Patents Assigned to East Carolina University
  • Patent number: 11925635
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating and/or managing pain. The invention further provides methods for reducing or inhibiting opioid tolerance, reducing risk of opioid addiction or dependence, restoring opioid efficacy, and enhancing the therapeutic effect of an opioid. The invention further provides compositions for use in the methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Kori Brewer, Stefan Clemens
  • Patent number: 11676232
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining an application status of an applicant for an educational program may include receiving cohort performance data comprising first data entries for participants that have respectively achieved outcomes for the educational program and applicant performance data comprising second data entries for the applicant, calculating adjusted cohort performance data based on the cohort performance data and first data characteristics, providing a predictor model based on the adjusted cohort performance data and the outcomes, sequentially changing predictive parameters of the first data characteristics to create second data characteristics and creating an adjusted predictor model based on the second data characteristics and the outcomes, calculating adjusted applicant performance data based on the applicant performance data and the second data characteristics, and calculating a probability of success for the applicant in the educational program based on the adjust
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventor: Robert Todd Watkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11647889
    Abstract: Systems for obtaining an image of a target are provided including at least one multi-wavelength illumination module configured to illuminate a target using two or more different wavelengths, each penetrating the target at different depths; a multi-wavelength camera configured to detect the two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target on corresponding different channels and acquire corresponding images of the target based on the detected two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target; a control module configured synchronize illumination of the target by the at least one multi-wavelength illumination module and detection of the two or more different wavelengths by the camera; an analysis module configured to receive the acquired images of the target and analyze the acquired images to provide analysis results; and an image visualization module modify the acquired images based on the analysis results to provide a final improved image in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Jiahong Jin, Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Kenneth Michael Jacobs, Taylor Forbes, Bryent Tucker, Xin Hua Hu
  • Patent number: 11610171
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for generating a normalized assessment of instructors include calculating a first relative value unit (RVU) score for didactic instruction provided by the instructor, calculating a second RVU score for at least one of online instruction, seminar instruction, laboratory instruction, and/or simulation instruction provided by the instructor, calculating a third RVU score for practical experience instruction provided by the instructor, generating a normalized score for the instructor based on the first RVU score, the second RVU score, and the third RVU score, and displaying the normalized score for the instructor, where the first, second, and third RVU scores are each time-normalized scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventor: Robert Todd Watkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11571401
    Abstract: Provided is a method of activating immune cells and/or an immune system response in a subject. The method may comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I): or a prodrug, derivative, and/or salt thereof. In some embodiments, the method comprises contacting an immune cell with a compound of Formula (I) or a prodrug, derivative, and/or salt thereof. Also provided are compounds, compositions, and kits for activating immune cells and/or an immune system response in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Rukiyah T. Van Dross-Anderson, Rene Escobedo
  • Patent number: 11553844
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source. The region of interest includes a sample portion and background portion, each having a different set of optical characteristics. Images of the region of interest are acquired and processed to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images. MetaKG signals are calculated for the region of interest and for the background. The MetaKG signal for the background is used to adjust the MetaKG signal for the region of interest to provide a final adjusted MetaKG signal for the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Sunghan Kim, William Hempstead, Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11508250
    Abstract: The systems, methods and associated devices electronically collect, report and generate normalized educational outcome summaries of multiple different educational inputs, including didactic, experiential and problem solving events and/or assessments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventor: Robert Todd Watkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11384336
    Abstract: FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) can represent powerful adoptive immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases, and other chronic inflammatory diseases. The present invention is related to the ability to maintain and expand stable Treg lines and can provide insight into FOXP3+ Treg physiology and can enable feasible strategies of Treg-based immunotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Wilkinson, Mark D. Mannie
  • Patent number: 11284615
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of preparing a cell, tissue, organ or plant for cryopreservation, wherein the method includes contacting the cell, tissue, organ or plant with a composition including sucrose and/or sucralose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Anthony Kennedy, Jean-Luc Scemama, Jitka Virag, Edward R. Pennington
  • Patent number: 11278220
