Patents Assigned to Regents of the University of Minnesota
  • Polylactide composites and methods of producing the same
    Patent number: 7939603
    Abstract: Embodiments of polylactide composites comprise a polylactide, and a polymerized natural oil dispersed inside the polylactide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric John Connell, Marc Andrew Hillmyer, Megan Lind Robertson
  • Dielectric barrier reactor having concentrated electric field
    Patent number: 7931811
    Abstract: A fluid treatment device and method are provided for generating an electric field across a gap between first and second electrode and for concentrating the electric field within a fluid treatment chamber located in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Rongsheng Ruan, Shaobo Deng, Ling Chen, Xingyang Lin, Lloyd Metzger
  • Magnetic resonance contrast using fictitious field relaxation
    Patent number: 7932719
    Abstract: A system includes a signal generator and a processor. The signal generator is configured to couple with a magnetic resonance transmitter coil. The processor is configured to execute instructions to control the signal generator. The instructions include forming a sequence of waveforms. The sequence is configured to generate spin relaxation in a fictitious field in a third rotating frame of reference based on at least one magnetic field component that arises based on an effective field in a second rotating frame of reference. The third rotating frame of reference is of a higher order than the second rotating frame of reference and the second rotating frame of reference is of a higher order than the first rotating frame of reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Timo Liimatainen, Michael G. Garwood, Dennis J. Sorce, Shalom Michaeli
  • RECEPTOR-TARGETING REAGENTS
    Publication number: 20110091460
    Abstract: The present disclosure features, inter alia, receptor-targeting reagents (e.g., immunotoxic receptor-targeting reagents), which are useful in, e.g., methods of binding a receptor-targeting reagent to a cell and methods for treating a variety of disorders such as, but not limited to, cancers and inflammatory disorders. Also featured are methods, compositions, and kits useful for selecting an appropriate treatment modality for a subject (e.g., a subject with a cancer or inflammatory disorder) and/or treating a variety of disorders such as cell proliferative disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Daniel A. Vallera
  • MAPC administration for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders
    Patent number: 7927587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for providing lysosomal enzymes to a subject by administering stem cells, preferably Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells (MAPCs). The invention further relates to methods for treating lysosomal storage disorders by administering stem cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Bruce Blazer, Jakub Tolar, Catherine M. Verfaillie
  • BIORESORBABLE EMBOLIZATION MICROSPHERES
    Publication number: 20110082427
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an embolic material which, in some embodiments, may be in the form of a microsphere or a plurality of microspheres. The embolic material generally comprises carboxymethyl chitosan (CCN) crosslinked with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In some embodiments, the embolic material may further comprise a therapeutic agent, such as doxorubicin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jafar Golzarian, Lihui Weng
  • SOLVENT-BORNE POLYMERIC BIOACTIVE COATINGS FOR THE FACILITATED REMOVAL OF BIOORGANIC STAINS
    Publication number: 20110076738
    Abstract: Protein-polymer composite materials are provided according to embodiments of the present invention that include an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material that is useful for facilitating removal of bioorganic stains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC, REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: PING WANG, SONGTAO WU, HONGFEI JIA, MASAHIKO ISHII, XIAODONG TONG, MINJUAN ZHANG
  • Method for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
    Publication number: 20110068790
    Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance imaging based on rapid acquisition by sequential excitation and refocusing is provided. The method comprises turning on a first time-encoding gradient and applying an excitation pulse in the presence of the first time-encoding gradient. The excitation pulse excites magnetization sequentially along one spatial axis. Thereafter, a first refocusing pulse is applied. A second time-encoding gradient is turned on followed by a second refocusing pulse. A third time-encoding gradient is turned on and a signal is acquired in the presence of the third time-encoding gradient. The third time-encoding gradient sums to zero with the first time-encoding gradient and the second time-encoding gradient for sequential points in space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Ryan Chamberlain, Jang-Yeon Park, Michael G. Garwood
  • Methods for diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus
    Patent number: 7910299
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and materials involved in diagnosing SLE. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and materials involved in diagnosing SLE, diagnosing severe SLE, and assessing a mammal's susceptibility to develop severe SLE. For example, the invention provides nucleic acid arrays that can be used to diagnose SLE in a mammal. Such arrays can allow clinicians to diagnose SLE based on a simultaneous determination of the expression levels of many genes that are differentially expressed in SLE patients as compared to healthy controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
    Inventors: Timothy W. Behrens, Emily C. Baechler, Peter K. Gregersen
  • High throughput bioreactor
    Patent number: 7901937
    Abstract: A continuous flow bioreactor system that includes a bioreactor, an optional post-bioreactor preparation chamber, a cell sorter, and an optional pre-bioreactor preparation chamber in a closed loop, useful for enriching a heterogeneous cell population growing in the bioreactor with an isolated subpopulation of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Friedrich Srienc, Abdelqader Zamamiri, Nicholas R. Abu-Absi, James A. Kacmar
  • Combination Localization System
    Publication number: 20110054293
