Patents Assigned to McMaster University
  • Patent number: 8173415
    Abstract: A microinjection device for injecting a target cell with a reagent. The microinjection device includes a flexible substrate; a target supply channel formed in the flexible substrate for receiving the target cell; a reagent supply channel formed in the flexible substrate for receiving the reagent; a suction capillary mounted within a suction channel formed in the flexible substrate, the suction capillary providing suction to the target supply channel for immobilizing the target cell within the target supply channel; an injection needle mounted within a needle channel formed in the flexible substrate, the injection needle being movable between injected and un-injected positions by deforming at least a part of the flexible substrate; and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the flexible substrate, the plurality of electrodes creating a voltage potential across the injection needle to move the reagent into the target when the injection needle is in the injected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Arash Noori, Ponnambalam R. Selvaganapathy
  • Patent number: 8168741
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel silicon-based polymers, particularly silicon-based polymers having citrate groups, and their use as chelating agents, for forming nanostructures, as surfactants, as reducing agents and as stabilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: Joint Intellectual Property Policy of McMaster University, Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Brook, Ferdinand Gonzaga, Hongjian Tian, Howard Ketelson
  • Patent number: 8165531
    Abstract: A wave-potential detector and a wave-potential radiator are provided that detect and radiate wave-potential signals having longitudinally polarized A vectors, respectively. Wave-potential receivers and transmitters incorporating the wave-potential detector and wave-potential radiator, respectively, are also provided. The wave-potential detector includes a biased plasma device, having at least a portion of its bias current that is parallel to the direction of propagation of a wave-potential signal having a longitudinally polarized A vector. Both omnidirectional and directive wave-potential radiators are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Natalia K. Nikolova, Robert K. Zimmerman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120087343
    Abstract: A network support node which includes a local area network (LAN) interface and a cellular RF interface is provided. The LAN interface is configured to connect the network support node as a LAN node in a LAN. The cellular RF interface is configured to provide wireless communications over a wireless communication link with a base station of a cellular network, such that the network support node operates as a client end station with the base station. The network support node receives, from the LAN via the LAN interface, data of a communication session between a mobile communication device and another communication device. The network support node communicates with the mobile communication device, via the cellular RF interface over the wireless communication link with the base station, the data of the communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Terence D. Todd, Seyed Vahid Azhari
  • Publication number: 20120067402
    Abstract: A solar window apparatus for collecting solar energy and regulating light transmission is provided in which the solar window comprises a plurality of transparent optical elements adhered to an internal surface of a transparent pane. The optical elements each comprise an externally facing surface and an internally facing light collecting surface with a light collecting element adhered thereto, where the externally facing surface preferably has an area that is larger than that of the light collecting surface. Each optical element further comprises two or more light directing surfaces that internally reflect and concentrate light onto the light collecting elements when light is incident over a first range of angles, and transmit light when light is incident over a second range of angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Adrian Kitai, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8138308
    Abstract: The invention provides novel reagents and methodologies for detecting free versus bound compounds. It is particularly useful to detect thrombin when it is not bound to A2M in the presence of thrombin bound to A2M by using a modified substrate that is sterically hindered from reacting with the bound thrombin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: McMaster University, The University of Melbourne
    Inventors: Leslie R. Berry, Vera Ignjatovic, Paul T. Monagle, Anthony K. Chan
  • Patent number: 8131020
    Abstract: A new application of machine vision for process industries is proposed. The invention consists of: (1) estimation of visual quality of products, (2) modeling causal relationship between estimated quality and process variables, and (3) optimization of visual quality using the causal model. This invention can handle the stochastic nature in visual appearance of products that process industries provide, which has been a main obstacle for the success of machine vision in process industries. Also, it opens new tasks in machine vision such as modeling and optimization of visual quality of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: John F. Macgregor, Jay J. Liu
  • Publication number: 20120053597
    Abstract: A mobile robotic surgical system which includes a mobile surgical robot for use in a mobile or confined environment and a control station in communication with the mobile surgical robot over a network. The mobile surgical robot includes a controller for controlling operation of the mobile surgical robot, a communications subsystem for communicating with the control station over the network, robotic surgical instruments controllable by the control station over the network, a detector subsystem for determining spatial information relating to a surgical environment of the surgical robot, and a motion stabilizer subsystem for facilitating operation of the robotic surgical instruments while the mobile environment is in motion. The controller is configured to operate a local control loop between at least one of the subsystems and the robotic surgical instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mehran Anvari, David Williams, John Lymer
