Patents Assigned to Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
  • Patent number: 8131046
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imager performing images of a patient imager includes imaging coils. The imager includes receiver coils The imager includes a computer that causes the imaging coils to produce a first steady-state free precession excitation slab with respect to a first position regarding a target of the patient during a first repetition time, and a second steady-state free precession excitation slab with respect to a second position different from the first position regarding the target during a second repetition time; and forming a first 3-D dataset of the target associated with the first excitation slab and a second 3-D image dataset of the target associated with the second excitation slab from information received from the receiver coils. The first 3-D image dataset and the second 3-D image dataset, together defining a series of 3-D image datasets for each repetition time; and producing an image of the target from the series of 3-D image datasets. A method for analyzing a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Mark Doyle
  • Patent number: 8075471
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a heart of a patient includes an actuator for wringing blood concurrently from both the right and left ventricles of the heart without contacting circulating blood of the patient. The apparatus includes a power source connected to the actuator to power the actuator. A method for assisting a heart of a patient includes the steps of powering an actuator in contact with the heart with a power source. There is the step of wringing blood concurrently from both the right and left ventricles of the heart without contacting circulating blood of the patient with the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Dennis R. Trumble
  • Patent number: 7999544
    Abstract: An MRI includes at least a singular imaging channel which uses a smoothly varying sampling pattern to sparsely sample k-space as a series of parallel lines over time to acquire data of an object. The MRI includes a computer in communication with the imaging channel that performs a signal processing routine to interpolate the data and fill in points of k-space which were not sampled by the imaging channels and produce an image of the object. A method for using an MRI includes the steps of acquiring data of an object with at least a singular imaging channel of the MRI which uses a smoothly varying sampling pattern to sparsely sample k-space as a series of parallel lines over time. There is the step of performing a signal processing routine with a computer in communication with the imaging channel to interpolate the data and fill in points of k-space which were not sampled by the imaging channels. There is the step of producing an image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Mark Doyle
  • Patent number: 7969457
    Abstract: An apparatus for marking a document includes a housing configured to be handheld having a display. The housing has an input element in communication with the display through which information to be marked on the document is entered and which appears on the display. The housing has a clock which keeps time and date. The housing has a stamp. The housing has an activation element which when activated causes the stamp to mark the time and date and information on the document. A method, for marking a document includes the steps of entering information into an input element of a housing configured to be handheld. There is the step of displaying the information on a display of the housing in communication with the input element. There is the step of keeping track of time and date with a clock of the housing. There is the step of activating an activation element of the housing which causes a stamp to mark the time and date and information on the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Andrew Graham Sahud
  • Publication number: 20110124716
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for delivery of genetic material to salivary glands using ultrasound and microbubbles are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ALLEGHENY-SINGER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Michael J. Passineau
  • Publication number: 20110100906
    Abstract: A method of prevention of acid rock drainage excludes oxygen from waste rocks that contain ferrous sulfides by building an oxygen bio-barrier over exposed surfaces of the waste rock. The bio-barrier may be formed by applying a slurry to the rock. The slurry may contain several components such as microbial material, one or more nutrients, water or another fluid, and optionally water-absorbent material. The microbial material may include bacteria, algae, fungi or a combination thereof. Additionally, the slurry may contain one or more acid-neutralizing compounds, one or more cellulose-containing substances, and one or more UV protecting agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: ALLEGHENY-SINGER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: James Christopher Post, Garth David Ehrlich, John William Costerton
  • Patent number: 7907760
