Abstract: Hydroxypolyamides, hydroxypolyamide products, and post-hydroxypolyamides are disclosed as gel forming agents. Hydroxypolyamides and post-hydroxypolyamides are prepared from known methods. Hydroxypolyamide products are produced from a modified polymerization procedure which utilizes strong base for deprotonation of ammonium salts from the esterification of stoichiometrically equivalent polyacid:polyamine salts. The hydroxypolyamide products are capable of gel formation at lower concentrations than hydroxypolyamides and post-hydroxypolyamides from the known methods of preparation, and are therefore superior gel forming agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
    Inventors: Donald E. Kiely, Tyler N. Smith
  • Patent number: 9499472
    Abstract: The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT) that penetrate the blood-brain barrier to access the central nervous system. The compounds of the invention follow the structural formula: or a salt, ester or prodrug thereof, wherein X is a halogen, such as fluorine, or a radionuclide, such as fluorine-18. The compounds and methods described herein can be used for the treatment of, e.g., neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), ischemia, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury in a patient (e.g., a human). The invention further provides compounds and methods for the synthesis and use of radiographic tracers to diagnose and follow the progression of such disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
    Inventors: John M. Gerdes, Richard J. Bridges, Syed K. Ahmed, Sarjubhai Patel
  • Publication number: 20160200703
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to compositions and methods for treating diseases that are ameliorated by the inhibition of CYP26 mediated retinoic acid metabolism. The compositions comprise compounds of formula (I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
    Inventors: Philippe DIAZ, Nina ISOHERRANEN, Brian BUTTRICK, Nicolas GUILLOTEAU
  • Patent number: 9358537
    Abstract: Oxine ligands placed on styrene base ion exchange resins selectively remove iron and gallium from acidic solutions. After loading, the oxine resin is stripped of the loaded metals and used again for further metal removal. The resins can be used for process streams, acid rock drainages, or any other iron or gallium containing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Montana Tech of the University of Montana
    Inventors: Paul J. Miranda, Corby G. Anderson, Edward Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 9315624
    Abstract: Hydroxypolyamides, hydroxypolyamide products, and post-hydroxypolyamides are disclosed as gel forming agents. Hydroxypolyamides and post-hydroxypolyamides are prepared from known methods. Hydroxypolyamide products are produced from a modified polymerization procedure which utilizes strong base for deprotonation of ammonium salts from the esterification of stoichiometrically equivalent polyacid:polyamine salts. The hydroxypolyamide products are capable of gel formation at lower concentrations than hydroxypolyamides and post-hydroxypolyamides from the known methods of preparation, and are therefore superior gel forming agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
    Inventors: Donald E. Kiely, Tyler N. Smith
  • Patent number: 9293949
    Abstract: Electric power grid monitoring methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, an electric power grid signal processing method includes accessing a plurality of signals which are individually indicative of a characteristic of electromechanical energy within an electric power grid, using the plurality of signals, generating a composite signal, and analyzing the composite signal to provide information regarding an oscillatory mode within the electric power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Montana Tech of the University of Montana, University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Dan Trudnowski, John Pierre
  • Patent number: 9255091
    Abstract: The compositions of the invention are novel benzothiazol-based pyridinium compounds with potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities. Such compositions can be used, for example, to treat Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The compounds of the invention can also be used to prevent or treat the neurotoxic effects of nerve agents (e.g., sarin gas or insecticides).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Charles M. Thompson, Sandip Bharate
  • Patent number: 9244130
