Patents Assigned to Queen's University at Kingston
  • Methods and kits for separation and detection of proteins in biological samples
    Patent number: 8481274
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for separating a mixture of proteins in a biological sample. Methods for detecting and profiling proteins in biological samples by the separation method and kits are also provided. These methods are particularly useful in assessing damage to cells such as cardiac and skeletal muscle cells and in the early clinical diagnosis of myocardial damage by detection of myofilament proteins in serum of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Van Eyk, Jeremy A. C. Simpson
  • Robotic Exoskeleton for Limb Movement
    Publication number: 20130158438
    Abstract: This invention relates to a robotic exoskeleton comprising mechanical linkages that couple to one or more selected joints of a limb of a subject. The robotic exoskeleton may be provided with means for obtaining data respecting angular position, torque, and/or acceleration of at least one of the joints or the links of the mechanical linkages, and may be used for assessing, studying, diagnosing a deficit, and/or treating an impairment in sensorimotor function of a limb of a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON
    Inventors: Stephen H. Scott, Ian E. Brown, Stephen J. Ball
  • Biosynthesis of nanoparticles
    Patent number: 8465721
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of biosynthesizing nanoparticles and quantum dots. The method may comprise culturing photosynthetic cells and/or fungal cells of a multicellular fungus in a culture medium comprising one or more species of metal in ionic or non-ionic form; and one or more counter elements to the one or more species of metal, or one or more compound comprising one or more counter elements to the one or more species of metal; wherein the cells biosynthesize nanoparticles and quantum dots incorporating the metal. The invention also provides biosynthesized nanoparticles and quantum dots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Chad D. Edwards, Daniel D. Lefebvre
  • Power converter for a power generator
    Patent number: 8467200
    Abstract: Provided are methods, circuits, and systems for obtaining power from a power generator such as a photovoltaic cell or a fuel cell. The methods, circuits, and systems comprise converting substantially DC output power from the power generator into a high frequency AC voltage while rejecting or minimizing oscillations in the output power from the power generator; converting the high frequency AC voltage into a high frequency substantially sinusoidal voltage or current; and converting the high frequency substantially sinusoidal AC voltage or current into (i) a DC voltage or current, and (ii) a low frequency substantially sinusoidal AC voltage or current; wherein the high frequency substantially sinusoidal AC voltage or current is isolated from the DC voltage or current or the low frequency substantially sinusoidal AC voltage or current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Shangzhi Pan, Sayed Ali Khajehoddin, Praveen K. Jain, Alireza Bakhshai
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A RUN-TIME RECONFIGURABLE COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
    Publication number: 20130135008
    Abstract: A reconfigurable computer architecture is disclosed. The reconfigurable computer architecture has a plurality of logic elements, a plurality of connection switching elements, and a plurality of volatile and/or non-volatile configuration random access memories (RAMs). Each of the configuration RAMs is electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of logic elements or at least one of the connection switching elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicants: TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Niraj K. Jha, Li Shang
  • Patient-specific surgical guidance tool and method of use
    Patent number: 8444651
    Abstract: Presented is a preoperatively designed guidance tool for intraoperative use during bone or joint surgery wherein the guidance tool is specific to the anatomy of the patient being treated. The guidance tool comprises a body portion, a mating surface provided on the body portion for positioning the guidance tool on a corresponding registration surface of a patient's anatomy. The guidance tool further comprises at least one guide mechanism provided on the body portion for guiding a medical instrument at one or more preoperatively defined trajectories relative to a patient's anatomy. In the event of misalignment, the at least one guide mechanism is adjustable to alter the one or more preoperatively defined trajectories if necessary during intraoperative use. Also presented is a preoperative process for designing the guidance tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Manuela Kunz, John F. Rudan
  • Water with Switchable Ionic Strength
    Publication number: 20130105377
    Abstract: A method and system for reversibly converting water between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, using a switchable additive, is described. The disclosed method and system can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions. Following extraction of a solute from a medium by dissolving it in water, the solute can then be isolated from the aqueous solution or “salted-out” by converting the water to a solution having an increased ionic strength. The solute then separates from the increased ionic strength solution as a separate phase. Once the solute is, for example, decanted off, the increased ionic strength aqueous solution can be converted back to water having its original ionic strength and reused. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with CO2, CS2 or COS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Philip G. Jessop, Sean M. Mercer, R. Stephen Brown, Tobias Robert