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for an object in change includes an MRI system having a computer, a first channel and at least a second channel which produce corresponding images of the object in change. The computer combining the individual images into a composite image of the object. Alternatively, the MRI system has at least a first channel which produce an image of the object in change from data acquired in k-space domain in a density of at least ? that required to satisfy a Nyquist criteria. A method for imaging an object in change includes the steps of producing an individual image of the object in change with a first channel of an MRI system. There is the step of producing an individual image of the object in change with at least a second channel of the MRI system independent of the first channel. There is the step of combining the individual images into a composite image of the object with a computer of the MRI system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Mark Doyle
  • Publication number: 20110046921
    Abstract: A system which allows healthcare providers to monitor hand hygiene compliance includes a data reader adapted to be worn by a healthcare provider. The system includes a portal trigger disposed at each door portal of a patient room which activates the reader to record an entrance event when the provider enters the patient room. The system includes a dispenser trigger disposed at each cleaning dispenser having cleanser in or at the entrance of each patient room which activates the reader to record a dispensing event when the provider causes the dispenser to dispense cleanser, the reader having a display which displays a number of dispensing events and a number of entrance events. A method which allows healthcare providers to monitor hand hygiene compliance. A system which allows a person to monitor hand hygiene compliance. A method for allowing a person to monitor hand hygiene compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: ALLEGHENY-SINGER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Andrew Graham Sahud
  • Patent number: 7881510
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image of a body of a patient. The apparatus comprises an energy source which emits energy that passes through the body or which causes the body to emit energy. The apparatus comprises at least one detector element which receives the energy which has pass through, or originated within the body. The apparatus comprises a computer with a memory in communication with the detector element which stores in the memory angular and timing information relative to the body regarding the energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Mark Doyle
  • Patent number: 7871791
    Abstract: A method for preparing a biofilm includes the steps of rinsing the biofilm. There is the step of staining the biofilm with potassium permanganate and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventors: Luanne Hall-Stoodley, Paul Stoodley
  • Publication number: 20110006000
    Abstract: A method of in situ treatment of wastewater that is contaminated with a heavy metal may include passing a flow of contaminated wastewater through a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel may contain a plurality of biofilm retaining structures. Each of the structures may at least be partially coated with a biofilm. Additionally, the biofilm may include a plurality of bacteria retained in a matrix and the matrix may include DNA, protein and carbohydrates produced by the bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: ALLEGHENY-SINGER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: James Christopher Post, Garth David Ehrlich, John William Costerton
  • Publication number: 20100319913
    Abstract: A method of in situ treatment of fracture fluid that is contaminated with a heavy metal may include passing a flow of contaminated fracture fluid through a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel may contain a plurality of biofilm retaining structures. Each of the structures may at least be partially coated with a biofilm. Additionally, the biofilm may include a plurality of bacteria retained in a matrix and the matrix may include DNA, protein and carbohydrates produced by the bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ALLEGHENY-SINGER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: James Christopher Post, Garth David Ehrlich, John William Costerton
  • Patent number: 7834629
    Abstract: An MRI includes a cylindrical housing having a long axis in which a patient is positioned essentially in parallel with the long axis of the cylindrical housing. The MRI includes an electromagnetic receiver coil system positioned about a cylindrical housing and aligned with the long axis of the cylindrical housing. The MRI includes an electromagnetic imaging gradients coil system positioned about the cylindrical housing and aligned with the long axis of the cylindrical housing. The MRI includes a main magnet having its north pole and south pole positioned about the housing, which produces a magnetic field through the housing perpendicular to the long axis of the cylindrical housing. A method for examining a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Mark Doyle
  • Patent number: 7834625
    Abstract: An MRI to form an image of a patient includes at least one emitting coil which produces RF pulses and gradients. The MRI includes a controller in communication with the emitting coil for obtaining a steady-state image of the patient, where gradient areas balance to zero for each time repetition (TR) interval, and for causing the emitting coil to produce the RF pulses without interruption during the time repetition interval. The MRI includes at least one receiving coil in communication with the controller which receives the RF pulses and provides the RF pulses to the controller for the controller to obtain the image. A method to form an image of a patient with an MRI. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium to form an image of a patient with an MRI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventors: Mark Doyle, Robert Biederman
