Patents by Inventor Frank B. Cerra

Frank B. Cerra 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).

  • Bioreactor device with application as a bioartificial liver
    Patent number: 5605835
    Abstract: A bioreactor apparatus comprising two chambers, a feed and waste chamber and a cell chamber separated by a selectively permeable membrane. Within the cell chamber, a biocompatible three-dimensional matrix entraps animal cells or genetic modifications thereof. Due to the presence of this biocompatible matrix, the cell chamber generally has a gel phase, i.e., the biocompatible matrix and cells, and a liquid phase containing a concentrated solution of the cell product to be harvested. Thus, the bioreactor of this invention uses only two chambers to achieve three distinct zones within the apparatus. A bioartificial liver is based on a bioreactor of the type having two fluid paths separated by a permeable medium. The bioreactor can be of either hollow fiber or flat-bed configuration. In the configuration using hollow fibers, the two fluid paths correspond to the cavity surrounding the hollow fibers (the extracapillary space), and to the lumens of the hollow fibers themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Wei-Shou Hu, Frank B. Cerra, Scott L. Nyberg, Matthew T. Scholz, Russell A. Shatford
  • Filter device
    Patent number: 5595909
    Abstract: A filter device containing cell masses and single cells is described. The device contains porous hollow fibers and hepatocytes entrapped within a contracted gel matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Wei-Shou Hu, Frank B. Cerra
  • Compositions and methods for the enhancement of host defense mechanisms
    Patent number: 5231085
    Abstract: The invention provides immunostimulatory compositions comprising an aggregate immunostimulatory amount ofa) a compound associated with the synthesis of polyamines,b) a nucleobase source,c) omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, andd) omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acidsthe use of such compositions and their manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Sandoz Ltd.
    Inventors: J. Wesley Alexander, Vigen K. Babayan, George L. Blackburn, Frank B. Cerra, John Daly, Mitchell T. Gersovitz, John E. Kinsella, Jerome J. LiCari, Frederick Rudolph, Charles T. Van Buren
  • Preparation for the prevention of catabolism
    Patent number: 4780475
    Abstract: Prevention of catabolism and increasing protein synthesis in a subject undergoing stress with compositions containing isoleucine, leucine and valine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventors: Frank B. Cerra, Ronald J. Amen