Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Preston

Thomas A. Preston 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).

  • Patent number: 7468358
    Abstract: A method and medicament for treating and preventing platelet activation or thrombosis in the presence of heparin-and platelet factor 4-complex reactive antibodies using a 2-O desulfated heparin with an average degree of sulfation of 0.6 sulfate groups per monosaccharide or greater and an average molecular weight or 2.4 kD or greater. The medicament preferably is administered intravenously, by aerosolization or orally. Preferably, the 2-O desulfated heparin medicament includes a physiologically acceptable carrier which may be selected from the group consisting of physiologically buffered saline, normal saline, and distilled water. Additionally provided is a method of synthesizing 2-O desulfated heparin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Paringenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Preston Kennedy, Jeanine M. Walenga
  • Patent number: 6987127
    Abstract: Malignant melanoma cells spontaneously generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote constitutive activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB). Although antioxidants and inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidases significantly reduce constitutive NF-kB activation and suppress cell proliferation, the nature of the enzyme responsible for ROS production in melanoma cells has not been determined. To address this issue, we now have characterized the source of ROS production in melanoma cells. ROS are generated by isolated, cytosol-free melanoma plasma membranes, with inhibition by NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors. The p22phox, gp91phox and p67phox components of the human phagocyte NAD(P)H oxidase, and the 91phox homolog NOX4 were demon-strated in melanomas by RT-PCR and sequencing, and protein product for both p22phox and gp91phox were detected in cell membranes by immunoassay. Normal human epidermal melanocytes expressed only p22phox and NOX4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6848572
    Abstract: A conveyor system providing for convertibility of existing and new conveyor equipment, incorporating use of a double “T” slot for mounting the conveyor beam to existing equipment and/or connecting existing accessories to the new conveyor beam and for ease of conveyor chain interchangeability while providing for a robust conveyor chain assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Danville Automation Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Preston Sisson, Jr., Willie Levi Mills, Jr., Rodney Gene Gustad
  • Publication number: 20040171678
    Abstract: Dithiocarbamate, particularly tetraethylthiuram disulfide, and thiocarbamate anions strongly inhibit the growth of cancer cells of a variety of cell types. Such inhibitory effect is enhanced by heavy metal ions such as copper ions, cytokines and ceruloplasmin. A method is presented for using tetraethylthiuram disulfide to reduce tumor growth, and to potentiate the effect of other anticancer agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority d/b/a Carolinas Medical Center
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6757724
    Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for generating suggested content for a site. A request is received for content for the site from a client, wherein the content is requested content. The requested content is sent to the client. The requested content includes information used to track user movement within the site. Suggested content is generated using the information in response to the client requesting the suggested content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Kimbell Fields, Thomas Preston Gregg, Sebastian Daniel Hassinger, William Walter Hurley, II, Mark Andrew Kolb
  • Patent number: 6706759
    Abstract: Dithiocarbamate, particularly tetraethylthiuram disulfide, and thiocarbamate anions strongly inhibit the growth of cancer cells of a variety of cell types. Such inhibitory effect is enhanced by heavy metal ions such as copper ions, cytokines and ceruloplasmin. A method is presented for using tetraethylthiuram disulfide to reduce tumor growth, and to potentiate the effect of other anticancer agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20040047852
    Abstract: Methods for treating cancer are provided including administering a patient needing treatment a therapeutically effective amount of one or more antioxidants selected from the group of catalase, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione peroxidase, salen-transition metal complexes, dicumarol, and derivatives thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6704797
    Abstract: The present invention protects images via a server-based policy that results in the selective distribution of one of multiple versions of an original image. The policy includes a set of one or more rules that each include given criteria. When a request for a web page is received, a given rule in the set is evaluated against client-specific data (e.g., such as client IP address, the identity of the referring page, or the like) obtained from the client request. If a condition of the rule is satisfied against the client-specific data, a given restriction is imposed on the image distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Kimbell Fields, Thomas Preston Gregg, Sebastian Daniel Hassinger, William Walter Hurley, II, Mark Andrew Kolb, Stacy Braden Vu
  • Patent number: 6691156
    Abstract: A method and computer program operative in an e-mail server for reducing unsolicited e-mail in an enterprise computing environment. According to the invention, e-mail is accepted for delivery to e-mail clients only if it is from an address that has been verified by an e-mail server and/or approved by a recipient. When an e-mail from a particular address is received at the e-mail server for the first time, the server automatically issues an e-mail to the address to request that the sender verify the authenticity of the original message. If a return acknowledgement is received within a given time period, the e-mail is deemed to be authentic and delivered to its intended recipient within the enterprise. Mail messages from previously-verified addresses need not be rechecked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk Drummond, Duane Kimbell Fields, Thomas Preston Gregg, Mark Andrew Kolb
  • Publication number: 20040019102
    Abstract: There is provided a method for inhibiting ATF/CREB and cancer cell growth using disulfiram, administered in combination with heavy metals. It was found that disulfiram disrupts transcription factor DNA binding by forming mixed disulfides with thiols within the DNA-binding region, and that this process is facilitated by metal ions. Disulfiram administered to melanoma cells in combination with copper (II) or zinc(II) decreased expression of cyclin A, reduced proliferation in vitro, and inhibited growth of melanoma cells. The combination of oral zinc gluconate and disulfiram at currently approved doses for alcoholism stabilized tumor growth in two of three patients with Stage IV metastatic melanoma, with 12 and 17 month survivals, respectively, to date, and produced a >50% reduction in hepatic metastases in one individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority d/b/a Carolinas Medical Center
