Patents Assigned to McGill University
  • Patent number: 8669544
    Abstract: Amongst the candidates for very high efficiency solid state light sources and full solar spectrum solar cells are devices based upon InGaN nanowires. Additionally these nanowires typically require heterostructures, quantum dots, etc which all place requirements for these structures to be grown with relatively few defects and in a controllable reproducible manner. Additionally flexibility according to the device design requires that the nanowire at the substrate may be either InN or GaN. According to the invention a method of growing relatively defect free nanowires and associated structures for group IIIA-nitrides is presented without the requirement for foreign metal catalysts and overcoming the non-uniform growth of prior art non-catalyst growth techniques. According to other embodiments of the invention self-organizing dot-within-a-dot nanowire and dot-within-a-dot-within-a-well nanowire structures are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Zetian Mi, Kai Cui, Hieu Pham Trung Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140065724
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing the presence of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) or predicting the risk of developing HSP in a human subject, comprising detecting the presence or absence of a defect in a gene encoding a polypeptide comprising the sequence of FIG. 9 (SEQ ID NO: 19), in a nucleic acid sample of the subject, whereby the detection of the defect is indicative that the subject has or is at risk of developing HSP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicants: Universite Montreal, Val-Chum L.P., The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Guy A. Rouleau, Paul Valdmanis, Inge Meijer, Pierre Drapeau, Patrick Dion
  • Patent number: 8667611
    Abstract: Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs) allow forces within systems under observation to be probed from the piconewton forces of a single covalent bond to the forces exerted by cells in the micronewton range. The pendulum geometry prevents the snap-to-contact problem afflicting soft cantilevers in AFMs which enable attonewton force sensitivity. However, the microscopic length scale studies of cellular/subcellular forces parallel to the imaging plane of an optical microscope requires high sensitivity force measurements at high sampling frequencies despite the difficulties of implementing the pendulum geometry from constraints imposed by the focused incoming/outgoing light interfering with the sample surface. Additionally measurement systems for biological tissue samples in vitro must satisfy complex physical constraints to provide access to the vertical cantilever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Dilson Rassier, Aleksander Labuda
  • Publication number: 20140057971
    Abstract: A novel gene (EPM2A) that is deleted or mutated in people with Lafora's disease is described. The EPM2A gene encodes a protein having an active catalytic site of a protein tyrosine phosphatase. Many different sequence mutations as well as several microdeletions in EPM2A have been found that co-segregate with Lafora's disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: The Hospital for Sick Children, The Regents of the University of California, U.S. Government Department of Veterans Affairs, McGill University
    Inventors: Stephen W. SCHERER, Berge A. Minassian, Antonio Delgado-Escueta, Guy Rouleau
  • Patent number: 8658452
    Abstract: A method of providing microelectromechanical structures (MEMS) that are compatible with silicon CMOS electronics is provided. The method providing for processes and manufacturing sequences limiting the maximum exposure of an integrated circuit upon which the MEMS is manufactured to below 350° C., and potentially to below 250° C., thereby allowing direct manufacturing of the MEMS devices onto electronics, such as Si CMOS circuits. The method further providing for the provisioning of MEMS devices with multiple non-conductive structural layers such as silicon carbide separated with small lateral gaps. Such silicon carbide structures offering enhanced material properties, increased environmental and chemical resilience whilst also allowing novel designs to be implemented taking advantage of the non-conductive material of the structural layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning / McGill University
    Inventors: Mourad El-Gamal, Frederic Nabki, Paul-Vahe Cicek
  • Publication number: 20140051760
    Abstract: Hybrid molecules comprising a retinoic acid receptor agonist moiety and a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC) moiety are disclosed. Hybrid molecule 3 (6-(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-6,7-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)naphthalene-2-hydroxamic acid) was proven to posses HDAC activity while maintaining RAR agonist activity. Hybrid molecule 3 and pharmaceutical compositions thereof can be used in the treatment of breast cancer, leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer and cancer of the CNS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicants: Universite de Montreal, The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Wilson H. Miller, James Gleason, Sylvie Mader
  • Patent number: 8653833
