Patents Represented by Attorney Lawson & Weitzen, LLP
  • Patent number: 7456252
    Abstract: The invention provides peptide compositions and methods of making and using therapeutic compositions comprising peptides for the treatment of a subject having a demyelinating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Jack L. Strominger, Masha Fridkis-Hareli
  • Patent number: 7448157
    Abstract: A harpoon device is provided which has attachable components, including a plurality of lengths of shaft segments joined by a coupler and a variety of functional units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Offshore Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Glynn, Christopher Godino
  • Patent number: 7412795
    Abstract: A unitary, rotational, and collapsible luring dredge capable is rapid and convenient assembly for use and collapse for storage is provided, as are methods and kits for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Offshore Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Glynn, Christopher Godino
  • Patent number: 7381557
    Abstract: Attenuated strains of Gram negative bacteria carrying a mutation in one or more ysc genes or homologs are provided, as are methods of use for immunization against infection with a pathogenic strain and for delivery of a therapeutic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Tufts University
    Inventors: Joan Mecsas, Joan-Miquel Balada-Llasat, Ralph Isberg
  • Patent number: 7381373
    Abstract: A preparative mass spectrometer system includes an ionizer which converts the mixture into gas phase ions of the molecules in the mixture, and a separator which separates the ions according to their mass to charge ratio or mobility. The separator is a linear ion trap mass analyzer that accumulates the ions based on their mass to charge ratio. A surface is in cooperative relationship with the separator so that the separated molecules are soft landed onto the surface at different locations such that the collected molecules can be stored or further processed/analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas Blake, Zheng Ouyang, Robert G. Cooks
  • Patent number: 7381790
    Abstract: Random three- and four-amino acid copolymers having lengths of 14-, 35- and 50-amino acid residues are provided. Fifty-mers of FEAK were effective inhibitors of MBP 85-99- or proteolipid protein (PLP) 40-60-specific HLA-DR-2-restricted T cell clones. These copolymers efficiently suppressed the mouse disease EAE, which was induced in a susceptible SJL/J (H-2S) strain of mice with either whole spinal cord homogenate (WSCH) or with the encephalitogenic epitope PLP 139-151 (SEQ ID NO:4). YFAK 50-mer having a molar ratio of about Y 0.8:F 0.2 inhibited binding of biotinylated MBP 85-99 epitope to HLA-DR-2 molecules more efficiently than either unlabeled MBP 85-99 or Copaxone®. YFAK and FAK copolymers efficiently suppressed EAE induced in SJL/J (H-2S) mice with the encephalitogenic epitope PLP 139-151.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Jack L. Strominger, Masha Fridkis-Hareli
  • Patent number: 7361311
    Abstract: A method of separating species in a mixture of molecules, particles or atoms and collecting the separated species is described. The method comprises the steps of converting by ionization the species in the mixture to gas phase ions, separating the gas phase ions according to their mass charge ratio and/or mobility and collecting the separated ions. The system includes ionizing means such as electrospray to form the gas phase ions. The gas phase ions are separated by filtering, or in time or in space and soft-landed for collection such as on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Zheng Ouyang
  • Patent number: 7346919
    Abstract: In a messaging system adapted to operate in a television environment, the invention teaches a method and apparatus for allowing a user to enter textual outgoing message, which is translated to speech by text to speech module. The speech is than delivered to a target server such as a voice mail or e-mail server, for listening by the message recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Integra5 Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Eyal Bartfeld
  • Patent number: 7335897
    Abstract: A new method and system for desorption ionization is described and applied to the ionization of various compounds, including peptides and proteins present on metal, polymer, and mineral surfaces. Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is carried out by directing charged droplets and/or ions of a liquid onto the surface to be analyzed. The impact of the charged particles on the surface produces gaseous ions of material originally present on the surface. The resulting mass spectra are similar to normal ESI mass spectra in that they show mainly singly or multiply charged molecular ions of the analytes. The DESI phenomenon was observed both in the case of conductive and insulator surfaces and for compounds ranging from nonpolar small molecules such as lycopene, the alkaloid coniceine, and small drugs, through polar compounds such as peptides and proteins. Changes in the solution that is sprayed can be used to selectively ionize particular compounds, including those in biological matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zoltán Takáts, Bogdan Gologan, Justin Michael Wiseman, Robert Graham Cooks
  • Patent number: 7328549
    Abstract: A process by which low viscosities liquids are filled into syringes without gas bubbles utilizing lowered temperature and valves to isolate the filling system from the vacuum. The liquid may be drug, device, pharmaceutical, and/or biotech products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hyaluron, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Kinney, Andrea Wagner
  • Patent number: 7249952
