Patents Represented by Attorney John H. Runnels
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Patent number: 7252291Abstract: A mechanical seal (e.g., single mechanical seals, double mechanical seals, tandem mechanical seals, bellows, pusher mechanical seals, and all types of rotating and reciprocating machines) with reduced contact surface temperature, reduced contact surface wear, or increased life span. The mechanical seal comprises a rotating ring and a single-piece, perforated mating ring, which improves heat transfer by controllably channeling coolant flow through the single-piece mating ring such that the coolant is in substantially uniform thermal contact with a substantial portion of the interior surface area of the seal face, while maintaining the structural integrity of the mechanical seal and minimizing the potential for coolant flow interruptions to the seal face caused by debris or contaminants (e.g., small solids and trash) in the coolant.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Michael M. Khonsari, Anoop K. Somanchi
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Patent number: 7245831Abstract: Optical Packet Switching (OPS) is considered the most desirable switching technology for the ubiquitous optical networks that carry internet traffic. OPS could provide for great flexibility, capacity, efficiency, and bandwidth utilization that current switching strategies are not capable of providing. Despite its great appeal, OPS has been hampered by some major hurdles that prevented its practical implementation. Among such hurdles are optical buffering, optical processing/update of headers and to a lesser extent synchronization. This document introduces a novel technique for implementing packet switching in the optical domain. The new approach makes it possible to find efficient and cost effective solutions to the major problems that traditionally rendered optical packet switching (OPS) impractical. The new approach is applicable to any network topology. A complete suite of solutions to all aspects of optical packet switching that take full advantage of the basic novel approach are described.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventor: Ahmed A. El-Amawy
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Patent number: 7226605Abstract: Botulinum toxin may be used to inhibit the cascade of events leading to acne. Results in preliminary studies have been dramatic. Without wishing to be bound by this theory, it is believed that botulinum toxin achieves this result through parasympathetic effects, inhibiting sweat gland activity, stimulating keratinocyte locomotion, anti-inflammatory effects, and possibly anti-androgenic effects. Botulinum toxin can play an important role in decreasing and even preventing the formation of acne.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Dana L. Suskind, Ann H. Tilton, Mary L. Caire
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Patent number: 7226511Abstract: An economical process is disclosed for the direct production of white sugar from clarified juice. Juice from a cane sugar mill, or sugar beet juice, is first contacted with hydrogen peroxide, before passing through granular activated carbon. The juice is then passed through cationic and anionic resins to remove inorganic compounds, colorants, and other impurities. Then the juice may be concentrated and sugar crystallized. White sugar is produced directly, without the need for an intermediate raw sugar crystallization.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Peter W. Rein, Luis R. S. M. Bento, Bruce M. Ellis
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Patent number: 7147648Abstract: A device and surgical method for promoting suitable grafting between a healthy donor cornea button and a recipient's healthy corneal tissue. The device is a cornea transplanter comprising a cutting device, a support block having a removable base plate, and a vacuum device. The cornea transplanter is capable of retaining healthy donor corneal tissue as it is buttoned and placed onto the recipient's eye, with minimal physical manipulation of the donor corneal tissue. Once the cornea button is properly positioned, sutures may be symmetrically placed around the cornea button, using suture grooves that guide the suture needle to a particular depth and length of pass.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventor: James Lin
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Patent number: 7141725Abstract: A novel rice cultivar, designated ‘Cheniere,’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar ‘Cheniere,’ to the plants of rice ‘Cheniere,’ and to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar ‘Cheniere’ with itself or another rice variety. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar ‘Cheniere’ with another rice cultivar.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agriculture and Mechanical CollegeInventor: Steven D. Linscombe
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Patent number: 7114361Abstract: An inexpensive method of rapidly fabricating reactive metal (Zn, Al, Al-alloy, etc.) microscale structures including high-aspect-ratio microscale structures is disclosed. A high precision process uses conformal bond inhibitor coating and high temperature compression molding techniques to produce high quality, high aspect ratio metal structures. In one embodiment, following fabrication of an initial metallic microscale mold insert, an adhesion-promoting metal precursor layer and a ceramic bond inhibitor coating are conformally deposited onto the microscale mold insert. The microscale mold insert and a preselected reactive metal are then heated to an optimum temperature and compressed together. The mold insert is then extracted from the molded metal to produce a reverse image of the mold insert.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventor: Wen Jin Meng
