Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Peter J. Dehlinger
  • Laser-bump sensor method and apparatus
    Patent number: 5978091
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the height and diameter of laser-zone texture bumps on a rigid magnetic disk substrate is disclosed. The apparatus has a disk holder for supporting and rotating the substrate, and an optical beam-source assembly for directing a focused laser beam on the substrate, and for shifting the position of the beam's illumination spot on the substrate in a tracking (radial) direction. An optical detection assembly in the apparatus measures the deflection of the laser beam due to specular reflection of the beam by laser-zone texture bumps, as a function of time, in both scanning (circumferential) and tracking directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: HMT Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter C. Jann, Marco A. Krumbuegel, Reginald Lee, Ming M. Yang
  • Methods for determining T-cell profiles of immunocompromised subjects
    Patent number: 5968755
    Abstract: A method of identifying an abnormal T-cell profile of an immunocompromised subject is disclosed. The method involves detecting the immunoreactivity of T-cells with at least two antibodies selectively reactive with naive T-cell surface proteins and comparing data from cells isolated from an immunocompromised subject with data from cells isolated form a non-immunocompromised subject. Also disclosed are methods of screening drugs or compounds for efficacy to stimulate the production of naive T cells in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Mario Roederer, Ronald Rabin, Leonard A. Herzenberg, Leonore A. Herzenberg
  • Ileus treatment method
    Patent number: 5958407
    Abstract: A method of treating or preventing post-operative ileus in a mammalian subject is disclosed. The method involves administering to the subject, a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound that is effective in (i) preventing mast cell degranulation, (ii) inhibiting tryptase and chymase, and (iii) antagonizing PAR-2. The treatment is based on the discoveries that proteinase-activated receptor 2 is expressed in colonic muscle cells, and that activation of PAR-2 inhibits colonic motility. The PAR-2 receptor is activated, at least in part, by tryptase and chymase, produced by infiltration and degranulation of mast cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the Uinversity of California
    Inventors: Nigel W. Bunnett, Carlos U. Corvera
  • Biosensor device and method
    Patent number: 5955379
    Abstract: A biosensor apparatus for detecting a binding event between a ligand and receptor. The apparatus includes an electrode substrate coated with a high-dielectric hydrocarbon-chain monolayer, and having ligands attached to the exposed monolayer surface. Binding of a receptor to the monolayer-bound ligand, and the resultant perturbation of the monolayer structure, causes ion-mediated electron flow across the monolayer. In one embodiment, the monolayers have a coil--coil heterodimer embedded therein, one subunit of which is attached to the substrate, and the second of which carries the ligand at the monolayer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: McGill University, Pence
    Inventors: R. Bruce Lennox, Robert S. Hodges, Randall T. Irvin, Glen Armstrong, David R. Bundle, Pavel Kitov, Craig Railton
  • Intravascular stent
    Patent number: 5954744
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Quanam Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Loc Phan, Simon Stertzer, Michael Froix
  • Liposomes containing a cisplatin compound
    Patent number: 5945122
    Abstract: A liposome composition containing an entrapped cisplatin compound is described. The liposomes have a surface coating of hydrophilic polymer chains on inner and outer surfaces and an entrapped cisplatin compound. The compound is entrapped with substantially greater retention in the liposomes, when compared to liposomes lacking the polymer coating. A method of preparing the composition is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Sequus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Abra, Karen Reis
  • Liposome drug-loading method and composition
    Patent number: 5939096
    Abstract: A method of stably encapsulating a weak acid drug in liposomes, at a high concentration, is disclosed. The method employs a proton shuttle mechanism involving the salt of a weak acid to generate a higher inside/lower outside pH gradient. The weak acid compound accumulates in liposomes in response to this gradient, and may be retained in the liposomes by cation-promoted precipitation or low permeability across the liposome transmembrane barrier. Also disclosed is a reagent combination for practicing the method, and a liposome composition formed by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    Inventors: Stephane Clerc, Yechezkel Barenholz
  • Disc-handling apparatus
    Patent number: 5938902
    Abstract: A disc-handling apparatus for supporting a magnetic disc during material deposition and for transporting the disc into and out of a deposition station is described. The apparatus has a holder that supports a disc at three contact points by a support and a pair of arms, such that the disc is positively gripped by at least three contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: HMT Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hoang Nguyen, Bruce M. Harper
  • Hybrid interferon tau/alpha polypeptides, their recombinant production, and methods using them
    Patent number: 5939286
    Abstract: The present invention describes hybrid interferon fusion polypeptides formed of a first segment that contains the N-terminal amino acid sequence of an interferon-tau polypeptide, and a second segment that contains the C-terminal amino acid sequence of a non-tau interferon type I polypeptide. The two segments are joined in the region of a mature interferon polypeptide between about residues 8 and 37. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoding such interferon fusion polypeptides, expression vectors containing such sequences, and therapeutic applications of the interferon fusion polypeptides. The therapeutic applications include antiviral and anticellular proliferation applications. One advantage of the interferon fusion polypeptides of the present invention is that they do not have cytotoxic side-effects when used to treat cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: University of Florida
    Inventors: Howard Marcellus Johnson, Carol Hanlon Pontzer, Prem Shankar Subramaniam
  • HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens and methods
    Patent number: 5928861
    Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelop proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Genelabs Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory R. Reyes
  • Method for treatment of autoimmune diseases
    Patent number: 5906816
    Abstract: Methods of treating autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, are disclosed. The methods employ administration of interferon-tau (IFN.tau.) in a therapeutically-effective dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: University of Florida
    Inventors: Jeanne M. Soos, Joel Schiffenbauer, Howard Marcellus Johnson
  • Cloning method for trapping human origins of replication
    Patent number: 5894060
    Abstract: A method of identifying a DNA sequence containing a human origin of replication (hORI) is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: Teni Boulikas
  • Large granular lymphocyte leukemia associated virus
    Patent number: 5891723
    Abstract: A large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia related virus has been isolated and characterized from patients having LGL leukemia. The virus appears to be related to the family of retroviruses including HTLV-I, HTLV-I and Bovine Leukemia Virus. Nucleic acid sequences of the virus are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignees: The Research Foundation of State University of New York, The United States of America as represented by The Department of Health and Human Services, Central New York Research Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Loughran, Jr., Bernard J. Poiesz, Francis W. Ruscetti
  • Methods and formulations for preventing progression of neuropathic pain
    Patent number: 5891849
    Abstract: A method of preventing progression of neuropathic pain is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject an N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocking compound which is characterized by its ability to (a) inhibit electrically stimulated contraction of the guinea pig ileum, and (b) bind selectively to omega conopeptide MVIIA binding sites present in neuronal tissue. Also disclosed are formulations effective to stabilize omega conotoxin peptide preparations at elevated temperatures. Novel omega conopeptides also form part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Arthur Amstutz, Stephen Scott Bowersox, Kishorchandra Gohil, Peter Isadore Adriaenssens, Ramasharma Kristipati
  • Fusogenic liposome compositions and method
    Patent number: 5891468
    Abstract: A fusogenic liposome composition for delivering a liposome-entrapped compound into the cytoplasm of a target cell is described. The liposomes have an outer surface coating of chemically releasable hydrophilic polymer chains which shield hydrophobic polymers on the liposome outer surface. Release of the hydrophilic polymer chains exposes the hydrophobic polymers for interaction with outer cell membranes of the target cells to promote fusion of the liposome with the target cells. Also disclosed is a method for using the composition to deliver a compound to target cells, and a method for selecting suitable hydrophobic polymers for use in the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: SEQUUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Martin, Samuel Zalipsky
  • Process for protein production in plants
    Patent number: 5888789
    Abstract: This invention provides for the secretion of heterologous protein in plant systems. In particular, this invention provides for the production of heterologous proteins by malting of monocot plant seeds. The heterologous genes are expressed during germination of the seeds and isolated from a malt. Also disclosed are chimeric genes, vectors and methods relating to the present invention. Protein production by cell culture techniques is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Raymond L. Rodriguez
  • Process for protein production in plants
    Patent number: 5889189
    Abstract: This invention provides for the secretion of heterologous protein in plant systems. In particular, this invention provides for the production of heterologous proteins by malting of monocot plant seeds. The heterologous genes are expressed during germination of the seeds and isolated from a malt. Also disclosed are chimeric genes, vectors and methods relating to the present invention. Protein production by cell culture techniques is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Raymond L. Rodriguez
  • Ileus treatment method
    Patent number: 5888529
    Abstract: A method of treating or preventing post-operative ileus in a mammalian subject is disclosed. The method involves administering to the subject, a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound that is effective in (i) preventing mast cell degranulation, (ii) inhibiting tryptase and chymase, and (iii) antagonizing PAR-2. The treatment is based on the discoveries that proteinase-activated receptor 2 is expressed in colonic muscle cells, and that activation of PAR-2 inhibits colonic motility. The PAR-2 receptor is activated, at least in part, by tryptase and chymase, produced by infiltration and degranulation of mast cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Nigel W. Bunnett, Carlos U. Corvera
  • Hepatitis E virus peptide antigen and antibodies
    Patent number: 5885768
    Abstract: Immunogenic peptides derived from the ORF1, ORF2, and ORF3 regions of hepatitis E virus (HEV), diagnostic reagents containing the peptide antigens, vaccine compositions containing the antigens, and antibodies which are immunoreactive with the antigens are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Gregory R. Reyes, Daniel W. Bradley, Albert W. Tam, Mitchell Carl
  • Hepatitis G virus and molecular cloning thereof
    Patent number: 5874563
    Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Genelabs Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jungsuh P. Kim, Kirk E. Fry, Lavonne Marie Young, Jeffrey M. Linnen, John Wages