Patents Assigned to McMaster University
  • Publication number: 20140235713
    Abstract: Therapeutic compositions and methods for treatment of late-onset Gaucher disease are described herein. The compositions comprise compounds having activity as pharmacological chaperones for mutant forms of the beta-glucocerebrosidase. Methods of treatment involve providing therapeutically effective amounts of such compositions to subjects in need thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: The Hospital for Sick Children, McMaster University
    Inventors: Don J. Mahuran, Michael B. Tropak, Justin D. Buttner, Jan E. Blanchard, Eric D. Brown
  • Patent number: 8809299
    Abstract: Described are methods and compositions for treating cancer that include a dopamine receptor (DR) antagonist such as thioridazine and a chemotherapeutic agent. Optionally, the chemotherapeutic agent is a DNA synthesis inhibitor such as cytarabine or a microtubule inhibitor such as paclitaxel or docetaxel. The methods and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Mickie Bhatia, Eleftherios Sachlos
  • Publication number: 20140159529
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a switched reluctance machine having a rotor excitation. In one example embodiment, the switched reluctance machine comprises a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be disposed inside or outside the stator. The rotor is spaced from the stator, and the rotor and the stator are concentrically disposed. The rotor has a plurality of rotor poles having an excitation source, where the excitation source comprises at least one adjustable parameter. The excitation source is provided by a permanent magnet. The dimensions and various other parameters associated with the permanent magnets are adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Berker Bilgin, Ali Emadi
  • Patent number: 8750263
    Abstract: Intra-enterprise wireless handset (WH) calls between WHs operating in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are established directly between the WHs via a call connection that is maintained within the LAN without being routed through the cellular network (CN). This eliminates the cost of placing and maintaining calls through the CN for intra-enterprise calls, and also enables use of capabilities that are available in the enterprise telecomm equipment. Upon detection of a trigger condition, if and when it is more likely that a complete vertical handover (VHO) may be needed, the call connection between the WHs in the LAN is replaced by one that is routed through the CN. Thereafter, a VHO may occur (if at all) upon detection of a radio handover condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: BlackBerry Limited, McMaster University
    Inventors: Vytautas Robertas Kezys, Terence D. Todd
  • Patent number: 8723779
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tiled optical fiber display device structure which includes a light emitting diode (LED) backlit liquid crystal display (LCD). Light from the LCD enters an array of optical fibers that directs the light to a viewing screen. The optical fibers eliminate the use of energy absorbing color filters in conventional LCD's, and also enable the seamless tiling of multiple display modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventor: Adrian Kitai
  • Publication number: 20140111038
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a double-rotor switched reluctance machine. In one example embodiment, the double-rotor switched reluctance machine comprises an interior rotor, an exterior rotor spaced from the interior rotor and coaxially and concentrically disposed outside the interior rotor, and at least one stator disposed concentrically with the interior rotor and the exterior rotor. The interior rotor, the exterior rotor and the at least one stator are disposed within one machine set to provide an interior switched reluctance machine and an exterior switched reluctance machine. The interior switched reluctance machine and the exterior switched reluctance machine can operate as two motors, two generators, or a motor and a generator simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Yinye Yang, Ali Emadi
  • Patent number: 8702939
    Abstract: A method of controlling nematode response in a microfluidic environment is provided comprising exposing the nematode to an electric field that induces a nematode response. In one embodiment, a method of sorting a group of nematodes based on a selected parameter is provided comprising the step of exposing the nematodes to an electric field that induces a differential response among the nematodes based on the selected parameter, wherein the differential response functions to separate the nematodes based on the selected parameter. Devices useful to achieve these methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Ravi (Ponnambalam) Selvaganapathy, Bhagwati Gupta, Pouya Rezai
  • Publication number: 20140055621
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for automatically optimizing an efficiency of camera placement, numbers, and resolution in multi-camera monitoring and surveillance applications. In some examples, a fraction of a total area may be monitored at a higher resolution than the rest. Employing techniques such as combinatorial state Viterbi technique or combinatorial state trellis technique, a minimum number of cameras that provide the coverage at the needed resolution may be selected. Similarly, a number of points may be covered with at least a predefined number of cameras. For example, a subject of interest may be tracked in a public area, where specific camera(s) may be used to image the subject's face at a higher resolution than the background.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Shahram Shirani, Shadrokh Samavi, Sayedmohammadreza Soroushmehr, Hamed Sadeghi
  • Patent number: 8645439
    Abstract: Methods and devices for automatically determining a suitable bit-width for data types to be used in computer resource intensive computations. Methods for range refinement for intermediate variables and for determining suitable bit-widths for data to be used in vector operations are also presented. The invention may be applied to various computing devices such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphic Processing Units), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Adam Bruce Kinsman, Nicola Nicolici
  • Publication number: 20140031168
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle transmission including a double-rotor electric machine, two planetary gear sets, an input shaft, and an output shaft, where the input shaft, the output shaft, and a first rotor of the double-rotor electric machine are each coupled to a member of the first planetary gear set, the output shaft and a second rotor of the double-rotor electric machine are each coupled to a member of the second planetary gear set, and a member of the second planetary gear set not coupled to the output shaft or the second rotor is selectively coupled to the first rotor via a first torque transfer device, and selectively coupled to a transmission housing via a second torque transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Yinye Yang, Ali Emadi