  • Method and System for Differentiating Between Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmia and Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia
    Publication number: 20130096446
    Abstract: A method of differentiating between supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) and ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) is disclosed. A post pacing interval (PPI) is determined based on a biomarker dataset. The post pacing interval is statistically analyzed relative to a threshold to differentiate between SVT and VT. A further method of differentiating between SVT and VT is disclosed. A PPI is determined based on a biomarker dataset. A tachycardia cycle length (TCL) is also determined based on the biomarker dataset. A difference of the PPI minus the TCL is statistically analyzed relative to a threshold to differentiate between SVT and VT. A non-transitory computer readable medium and a system are also disclosed for differentiating between SVT and VT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicants: KINGSTON GENERAL HOSPITAL, QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON
    Inventors: Queen's University at Kingston, Kington General Hospital
  • Reversibly Switchable Surfactants and Methods of Use Thereof
    Publication number: 20130087072
    Abstract: Reversible switchable surfactants are provided. A surfactant is the salt of an amidine or guanidine having at least one R group that is a hydrophobic moiety selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic moiety, higher siloxyl moiety, higher aliphatic/siloxyl moiety, aliphatic/aryl moiety, siloxyl/aryl moiety, and aliphatic/siloxyl/aryl moiety. The other R groups are smaller moieties such as H, C1 to C4 aliphatic or the like. The surfactant is turned on by a gas that liberates hydrogen ions, such as, for example, carbon dioxide, which liberates hydrogen ions in the presence of water. The surfactant is turned off by exposure to a flushing gas and/or heating. When “on” the surfactants are useful to stabilize emulsions, and when “off” they are useful to separate immiscible liquids or a liquid and a solid. The surfactants find uses in polymerization and in the oil industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON
    Inventor: Philip G. Jessop
  • SWITCHABLE SOLVENTS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20130046092
    Abstract: A solvent that reversibly converts from a nonionic liquid mixture to an ionic liquid upon contact with a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO2, is described. In preferred embodiments, the ionic solvent is readily converted back to the nonionic liquid mixture. The nonionic liquid mixture includes an amidine or guanidine or both, and water, alcohol, or a combination thereof. Single component amine solvents that reversibly convert between ionic and non-ionic states are also described. Some embodiments require increased pressure to convert; others convert at 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicants: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON, GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip JESSOP, Charles ECKERT, Charles LIOTTA, David HELDEBRANT
  • Multi-channel electrospray emitter
    Patent number: 8373116
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-channel electrospray emitter. The emitter includes a plurality of separate or distinct capillaries, each capillary being one channel and terminating in a nozzle, from which the analyte is sprayed. The nozzles may be raised above a face of the electrospray emitter. The multi-channel electrospray emitter may comprise a microstructured fiber. In one embodiment, the microstructured fiber may be a photonic crystal fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Richard D. Oleschuk, Graham Gibson, Ramin Wright
  • Robotic exoskeleton for limb movement
    Patent number: 8347710
    Abstract: This invention relates to a robotic exoskeleton comprising mechanical linkages that couple to one or more selected joints of a limb of a subject. The robotic exoskeleton may be provided with means for obtaining data respecting angular position, torque, and/or acceleration of at least one of the joints or the links of the mechanical linkages, and may be used for assessing, studying, diagnosing a deficit, and/or treating an impairment in sensorimotor function of a limb of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Stephen H. Scott, Ian E. Brown, Stephen J. Ball
  • Method and apparatus for communication between humans and devices
    Patent number: 8322856
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving communications between humans and devices. The invention provides a method of modulating operation of a device, comprising: providing an attentive user interface for obtaining information about an attentive state of a user; and modulating operation of a device on the basis of the obtained information, wherein the operation that is modulated is initiated by the device. Preferably, the information about the user's attentive state is eye contact of the user with the device that is sensed by the attentive user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Roel Vertegaal, Jeffrey S. Shell
  • Method and apparatus for communication between humans and devices
