Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bozicevic, Field, & Francis
  • Small volume in vitro analyte sensor and methods of making
    Patent number: 8182670
    Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Feldman, Adam Heller, Ephraim Heller, Fei Mao, Joseph A. Vivolo, Jeffery V. Funderburk, Fredric C. Colman, Rajesh Krishnan
  • Therapeutic uses of urolithins
    Patent number: 8183282
    Abstract: The subject invention is drawn to ellagitannin metabolites (e.g., urolithin) that find use in treating or preventing a neoplastic disease in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Navindra P. Seeram, David Heber
  • Cell-free synthesis of membrane bound polypeptides
    Patent number: 8183010
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the utilization of bacterial cell-free extracts in the synthesis of high yields of membrane-associated polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: James Robert Swartz, Jessica Wuu
  • Methods and devices for extracting thermal energy from the body core of a mammal
    Patent number: 8177826
    Abstract: Methods and devices for extracting thermal energy from the core body of a mammal are provided. In practicing the subject methods, a portion of the mammal, e.g. a limb or portion thereof, is placed in a sealed enclosure to produce an enclosed portion of the mammal. A surface of the enclosed portion of the mammal is then contacted with a low temperature medium under negative pressure conditions for a period of time sufficient to provide for the desired core body thermal energy extraction. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, e.g. providing relief from temperature sensitive disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, and the treatment of hyperthermia, among other treatments. The subject methods and devices are particularly suited for use in enhancing the physical ability of a mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Dennis A. Grahn, H. Craig Heller
  • Method to determine the risk for side effects of an SSRI treatment in a person
    Patent number: 8178299
    Abstract: A new method is found to determine an increased risk for side effects of an SSRI treatment in a person by genotyping the person for the presence of the 102 C/C DNA sequence in the 5-HT2A receptor gene. This provides for a method to improve the treatment of an SSRI responsive disorder and in particular depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Greer M. Murphy, Alan F. Schatzberg
  • Method and composition for crystallizing G protein-coupled receptors
    Patent number: 8178655
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for crystallizing a GPCR. The method may employ a fusion protein comprising: a) a first portion of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), where the first portion comprises the TM1, TM2, TM3, TM4 and TM5 regions of the GPCR; b) a stable, folded protein insertion; and c) a second portion of the GPCR, where the second portion comprises the TM6 and TM7 regions of the GPCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Brian Kobilka, Daniel Rosenbaum
  • Photoreactive regulator of glutamate receptor function and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8178496
    Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic regulator of glutamate receptor function, which regulator is a light-sensitive (photoreactive) regulator. The present invention further provides a light-regulated glutamate receptor that includes a subject synthetic regulator non-covalently associated with the glutamate receptor. Also provided are cells and membranes comprising a subject light-regulated glutamate receptor. The present invention further provides methods of modulating glutamate receptor function, involving use of light. The present invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate glutamate receptor function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dirk Trauner, Ehud Y. Isacoff, Matthew Volgraf, Pablo Ignacio Gorostiza Langa
  • Inducible expression vectors and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8178338
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids that include a promoter that is inducible by a transcriptional activator protein; and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the transcriptional activator protein. The present invention provides expression vectors that provide for inducible production of gene products in a host cell. The present invention further provides host cells genetically modified with a subject expression vector. The present invention further provides methods for producing a gene product in a host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jay D. Keasling, Sung Kuk Lee
  • Simultaneous blood flow and hematocrit sensor
    Patent number: 8172762
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide blood flow sensors that can be used for measurement of various physiological parameters under a wide array of conditions. In some embodiments, the blood flow sensor can be implanted into a blood vessel and left in place indefinitely and will unobtrusively measure and record data as the patient engages in regular daily activities. The data can later be read out by a clinician using a suitable interface. In other embodiments, the data is collected and analyzed within a data collection device implanted in or attached to the patient's body, and the collection device can report to the patient on an ongoing basis or in the form of alerts issued when conditions requiring medical intervention are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Proteus Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy L. Robertson
  • Therapeutic compounds
    Patent number: 8173849
    Abstract: A (?)-stereoisomer of formula (I): (formula I), wherein X is H or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is useful as an anesthetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Signature Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Jenkins
  • Fusion partner cells
    Patent number: 8173425
    Abstract: Fusion partner cells that enable production of heterohybridomas even from cells of species other than mouse were produced by fusing myeloma cells derived from a first animal species with leukemia cells derived from a second animal species, which have an extra S phase in the cell cycle and have the property of diploidizing. Stable production of substances can be achieved by producing heterohybridomas through cell fusion between the fusion partner cells and substance-producing cells of an animal other than mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: N{dot over (a)}omasa Yamamoto, Medical & Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naomasa Yamamoto, Mizuho Kaneda
