Patents Assigned to Function(x), Inc.
  • Patent number: 8565883
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving cognitive function within a human. The invention utilizes an implanted device, such as an implantable signal generator or an implantable pump, to affect tissue elements within a Papez circuit of the human brain as well as tissue upstream or downstream from the Papez circuit. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to thereby improve cognitive function by the human. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of the cognitive disorder. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate delivery of the stimulation and/or drug therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Neuromodulation Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Lozano
  • Patent number: 8535684
    Abstract: A method for identifying host genes and encoded proteins for potential targets for therapeutic intervention employs a Gene Search Vector that is either lentivirus or MMLV-based, and can be used to interrogate an entire cell genome without prior knowledge of the genomic sequence. This Random Homozygous Gene Perturbation (RUGP) technique is rapidly verifiable and is used to identify potential host targets for intervention for influenza, HIV and other viral infections. Using Thermal Assymetric Interlaced (TAIL)-PCR, the period for identification of promising targets is reduced from months to weeks or less. Specific targets including PTCH1, Robo1 and Nedd4 are reviewed in detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Genetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Kinch, Michael Goldblatt, Wu-Bo Li, Douty Bamba, Shaojing Chang, Huosheng Chen, Zenbework Fesseha, Manu Kohli, Hanwen Mao, Heather Thi Thu Ung-Medoff, Ke Weng
  • Publication number: 20130231709
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving cognitive function within a human. The invention utilizes an implanted device, such as an implantable signal generator or an implantable pump, to affect tissue elements within a Papez circuit of the human brain as well as tissue upstream or downstream from the Papez circuit. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to thereby improve cognitive function by the human. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of the cognitive disorder. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate delivery of the stimulation and/or drug therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Functional Neuromodulation, Inc.
    Inventor: Andres Lozano
  • Publication number: 20130178966
    Abstract: A method of identifying a media program from its associated audio signal comprising dividing a portion of the range of human-audible frequencies in a quasi-logarithmic fashion into a plurality of spectral bands; recording a segment of predetermined length from the audio signal at a predetermined interval to obtain a plurality of analog audio samples, the predetermined interval being a fraction of the predetermined length; converting each analog audio sample to a plurality of digital audio samples at a first sampling rate; creating a frequency domain representation of each digital audio sample; determining spectral energy within each spectral band for each digital audio sample; reflecting whether the spectral energy within each spectral band went up between adjacent ones of the plurality of digital samples as a Boolean array; and representing the audio signal with a predetermined number of Boolean arrays. A confidence score for each value can then be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Function(x), Inc.
    Inventors: Geir Magnusson, JR., Riley Joseph Berton
  • Patent number: 8476009
    Abstract: The invention involves the detection of virally infected cells by antibodies or antibody fragments which selectively bind to TSG101. TSG101 is on the surface of mammalian cells, and thus available for detection by antibodies, during viral budding—a phenomenon wherein viral particles escape a virally infected cell after propagation in that cell, so as to infect other cells. To achieve budding, a protein, TSG101 is “hijacked” and misdirected to, or mis-expressed on, the surface of the infected cell. Antibodies can be used to selectively detect such infected cells. Certain TSG101 antibodies may provide therapeutic benefit when administered to infected mammals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Genetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Limin Li
  • Patent number: 8471523
    Abstract: A charging/discharging device having at least one concealed universal serial bus (USB) plug has a housing having at least one plug hoe, and at least one retractable plug assembly mounted in the housing. Each of the at least one retractable plug assembly has a slidable second circuit board, a resilient element pushing the second circuit board toward a corresponding one of the plug hole of the housing, a USB plug mounted on the second circuit board and corresponding to the corresponding plug hole of the housing, and a locker mounted through and selectively engaging the second circuit board to prevent the second circuit board from sliding when the USB plug is stored in or protrudes out of the housing. Therefore, since the USB plug is able to be concealed in the housing, the USB plug is not damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Multi-Function Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Jong Lin
  • Patent number: 8440881
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing various economically important yield-related traits in plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a Harpin-associated Factor G polypeptide (hereinafter termed HpaG?). The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding an HpaG polypeptide, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits relative to control plants. The invention also provides constructs comprising HpaG-encoding nucleic acids, useful in performing the methods of the invention. The present invention also provides a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants relative to control plants, by modulating (preferably increasing) expression in a plant of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a SWITCH 2/SUCROSE NON-FERMENTING 2 (SWI2/SNF2) polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: CropDesign N.V., Crop Functional Genomics Center
    Inventors: Youn-Il Park, Yang Do Choi, Seok Won Jeong, In Gyu Hwang, Jonghee Oh
  • Patent number: 8412337
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for treating nociceptive pain including at least one force-regulatable device in mechanical, electrical, or chemical communication with at least one brain area identified as processing nociceptive pain signals. The force-regulatable device acts to alter the nociceptive pain signals in a brain area to alleviate nociceptive pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Neuroscience, Inc.
