Patents Assigned to University of Exeter
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Patent number: 8405477Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices for propulsion through a fluid, in particular at low Reynolds number. We describe a method of propelling one of a magnetic device and a fluid relative to the other, the magnetic device comprising a pair of magnetic moments linked by an elastic coupling element, one of said moments having a greater resistance to a change in orientation due to an external applied magnetic field than the other, the method comprising applying an elliptical or ellipsoidal rotating magnetic field to the device to cause a change in mutual attraction or repulsion between said magnetic moments to thereby change a physical configuration of said device, propelling said device relative to said fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: University of ExeterInventors: Feodor Yurievitch Ogrin, Peter Georgiev Petrov, Charles Peter Winlove
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Publication number: 20120298028Abstract: A mooring limb for damping the oscillations of a moored object comprising an axially extensible outer sheath, and an inner radially compressible core, the core being compressible radially by the sheath as the axial length of the limb increases, the limb being axially contractible as a result of a force provided by the core acting radially outward onto the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: The University of ExeterInventors: David Parish, Lars Johanning
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Publication number: 20120258128Abstract: There is provided a method of selecting an anti-macrophage micro-organism comprising an anti-macrophage factor, the method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining an assay micro-organism and preparing a sample thereof; b) lysing the assay micro-organism cells contained in the sample from (a) to form a lysate fluid; c) contacting a sample of macrophage cells with the lysate fluid from step (b); d) determining the macrophage cell viability and comparing the viability to the viability of macrophage cells in a control macrophage sample; and e) selecting the micro-organism as an anti-macrophage micro-organism if the viability is reduced by at least 10%. The anti-macrophage factors identifiable by methods according to the invention can be used in the formulation of vaccines and other therapies against disorders caused by the anti-macrophage micro-organism.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF EXETERInventors: Andrea J. Dowling, Richard H. Ffrench-Constant
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Patent number: 8214006Abstract: In the application, the change in the magnetic state of the haemoglobin caused by the malarial infection is exploited by detecting suitable properties of haemozoin which are dependent on the application of a magnetic field. FIG. 1 shows apparatus, shown generally at (10), for performing magneto-optical detection using photo-acoustic techniques. The apparatus (10) comprises a light source (12), producing a beam of optical radiation (14) which passes through a polarizer (16), a variable LC retarder (0 or 180° retardance) (18), and a (chopper 20), before impinging on a sample (22) held in a sample holder (24). The sample is in direct contact with an acoustic detector (26). The apparatus (10) further comprises an electromagnet (28), and a Gauss meter (30) can be utilized to measure the applied magnetic field strength.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignees: Coventry University, University of ExeterInventors: David Michael Newman, John Heptinstall
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Publication number: 20110209557Abstract: A fibrous assembly includes two components. The first component provides a visual indication of when a pre-determined tensile load is applied to the assembly or when the fibres of the assembly have been over-extended. The first and second components are movable relative to each other, the visual indication being provided by the first component being substantially concealed by the second component and becoming at least partially exposed when the pre-determined tensile load is applied to the assembly or when the fibres have been over-extended. The first component comprises auxetic yarn.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2009Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF EXETERInventors: Michael Kenneth Burns, Julian Roger Wright, Kenneth Ernest Evans
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Publication number: 20110052393Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices for propulsion through a fluid, in particular at low Reynolds number. We describe a method of propelling one of a magnetic device and a fluid relative to the other, the magnetic device comprising a pair of magnetic moments linked by an elastic coupling element, one of said moments having a greater resistance to a change in orientation due to an external applied magnetic field than the other, the method comprising applying an elliptical or ellipsoidal rotating magnetic field to the device to cause a change in mutual attraction or repulsion between said magnetic moments to thereby change a physical configuration of said device, propelling said device relative to said fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: University of ExeterInventors: Feodor Yurievitch Ogrin, Peter Georgiev Petrov, Charles Peter Winlove
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Publication number: 20100129474Abstract: A method for the control of microorganisms, fungi or oomycetes in agriculture, said method comprising applying to plants or to the environment thereof, an anti-microbial, anti-fungal or anti-oomycetes effective amount of a combination of: (i) an agriculturally acceptable acidifying agent, and (ii) an agriculturally acceptable source of nitrite ions or a nitrate precursor thereof, wherein the combination of (i) and (ii) acts as a source of nitric oxide. Systems and compositions for use in this method are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2007Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF EXETERInventors: Nigel Benjamin, Nicholas Jose Talbot, Michael John Kershaw, Paul Graham Winyard
