Patents Represented by Attorney Medicus Associates
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Patent number: 7749533Abstract: A fast-melting pharmaceutical tablet comprises a porous, plastic substance, a water penetration enhancer and a binder. One or more drugs can be incorporated into the formulation at different stages of the process so as to afford a pharmaceutically active tablet. Methods of making the pharmaceutical tablet entail combining the porous, plastic material, the water penetration enhancing agent, and the binder so as to form highly plastic granules, which are compressed into tablets. The resulting tablets dissolve rapidly in the mouth and have good hardness with low brittleness. The tablets are particularly valuable to those who have difficulty swallowing conventional pills.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Akina, Inc.Inventors: Yourong Fu, Chaul Min Pai, Sang Yeob Park, Gun Seomoon, Kinam Park
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Patent number: 7572355Abstract: Devices and methods of enhancing mass transport proximate a surface of an electrode immersed in a liquid are disclosed. One aspect of the device comprises an electrode embedded in a sintered or bonded magnetic material. The device is contacted with a solvent containing a redox material dissolved therein. An external voltage or current is applied to the electrode, which external voltage or current is sufficient to enhance mass transport proximate the surface of the electrode. Magnetic field effects can be effectively applied to the microstirring of fluids in conjunction with microelectrochemical systems in a lab-on-a-chip format. Suitable applications include bioassays, drug discovery, and high throughput screening, and other applications where magnetohydrodynamics can enhance chemical detection and/or reagent mixing, which otherwise rely on diffusional processes.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventors: Prabhu U. Arumugam, Ingrid Fritsch
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Patent number: 7255332Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dissolving a gas into a liquid comprises a saturation tank, a high pressure liquid pump in fluid communication with the tank, and a pressurized gas source in communication with a regulated gas head space of the saturation tank. The saturation tank comprises a pressure vessel for containing the liquid and has a regulated gas head space above the liquid, contains at least one liquid spray nozzle that permits passage of liquid into the pressure vessel, and an outlet for the liquid containing dissolved gas. Upon passing the gas-containing liquid into a second fluid, the gas is released in the form of microbubbles. The microbubbles aid in flocculation of suspended particles and promote dissolution of the gas in the second fluid. Preferred gases for use with the apparatus are oxygen, air, and ozone. Anticipated uses include treatment of rivers, streams, and ponds in natural or industrial settings, as well as smaller scale applications.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventors: Gregory Scott Osborn, Marty D. Matlock, Shandi S. Teltschik
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Patent number: 7202143Abstract: An oxide or nitride layer is provided on an amorphous semiconductor layer prior to performing metal-induced crystallization of the semiconductor layer. The oxide or nitride layer facilitates conversion of the amorphous material into large grain polycrystalline material. Hence, a native silicon dioxide layer provided on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), followed by deposited Al permits induced crystallization at temperatures far below the solid phase crystallization temperature of a-Si. Solar cells and thin film transistors can be prepared using this method.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventors: Hameed A. Naseem, Marwan Albarghouti
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Patent number: 7174709Abstract: A turboscreen for use with diesel exhaust systems comprises a plurality of parallel metal V-shaped wires joined with a peripheral band. The turboscreen is reversibly provided within a housing assembly that permits removal of the interior screen without detaching the housing assembly from the exhaust system. The interior screen can be removed from the housing by removing and/or loosening bolts that connect the plates of the housing and withdrawing the screen. Maintenance times and repair costs are thereby reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventor: John Trager
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Patent number: 7160525Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions of noble metals, and methods of making them, are described. The nanoparticle compositions are made by reacting a salt or complex of a noble metal, such as Au, Ag, Cu or Pt, with a weak ligand, and a reducing agent, in a single liquid phase. The noble metal is typically provided as a halide or carboxylate. The ligand is preferably a fatty acid or aliphatic amine. The reducing agent is preferably a borohydride reagent, hydrazine, or a mixture thereof. Nanocrystals in the size range of 1 nm to 20 nm are produced, and can be made in substantially monodisperse form.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventors: Xiaogang Peng, Lin Song Li, Nikhil Jana