    Patent number: 8292433
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving communications between humans and devices. The invention provides a method of modulating operation of a device, comprising providing an attentive user interface for obtaining information about an attentive state of a user; and modulating operation of a device on the basis of the obtained information, wherein the operation that is modulated is initiated by the device. Preferably, the information about the user's attentive state is eye contact of the user with the device that is sensed by the attentive user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventor: Roel Vertegaal
  • Reversibly switchable surfactants and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8283385
    Abstract: Reversible switchable surfactants are provided. A surfactant is the salt of an amidine or guanidine: having at least one R group that is a hydrophobic moiety selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic moiety, higher siloxyl moiety, higher aliphatic/siloxyl moiety, aliphatic/aryl moiety, siloxyl/aryl moiety, and aliphatic/siloxyl/aryl moiety. The other R groups are smaller moieties such as H, C1 to C4 aliphatic or the like. The surfactant is turned on by a gas that liberates hydrogen ions, such as, for example, carbon dioxide, which liberates hydrogen ions in the presence of water. The surfactant is turned off by exposure to a flushing gas and/or heating. When “on” the surfactants are useful to stabilize emulsions, and when “off” they are useful to separate immiscible liquids or a liquid and a solid. The surfactants find uses in polymerization and in the oil industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventor: Philip G. Jessop
  • Method and apparatus for assessing proprioceptive function
    Patent number: 8277396
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing proprioception in a subject. One embodiment of an apparatus of the invention comprises two articulating members attachable to a pair of limbs of a subject, and provides data relating to geometry and/or location and/or motion of each limb in 2- or 3-dimensional space. The apparatus may include means for monitoring gaze direction. The apparatus may comprise a robotic linkage. One embodiment of the method comprises obtaining data relating to the geometry and/or location and/or motion of the limbs, or portions thereof, of a subject as the subject performs a matching task. Another embodiment comprises obtaining data relating to the location of a limb of a subject, together with data relating to gaze direction as the subject looks toward the perceived location of limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Stephen H. Scott, Ian E. Brown
  • Medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer and method of making same
    Patent number: 8273852
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing medium chain length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (MCL-PHA) with a selected ratio of monomers. A method of controlling the ratio of monomers in MCL-PHA is also provided which includes fermenting naturally occurring microorganisms with a fatty acid substrate, a food source and an additive. The methods provided do not sacrifice cell growth and maintenance and provide high yields of MCL-PHAs. MCL-PHAs are provided that are copolymers of Cn and Cn?2 monomers, where (n is 6-18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Xuan Jiang, Zhiyong Sun, Juliana Ramsay, Bruce A. Ramsay
  • Planar electroporation apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8222014
    Abstract: An electroporation apparatus provides for the electroporation of adherent cells attached to an electrode surface or suspended cells in close proximity to an electrode surface. In one embodiment, the electrodes are transparent to allow cell viewing using a microscope or an automated image analysis machine. The geometry of the electrodes and associated electrically non-conductive structures may provide for well-defined regions of electroporated and non-electroporated adherent cells with a clearly defined interface between these regions, facilitating comparison of electroporated cells and non-electroporated cells, and evaluation of transfer of material from cell to cell via intercellular gap junctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Kevin L. Firth, Leda Raptis
  • Electronic ballast with high power factor
    Patent number: 8212492
    Abstract: This invention provides an electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp, including a rectifier for converting an alternating current input voltage into a direct current output voltage, and a circuit including a combined power factor correction (PFC) stage and an inverter, wherein the PFC stage and the inverter share a switch. Also provided is a controller for an electronic ballast, including a duty ratio controller that controls a duty ratio of a switch of the ballast, and means for adjusting the duty ratio according to a nonlinear function, so that an arc is sustained across the lamp. The controller and the ballast allow dimming of the fluorescent lamp while maintaining a high power factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: John Lam, Praveen Jain
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COHERENT IMAGING AND FEEDBACK CONTROL FOR MODIFICATION OF MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20120138586
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser or welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON
    Inventors: Paul J. L. WEBSTER, James M. FRASER, Victor X. D. YANG