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Patent number: 7112700Abstract: An inexpensive, stereoselective synthesis for nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone, and their derivatives is disclosed. The starting materials used in the synthesis are inexpensive. The principal starting material, (?)-?-Pinene, is on the GRAS list (generally recognized as safe).Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Anne M. Sauer, William E. Crowe, Roger A. Laine, Gregg Henderson
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Patent number: 7109300Abstract: A method is disclosed for extracting collagen from calcified tissue without a prior decalcification step. The method may be used with calcified tissues such as fish skin with scales, alligator skeletons, and crustacean exoskeletons. It does not require the use of EDTA. When fish skin is used that contains substantial quantities of scales, it is not necessary first to remove scales from the skin before conducting the extraction of collagen.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State Univeristy And Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Jack N. Losso, Masahiro Ogawa, Ralph J. Portier, Mark A. Schexnayder
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Patent number: 7074596Abstract: The ability to synthesize capped RNA transcripts in vitro has been of considerable value in a variety of applications. However, one-third to one-half of the caps have, until now, been incorporated in the reverse orientation. Such reverse caps impair the translation of in vitro-synthesized mRNAs. Novel cap analogues, such as P1-3?-deoxy-7-methylguanosine-5?P3-guanosine-5?triphosphate and P1-3?-O,7-dimethylguanosine-5?P3-guanosine-5?triphosphate, have been designed that are incapable of being incorporated into RNA in the reverse orientation. Transcripts produced with SP6 polymerase using “anti-reverse” cap analogues were of the predicted length. Analysis of the transcripts indicated that reverse caps were not formed. The in vitro translational efficiency of transcripts with the novel “anti-reverse” cap analogues was significantly higher than that of transcripts formed with conventional caps.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Edward Darzynkiewicz, Robert E. Rhoads, Janusz Stepinski
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Patent number: 7052348Abstract: A self-guided apparatus for repelling birds through various means of deterrence. The device comprises a chassis, a floatation assembly, a propulsion system, and a guidance and control system. The device may operate in either of at least two modes: passive and active. In the passive mode, the device traverses a predefined area, scaring birds away. In the active mode, the device surveys a designated area and, upon detection of birds, propels itself towards the birds and drives them away.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Randy R. Price, Steven G. Hall, Don G. Allen
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Patent number: 7033991Abstract: Small, polybasic peptides are disclosed that are effective as furin inhibitors, e.g. hexa- to nona-peptides having L-Arg or L-Lys in most positions. Removing the peptide terminating groups can improve inhibition of furin. High inhibition was seen in a series of non-amidated and non-acetylated polyarginines. The most potent inhibitor identified to date, nona-L-arginine, had a Ki against furin of 40 nM. Non-acetylated, poly-D-arginine-derived molecules are preferred furin inhibitors for therapeutic uses, such as inhibiting certain bacterial infections, viral infections, and cancers. Due to their relatively small size, these peptides should be non-immunogenic. These peptides are efficiently transported across cell membranes.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agriculture and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Iris Lindberg, Angus Cameron, Jon Appel, Richard Houghten
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Patent number: 7019196Abstract: Rice plants are disclosed with multiple sources of resistance to herbicides that normally inhibit a plant's acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) enzyme. Besides controlling red rice, many AHAS-inhibiting herbicides also effectively control other weeds that are common in rice fields. Several of these herbicides have residual activity, so that one treatment can control both existing weeds and weeds that sprout later. With effective residual activity against red rice and other weeds, rice producers now have a weed control system superior to those that are currently available commercially.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1999Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventor: Timothy P. Croughan
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Patent number: 7013836Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a spawning agent and a steroid to stimulate gonadal development, oocyte maturation, and meiotic synchrony in oysters and other bivalves. Advantages of the novel technique include a decrease in the variability of fertilization among different individuals, a decrease in the variability of larval production by synchronizing gamete maturation within a population, the ability to mature and spawn broodstock without sacrificing the animals, to conserve and maintain genetic lines, and the ability to improve cross-breeding programs, with or without the use of transgenics, by repeated spawning of individuals. The method may be used, for example, in oyster hatchery production, with an emphasis on conservation of broodstock. The invention allows the successful and repeatable breeding of either diploids or polyploids, selective breeding, and the breeding of transgenic oyster lines, all without the need to sacrifice the founder animals.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventor: John W. Lynn
