Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Judy M. Mohr
-
Patent number: 5753261Abstract: A microparticle composition for use in compound delivery, when the composition is exposed to a selected target stimulus related to pH, temperature, radiation, or the presence of a selected ligand or ion-channel activator, is disclosed. The composition includes a condensed-phase particle matrix containing the compound to be delivered in entrapped form, and a stimulus-responsive lipid bilayer membrane formed around the matrix. Localized perturbation of the lipid membrane, and influx of monovalent counterions into the polymer matrix, in response to the selected target stimulus, causes matrix swelling and compound release from the particles.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1995Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Julio M. Fernandez, Mark B. Knudson
-
Patent number: 5744253Abstract: A magnetic thin-film medium characterized by high coercivity, loop squareness, and signal-to-noise ratio characteristics. The medium includes a disc-like substrate, a sputtered Cr underlayer having a thickness between 100-300 .ANG., and a sputtered Co alloy magnetic thin-film layer having a thickness between 250-800 .ANG.. The sputtered Cr and magnetic layers are preferably formed under sputtering conditions in which a negative bias of between -50 to -600 volts is applied to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1992Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij Bihari Lal, Tadashi Shinohara
-
Patent number: 5738945Abstract: A low-noise, thin-film magnetic recording medium, and method of making the same, are disclosed. The medium has a multilayer magnetic-film construction, where the individual magnetic-film layers are isolated by a thin ferromagnetic film. The ferromagnetic layer is effective to reduce the medium noise and increase medium signal-to-noise ratio at least as much as a Cr isolation having the same isolation-layer thickness, but with substantially less reduction in overwrite.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1993Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij B. Lal, Tadashi Shinohara
-
Patent number: 5736020Abstract: A target assembly for use in forming a protective overcoat in a magnetic recording medium is described. The assembly includes a centrally positioned target with inner and outer magnetic means adjacent the target. A sputtering shield is positioned between the target and the medium for controlling the amount and angle of material deposition on the medium. The assembly is effective to deposit an overcoat having a greater thickness in the inner landing zone of the medium than in the outer data zone. A method of using the assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1995Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij Bihari Lal, Allen J. Bourez, Michael A. Russak
-
Patent number: 5718914Abstract: A device for the dermal and transdermal delivery of liposomes or a formulation thereof. The device comprises an applicator element carrying a containment means to store the liposomes, a liposome delivery surface for the containment means to transfer the liposomes from storage to the skin when the surface is brought into operating proximity therewith and a detachable cover means for the surface. Preferably, the device comprises a screen covering the containment means. The screen is characterized in that it is sufficiently hydrophobic to constitute a barrier for preventing passage of the liposomes when the screen is not in contact with the skin. It also has a plurality of pores of sufficient diameter to allow passage of the liposomes through the screen when the screen is in contact with the skin.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1994Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: PharmaDerm Laboratories Ltd.Inventor: Marianna Foldvari
-
Patent number: 5716583Abstract: A luminometer is described comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and means for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a means for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a means for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1995Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Inventors: Rick T. Smethers, Brian D. Warner, Victor P. Burolla
-
Patent number: 5714044Abstract: A method for forming an overcoat having first and second layers in a magnetic recording medium is described. The first overcoat layer is deposited in a first sputtering chamber where the magnetic means for confining target plasma in the chamber are oriented to retain magnetic-field confinement about the target surface and to produce magnetic field lines between directly confronting portions of the confronting sputtering targets. The second overcoat layer is deposited under a nitrogen-containing atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1995Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij Bihari Lal, Allen J. Bourez, Michael A. Russak
-
Patent number: 5693199Abstract: A sputtering assembly for use in forming sputter deposited layers on a substrate is described. The assembly includes a pair of confronting sputtering targets for depositing sputtered layers onto the substrate and a movably mounted heating means for heating the substrate. A method of using the assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Allen J. Bourez, Brij Bihari Lal, Michael A. Russak
-
Patent number: 5693198Abstract: A method for forming a magnetic recording medium having a chromium underlayer and a magnetic recording layer is described. The method includes sputtering the underlayer and the magnetic layer in a single sputtering chamber from a two-region target having an inner chromium region and an outer magnetic region. Each target region is successively energized for sputter deposition of each layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij Bihari Lal, Tadashi Shinohara
-
Patent number: 5693197Abstract: A method of producing a magnetic recording medium by sputtering a layer onto a substrate by DC-magnetron sputtering from a target while exposing the target to an RF signal is described. The RF signal is effective to extend the target utilization without significantly decreasing the sputtering rate. Also disclosed is an apparatus for use forming a medium in accordance with the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1994Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij Bihari Lal, Allen J. Bourez, Tadashi Shinohara