    Abstract: Real-time battery impedance spectrum is acquired using a one-time record. Fast Summation Transformation (FST) is a parallel method of acquiring a real-time battery impedance spectrum using a one-time record that enables battery diagnostics. An excitation current to a battery is a sum of equal amplitude sine waves of frequencies that are octave harmonics spread over a range of interest. A sample frequency is also octave and harmonically related to all frequencies in the sum. A time profile of this sampled signal has a duration that is a few periods of the lowest frequency. A voltage response of the battery, average deleted, is an impedance of the battery in a time domain. Since the excitation frequencies are known and octave and harmonically related, a simple algorithm, FST, processes the time profile by rectifying relative to sine and cosine of each frequency. Another algorithm yields real and imaginary components for each frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignees: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Qualtech Systems, Inc., Montana Tech of the University of Montana
    Inventors: John L. Morrison, William H. Morrison, Jon P. Christophersen, Chester G. Motloch
  • Patent number: 9162959
    Abstract: A controlled nitric acid process employing oxygen and nitric acid as co-oxidants is used to oxidize organic compounds subject to nitric acid oxidation, to their corresponding carboxylic acids. Oxidation of some carbohydrates by this process can produce one or more of their corresponding acid forms. The process is carried out at moderate temperatures, typically in the range of 20° C. to 45° C. in a closed reactor, with oxygen gas being introduced into the reaction chamber as needed in order to sustain the reaction. Computer controlled reactors allow for careful and reproducible control of reaction parameters. Nitric acid can be recovered by a distillation/evaporation process, or by diffusion dialysis, the aqueous solution made basic with inorganic hydroxide, and the residual inorganic nitrate removed using a filtration (nanofiltration) device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Donald E. Kiely, Kirk R. Hash, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20150259336
    Abstract: The compositions of the invention are novel benzothiazol-based pyridinium compounds with potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities. Such compositions can be used, for example, to treat Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The compounds of the invention can also be used to prevent or treat the neurotoxic effects of nerve agents (e.g., sarin gas or insecticides).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Charles M. Thompson, Sandip Bharate
  • Patent number: 9102552
    Abstract: A process of growing a culture of cyanobacteria or algae using chitin or chitosan as a source of nitrogen for photosynthetic growth is described. This process can be used to remove pollutants from nitrogen-deficient natural waters or wastewaters. Biomass that results from photosynthetic growth on chitin can be used, either as whole cells or the isolated components of the cells, for a large variety of commercial purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Carrine Blank, Nancy W. Hinman
  • Patent number: 8961813
    Abstract: Compositions which inhibit corrosion and alter the physical properties of concrete (admixtures) are prepared from salt mixtures of hydroxycarboxylic acids, carboxylic acids, and nitric acid. The salt mixtures are prepared by neutralizing acid product mixtures from the oxidation of polyols using nitric acid and oxygen as the oxidizing agents. Nitric acid is removed from the hydroxycarboxylic acids by evaporation and diffusion dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Donald E. Kiely, Kirk R. Hash, Kylie Kramer-Presta, Tyler N. Smith
  • Patent number: 8895607
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of Formula (I) or (II) or a salt thereof, wherein R is described herein. The compounds are novel hydroxy-proline analog inhibitors of the ASCT1 and ASCT2 neutral amino acid transporters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Michael P. Kavanaugh, Brent Lyda, Nicholas R. Natale, Stephanie Lynn Martinelli
  • Patent number: 8868363
    Abstract: Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum data are used to predict pulse performance of an energy storage device. The impedance spectrum may be obtained in-situ. A simulation waveform includes a pulse wave with a period greater than or equal to the lowest frequency used in the impedance measurement. Fourier series coefficients of the pulse train can be obtained. The number of harmonic constituents in the Fourier series are selected so as to appropriately resolve the response, but the maximum frequency should be less than or equal to the highest frequency used in the impedance measurement. Using a current pulse as an example, the Fourier coefficients of the pulse are multiplied by the impedance spectrum at corresponding frequencies to obtain Fourier coefficients of the voltage response to the desired pulse. The Fourier coefficients of the response are then summed and reassembled to obtain the overall time domain estimate of the voltage using the Fourier series analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Qualtech Systems, Inc., Montana Tech of the University of Montana
    Inventors: John L. Morrison, William H. Morrison, Jon P. Christophersen, Chester G. Motloch