  • Publication number: 20140010652
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for an aircraft may include a drive shaft, the drive shaft, an internal combustion engine to selectably drive the drive shaft, a propeller coupled to the drive shaft and an electric motor having a stator and a rotor and operable to selectably drive the drive shaft. The drive shaft may extend through the electric motor. The rotor may be coupled to the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft and the rotor is a flywheel for the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Piranavan Suntharalingam, Ali Emadi
  • Publication number: 20140005072
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of generating catalytic nucleic acid probes useful for detecting microorganisms such as bacterial pathogens. In one embodiment, the catalytic nucleic acid probes are fluorogenic DNAzymes. The disclosure also relates to catalytic nucleic acid probes and methods of using the probes for detecting microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Yingfu Li, M. Monsur Ali, Sergio D. Aguirre
  • Publication number: 20130331381
    Abstract: Described are methods of treating a cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a dopamine receptor (DR) antagonist. The DR antagonist may be a phenothiazine derivative, such as thioridazine or chlorpromazine. Optionally, the cancer is acute myeloid leukemia. Also described are methods for identifying subjects with cancer, methods for providing a prognosis for a subjects with cancer and/or subjects likely to be responsive to therapy with DR receptor antagonists. Methods for identifying cancer stem cells and chemotherapeutic compounds that are DR receptor antagonists as also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Mickie Bhatia, Eleftherios Sachlos, Ruth Munoz Risueno
  • Patent number: 8594063
    Abstract: A wireless access point supports data rates and advertises an indication of a minimum data rate for advertisement. Those of the supported data rates that are less than the minimum data rate for advertisement are reserved for limited use. A mobile station that requests to communicate with the wireless access point at one of the one or more supported data rates that are reserved for limited use is informed by the wireless access point how much time communications with the wireless access point at one or more of the one or more supported data rates reserved for limited use will be permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: BlackBerry Limited, McMaster University
    Inventors: Terence Douglas Todd, Vytautas Robertas Kezys, Mohammed Nawaf Smadi
  • Publication number: 20130247497
    Abstract: A self-reinforced masonry block comprises a main body having opposed substantially parallel stacking surfaces and at least one tubular cell defined therethrough from one stacking surface to the other. At least one confining reinforcement is embedded in the main body to surrounding a corresponding cell. Each confining reinforcement extends substantially entirely along the longitudinal length of its corresponding cell and terminates inwardly of the stacking surfaces. The self-reinforced masonry blocks may be used in construction of a grout-filled, vertically reinforced masonry block wall, with the self-reinforced masonry blocks being used for those portions of the wall where the grouted cells are prone to crushing due to high levels of compressive stress, and conventional unreinforced masonry blocks being used for other portions of the wall. A method for making the self-reinforced masonry blocks is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Hamid Toopchinezhad, Robert Drysdale, Michael Tait
  • Publication number: 20130252783
    Abstract: A powertrain system for a vehicle is provided, including an internal combustion engine, a drivetrain gear for connection to a drivetrain of the vehicle, a gearset connecting the internal combustion engine to the drivetrain gear, a first electric machine connected to the gearset, a second electric machine, and at least one dynamic clutch selectively coupling the second electric machine to the drivetrain gear and the gearset. In a compound mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the gearset. In a split mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the drivetrain gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Piranavan Suntharalingam, Ali Emadi
  • Publication number: 20130252774
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system including a differential gear set, a planetary gear set coupled to the differential gear set, an engine coupled to the planetary gear set to transfer power between the engine and the planetary gear set, a first electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a first clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the first clutch, to transfer power between the first electric machine and the planetary gear set, and a second electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a second clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the second clutch, to transfer power between the second electric machine and the planetary gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Piranavan Suntharalingam, Ali Emadi
  • Publication number: 20130252773
    Abstract: A powertrain system for a vehicle is provided. The powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, a first gearset connected to the internal combustion engine, a first electric machine connected to the first gearset, a drivetrain gear for connection to a drivetrain of the vehicle, a second gearset connecting the first gearset to the drivetrain gear, a second electric machine, and at least one dynamic clutch selectively coupling the second electric machine to the first electric machine, the first gearset, and the second gearset. In a first mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first electric machine. In a second mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first gearset. In a third mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the second gearset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Piranavan Suntharalingam, Ali Emadi
  • Patent number: 8509191
    Abstract: If a handoff by a mobile station currently associated with a particular access point is probable, then the particular access point sends an activation alert to one or more other access points. An access point receiving the activation alert that is in a low-power state enters a higher-power state. An access point receiving the activation alert that is in a higher-power state, remains in that higher-power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Shervan Fashandi, Terence Douglas Todd
  • Patent number: 8491871
    Abstract: A method of determining risk of heart failure in a mammal is provided comprising the steps of measuring in a biological sample obtained from a mammal the level of each of IL-6, MCP-1, IL-10, VEGF, and EGF biomarkers in the sample, wherein a positive result of at least three of said biomarkers is indicative of a risk of heart failure in the mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventor: Peter Kavsak