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Patent number: 6967437Abstract: An LED, and in particular an LED employing emissive semi-conductors such as conjugated polymeric materials, consists of a pair of electrodes, one or more intermediate semi-conductor layers arranged therebetween and optionally one or more futher layers, and incorporates a microstructured feature adapted to manipulate spontaneous emission or propagation of light. The invention also consists of a method for the production of such an LED and the use of such a LED as an light emitting display.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignees: University of Durham, University of ExeterInventors: Ifor David William Samuel, John Mark Lupton, Benjamin James Matterson, William Leslie Barnes, Martin Guy Salt
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Patent number: 4753657Abstract: A bone implant assembly having an implant element whereof a stem portion is for insertion into a bone cavity, and wedge means for wedging between a proximal region of the cavity wall and the stem. The stem is tapered so that deeper insertion urges the wedge means against the wall. The wedge means may comprise lateral and medial wedges. Each may comprise a stem engaging portion with a low-friction surface, and an outer, wall engaging portion having a surface adapted for non-slip engagement, being a high friction surface and/or adapted for ingrowth of bone.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1985Date of Patent: June 28, 1988Assignee: University of ExeterInventors: Alan J. C. Lee, Robin S. M. Ling
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Patent number: 4521074Abstract: Pairs of images are presented to an observer under conditions such that they are perceived as a single image and provide information about their mutual relationship. The pair are derived from non-equivalent image means, e.g. from (a) a photograph of a scene subject to change and (b) direct viewing of the changed scene. They are generally presented simultaneously to respective eyes. Intermittent alternate occlusion of the images highlights differences. The image pairs may constitute movie or television displays to provide 3-dimensional effects.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1983Date of Patent: June 4, 1985Assignee: University of ExeterInventor: Patrick G. Kalaugher
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Patent number: 4488549Abstract: A seal member for fitting over and sealing the opening of a cavity in a bone to allow pressurization of cement in the cavity has an aperture for sealingly receiving a cement delivery nozzle. The seal member may be a balloon seal, which may be inflatable and expandable, or a solid body of conformable material. In use, the seal member is urged against the opening, e.g. by force applied by the barrel of a cement delivery gun on an abutment means having an apertured pressure piece shaped to urge the seal member against the mouth of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1982Date of Patent: December 18, 1984Assignee: University of ExeterInventors: Alan J. C. Lee, Robin S. M. Ling
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Patent number: 4344190Abstract: An implant 22, e.g. for locating a hip prosthesis, is placed in the medullary canal 18 of a bone 20 (e.g. the femur) and secured by pressurized cement 24. A push-fit plug 10 prevents cement penetrating down the canal. The plug can be biodegradable so that in time it dissolves away and does not modify the flexural rigidity of the cement/bone system and the risk of fractures occurring at the level of the plug is reduced. Additionally or alternatively, the outwardly facing end portion 16 of the plug may be generally conical so that the thickness of the cement increases gradually and the flexural rigidity likewise changes gradually.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1980Date of Patent: August 17, 1982Assignee: University of ExeterInventors: Alan J. C. Lee, Robin S. M. Ling
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Patent number: 4258709Abstract: A device for teaching a patient to keep his lips closed, to combat dribbling, has a sensor electrode (12,22,46) for insertion between the lips, and an electrical detector (G1) and indicator (30) to indicate cessation of contact with at least one lip. The patient is thus reminded to keep his lips closed.In one form, there is a secondary electrode (26) attached to a remote part of the patient's body, the detector detecting when an electrical circuit through the body is broken by the sensor electrode falling from the lips. In another form, the sensor electrode (46) is upwardly hooked (50) to contact the upper lip, and the detector detects absence of electrical contact between sensor electrode and a frame (32) hooked behind the lower lip.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1979Date of Patent: March 31, 1981Assignee: University of ExeterInventors: Frederick C. Flack, Richard E. Ellis, Kenneth Bundy, Francis Miners, Wilfred G. Selley
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Patent number: RE32487Abstract: Pairs of images are presented to an observer under conditions such that they are perceived as a single image and provide information about their mutual relationship. The pair are derived from non-equivalent image means, e.g. from (a) a photograph of a scene subject to change and (b) direct viewing of the changed scene. They are generally presented simultaneously to respective eyes. Intermittent alternate occlusion of the images highlights differences. The image pairs may constitute movie or television displays to provide 3-dimensional effects.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1986Date of Patent: September 1, 1987Assignee: University of ExeterInventor: Patrick G. Kalaugher