Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible, narrow medical device (such as a micro-catheter or a guidewire) that is controllably moved and steered through lumens of a body. The medical device may include an electrically-actuatable bendable portion at a distal end, which may be provided by a polymer electrolyte layer, electrodes distributed about the polymer electrolyte layer, and electrical conduits coupled to the electrodes, such that the polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to an electrical signal through one or more conduits. The disclosure further includes a controller for moving the device into and out of bodily lumens and for applying the electrical signal for steering the device. The device further includes methods of preparing the polymer electrolyte layer in tubular shape.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 17, 2020
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
Inventors:
Daniel H. Kim, Dong Suk Shin, Viljar Palmre
Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is a battery pack. The battery pack, in accordance with this aspect, includes an enclosure. The battery pack, in accordance with this aspect, further includes an intake port attached to a first section of the enclosure, the intake port coupleable to a source of cooling fluid, a first exhaust port attached to a third section of the enclosure and a second exhaust port coupled to a fourth section of the enclosure. The battery pack of this aspect further includes a first set of battery cells located within the enclosure in the first and third sections, the first set of battery cells separated by one or more first fluid passageways and a second set of battery cells located within the enclosure in a second and the fourth sections, the second set of battery cells separated by one or more second fluid passageways.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 18, 2020
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Abstract: Methods for increasing immune therapy response and predicting likelihood of cancer metastasis by analyzing the expression of genes associated with replication stress response. In some aspects, cancers are treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or MEK inhibitors. Methods for selecting patients by analyzing the expression of genes associated with a defect in replication stress response are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 2019
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Inventors:
Daniel McGrail, Shiaw-Yih Lin, Patrick Pilie, Eric Jonasch, Curtis Chun-Jen Lin
Abstract: In one embodiment, a nanobeam cavity device includes an elongated waveguide having a central optical cavity, first and second lateral substrates that are positioned on opposed lateral sides of the waveguide, and carrier-injection beams that extend from the first and second lateral substrates to the central optical cavity of the elongated waveguide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 7, 2021
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 2021
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Inventors:
Kenneth R. Diller, Daniel W. Hensley, Timothy T. Diller
Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a substrate comprising a cantilever, a bottom electrode on the substrate, a bottom piezoelectric transducer on the bottom electrode such that the bottom electrode is between the substrate and the bottom piezoelectric transducer, a middle electrode on the bottom piezoelectric transducer such that the bottom piezoelectric transducer is between the bottom electrode and the middle electrode, a top piezoelectric transducer on the middle electrode such that the middle electrode is between the bottom piezoelectric transducer and the top piezoelectric transducer, and a top electrode on the top piezoelectric transducer, such that the top piezoelectric transducer is between the middle electrode and the top electrode. Illustrative embodiments also provide a method of making the apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for atomic force microscopy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 17, 2020
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Inventors:
Seyed Omid Reza Moheimani, Mohammad Mahdavi
Abstract: Methods and compositions related to the use of a protein with kynureninase activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified kynureninase capable of degrading kynurenine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with kynurenine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 6, 2023
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicant:
BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
Inventors:
George GEORGIOU, Everett STONE, John BLAZECK, Christos KARAMITROS
Abstract: A system and method to dispense and monitor a consumable. The system includes a vial configured to transmit at least one characteristic of contents within the vial to a remote location, unlock itself to enable a user to access and remove the contents in response to receipt of an unlock command, and to receive an ingestion confirmation signal when the contents are exposed to body fluids. The method includes determining whether to authorize dispensing of the contents to a patient from the vial, authorizing the dispensing of the contents from the vial, observing, by a clinician over a video conference, dispensing and consumption of the contents by the patient, receiving confirmation from an ingestion sensor that the patient consumed the contents.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 7, 2021
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicant:
THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
Inventors:
Michael Alexander Giles, Madhukar Trivedi
Abstract: Antimicrobial catheters and medical devices are provided. In some aspects, a low durometer aliphatic polyether polyurethane may be impregnated with a first antimicrobial agent (e.g., minocycline and rifampin) and coated with a second antimicrobial agent (e.g., chlorhexidine, gendine, or gardine). The antimicrobial catheters may display improved flexibility and resistance to kinking. Methods of producing the antimicrobial catheters are also provided.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 25, 2023
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicant:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, apparatus, systems, methods and kits for performing immunoassay tests on a sample. The A sensing apparatus is provided for detecting a plurality of different target analytes in a sample. The apparatus may comprise an array of sensing devices provided on a substrate, each sensing device in the array comprising a working electrode having (1) semiconducting nanostructures disposed thereon and (2) a capture reagent coupled to the semiconducting nanostructures that selectively binds to a different target analyte in the sample. The apparatus may also comprise sensing circuitry that (1) simultaneously detects changes to electron and ion mobility and charge accumulation in the array of sensing devices when the capture reagents in the array of sensing devices selectively bind to the plurality of different target analytes, and (2) determines the presence and concentrations of the plurality of different target analytes in the sample based on the detected changes.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 2, 2023
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicants:
