Patents by Inventor W. Michael Lafferty

W. Michael Lafferty 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: 20110311963
    Abstract: A method of sequencing a plurality of template nucleotide sequences includes immobilizing the plurality of template nucleotide sequences on a substrate. A first subset of the plurality of template nucleotide sequences is immobilized in a first field of view and a second subset of the plurality of template nucleotide sequences is immobilized in a second field of view. The first and second subsets are hybridized to a caged primer. The caged primer includes a caging group. The method further includes lysing the caging group from the caged primer in the first field of view and observing the first field of view to detect sequencing of the first subset of the plurality of template nucleotide sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: W. MICHAEL LAFFERTY, JOSEPH BEECHEM, HONGYE SUN, MICHAEL METZKER
  • Publication number: 20100172968
    Abstract: A polymer is prepared by self-assembly of a plurality of monomeric polypeptide units. The polymer tends to form a nanotube and is capable of encapsulating a particular drug molecule. Once encapsulated in the polymer of the present invention, the drug molecule may be delivered to a particular location of human body to effectively cure a disease or treat a symptom. Generally, the monomeric polypeptide unit of the present invention has a sequence found in Pyrodictium abyssi, a microorganism that produces an extracellular network having hollow protein tubes, or a sequence substantially identical thereto. The monomeric polypeptide may be mass produced using recombinant biotechnologies and be polymerized into the polymer of the present invention. One or more additional targeting vector may be attached to the monomeric polypeptide unit or the polymer to facilitate the targeting of the drug molecule that may be held there within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Jay Short, Eric J. Mathur, W. Michael Lafferty, Nelson Barton, Kevin Chow
  • Patent number: 7459172
    Abstract: A polymer is prepared by self-assembly of a plurality of monomeric polypeptide units. The polymer tends to form a nanotube and is capable of encapsulating a particular drug molecule. Once encapsulated in the polymer of the present invention, the drug molecule may be delivered to a particular location of human body to effectively cure a disease or treat a symptom. Generally, the monomeric polypeptide unit of the present invention has a sequence found in Pyrodictium abyssi, a microorganism that produces an extracellular network having hollow protein tubes, or a sequence substantially identical thereto. The monomeric polypeptide may be mass produced using recombinant biotechnologies and be polymerized into the polymer of the present invention. One or more additional targeting vector may be attached to the monomeric polypeptide unit or the polymer to facilitate the targeting of the drug molecule that may be held there within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Verenium Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Short, Eric J. Mathur, W. Michael Lafferty, Nelson Barton, Kevin Chow
  • Publication number: 20030198681
    Abstract: A polymer is prepared by self-assembly of a plurality of monomeric polypeptide units. The polymer tends to form a nanotube and is capable of encapsulating a particular drug molecule. Once encapsulated in the polymer of the present invention, the drug molecule may be delivered to a particular location of human body to effectively cure a disease or treat a symptom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Jay Short, Eric J. Mathur, W. Michael Lafferty, Nelson Barton, Kevin Chow
  • Patent number: 5818573
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens inspection system includes an illumination assembly which generates diffuse light and transmits the diffuse light through an ophthalmic lens disposed in an inspection position, the diffuse light having a diffusivity of between 30.degree. and 50.degree.. An imaging assembly generates a set of signals representing selected portions of the diffuse light transmitted through the ophthalmic lens in the inspection position. A moving mechanism supports the imaging and illumination assemblies for common movement relative to the contact lens, to bring a reference point into alignment with the center of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: PBH, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Michael Lafferty, Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen
  • Patent number: 5801822
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens inspection system includes an illumination assembly which generates diffuse light and transmits the diffuse light through an ophthalmic lens disposed in an inspection position, the diffuse light having a diffusivity of between 30.degree. and 50.degree.. An imaging assembly generates a set of signals representing selected portions of the diffuse light transmitted through the ophthalmic lens in the inspection position. A moving mechanism supports the imaging and illumination assemblies for common movement relative to the contact lens, to bring a reference point into alignment with the center of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: PBH, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Michael Lafferty, Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen
  • Patent number: 5301657
    Abstract: A disposable sterile sleeve is provided which is removably attachable to a video camera of an arthroscope. The sleeve comprises a flexible elongate tubular shroud and a rigid annular mounting collar. The shroud is open ended with the collar rotatably attached to one open end by a connector member providing independent rotation of the collar relative to the shroud. A pull tab is attached to the opposite open end of the shroud to facilitate extension of the shroud over the camera. The sleeve may be compacted for storage prior to use by tightly scrunching the shroud together, thereby folding it onto itself. To attach the sleeve to the camera, the video camera is inserted through the compacted shroud until it engages the collar. A male thread provided on the camera is threaded into a female thread provided on the collar and the shroud is then extended over the camera by pulling on the tab to draw out the folds in the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Citation Medical Corporation
    Inventors: W. Michael Lafferty, George H. Middle, Algis R. Banys, Daniel S. Kline
  • Patent number: 5190028
    Abstract: A method is provided for assembling an arthroscopic probe which includes bending a linear image-transmitting optical fiber about a heated pivot point so that the distal end of the fiber is oblique to the proximal end. A lens is then attached to the distal face of the image-transmitting optical fiber by means of an adhesive and the resulting image path is positioned in a hollow needle with the lens exposed at the distal end and the optical fiber exposed at the proximal end. An illuminating optical fiber is also positioned in the needle adjacent the image path and the two are anchored therein by a curable filler material. Finally, the needle is proximally mounted in a base such that the proximal faces of the image-transmitting and illuminating optical fibers are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Citation Medical Corporation
    Inventors: W. Michael Lafferty, George H. Middle, Algis R. Banys, Daniel S. Kline