    Abstract: Advances in a variety of fields such as micromachined silicon in conjunction with MEMS and other devices and attaching biosensors to electrode structures have allowed discrete or continuous monitoring devices to be implemented for biological systems, chemical processes, environmental monitoring etc. However, such devices are typically analysed within controlled laboratory environments due to bulky and large electrochemical impedance measurement systems. In many situations deployment in field, clinic, point-of-care, or consumer scenarios would be beneficial. Accordingly it an intention of the invention to provide a measurement system which offers potential for low cost implementations via multiple technologies to address the different cost targets of these applications as well as number of measurement cells within each. Additionally embodiments of the invention are self-calibrating and self-referencing allowing their use in such scenarios absent highly trained technicians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning / McGill University
    Inventors: Vamsy Chodavarapu, Mark Trifiro
  • Patent number: 8648676
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for providing a tunable substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) for which a parameter of at least some element or portion thereof may be altered or varied to alter the propagation of a signal propagating through the SIW thereby achieving a tunable SIW. In some embodiments a plurality of capacitively variably loaded transverse slots achieve the tunability for the SIW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Ramesh Abhari, Kasra Payandehjoo, Asanee Suntives
  • Patent number: 8648169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and/or glaucoma using modulators of neurotrophic receptors that comprise ?-turn peptidomimetic cyclic compounds or derivatives thereof. The neurotrophic receptor modulators can be used alone, in combination and/or in conjunction with one or more other compounds, molecules or drugs that treat or prevent ocular hypertension, RGC death and/or glaucoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventor: H. Uri Saragovi
  • Patent number: 8642658
    Abstract: Compounds, methods, uses, compositions, kits and packages for the prevention and/or treatment of neural injury or a neurodegenerative disease, based on the use of a retinoic acid derivative, such as fenretinide, and/or analogs, derivatives, pro-drugs, precursors thereof, and/or salts thereof, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Danuta Radzioch, Samuel David, Ruben Lopez-Vales, Thomas Skinner
  • Patent number: 8609801
    Abstract: Polymers and copolymers containing 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one units have been synthesized under conditions generally used for the synthesis of poly(aryl ether)s. 1H- benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one behaves like a biphenol in the polymerization reaction. The soluble homopolymer has a very high glass transition temperature (348° C.), good thermal stability, and forms flexible transparent films. Because of the low molecular weight (134.14) of the benzoimidazolone monomer in the copolymer formed with 4,4?-biphenol that contains 30 mole % of the benzimidazolone unit, only 8.9 weight % is required to raise the Tg of the poly(arlyl ether)sulfone from 220° C. to 269° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Allan S. Hay, Aabid Mir, Antisar R. Hlil, Sumiko Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8603986
    Abstract: Peptides comprising a cadherin cell adhesion recognition (CAR) sequence, and compositions comprising such peptides, are provided. Methods of using such peptides for modulating cadherin-mediated processes in a variety of therapeutic contexts are also provided. Methods are also provided for identifying compounds that are capable of modulating cadherin-mediated processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: McGill University
    Inventors: Orest W. Blaschuk, Emmanuelle Marie-Madeleine Devemy
  • Publication number: 20130300483
    Abstract: Time-Mode Signal Processing (TMSP) offers a means for offsetting some of the challenges for analog circuit designs when exploiting CMOS circuit processes designed for digital applications. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a digital method for the storage, addition and subtraction of Time-Mode variables as these offer significant benefit to providing TMSP techniques and expanding their exploitation within devices, systems, and applications. Whilst driven by CMOS process challenges the TM circuits outlined may exploit essentially any digital circuit technology since they are based upon delay. The inventors present an approach to TM variables wherein a switched delay unit is exploited and adopted such that the instantaneous phase difference between two rising signal edges can be latched and used to perform various arithmetic operations. Beneficially, the technique allows analog sampled-data signal processing to be implemented within digital circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning / McGill University
    Inventor: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning / McGill University
  • Patent number: 8580704
    Abstract: A catalyst precursor comprising (A) a microporous support, (B) a non-noble metal precursor, and (C) a pore-filler, wherein the micropores of the microporous support are filled with the pore-filler and the non-noble metal precursor so that the micropore surface area of the catalyst precursor is substantially smaller than the micropore surface area of the support when the pore-filler and the non-noble metal precursor are absent is provided. Also, a catalyst comprising the above catalyst precursor, wherein the catalyst precursor has been pyrolysed so that the micropore surface area of the catalyst is substantially larger than the micropore surface area of catalyst precursor, with the proviso that the pyrolysis is performed in the presence of a gas that is a nitrogen precursor when the microporous support, the non-noble metal precursor and the pore-filler are not nitrogen precursors is also provided. Methods of producing the catalyst precursor and the catalyst are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/MCGill University