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide a multispectral imaging system including a first light source, the first light source having a first wavelength configured to produce a non-coherent illumination to image a sample; a second coherent light source, different from the first light source, having a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, configured to image the sample simultaneously with the first light source; a camera configured to simultaneously receive information related to the first and second light sources from the sample, wherein light at the first wavelength is configured to image a surface of the sample into the camera and light at the second wavelength is configured to penetrate the sample and provide information related to the penetrated sample to the camera; and a processor configured to combine the received information related to the first and second light sources and generate a synthesized image of the anatomical structure and the physiology of blood flow and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Bryent Tucker, T. Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11202777
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating and/or managing pain. The invention further provides methods for reducing or inhibiting opioid tolerance, reducing risk of opioid addiction or dependence, restoring opioid efficacy, and enhancing the therapeutic effect of an opioid. The invention further provides compositions for use in the methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Kori Brewer, Stefan Clemens
  • Patent number: 11185069
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of preparing a cell, tissue, organ or plant for cryopreservation, wherein the method includes contacting the cell, tissue, organ or plant with a composition including sucrose and/or sucralose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Anthony Kennedy, Jean-Luc Scemama, Jitka Virag, Edward R. Pennington
  • Patent number: 11170658
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for assessing a student in in an online discussion event using at least one processor of a computer includes obtaining discussion data comprising a plurality of discussion posts in a data file, each comprising a post author and post content, grouping the plurality of discussion posts of the data file into a plurality of discussion threads, classifying individual discussion posts of the plurality of discussion posts based on a post type, and assigning relative value units (RVUs) to at least one of the plurality of discussion posts, where the RVUs are time-normalized scores based on a complexity of the discussion post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventor: Robert Todd Watkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11010849
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining an application status of an applicant for an educational program may include receiving cohort performance data comprising first data entries for participants that have respectively achieved outcomes for the educational program and applicant performance data comprising second data entries for the applicant, calculating adjusted cohort performance data based on the cohort performance data and first data characteristics, providing a predictor model based on the adjusted cohort performance data and the outcomes, sequentially changing predictive parameters of the first data characteristics to create second data characteristics and creating an adjusted predictor model based on the second data characteristics and the outcomes, calculating adjusted applicant performance data based on the applicant performance data and the second data characteristics, and calculating a probability of success for the applicant in the educational program based on the adjust
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventor: Robert Todd Watkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10960013
    Abstract: Provided is a method of preventing and/or treating a skin disorder and/or an oral disorder including administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a prodrug or derivative thereof, and salts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventor: Rukiyah T. Van Dross
  • Patent number: 10948350
    Abstract: Multispectral imaging systems are provided including an illumination control module configured to image a sample and provide an imaging output sequence including images and data; a multi-spectral physiologic visualization (MSPV) module, a peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) module and a physiologic status parameters (PSP) module configured to receive the imaging output sequence of the illumination control module simultaneously. The MSPV module is configured to provide real-time blood flow distribution visualization of a field of view (FOV) responsive to the received imaging output sequence. The SpO2 module is configured to provide real-time SpO2 information at a tissue surface level for the FOV responsive to the received imaging and output sequence. The PSP module is configured to derive status parameters in real-time from metadata associated with the received imaging and output sequence of the FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: T. Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Bryent Tucker, Sunghan Kim, Cheng Chen, William Hempstead
  • Patent number: 10940200
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of modulating an immunological disorder or an immune response. The methods include administering to a subject or a cell an effective amount of an autoimmune antigen and an anti-inflammatory cytokine included in an aluminum-based carrier. Compositions including an autoimmune antigen and an anti-inflammatory cytokine included in an aluminum-based carrier are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventor: Mark D. Mannie
  • Patent number: 10874686
    Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceuticals acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, and prodrugs thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods involving the inventive compounds for the treatment and/or of an infectious disease (e.g., bacterial infection (e.g., P. aeruginosa infection).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, The General Hospital Corporation, East Carolina University
    Inventors: Derek Shieh Tan, Cheng Ji, Indrajeet Sharma, Debarshi Pratihar, James P. Coleman, Everett C. Pesci, Laurence G. Rahme
  • Patent number: 10878711
    Abstract: The systems, methods and associated devices electronically collect, report and generate normalized educational outcome summaries of multiple different educational inputs, including didactic, experiential and problem solving events and/or assessments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventor: Robert Todd Watkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: D939913
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Dickerson, Ethan John Smith