  • Pyrazolone derivative emulsion formulations
    Patent number: 8168670
    Abstract: Pyrazolone derivative emulsion formulations are provided. The emulsion formulations include a pyrazolone derivative active agent, e.g., Edaravone, oil, water and an emulsifier. Also provided are methods of making and using the subject emulsion formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: Teikoku Pharma USA, Inc., Techno Guard Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichiro Nabeta
  • In situ combustion in gas over bitumen formations
    Patent number: 8167040
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for natural gas and oil recovery, which include the use of air injection and in situ combustion in natural gas reservoirs to facilitate production of natural gas and heavy oil in gas over bitumen formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Encana Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Weiers, Ben Nzekwu
  • Transition metal complexes with bidentate ligand having an imidazole ring
    Patent number: 8168052
    Abstract: Novel transition metal complexes of iron, cobalt, ruthenium, osmium, and vanadium are described. The transition metal complexes can be used as redox mediators in enzyme based electrochemical sensors. In such instances, transition metal complexes accept electrons from, or transfer electrons to, enzymes at a high rate and also exchange electrons rapidly with the sensor. The transition metal complexes include at least one substituted or unsubstituted biimidazole ligand and may further include a second substituted or unsubstituted biimidazole ligand or a substituted or unsubstituted bipyridine or pyridylimidazole ligand. Transition metal complexes attached to polymeric backbones are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Mao, Adam Heller
  • Methods and compositions for tagging and identifying polynucleotides
    Patent number: 8168385
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for attaching oligonucleotide tags to polynucleotides for the purpose of carrying out analytical assays in parallel and for decoding the oligonucleotide tags of polynucleotides selected in such assays. Words, or subunits, of oligonucleotide tags index submixtures in successively more complex sets of submixtures (referred to herein as “tiers” of submixtures) that a polynucleotide goes through while successive words are added to a growing tag. By identifying each word of an oligonucleotide tag, a series of submixtures is identified including the first submixture that contains only a single polynucleotide, thereby providing the identity of the selected polynucleotide. The analysis of the words of an oligonucleotide tag can be carried out in parallel, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Population Genetics Technologies Ltd
    Inventor: Sydney Brenner
  • Use of vibration with orthopedic cements
    Patent number: 8167889
    Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, such as calcium phosphate cements and the like, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Skeletal Kinectics, LLC
    Inventors: Duran Yetkinler, David Delaney, Brent R. Constantz
  • Modification of polymer surface with shielded plasma
    Patent number: 8168074
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a surface of a polymer with a shielded plasma are provided. The surface may be modified to create a surface with increased crosslinking and/or a particular mechanical property, such as a coefficient of friction. A shielding arrangement is used to modify the plasma to which the polymer surface is exposed, thereby providing a surface with the desired mechanical properties. In one aspect, a single source that provides multiple species of plasma particles is advantageously used instead of having to switch or move in multiple sources. The extent of crosslinking is evaluated using a surface force microscope to determine a frictional property that is correlated to the crosslinking, e.g., via calibrated values determined from reference surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kyriakos Komvopoulos, Satomi Tajima
  • Levetiracetam immunoassays
    Patent number: 8168756
    Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed directed at levetiracetam derivatives, immunogens, signal generating moieties, antibodies that bind levetiracetam and immunoassays for detection of levetiracetam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: ARK Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Jose Valdez, Byung Sook Moon, Ki Chung, Alejandro A. Orozco
  • Cytolethal distending toxins and detection of bacteria using the same as a target
    Patent number: 8168408
    Abstract: The present inventors succeeded in cloning the CDT genes of C. coli and C. fetus, which were previously unknown, and in determining their sequences. In addition, the inventors also developed specific primers and primers common to the two species by comparing the CDTs of C. jejuni and C. fetus. Furthermore, the inventors demonstrated that these primers were applicable to multiplex PCR that simultaneously allows for the rapid and convenient determination of the presence of Campylobacter CDT and identification of species, and that they can also be used in PCR-RFLP-based typing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yamasaki, Masahiro Asakura
  • Analyte sensor, and associated system and method employing a catalytic agent
    Patent number: 8165651
    Abstract: An analyte sensor for use in connection with a biofluid is described. The analyte sensor may comprise any suitable interface between the biofluid and a derivative of the biofluid and any suitable transducer of information concerning an analyte. At least one catalytic agent is provided in a locale or vicinity of the interface. The catalytic agent, such as a proteinaceous agent or a non-proteinaceous, organic-metal agent, is sufficient to catalyze the degradation of reactive oxygen and/or nitrogen species that may be present in the vicinity of the interface. An analyte-sensing kit and a method of sensing an analyte are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Feldman, Zenghe Liu, David C. Cohen, Adam Heller