-
Patent number: 5685959Abstract: A cathode assembly having a magnetic-field shunt for use in a magnetron sputtering apparatus is described. The magnetic-field shunt disposed between a sputtering target and a source of magnetic flux, and the shunt is moveable between first and second positions to effect preferential target erosion at first and second target regions, respectively. A method of using the assembly for preparation of a magnetic recording medium is also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Allen J. Bourez, Brij Bihari Lal, Michael A. Russak
-
Patent number: 5679431Abstract: A thin-film magnetic recording medium having a carbon overcoat composed of an overcoat sublayer and an overcoat surface layer is described. The overcoat surface layer is a hydrogen- or nitrogen-containing sputtered carbon layer with high wear-resistance. The overcoat sublayer functions to reduce the diffusion of nitrogen or hydrogen from the surface layer to the magnetic recording layer. Also described is a method of sputtering the nitrogen-containing surface layer in which the graphite target is attached to the target electrode by thermally conducting, electrically conducting materials.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1994Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Ga-Lane Chen, Hoa Van Do
-
Patent number: 5674242Abstract: An endoprosthetic device for insertion at a vascular site is described. The device is composed of a structural member carrying a polymer member having an embedded therapeutic compound. The polymer member is formed of a shape-memory polymer for expansion upon exposed to a selected stimulus. The structural member is designed for coexpansion with the polymer member when the device is exposed to the stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1996Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Quanam Medical CorporationInventors: Loc Phan, Simon Stertzer, Michael Froix
-
Patent number: 5631018Abstract: A lipid-polymer conjugate for use in forming long-circulating liposomes is disclosed. The conjugate includes a vesicle-forming lipid having covalently attached to its polar head group, one of the polymers: polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylmethylether, polyhydroxypropyl methacrylate, polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamide, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, polymethacrylamide, polydimethylacrylamide, polymethyloxazoline, polyethyloxazoline, polyhydroxyethyloxazoline, polyhydroxypropyloxazoline, or polyaspartamide. A method for preparing liposomes containing the lipid-polymer conjugate is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1994Date of Patent: May 20, 1997Assignee: Sequus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Samuel Zalipsky, Martin C. Woodle, Danilo D. Lasic, Francis J. Martin
-
Patent number: 5620689Abstract: A method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by a neoplasm of B-lymphocyte or T-lymphocyte lineage cells is described. The method includes administering a suspension of liposomes having a surface coating of polyethylene glycol chains. Attached to the distal ends of the chains are antibodies or antibody fragments effective to bind to an antigen specific to the affected cells. In one embodiment, anti-CD19 antibodies are attached to the liposome-bound chains, for treatment of multiple myeloma.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Sequus Pharmaceuuticals, Inc.Inventors: Theresa M. Allen, Francis J. Martin
-
Patent number: 5614071Abstract: A shield for use in a sputtering system. The shield includes a support having an inner expanse defining a two-dimensional array of cavities. The cavities are formed of two-dimensionally concave wall surfaces, where the intersections of the wall surfaces of adjacent cavities form a two-dimensional array of edges on the expanse. The shield minimizes the tendency of material deposited on the shield surface, such as sputtered carbon material, from flaking off during a sputtering operation. Also disclosed is a sputtering assembly that employs the shield.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Nader Mahvan, David Wilkinson, Koji Ichikawa
-
Patent number: 5603722Abstract: A stent designed to be carried on the balloon of a balloon catheter to a target site is described. The stent is formed of a series of expandable, strip-like segments, each formed of a memory polymer and adapted for movement between a closed, high-curvature condition and an expanded, low-curvature condition upon exposure to a selected stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Quanam Medical CorporationInventors: Loc Phan, Michael Froix, Simon Stertzer
-
Patent number: 5580667Abstract: A thin-film multilayered recording medium is disclosed. The medium contains two or more magnetic thin-film sublayers separated by an isolation layer having an axial composition gradient.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1993Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij B. Lal, Tadashi Shinohara
-
Patent number: 5576085Abstract: A magnetic thin-film medium having improved magnetic recording properties, including an increased magnetic remanence and high frequency signal amplitude, is disclosed. The magnetic recording medium has a 10-100 .ANG. soft ferromagnetic layer in addition to a substrate, a chromium underlayer, a thin-film magnetic recording layer and a protective overcoat.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1993Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij B. Lal, Tadashi Shinohara
-
Patent number: 5569533Abstract: A longitudinal magnetic recording medium formed on a non-metallic substrate and a method of forming the medium is disclosed. A sublayer formed of a chromium alloy having a thickness between 3-50 .ANG. is deposited on the substrate, followed by a chromium-based underlayer. A cobalt-based magnetic recording layer is sputtered over the underlayer. The medium is characterized by improved coercivity, HF signal amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1994Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: HMT Technology CorporationInventors: Brij B. Lal, Allen J. Bourez, Tadashi Shinohara