Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Swager

Timothy M. Swager 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).

  • Publication number: 20150265596
    Abstract: An abuse-deterrent pharmaceutical composition has been developed to reduce the likelihood of improper administration of drugs, especially drugs such as opiods. In the preferred embodiment, a drug is modified to increase its lipophilicity. In preferred embodiments the modified drug is homogeneously dispersed within microparticles composed of a material that is either slowly soluble or not soluble in water. In some embodiments the drug containing microparticles or drug particles are coated with one or more coating layers, where at least one coating is water insoluble and preferably organic solvent insoluble, but enzymatically degradable by enzymes present in the human gastrointestinal tract. The abuse-deterrent composition retards the release of drug, even if the physical integrity of the formulation is compromised (for example, by chopping with a blade or crushing) and the resulting material is placed in water, snorted, or swallowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jane Hirsh, Alexander M. Klibanov, Timothy M. Swager, Stephen L. Buchwald, Whe Yong Lo, Alison B. Fleming, Roman V. Rariy
  • Publication number: 20150247805
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to emissive materials, devices, and related methods. In some cases, the present invention provides sensors and methods for the determination of analytes, wherein the analytes may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of an emissive material upon exposure to an analyte. The analyte and the emissive material may interact via a chemical reaction, such as an oxidative addition reaction, or other chemical, biochemical or biological interaction (e.g., recognition), to form a new emissive species. In some cases, the present invention may be useful in the detection of a wide variety of analytes, such as toxins, chemical warfare agents, and explosives. The present invention also provides emissive compounds, and related methods, including metal complexes that are capable of interacting with an analyte to produce a change in the emission of the compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Samuel W. Thomas, III, Koushik Venkatesan
  • Publication number: 20150247832
    Abstract: A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region including a conductive material and an alkene-interacting metal complex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Sophie Liu, Graham Sazama, Alexander R. Petty, Jan M. Schnorr
  • Patent number: 9114377
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides compositions including carbon-based nanostructures, catalyst materials and systems, and related methods. In some cases, the present invention relates to carbon-based nanostructures comprising a high density of charged moieties. Methods of the invention may provide the ability to introduce a wide range of charged moieties to carbon-based nanostructures. The present invention may provide a facile and modular approach to synthesizing molecules that may be useful in various applications including sensors, catalysts, and electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Jan Schnorr
  • Publication number: 20150202606
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides compositions including carbon-based nanostructures, catalyst materials and systems, and related methods. In some cases, the present invention relates to carbon-based nanostructures comprising a high density of charged moieties. Methods of the invention may provide the ability to introduce a wide range of charged moieties to carbon-based nanostructures. The present invention may provide a facile and modular approach to synthesizing molecules that may be useful in various applications including sensors, catalysts, and electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Jan Schnorr
  • Patent number: 9044398
    Abstract: An abuse-deterrent pharmaceutical composition has been developed to reduce the likelihood of improper administration of drugs, especially drugs such as opiods. In the preferred embodiment, a drug is modified to increase its lipophilicity. In preferred embodiments the modified drug is homogeneously dispersed within microparticles composed of a material that is either slowly soluble or not soluble in water. The abuse-deterrent composition retards the release of drug, even if the physical integrity of the formulation is compromised (for example, by chopping with a blade or crushing) and the resulting material is placed in water, snorted, or swallowed. However, when administered as directed, the drug is slowly released from the composition as the composition is broken down or dissolved gradually within the GI tract by a combination of enzymatic degradation, surfactant action of bile acids, and mechanical erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane Hirsh, Alexander M. Klibanov, Timothy M. Swager, Stephen L. Buchwald, Whe Yong Lo, Alison Fleming, Roman V. Rariy
  • Patent number: 9005524
    Abstract: The present invention provides a series of systems, devices, and methods relating to the determination of explosives, such as peroxides or peroxide precursors, and other species. Embodiments of the invention may allow a sample suspected of containing an explosive (e.g., a peroxide) or other species to interact with a reactant, wherein the sample may react and cause light emission from the reactant. Advantages of the present invention may include the simplification of devices for determination of peroxide-based explosives, wherein the devices are portable and, in some cases, disposable. Other advantages may include relative ease of fabrication and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nomadics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Deans, Aimee Rose, Kevin M. Bardon, Lawrence F. Hancock, Timothy M. Swager
  • Patent number: 8999722
    Abstract: Sensors and methods for determination of analytes are provided. Analytes including explosives (e.g., RDX or PETN) may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of a material upon exposure to the analyte. In some embodiments, the analyte and the material may interact via a chemical reaction to form a new emissive species. Embodiments described herein may provide inexpensive sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Trisha L. Andrew
  • Patent number: 8974873