    Inventors: Michel Lefèvre, Éric Proietti, Frédéric Jaouen, Jean-Pol Dodelet, Allan S. Hay
  • Patent number: 8565281
    Abstract: Strongly confined semiconductor quantum dots theoretically offer for broadband and continuous tunability of their emitting wavelength based upon simply varying the particle size. However, prior art consistently has demonstrated a lower particle size limit below which optical gain cannot be achieved, for example 2.3 nm for CdSe in toluene. As such the prior art points to combinations of alternative materials and host media as the route to achieving the goal of broadband emission sources using quantum dots. However, according to the invention optical gain can be achieved in quantum dots below these previous experimental limits by resonantly pumping the quantum dots to a specific excitonic state, i.e. electron position relative to the quantum dot, such that the multiexcitonic interferences are minimized. Using this approach optical gain in CdSe of R=2.1 nm and 1.5 nm has been demonstrated in the yellow/amber region of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Royal Institute for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Patanjali Kambhampati, Ryan Cooney, Samuel Sewall
  • Patent number: 8563395
    Abstract: Amongst the candidates for very high efficiency solid state lights sources and full solar spectrum solar cells are devices based upon InGaN nanowires. Additionally these nanowires typically require heterostructures, quantum dots, etc which all place requirements for these structures to be grown with relatively few defects. Further manufacturing requirements demand reproducible nanowire diameter, length etc to allow these nanowires to be embedded within device structures. Additionally flexibility according to the device design requires that the nanowire at the substrate may be either InN or GaN. According to the invention a method of growing relatively defect free nanowires and associated structures for group III—nitrides is presented without the requirement for foreign metal catalysts and overcoming the non-uniform growth of prior art non-catalyst growth techniques. The technique also allows for unique dot-within-a-dot nanowire structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Royal Institute For The Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventor: Zetian Mi
  • Patent number: 8563520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to treat glaucoma and glaucoma-related conditions through the regulation of changes in gene expression that are mediated by high intraocular pressure or ?2 macroglobulin administration. Glaucoma, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and chronic ocular hypertension are treated using pharmaceutical compositions which comprise substances that inhibit the expression or activity of intraocular pressure-regulated early genes (IPREGs) or their gene products that are up-regulated by high intraocular pressure or ?2 macroglobulin administration and/or which increase the expression or activity of IPREGs or their gene products that are down-regulated by high intraocular pressure or ?2 macroglobulin administration. The invention also relates to methods of identifying an IPREG and methods to test for chronic ocular degeneration and the onset of RGC stress in an individual by measuring the expression level of IPREG proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: McGill University
    Inventor: H. Uri Saragovi
  • Patent number: 8563607
    Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic green tea derived polyphenolic compounds, their modes of syntheses, and their use in inhibiting proteasomal activity and in treating cancers. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions useful in methods of inhibiting proteasomes and of treating cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: University of South Florida, McGill University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Q. Ping Dou, Tak-Hang Chan, David M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8557735
    Abstract: Method for reducing weed on a weed-infested turfgrass. Said method comprising applying to the turfgrass an effective amount of a herbicidal fungus formulated into particles, most of the particles having a particle size of less than about 1.7 mm of diameter, whereas the herbicidal fungus decreases weed growth and/or increases weed disease development in the weed-infested turfgrass as compared to in the absence thereof; other embodiments of the methods comprising applying to the turfgrass an effective amount of a herbicidal fungus formulated into particles, and covering the weed-infested turfgrass with a ground cover sheet, whereas the herbicidal fungus and the ground cover sheet decrease weed growth and/or increases weed disease development in the weed-infested turfgrass as compared to in the absence thereof. Herbicidal fungus and kits therefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Alan K. Watson, Mohammed H. Abu-Dieyeh
  • Patent number: 8550182
    Abstract: A drill bit, system and method for penetrating a material such as a mineral bearing rock or the like. The system comprises a drill bit comprising a cutting face comprising at least one cutting tool, an emitter of microwaves positioned behind the cutting face, wherein at least a portion of the microwaves are emitted in a direction away from the cutting face, and a reflector for directing the portion to the cutting face. In operation the emitted microwaves irradiate the material prior to the irradiated material being removed by the at least one cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: McGill University
    Inventors: Jacques Ouellet, Peter Radziszewski, Vijaya Raghavan, Hemanth Satish, Ferri Hassani