    Abstract: A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide two or more navigation modalities to navigate a single instrument in a volume. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within the volume. Image data can also be illustrated relative to a tracked position of the instrument in the volume for navigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicants: Medtronic, Inc., Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: H. Toby Markowitz, Kenneth Gardeski, Jean Carver, Kendra Yasger, Michael R. Neldert, Lane A. Phillips, Laurent Verard, Steven L. Hartmann, Andrew Bzostek, Bradley A. Jascob
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A FUEL FROM A BIOMASS OR BIO-OIL
    Publication number: 20110047864
    Abstract: Methods and reactors for producing a fuel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method uses a biomass feedstock and alkane and/or alcohol feedstock, which can be contacted with a metal-containing catalyst to form products including a bio-oil. In some embodiments, oxygen-containing functional groups can be removed from a bio-oil using one or more zeolite thin films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Aditya Bhan, Michael Tsapatsis, Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Isoprenoid wax ester synthases, isoprenoid acyl CoA-synthetases, and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7897369
    Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides and isolated polypeptides. The polypeptides of the present invention have isoprenoid wax ester synthase activity or isoprenoid acyl CoA-synthetase activity. The present invention also includes methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention. For instance, the methods include producing biodiesel and producing wax esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Claudia Schmidt-Dannert, Erik K. Holtzapple
  • Portable device for monitoring electrocardiographic signals and indices of blood flow
    Patent number: 7899526
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a physiological monitoring device which is configured to record signals that reflect blood flow and/or blood pressure, and which may also record ECG signals. In one embodiment, a portable monitoring device comprises a plurality of impedance electrodes configured to be coupled to a patient's body and to generate an AC current with an electrical field to detect local electrical impedance of a portion of the patient's body encompassed by the electrical field, the local electrical impedance being a surrogate measure of local blood flow of the portion of the patient's body. At least a portion of the portable monitoring device is configured to be insertable subcutaneously into the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David G. Benditt, Robert F. Patterson, Keith G. Lurie
  • CLAY-ISOCYANATE NANODISPERSIONS AND POLYURETHANE NANOCOMPOSITE PRODUCED THEREWITH
    Publication number: 20110046287
    Abstract: Nanodispersions of inorganic clays in isocyanate may be created via pre-exfoliation, delamination, or both of the clay and subsequent mixing with isocyanate. In an embodiment, such an isocyanate nanodispersion is reacted with an isocyanate-reactive material or substrate to form a polyurethane nanocomposite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicants: HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC, REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: G. Harikrishnan, Christopher Ward Macosko, Christopher Ian Lindsay, Sachchida Nand Singh
  • TRACKING AND REPRESENTATION OF MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ORGANS
    Publication number: 20110044521
    Abstract: A method includes receiving data corresponding to a sequence of deformations of a surface of an object. The method also includes generating spherical harmonics expressions based on the data. The method includes identifying a subspace of the spherical harmonics expression corresponding to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Ahmed H. Tewfik, Dan Wang, Timothy Kinney
  • Assymetric radio frequency magnetic line array
    Patent number: 7893693
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency magnetic field unit to generate a desired magnetic field. In one embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first aperture that is substantially unobstructed and a second aperture contiguous to the first aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first side aperture, a second side aperture and one or more end apertures. In one embodiment of a method, a current element is removed from a radio frequency magnetic field unit to form a magnetic field unit having an aperture. In an alternative embodiment, two current elements located opposite from one another in a radio frequency magnetic field unit are removed to form a magnetic filed unit having a first side aperture and a second side aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: J. Thomas Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil
  • Post-viterbi error correction method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7890841
    Abstract: In an error correction method, a codeword is transmitted through a noisy communication channel and detected by a receiving device. An error detection code is then applied to the detected codeword to generate a syndrome. Where the syndrome is not all zero, the codeword is determined to contain some error. Accordingly, the method computes a set of potential error start positions for a plurality of error events based on a syndrome value corresponding to the syndrome. Next, a confidence value is computed for each of the plurality of error events at each of the potential error start positions in the refined set, and finally, a most likely error event in the detected codeword is corrected based on an error event and corresponding potential error start position having the highest confidence value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jun Lee, Jihoon Park, Jaekyun Moon
  • Method and apparatus for controlling sampling of signals produced in relation to stored data
    Patent number: 7889818
    Abstract: An estimated current phase error is used to control the oscillation frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator used to control the timing of sampling operations performed by an analog to digital converter (ADC). The current phase error is calculated by a recursive computation using a previous phase error in order to eliminate noise effects from the current phase error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jaekyun Moon, Jaewook Lee
  • Swine multipotent adult progenitor cells
    Patent number: 7883892
    Abstract: The present invention provides swine cells of non-embryonic origin that can be maintained in culture in the undifferentiated state or differentiated to form cells of multiple cell types. Also provided are methods of isolation and culture, as well as uses for the cells, such as xenogeneic transplantation and/or tissue repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Catherine M. Verfaillie, Lepeng Zeng, Jianyi Zhang