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Patent number: 6960617Abstract: Hydrogels having improved elasticity and mechanical strength properties are obtained by subjecting a hydrogel formulation containing a strengthening agent to chemical or physical crosslinking conditions subsequent to initial gel formation. Superporous hydrogels having improved elasticity and mechanical strength properties are similarly obtained whenever the hydrogel formulation is provided with a foaming agent. Interpenetrating networks of polymer chains comprised of primary polymer(s) and strengthening polymer(s) are thereby formed. The primary polymer affords capillary-based water sorption properties while the strengthening polymer imparts significantly enhanced mechanical strength and elasticity to the hydrogel or superporous hydrogel. Suitable strengthening agents can be natural or synthetic polymers, polyelectrolytes, or neutral, hydrophilic polymers.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Hossein Omidian, Yong Qiu, Shicheng Yang, Dukjoon Kim, Haesun Park, Kinam Park
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Patent number: 6844248Abstract: A low temperature process for forming a metal doped silicon layer in which a silicon layer is deposited onto a substrate at low temperatures, with a metal doping layer then deposited upon the silicon layer. This structure is then annealed at low temperatures to form a metal doped semiconductor having greater than about 1×1020 dopant atoms per cm3 of silicon.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: The Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventors: Hameed A. Naseem, M. Shahidul Haque, William D. Brown
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Patent number: 6767637Abstract: A method for generating a plurality of drug-containing microcapsules employs one or more atomizers to form the microcapsules by the phenomenon of solvent exchange. A plurality of microdroplets of an aqueous solution is contacted with a plurality of microdroplets containing a polymer dissolved in a hydrophilic solvent under conditions whereby the polymer solution envelops the aqueous microdroplet. Exchange of solvent molecules between the aqueous core and its polymer-containing shell deposits the polymer as a membrane around the aqueous core. A preferred atomizer is a coaxial ultrasonic atomizer. Microcapsules can be generated in air as well as when submersed in a collection bath. Desired properties of the microcapsules, e.g., controlled release, can be achieved by providing protective excipients within the aqueous core, providing a hydrophilic polymer capable of undergoing a sol-to-gel transition within the aqueous core, optimizing selection of the polymer solvent, adjusting relative flow rates, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Kinam Park, Yoon Yeo
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Patent number: 6768004Abstract: Nucleotide sequences encoding the variable heavy and light chains of the murine monoclonal antibody 1F7 are disclosed. The 1F7 antibody is an effective immune modulator that has anti-idiotypic binding affinity for anti-HIV antibodies. Polypeptides containing at least one complementarity-determining region (CDR) or framework-determining region (FR) of the variable heavy or variable light chains of 1F7, as well as the polynucleotides encoding them, can be used to modulate the immune response to HIV infection. Unnecessary, and potentially adverse, murine segments of the variable chains falling outside the CDRs can be replaced with human sequences to afford humanized chimeric antibodies and antibody fragments.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Inventors: Sybille Müller, Heinz Köhler
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Patent number: 6599627Abstract: A solvent exchange method is employed to provide microencapsulated compositions, such as microcapsules of pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on an exchange of water and a hydrophilic organic solvent, whereby a decline in solvent quality for the organic solvent causes a polymer dissolved therein to be deposited onto an aqueous core. Optimal results are rationalized in terms of a balance of water solubility and surface tension for the organic solvent. In a preferred embodiment, microcapsules of selected drugs are formed by contacting microdroplets of an aqueous solution containing the drug with the organic solvent containing a polymer dissolved therein. A preferred method employs biodegradable poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) dissolved in acetic acid, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, or ethyl formate, to form a PLGA membrane around an aqueous drug core. The method is particularly attractive for encapsulating protein-based drugs without substantial denaturation.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Yoon Yeo, Alvin Un-Teh Chen, Osman A. Basaran, Kinam Park