  • Patent number: 7770782
    Abstract: A system which allows healthcare providers to monitor hand hygiene compliance includes a data reader adapted to be worn by a healthcare provider. The system includes a portal trigger disposed at each door portal of a patient room which activates the reader to record an entrance event when the provider enters the patient room. The system includes a dispenser trigger disposed at each cleaning dispenser having cleanser in or at the entrance of each patient room which activates the reader to record a dispensing event when the provider causes the dispenser to dispense cleanser, the reader having a display which displays a number of dispensing events and a number of entrance events. A method which allows healthcare providers to monitor hand hygiene compliance. A system which allows a person to monitor hand hygiene compliance. A method for allowing a person to monitor hand hygiene compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Andrew Graham Sahud
  • Patent number: 7606610
    Abstract: A method for imaging a patient. An apparatus for imaging a patient including a magnetic resonance imager having a controller and a memory in communication with the controller. The controller causes the imager to take a two-dimensional image of the patient which is stored in the memory. The controller identifying locations of interest of the k-space representation of the two-dimensional image, and acquiring a three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography image based on the locations of interest of the two-dimensional k-space data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Mark Doyle
  • Patent number: 7563620
    Abstract: An apparatus for correcting for cell aggregates in a cell suspension from patients. The apparatus includes a laser cytometry scanning mechanism for scanning cells of a sample of a cell suspension to obtain data about the samples patients. The apparatus includes a memory for storing the data, the memory in communication with the scanning mechanism patients. The apparatus includes a computer for identifying in the data cell aggregates in the samples from the samples that have been scanned with an APT function, the computer in communication with the memory. A method for correcting for cell aggregates in a cell suspension from patients with an APT function. A method for correcting for cell aggregates in a cell suspension from patients with up to 98.6% accuracy. A computer readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventors: Stanley E. Shackney, Charles Smith, Agnese Pollice, Kathryn Brown, Deborah Kociban
  • Patent number: 7541808
    Abstract: An MRI includes at least a singular imaging channel which uses a smoothly varying sampling pattern to sparsely sample k-space as a series of parallel lines over time to acquire data of an object. The MRI includes a computer in communication with the imaging channel that performs a signal processing routine to interpolate the data and fill in points of k-space which were not sampled by the imaging channels and produce an image of the object. A method for using an MRI includes the steps of acquiring data of an object with at least a singular imaging channel of the MRI which uses a smoothly varying sampling pattern to sparsely sample k-space as a series of parallel lines over time. There is the step of performing a signal processing routine with a computer in communication with the imaging channel to interpolate the data and fill in points of k-space which were not sampled by the imaging channels. There is the step of producing an image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Mark Doyle
  • Publication number: 20080286329
    Abstract: Blood-derived plastic articles prepared from compositions including blood and, in some embodiments, at least one crosslinking agent and/or at least one biological response modifier, that can be useful for biological applications such as wound repair and tissue grafts; methods of making and using the same; methods for assessing the concentration of a biological response modifier in an article; and systems for preparing blood-derived plastic articles are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicants: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, ALLEGHENY-SINGER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CARMELL, LLC
    Inventors: Phil G. Campbell, James E. Burgess, Lee E. Weiss, Jason Smith
  • Patent number: 7412333
    Abstract: A method for treating a patient with cancer includes the steps of obtaining cells from a cancerous tumor in the patient. Then there is the step of performing multiple correlated measurements on each cell to obtain cell data for each cell regarding each cell's place in a genetic evolutionary pathway that had occurred in the tumor. Next there is the step of determining from the cell data a likelihood of recurrence of the cancer by minimizing false negatives. A method for treating a patient with cancer. The method includes the steps of obtaining cells from a cancerous tumor in the patient. Then there is the step of obtaining cell data for each cell regarding each cell's place in a genetic evolutionary pathway that had occurred in the tumor. Next there is the step of recognizing distinctive false negative patterns from the cell data. Then there is the step of correlating the false negative patterns to aberrations in mitogenic signaling to determine a likelihood of recurrence of the cancer in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
    Inventor: Stanley E. Shackney