    Inventor: Andres Lozano
  • Patent number: 8380304
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for regulating neurotrophin levels within a human body. The invention utilizes an implantable signal generator to deliver stimulation to neural tissue elements. Alternatively, an implantable pump may be utilized to delivery one or more drugs. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to the neural tissue to thereby alter the level of neurotrophic factors such as BDNF expressed by the influenced neural tissue. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of a nervous system disorder. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate the treatment therapy delivered to the body. The invention describes a novel method to regulate the intrinsic levels of neurotrophins and may be used to treat patients with neurological and cognitive disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Neuromodulation, Inc.
    Inventor: Andres M. Lozano
  • Patent number: 8361792
    Abstract: The invention reflects enhanced antibody expression of an antibody of interest by cell lines transformed by random homozygous gene perturbation methods to either increase or decrease the expression pattern of a gene of the cell line other than the antibody of interest. The transformed cell line exhibits specific productivity rates, SPR, for the RHGP transformed cell liens of 1.5 or more, as compared with the antibody expressing cell line parents prior to transformation by RHGP. A knock out or anti-sense construct may be devised to reduce expression of the target gene, a promoter may be inserter to enhance expression of the target gene. The antibodies expressed by the transformed cell lines exhibit the binding properties of their parent cell lines prior to transformation with RHGP, and increase Total Volumetric Production of said antibody by said cells in a given volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Genetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roxanne Duan, Michael Goldblatt
  • Patent number: 8346365
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving cognitive function within a human. The invention utilizes an implanted device, such as an implantable signal generator or an implantable pump, to affect tissue elements within a Papez circuit of the human brain as well as tissue upstream or downstream from the Papez circuit. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to thereby improve cognitive function by the human. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of the cognitive disorder. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate delivery of the stimulation and/or drug therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Neuromodulation, Inc.
    Inventor: Andres M. Lozano
  • Publication number: 20120266327
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing various economically important yield-related traits in plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a CLC-like (Chloride Channel-like) polypeptide, or an OsBURP-like (BURP-domain containing protein) polypeptide, or an AP2/ERF polypeptide or a protein fusion comprising a TPS (trehalose-6-phosphate synthase) and a TPP (trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase) polypeptide or modulating one or more nucleic acid encoding a TPS and a TPP enzyme, whether comprised in the same or in separate molecules. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acids and constructs comprising them, useful in performing the methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicants: Crop Functional Genomics Center, BASF Plant Science Company GmbH
    Inventors: Ana Isabel Sanz Molinero, Steven Vandenabeele, Christophe Reuzeau, Yang Do Choi, Ju Kon Kim
  • Patent number: 8273372
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an extracellular matrix composition comprising cross-linked fibrinogen or a derivative thereof, to an extracellular matrix composition obtained by the process and to the use of the composition in wound healing, tissue regeneration or as a tissue engineering scaffold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Restoration of Appearance & Function Trust
    Inventor: Julian Dye
  • Publication number: 20120160371
    Abstract: A link for debarking trees comprising at least two linear sides, each linear side having an outer surface, an inner surface and a diameter; and at least two opposing deformed sides, each deformed side having an outer surface, an inner surface, an undeformed diameter, and a deformation having a diameter different than the undeformed diameter; the at least two opposing deformed sides connected to the at least two linear sides through convex corner sections, such that the inner surfaces of the at least two opposing deformed sides and the inner surfaces of the at least two linear sides together form an interior space. Multiple links may be arranged into a chain and the chain may be used in a flailing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: FUNCTION CHAIN PTY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jinhuan Huangfu, Phillip Morris Dohnt
  • Patent number: 8207209
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting viral respiratory infection in a mammal in need of same, includes administering an effective amount of 2-[2-(5-carbamimidoyl-benzofuran-2-yl)-vinyl]-H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxamidine or the Bis-N-hydroxyamidine prodrug thereof, prior to viral infection, or therapeutically following viral infection, to inhibit that viral infection. The compound selectively inhibits Caspase 2 and/or 8 as to prevent infective viral particle release. It is optionally administered IV, IP, orally or via other conventional administration routes in a dosage range of 1 ng/kg-200 mg/kg of body weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Functional Genetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kinch, Michael Goldblatt
  • Publication number: 20120142731
    Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of inhibiting viral infection in a mammal in need of same, are provided, which employ compounds of the formula wherein each X is independently H or an electrodonating group, each Y is independently H, alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, hydroxy, alkoxy or methylene and wherein Substituent Z is a di-or-tri akly amino, or alkyl di or tri amino, optionally substituted with a halogen moiety. This family of compounds, designated FGI-104 herein, inhibits viral infection therapeutically and prophylactically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Functional Genetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kinch, Michael Goldblatt
  • Publication number: 20120137386
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for modulating carbon partitioning in plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for modulating carbon partitioning in plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a particular type of NAC transcription factor. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a NAC transcription factor, which plants have modulated carbon partitioning relative to control plants. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: Crop Functional Genomics Center, BASF Plant Science Company GmbH
    Inventors: Chang-Deok Han, Su Hyun Park, Yand Do Choi
  • Patent number: D666683
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Fun and Function, LLC
    Inventors: Aviva Weiss, Peter A. Wachtel
  • Patent number: D673352
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Games Apparel LLC
    Inventor: Dwight Robinson
  • Patent number: D674189
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Functional Games Apparel LLC
    Inventor: Dwight Robinson