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, devices and methods related to the alignment of materials including polymers. In some cases, the present invention comprises the assembly of molecules (e.g., polymers) via intermolecular interactions to produce extended networks, which may have enhanced properties relative to the individual molecules. Such networks may be advantageous for use in electronics, photovoltaics, sensor applications, and the like. In some embodiments, the present invention may enhance the performance of certain optical devices, such as liquid crystal displays (e.g., color liquid crystal displays) by providing enhanced contrast ratio, faster response times, and/or lower operating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Timothy M. Swager
  • Patent number: 8951473
    Abstract: The application generally describes devices, systems, and methods for determination of one or more analytes. Embodiments described herein may be useful as sensors for analytes such as explosives, chemical warfare agents, and/or toxins. In some cases, chemiresistor or chemFET sensor devices for monitoring volatile organics, especially chemical warfare agents such as sarin, are described. Some embodiments comprise functionalized carbon nanotube/conjugated polymer composites (6) as sensing material. In some embodiments, the polymer is poly(3-hexylthiophene), 3PHT, optionally substituted with calixarenes, or hexafluoroisopropanol susbstituted polythiophene, HFIP-PT. Biosensing embodiments are also described, as well as methods of manufacturing the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Fei Wang, Timothy M. Swager
  • Publication number: 20150031138
    Abstract: The present invention provides materials, devices, and methods related to determination of an analyte. In some embodiments, an analyte may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of a luminescent material (e.g., particle) upon exposure to an analyte. The present invention may be particularly advantageous in that some embodiments may comprise an emissive species useful as an internal reference standard. Methods of the invention may also be useful in the quantitative determination of an analyte. In some cases, the present invention may allow for selective determination of an analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Jessica H. Liao
  • Patent number: 8847068
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising at least one poly(thiophene) and an n-type material. The compositions can be used in a variety of applications, for example, in photovoltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Jose M. Lobez, Fei Wang, Trisha L. Andrew
  • Patent number: 8802447
    Abstract: The present invention provides materials, devices, and methods related to determination of an analyte. In some embodiments, an analyte may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of a luminescent material (e.g., particle) upon exposure to an analyte. The present invention may be particularly advantageous in that some embodiments may comprise an emissive species useful as an internal reference standard. Methods of the invention may also be useful in the quantitative determination of an analyte. In some cases, the present invention may allow for selective determination of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Jessica H. Liao
  • Patent number: 8735313
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides compositions including carbon-based nanostructures, catalyst materials and systems, and related methods. In some cases, the present invention relates to carbon-based nanostructures comprising a high density of charged moieties. Methods of the invention may provide the ability to introduce a wide range of charged moieties to carbon-based nanostructures. The present invention may provide a facile and modular approach to synthesizing molecules that may be useful in various applications including sensors, catalysts, and electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Jan Schnorr
  • Publication number: 20140124762
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions including iptycene-based structures and extended iptycene structures. In some embodiments, the compositions may be useful in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaics, and other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen L. Buchwald, Timothy M. Swager, Georgiy Teverovskiy, Mingjuan Su
  • Publication number: 20140102539
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide functionalized carbon nanostructures for use in various devices, including photovoltaic devices (e.g., solar cells). In some embodiments, carbon nanostructures substituted with at least one cyclobutyl and/or cyclobutenyl group are provided. Devices including such materials may exhibit increased efficiency, increased open circuit potential, high electron/hole mobility, and/or low electrical resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Vladimir Bulovic, Ggoch Ddeul Han, Trisha L. Andrew
  • Patent number: 8617819
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to organic polymers able to participate in an analyte-recognition process, where an analyte facilitates an energy transfer between an energy donor and an energy acceptor. Certain embodiments of the invention make use of fluorescent conjugated polymers, such as poly(phenylene ethynylene)s and other polymers comprising pi-conjugated backbones. For example, one aspect of the invention provides a fluorescent conjugated polymer and an indicator that can interact with each other in the presence of an analyte to produce an emissive signal. In some cases, the interaction may include energy exchange mechanisms, such as Dexter energy transfer or the strong coupling effect. The interaction of the conjugated polymer and the indicator, in some instances, may be facilitated through specific interactions, such as a protein/carbohydrate interaction, a ligand/receptor interaction, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Peter H. Seeberger, Juan Zheng, Matthew D. Disney
  • Publication number: 20130273665
    Abstract: A sensor device can include a transition metal complex capable of interacting with a carbon-carbon multiple bond moiety. The sensor can detect the fruit-ripening hormone ethylene with high sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Birgit Esser, Jan M. Schnorr
  • Publication number: 20130271090
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for storage of energy (e.g., electrical energy). In some cases, devices including polyacetylene-containing polymers are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Timothy M. Swager, Zhengguo Zhu
  • Patent number: 8476510
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising and methods for forming functionalized carbon-based nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, William R. Collins, Wiktor Lewandowski, Ezequiel Schmois, Stefanie Sydlik, Joseph Walish, John B. Goods