    Abstract: A training system using haptically enhanced simulations of dental procedures to provide the sensorimotor involvement needed for dental training. To provide touch feedback in combination with a realistic visual experience, the system integrates a haptic stylus interface for simulating the movement and feel of the tool-tip with a three-dimensional, stereoscopic display. The haptic stylus enables the dental student to orient and operate simulated dental tools. Working on a virtual model viewed in a stereo display, dental students can use a simulated pick to probe a tooth, or a simulated drill to prepare a tooth for cavity repair. The touch feedback is simulated by representing these dental instruments as force-to-a-point tools which map to haptic simulation procedures executed on a computer workstation that also provides the visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: John F. Ranta, Walter A. Aviles, R. Bruce Donoff, Linda P. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7247437
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods and kits useful in modulating bacterial cell DNA replication and for treating pathogenic bacterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Matthew K. Waldor, Elizabeth S. Egan
  • Patent number: 7189697
    Abstract: Methods for the therapeutic treatment of dry eye in mammals comprising administering to a mammal afflicted with an epithelial wound a therapeutically effective amount of a galectin-1 protein, a galectin-3, a galectin-7 protein and/or a galectin-8 protein are provided. Pharmaceutical and ophthalmic compositions and kits, comprising a pharmaceutically an active agent which is a galectin-1 protein, a galectin-3 protein, galectin-7 protein and/or a galectin-8 protein, and a suitable carrier or a diluent, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventor: Noorjahan Panjwani
  • Patent number: 7177018
    Abstract: A device reader having a multiplex illuminator, the illuminator, and methods for reading deflection of a large number of microcantilevers are provided. The illuminator includes a micro-optical subassembly for illuminating cantilevers (illuminator) that uses a plurality of VCSELs for generating an array of electromagnetic beams, and focuses the beams on the cantilevers. Deflection of the cantilevers causes a change in angle of the beams reflected from the cantilevers, which is recorded by a plurality of position sensitive devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Protiveris, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy D. Seeley
  • Patent number: 7141385
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for detecting an enzyme, or or for detecting a substrate of an enzyme or for detecting an enzyme effector such as an inhibitor, by measuring a change in deflection of a microcantilever having a substrate or an enzyme, respectively, attached to a surface of the microcantilever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Protiveris, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Bottomley, Madhushree Ghosh, Shanxiang Shen, Richard Saul, Sebastian Kossek, Gary W. Pace
  • Patent number: 7074929
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compounds, compositions, and methods for the treatment of physiological disorders associated with an excess of neuropeptide Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignees: Neurogen Corp., Pfizer, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond F. Horvath, Jennifer Tran, Stéphane De Lombaert, Kevin J. Hodgetts, Philip A. Carpino, David A. Griffith
  • Patent number: 7048907
    Abstract: Stable isotope labeling and neutron activation to measure biological functions are provided, as are the use and method of adding a chemical monitor to correct for neutron flux to sample vials prior to the addition of sample is presented, and the use of stable isotopes as a chemical bar code for vials and other items. Methods are provided also for measuring glomerular filtration rate and glomerular sieving function in a subject, and for measuring other physiological functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: BioPhysics Assay Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest V. Groman, Christopher P. Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 7034034
    Abstract: Substituted 2-cyclohexyl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole derivatives capable of modulating NPY5 receptor activity, are provided. Such compounds may be used to modulate NPY binding to NPY5 receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of disorders (e.g., eating disorders such as obesity or bulimia, psychiatric disorders, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension) in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such compounds for detecting NPY5 receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Neurogen Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Blum, Harry L. Brielmann, Stephane De Lombaert, Xiaozhang Zheng
  • Patent number: 6994992
    Abstract: The invention provides novel AS3 nucleic acid sequences, AS3 polypeptides, anti-AS3 antibodies, and methods for modulating cell proliferation and detecting compounds that modulate cell proliferation. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Ana M. Soto, Carlos Sonnenschein, Peter Geck, Jozsef Szelei
  • Patent number: 6967021
    Abstract: Methods for the therapeutic treatment of epithelial wounds in mammals comprising administering to a mammal afflicted with an epithelial wound a therapeutically effective amount of a galectin-3 protein and/or a galectin-7 protein are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically suitable carrier or diluent and as an active agent a galectin-3 protein and/or a galectin-7 protein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Noorjahan Panjwani, Zhiyi Cao