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Patent number: 6979682Abstract: A novel use of platelet-activating factor antagonists that bind to intracellular PAF binding sites such as BN-50730 (tetrahedra-4,7,8,10 methyl-1 (chloro-1 phenyl)-6 (methoxy-4 phenyl-carbamoyl)-9 pyrido [4?,3?-4,5] thieno [3,2-f] triazolo-1,2,4 [4,3-a] diazepine-1,4) has been discovered. These intracellular-binding platelet-activating factor antagonists were found to inhibit both in vivo and in vitro tumor growth and angiogenesis where the angiogenesis is stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Jay D. Hunt, Haydee E. Bazan, Victor L. Marcheselli, Julio Alvarez Builla Gomez, Nicholas G. Bazan
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Patent number: 6943280Abstract: Nucleotide sequences are disclosed that may be used to impart herbicide resistance to green plants. The sources of novel herbicide resistance were originally isolated in mutant rice plants. The sequences impart pre-emergence resistance, post-emergence resistance, or both pre-emergence resistance and post-emergence resistance to multiple herbicides. To date, resistance has been demonstrated against at least the following herbicides: imazethapyr, imazapic, imazapyr, imazamox, sulfometuron methyl, imazaquin, chlorimuron ethyl, metsulfuron methyl, rimsulfuron, thifensulfuron methyl, pyrithiobac sodium, tribenuron methyl, and nicosulfuron. Green plants transformed with these sequences are resistant to these herbicides and to derivatives of these herbicides, and to at least some of the other herbicides that normally inhibit acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS), particularly imidazolinone and sulfonylurea herbicides.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventor: Timothy P. Croughan
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Patent number: 6930500Abstract: A method of enhancing the testability of CMOS ICs, in one or more of the following ways: by minimizing performance degradation of CMOS ICs under test; by eliminating the need for external voltage and current references; by inducing responsive effects; and by minimizing the amount of space used to integrate on-chip testing devices. The device is a CMOS IC comprising a fixed supply voltage, a negative power supply voltage, at least one pair of electrical nodes, and at least one fault-injector. The fault-injector is a transistor comprising a gate for operating in on-state and off-state conditions, and a source node and a drain node for completing an electrical path between a pair of electrical nodes. In an off-state condition, the fault-injector does not interfere with the normal operations of the circuit. However, in an on-state condition, it induces various responsive effects by varying the level of resistance.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventor: Ashok Srivastava
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Patent number: 6907850Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance the overall performance of engines in one or more of the following ways: by increasing the power output; by reducing the level of unwanted atmospheric emissions; and by reducing engine wear. The apparatus is an engine (e.g., 2-stroke or 4-stroke, diesel or gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine) comprising a crankshaft, crankcase, combustion chamber, oil pan, piston, connecting rod, intake port, exhaust port, and scavenging pump assembly having an air cylinder and an air diaphragm. The scavenging pump assembly allows for the control of air and fuel intake port pressure by controllably boosting an intake mixture of fuel and air to a level sufficiently greater than ambient pressures, and loading the mixture into the combustion chamber, while minimizing the potential for engine lubricating-oil to combine with the intake air-fuel mixture.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Inventor: Hardie D. Creel
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Patent number: 6893812Abstract: An in vitro tissue angiogenesis and vasculogenesis system is disclosed that allows the outgrowth of microvessels from a three-dimensional tissue fragment implanted in a matrix. The matrix may, for example, be a fibrin- or collagen-based matrix fed by a growth medium, for example, a mixture of tissue culture medium, serum, or a layer of growth medium containing a defined mixture of growth factors. This system, which may be used with human or other mammalian or animal tissues, may be used in assaying tumor angiogenic potential, or in promoting angiogenesis in other tissues, e.g., promoting angiogenesis prior to transplantation of a tissue. The angiogenic potential of a tissue can be determined by measuring the growth of microvessels into the matrix. The three-dimensional structure of the tumor or other tissue is maintained in the matrix, including blood vessels.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Eugene A. Woltering, Seza A. Gulec
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Patent number: PP17636Abstract: A new variety of sugarcane, identified as ‘L97-128’, is disclosed having superior sugarcane rust disease resistance, and high sugar/sucrose content and cane yield characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agriculture and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Kenneth A. Gravois, Keith P. Bischoff