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030229064
    Abstract: Dithiocarbamate, particularly tetraethylthiuram disulfide, and thiocarbamate anions strongly inhibit the growth of cancer cells of a variety of cell types. Such inhibitory effect is enhanced by heavy metal ions such as copper ions, cytokines and ceruloplasmin. A method is presented for using tetraethylthiuram disulfide to reduce tumor growth, and to potentiate the effect of other anticancer agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority d/b/a Carolinas Medical Center
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6589987
    Abstract: Dithiocarbamate, particularly tetraethylthiuram disulfide strongly inhibits the growth of cancer cells of a variety of cell types. Such inhibitory effect is enhanced by heavy metal ions such as copper ions, cytokines and ceruloplasmin. A method is presented for using tetraethylthiuram disulfide to reduce tumor growth, and to potentiate the effect of other anticancer agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6581109
    Abstract: A web page image is modified “on-the-fly” for a specific client machine according to calibration parameters for that machine (or the user of the machine) that are generated during a one-time calibration at the client. Preferably, this calibration is effected using a software routine, e.g., a Java applet, that is downloaded to the client and executed, e.g., in a client browser. A user of the client machine runs the applet to establish a set of calibration parameters that are then stored at the server, e.g., as a user profile. When a request is later made for a given web page hosted by the server, the server identifies the user making the request and applies the calibration parameters to color adjust the image as the page including that image is served.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Kimbell Fields, Thomas Preston Gregg, William Walter Hurley, II, Mark Andrew Kolb, Robyn Lou Shannon
  • Patent number: 6548540
    Abstract: Dithiocarbamate, particularly tetraethylthiuram disulfide, and thiocarbamate anions strongly inhibit the growth of cancer cells of a variety of cell types. Such inhibitory effect is enhanced by heavy metal ions such as copper ions, cytokines and ceruloplasmin. A method is presented for using tetraethylthiuram disulfide to reduce tumor growth, and to potentiate the effect of other anticancer agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6539420
    Abstract: A method for reuse of image data in a distributed computer network is operative at a web server in response to a request from a client browser for a web page. At the web server, a determination is made regarding whether the web page includes a given object reference. If so, a template defining a composite image is retrieved. The template identifies at least one image object to be retrieved from another location, typically from a host remote to the web server. Once the image object is retrieved, a given transform is applied to the image object to generate a transformed image object. The given transform, for example, is selected from a group of transforms such as: scaling, mirroring, cutting, cropping, inverting, flipping, reversing, rotating, color shifting, and combinations of the above. Thereafter, the transformed image object is mapped into the composite image according to the template. After the composite image is created, it is served within the web page originally requested by the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Kimbell Fields, Thomas Preston Gregg, Sebastian Daniel Hassinger, William Walter Hurley, II
  • Patent number: 6412008
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium for customizing and displaying a network file distributes customization tasks between a client and a server. A client sends a request for a network file, such as a Web page, to a server. The request may include information regarding the client machine type, browser, and customization options (i.e. preferences). Customization options may include personal (i.e. user) options and group (i.e. department, corporate, etc.) options. These options, along with the client machine type and browser, are used by the server to determine how to customize the requested network file. The server obtains the requested network file, and a server-side customization program customizes the file. The server-side customization program may also analyze the network file, and may embed return customization information in the customized network file. The client receives the customized network file, including the return customization information, from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Kimbell Fields, Thomas Preston Gregg, Sebastian Daniel Hassinger, William Walter Hurley
  • Patent number: 6308210
    Abstract: The invention is used to balance and control traffic within a single internet site or between multiple sites. A static or dynamic analysis of site usage is performed. When an under-visited portion of a site is identified, then a link or message is created on a more-visited portion of the web-site to motivate the user visiting the site to explore the under-visited portion. The portion can be a specific page of the web site, or an entire section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Kimbell Fields, Thomas Preston Gregg, Sebastian Hassinger, William Walter Hurley, II
  • Publication number: 20010016600
    Abstract: Dithiocarbamate, particularly tetraethylthiuram disulfide, and thiocarbamate anions strongly inhibit the growth of cancer cells of a variety of cell types. Such inhibitory effect is enhanced by heavy metal ions such as copper ions, cytokines and ceruloplasmin. A method is presented for using tetraethylthiuram disulfide to reduce tumor growth, and to potentiate the effect of other anticancer agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas Preston Kennedy
  • Patent number: RE34881
    Abstract: A graphics data processing apparatus having graphic image operations on two images. Two graphic images are formed into a single combined image based upon a predetermined combination of the multibit color codes representing corresponding pixels of the two images. A transparent color code is permitted for the first of the graphic images. The combination of a transparent color code from the first graphic image with any color code from the second graphic image yields the color code of the second graphic image. This innovation enables the use of color codes having selectable numbers of bits set by the number stored in a pixel size register. In particular the transparent color code, which is detected by a transparent color code detection device independent of the image operation, has a selectable number of bits set by the pixel size register in a manner like any other color code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl M. Guttag, Michael D. Asal, Thomas Preston
  • Patent number: D428344
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Bestfoods
    Inventor: Thomas Preston