  • Patent number: 8124597
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: The Hospital for Sick Children, McMaster University
    Inventors: Don J. Mahuran, Michael B. Tropak, Justin D. Buttner, Jan E. Blanchard, Eric D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20120023149
    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, GPUs, FPGAs, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Adam Bruce KINSMAN, Nicola NICOLICI
  • Publication number: 20120021487
    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: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicants: McMASTER UNIVERSITY, THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN
    Inventors: Don J Mahuran, Michael B. Tropak, Justin D. Buttner, Jan E. Blanchard, Eric D. Brown
  • Patent number: 8095175
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in switching communication operations between a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g. an IEEE 802.11-based network) and a wireless wide area network (WWAN) (e.g. a cellular telecommunications network) for a mobile communication device are disclosed. A network support node which is utilized to facilitate such transitioning has a first communication interface (e.g. an Ethernet interface) for connection with a communication network which includes the WLAN and a second communication interface (e.g. a cellular radio air interface) for communicating with a base station of the WWAN over a wireless communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Terence D. Todd, Seyed Vahid Azhari
  • Publication number: 20110313739
    Abstract: Four different forms of hybrid models of vapor-liquid separation equipment. These are: (i) hybrid models for monitoring the equipment operation based on the plant operating data, (ii) a predictive hybrid model which computes product properties if feed properties are known (iii) a predictive hybrid model which can compute product qualities from the flows entering or leaving the tower without having to know the feed properties, and (iv) a feed properties identification hybrid model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: McMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Vladimir Mahalec, Yoel Sanchez, Asaad Hashim
  • Publication number: 20110294125
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of determining the presence of a target in a sample comprising an allosteric DNAzyme; rolling circle amplification dependent on the activity of the allosteric DNAzyme in the presence of target and a detection system. The methods further comprise quantifying the amount of target in the sample by comparing the detection with a control. Also included herein are kits for practicing the methods described herein and methods of designing biosensor systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yingfu Li, Monsur Ali
  • Publication number: 20110280219
    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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shervan Fashandi, Terence Douglas Todd
  • Patent number: 8060035
    Abstract: Methods and systems of controlling transmit power in a multi-user wireless communication system is provided, A transmit power, level for a transmitter is determined according to an algorithm based in communication theory, such as an iterative water-filling procedure, which takes into account an assumption of transmit behaviours of transmitters in the communication system. Actual transmit behaviours of transmitters in the communication system are monitored using a learning algorithm to determine whether any transmitters exhibit transmit behaviours which are not consistent with the assumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventor: Simon Haykin
  • Patent number: 8008257
    Abstract: A fusion protein comprising an arterial natriuretic factor (ANF) amino acid sequence linked to an albumin amino acid sequence by one or more peptide bonds is provided. The ANF amino acid sequence may be linked to the N-terminal, the C-terminal, or both the N-terminal and the C-terminal of the albumin amino acid sequence. Also provided is a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein and a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule. Methods for treating or preventing cardiovascular or renal disease comprising administration of an effective amount of the fusion protein, or nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: University of Ottawa Heart Institute, McMaster University
    Inventors: Adolfo J. De Bold, Mercedes L. Kuroski De Bold, William Sheffield
  • Patent number: 8009635
    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: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Shervan Fashandi, Terence Douglas Todd
  • Publication number: 20110178367
    Abstract: An endoscopic device and associated method of use. The endoscopic device includes a tubular portion and an end effector mechanism for mounting at an end of the tubular portion. The end effector mechanism includes a casing defining a cavity open to an exterior of the casing. A manipulator member is nested within the cavity of the casing and extendable to protrude to the exterior of the casing. The manipulator member includes a plurality of serially coupled manipulator segments and ending with a last manipulator segment. Each manipulator segment is pivotally connected to an adjacent manipulator segment. A surgical end effector tool such as a gripper or cutter is mounted at the last manipulator segment. A mechanical control may be located within the casing and used for mechanically controlling of the manipulator member. The endoscopic device may operate from a single port or natural orifice of a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Mehran Anvari
  • Patent number: 7979157
    Abstract: A dynamically configurable robotic system and method for performing surgical operations using a plurality of robotic arms remotely controlled by at least one operator console. The system comprises a track system configured for mounting to a patient support table, such that the track system provides a stable operating platform for the robotic arms and for facilitating placement of a proximal end of each of the arms at a selected position about a periphery of the patient support table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventor: Mehran Anvari