EnLiSense LLC, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for the treatment and/or amelioration of breast cancer. The compounds and methods may treat and/or ameliorate breast cancer by way of activity on isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). The breast cancer may be estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. Also disclosed are compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, for the treatment and/or amelioration of breast cancer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 2, 2021
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicant:
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System
Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods for classification and treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Certain aspects pertain to treatment of a subject having SCLC using a targeting agent for a cell surface protein, where a targeting agent is selected based on a subtype classification of the SCLC. Disclosed are methods for identifying a subject as having an SCLC subtype (e.g., SCLC-A, SCLC-N, SCLC-P, SCLC-I) and administering a targeting agent configured to target a cell surface protein associated with the identified SCLC subtype. Also disclosed are compositions comprising targeting agents for treatment of SCLC.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 5, 2021
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicant:
BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
Inventors:
Elizabeth M PARK, Lauren A. BYERS, Carl M. GAY, John V. HEYMACH
Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to immunotherapeutic methods for treating a subject having PDAC. Disclosed are methods comprising treatment with two or more immunotherapeutic agents for generating an effective immune response to PDAC. Certain aspects relate to methods comprising the use of a LAG-3 antagonist and a 41BB agonist, in some cases together with a chemokine receptor inhibitor, for the treatment of PDAC. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a LAG-3 antagonist and a 41BB agonist. In some cases the disclosed compositions further comprise a chemokine receptor inhibitor.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 12, 2021
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicant:
BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
Abstract: A Micro-Well Array Plates (MWAP) assembly for high throughput microfluidic devices for studying cells and method of manufacturing thereof are provided. The MWAP assembly includes a top plate having a plurality of macro-wells arranged in an array within a frame. The MWAP assembly also includes a bottom plate operable to be secured to the bottom surface of the frame, the bottom plate having a plurality of arrays of micro-wells. The MWAP assembly includes a well grid formed when the bottom plate is secured to the top plate via the plurality of macro-wells and the plurality of arrays micro-wells. The well grid with the plurality of macro-wells and the plurality of arrays micro-wells enable visualization of cells via a high throughput.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 22, 2021
Publication date:
December 21, 2023
Applicant:
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System
Abstract: A system for indexing, updating, and search haplotypes for genetic genealogical discovery in genotype databases. The system includes a pool of genetic indexes, a haplotype ingestion engine, and a haplotype query engine. The haplotypes of a number of individuals in a genotype database are indexed by a pool of multiple panels, and each panel pool can be dynamically updated by the insertion or deletion of individual haplotypes. A genetic genealogical search of a query haplotype against the database is achieved by first projecting the query onto a subset of panels in the pool, then conducting long match queries over each panel, and finally aggregating the identified long matches into Identical-by-Descent segments, i.e., DNA matches, between the query and the haplotypes in the database.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 3, 2020
Date of Patent:
December 19, 2023
Assignees:
University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc., The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel pharmaceutical composition for the administration of testosterone or testosterone derivatives. The present disclosure also provides methods of treatment of diseases and disorders associated with fear and anxiety, a decrease in libido, or hypogonadism.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 18, 2020
Date of Patent:
December 19, 2023
Assignees:
BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, MEDCARA PHARMACEUTICALS, LLC
Abstract: A method for eliminating hydrocarbon fouling and reducing pumping power during hydrocarbon transportation. A dielectric layer covers the inner surface of a pipeline for transporting a water-hydrocarbon mixture. A proximity electrode is immersed in the water-hydrocarbon mixture, and an electrical voltage is applied across the dielectric layer. A buffer layer of water is formed on the dielectric layer since water is electrically attracted from the water-hydrocarbon mixture. This water layer, located between the dielectric layer and the water-hydrocarbon mixture, eliminates hydrocarbon fouling on the inner surface of the pipeline or any other internal surface that needs fouling protection. Alternatively, the dielectric layer covers an outer surface of the pipeline and is covered by an external conducting layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 20, 2019
Date of Patent:
December 19, 2023
Assignee:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Abstract: Methods of generating an isolated population of non-graft versus host disease (GVHD) inducing cells comprising a central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, the cells being tolerance inducing cells and/or endowed with anti-disease activity, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, are disclosed. Cells generated by the methods, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also disclosed.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 6, 2020
Publication date:
December 14, 2023
Applicants:
Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd., Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Abstract: Methods of using an organic framework (OF) are provided herein, including methods of using an OF comprising a repeat unit of the formula: The OFs provided herein may be used in the separation of two or more molecules from each other. In some embodiments, the molecules are propylene and propane.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 16, 2023
Publication date:
December 14, 2023
Applicants:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Fujian Normal University
Abstract: Systems and methods for image processing generate a contour for a region in an image. One example method generally includes identifying a first contour edge associated with a region having a plurality of region points, the first contour edge extending from a first region point of the plurality of region points to a second region point of the plurality of region points, identifying a second contour edge associated with the region extending from the first region point to a third region point of the plurality of region points, determining whether a contour associated with the region has fewer vertices using the second contour edge as compared to using the first contour edge, the contour comprising a concave hull, and generating the contour based on the determination.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 6, 2023
Publication date:
December 14, 2023
Applicant:
THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM