Patents Represented by Attorney David Prashker
  • Patent number: 5797920
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter apparatus, an introducer system, and a methodology for creating a bypass on-demand between an unobstructed blood vessel such as the aorta and an obstructed blood vessel such as an obstructed coronary artery in-vivo using a shaped memory alloy cuff and a graft segment in tandem as a shunt. The invention allows the placement and creation of single or multiple bypass grafts without use of a heart-lung machine and without need for stopping the heart of the patient during the coronary artery bypass surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
    Inventor: Ducksoo Kim
  • Patent number: 5788986
    Abstract: A veterinary method for clinically modifying the behavior of a household pet dog exhibiting a recognized type of canine affective aggression behavior is provided. The veterinary behavior modification method administers at least one compound selected from the group consisting of R enantiomers, S enantiomers, or a racemic mixture of selective serotonic reuptake inhibitors or their active metabolites to the dog upon one or multiple occasions; and the administration of these compounds will modify clinically the canine affective aggression behavior of the household dog permanently or for an indefinite period of time. This veterinary behavior modification method can be usefully employed as an adjunct to conditioning approaches presently employed and will avoid the need for euthanasia in extreme behavioral circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventor: Nicholas H. Dodman
  • Patent number: 5762960
    Abstract: A veterinary method for clinically modifying the behavior of a household pet dog exhibiting a recognized type of canine affective aggression behavior is provided. The veterinary behavior modification method administers at least one preferential serotonin reuptake inhibitor compound to the dog upon one or multiple occasions; and the administration of these compounds will modify clinically the canine affective aggression behavior of the household dog permanently or for an indefinite period of time. This veterinary behavior modification method can be usefully employed as an adjunct to conditioning approaches presently employed and will avoid the need for euthanasia in extreme behavioral circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventor: Nicholas H. Dodman
  • Patent number: 5744356
    Abstract: A unique monoclonal antibody is provided for determining the functional status of human estrogen receptor protein. The monoclonal antibody will specifically bind and react with an epitope present within the transactivation function, A/B domain of the human estrogen receptor protein. The functional status of the A/B domain is determined by identifying and discriminating among the 8S, 4S, 5S isoforms of the A/B region as these exist in the human estrogen receptor protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventor: Abdulmaged M. Traish
  • Patent number: 5653759
    Abstract: The present invention is an in-vivo methodology for repairing a ruptured or fragmented segment of a pre-existing therapeutic appliance which has been previously surgically positioned or implanted within the body of a living human. The repair methodology provides for specific apparatus and techniques using a guiding catheter and deformable, thermoelastic shape-memory alloy rods in order to access and repair the flawed or failing therapeutic appliance in place. The repair methodology thus eliminates the need for surgical excision procedures and avoids the requirement for replacement substitute units in order to alleviate and solve the problem of having a flawed therapeutic appliance in-vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Beth Israel Hospital Assoc. Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hogan, Ducksoo Kim
  • Patent number: 5633972
    Abstract: The present invention provides a superresolution imaging fiber for generating a plurality of subwavelength light energy beams concurrently and for near-field viewing. The imaging fiber comprises a unitary fiber optic array of fixed configuration and dimensions comprising typically from 1,000 to 100,000 optical fiber strands which terminate at one array end as tapered strand end faces limited in size to a range from about 2-1,000 nanometers in diameter. Overlyng these tapered strand end faces is a thin opaque metal coating having a size-limited end aperture ranging from about 2 to less than about 1,000 nanometers in diameter. These size-limited end aperatures provide for the generation of a plurality of discrete subwavelength light beams concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: David R. Walt, Paul Pantano
  • Patent number: 5617872
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-invasive method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a living human subject. The diagnostic method employs a non-invasive automated apparatus which can repetitively measure pupil constriction velocity for a pre-chosen duration both before and after stimulation by visible light; and cumulatively record such measured pupil constriction velocity data as is obtained over time. The method also administers at least one neural transmitter mediator to a targeted eye of the living subject in an amount insufficient to cause marked changes in pupillary dynamic response in a person who is not afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. The marked hypersensitivity of an Alzheimer's dementia patient to the administered neural transmitter mediator causes a marked change in pupil constriction velocity and thus serves as the means diagnostically to determine and identify an individual living human subject as being afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Beth Israel Hospitcal Assoc. Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard F. M. Scinto, Kirk R. Daffner
  • Patent number: 5554383
    Abstract: A veterinary method for clinically modifying the behavior of a household pet dog exhibiting a recognized type of canine affective aggression behavior is provided. The veterinary behavior modification method administers at least one selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor compound to the dog upon one or multiple occasions; and the administration of these compounds will modify clinically the canine affective aggression behavior of the household dog permanently or for an indefinite period of time. This veterinary behavior modification method can be usefully employed as an adjunct to conditioning approaches presently employed and will avoid the need for euthanasia in extreme behavioral circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventor: Nicholas H. Dodman
  • Patent number: 5512490
    Abstract: The present invention is an optical detection and identification system and provides an optic sensor, an optic sensing apparatus and methodology for detecting and evaluating one or more analytes or ligands of interest, either alone or in admixture. The optic sensor of the system is comprised of a supporting member and an array formed of heterogeneous, semi-selective thin films which function as sensing receptor units and are able to detect a variety of different analytes and ligands using spectral recognition patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: David R. Walt, John S. Kauer
  • Patent number: 5466667
    Abstract: Unique methods for treating edemas in living subjects are provided comprising administering an effective amount of an antamanide or an antamanide analogue to the subject. The methods offer prophylactic and therapeutic modes of treatment for both localized and systemic edemas. The antamanides and antamanide analogues may be applied topically or given parenterally; and may be employed with other diverse agents for treatment of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory edemas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: David Shepro, J. Steven Alexander
  • Patent number: 5441957
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chemical class of active compounds to be used as efficacious drugs in the treatment of sickle cell disease. The active compounds include imidazole derivatives, nitroimidazole derivatives, and triazole derivatives. These compounds are to be administered by any preferred route of administration including oral, intramuscular, intravenous, and any other parenteral route. If desired, these drugs may also be administered transmucosally, or subcutaneously, or using a dermal patch on the skin. In addition, the methodology is effective for both long term and short term therapy; may be employed prophylactically and/or therapeutically; and may be used in emergency, acute crisis clinical situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Beth Israel Hospital Assoc. Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo Brugnara, Seth L. Alper
  • Patent number: 5439796
    Abstract: The present invention provides unique prepared immunogens, site-specific monoclonal antibodies against an epitope of progesterone receptor protein, and an immunoassay to determine the functional integrity of the progesterone receptors in a cellular sample. Collectively or individually the component parts of the invention provide the ability not only to identify accurately the presence of progesterone receptor but also the capability of determining whether the progesterone receptor exists in a clinically normal or abnormal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Adbulmaged M. Traish, Herbert H. Wotiz
  • Patent number: 5429593
    Abstract: The present invention provides a post-surgical, drainage accomodating, compression dressing and garment intended to be worn by a man or woman after chest wall surgery to cover and compress at least one surgical incision site on the upper torso. The dressing is formed at least in part by deformable elastomeric material for the generation of compression forces over the surgical incision and over the surrounding upper torso areas. This improved garment provides for the presence of a surgical drain for the collection of fluids, the drain extending from the surgical incision site into the external ambient environment; and can also provide a support for a drainage collection bulb which is often present as part of the surgical drainage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Yvedt L. Matory
  • Patent number: 5415131
    Abstract: An improved animal litter preparation is provided for attracting a household domesticated animal and for absorbing liquids and liquid-containing waste released by the attracted animal. The litter preparation comprises a plurality of preformed and nontoxic liquid absorbing masses of solid matter each comprised of an absorbent substance, at least one releaser pheromone compound which is a biological attractant for the animal, and at least one blending agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventor: Nicholas H. Dodman
  • Patent number: 5413785
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the quantity of endotoxin circulating in the blood plasma of a living subject affected by an endotoxin-mediated clinical state. The method employs a formulated preparation comprising at least one persistent, acid-resistant, and colonizing Lactobacillus species in combination with a biocompatible carrier. The user then introduces the formulated preparation to the gastrointestinal tract of the subject on one or on multiple occasions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: New England Deaconess Hospital Corp.
    Inventor: Amin A. Nanji
  • Patent number: 5399547
    Abstract: The present invention provides a methodology for increasing the critical current density carried by high transition temperature; superconductive materials. The methodology is employed using any Noble metal to form an electrically conductive coating; and is used with any high transition temperature superconductive material conventionally known. The resulting improved superconducting material demonstrates an enhanced critical current density capability in the order of 48%; and substantially decreases the degradation of the critical current density in the presence of an applied magnetic field; and offers a range of other advantages including environmental degradation protection, an increased mechanical strength, and an improved capability for adding electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Yehia Z. Negm, George O. Zimmerman, Robert E. Powers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5389517
    Abstract: The present invention provides unique prepared immunogens, site-specific polyclonal antisera and monoclonal antibodies against the DNA-binding domain of estrogen receptor protein, and immunoassay to determine the functional status of estrogen receptors in a cellular sample. Collectively or individually the component parts of the invention provide the ability not only to identify accurately the presence of human estrogen receptor but also the capability of determining whether the estrogen receptor exists in a functional or non-functional state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Herbert H. Wotiz, Abdulmaged M. Traish
  • Patent number: 5376755
    Abstract: A composite lead is provided which electrically links and conducts a current between about 75-80K. and liquid helium temperature of about 4.5K. The composite lead may be employed singly or in multiples concurrently to provide conduction of electrical current from normal conductors and semi-conductors at room temperature to superconductors operating at 4.5K. In addition, a variety of organizationl arrangements and assemblies are provided by which the mechanical strength and electrical reliability of the composite lead is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Yehia Negm, George O. Zimmerman, Robert E. Powers, Jr., Randy J. McConeghy, Alvaro Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5369014
    Abstract: The present invention is an in-vitro blood assay method for determining the past and/or present use of exogenous erythropoietin by a living subject. The blood assay method detects, identifies, and determines the consequences of using an exogenous erythropoietin to generate an increase in red blood cell production in the living subject and provides a methodology by which to detect and determine both surreptitious as well as authorized therapeutic uses and applications of erythropoietin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Beth Israel Hospital Assoc.
    Inventors: Carlo Brugnara, Margot S. Kruskall, Mark A. Goldberg, Linda A. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5320814
    Abstract: The present invention provides a unique fiber optic sensor which is able to provide a viewing zone for visual examination of a sample and its surrounding environment; and is able to conduct multiple assays concurrently using a plurality of different dyes immobilized at individual spatial positions within a dye sensing zone on the surface of the sensor. The present invention also provides apparatus for making precise optical determinations and measurements for multiple analytes of interest concurrently and provides methods of detection for multiple analytes of interest which can be correlated with specific parameters or other ligands for specific applications and purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: David R. Walt, Steven M. Barnard