Patents Assigned to The Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Pathway measurement devices, systems and methods
    Patent number: 10690774
    Abstract: A pathway measurement system hereof includes a rigid frame and a mobility system attached to the frame. The mobility system includes at least one movable element which is adapted to contact a surface of a pathway via which the frame may be moved relative to the pathway. The pathway measurement system further includes at least one sensor adapted to measure at least one characteristic of a pathway. The pathway measurement system has a first mode of operation in which the mobility system moves the frame along the pathway to move the at least one sensor relative to the pathway. The at least one sensor is connected to the pathway system such that a distance between the at least one sensor and an axis of rotation of one of the moveable elements remains constant in the first mode of operation. In general, the at least one sensor is isolated from any compliance or suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Pearlman, Eric Joseph Sinagra, Jonathan Aaron Duvall, Joshua D. Brown, Dianna Rae Stuckey, Tianyang Chen, Ian Patrick McIntyre, Rory Alan Cooper
  • Treating and/or preventing insulin-resistance related weight gain
    Patent number: 10688063
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of preventing or reducing weight gain in a subject in need thereof by administering 2-acetylcyclopentane-1,3-dione (ACPD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignees: University of South Florida, The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs of General Counsel- PSG IV (024)
    Inventors: Robert Vito Farese, Mini Paliyath Sajan
  • Recombinant CD74 polypeptides
    Patent number: 10689446
    Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant CD74 polypeptides mutated relative to the naturally occurring CD74 polypeptides with improved properties such as binding of CD74 ligands such as MIF and RTL1000 as well as polynucleotides that encode the polypeptides, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, bacteria that include the expression vectors, and methods of making the recombinant polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignees: OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Roberto Meza-Romero, Gil Benedek, Arthur A. Vandenbark
  • Methods and compositions for treating aging-associated conditions
    Patent number: 10688130
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating a subject for aging-associated conditions, e.g., cognitive impairment conditions. Aspects of the methods include administering a young plasma-comprising blood product to an individual in need thereof, e.g., an individual suffering from or at risk of developing the aging-associated condition, e.g., aging-associated cognitive impairment. Also provided are compositions and kits thereof that find use in practicing methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignees: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY, U.S. GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Anton Wyss-Coray, Saul A. Villeda, Joseph M. Castellano, Jinte Middeldorp, Martin S. Angst, Jian Luo
  • Methods of neuroprotection involving macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor agonists
    Patent number: 10688154
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preventing, attenuating neuronal damage or stimulating neuronal repair prior or following central nervous system injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignees: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY, U.S. GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Jian Luo, Anton Wyss-Coray
  • Targeting intracellular target-binding determinants with intracellular antibodies
    Patent number: 10683363
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting an intracellular target in a cell with a bispecific antibody comprising contacting the cell with a bispecific antibody having a first Fv fragment with a cell-penetrating determinant and a second Fv fragment with an intracellular target-binding determinant under suitable conditions so that the first Fv fragment causes the bispecific antibody to enter the cell and the second Fv fragment binds the intracellular target in the cell and thereby inhibiting the intracellular target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veteran Affairs
    Inventors: Richard H. Weisbart, Robert N. Nishimura
  • Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor, obesity, and obesity-related diseases and conditions
    Patent number: 10682393
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to therapeutic methods for regulating weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing obesity, metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance by administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more GDNF receptor agonists to a subject in need thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignees: Emory University, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventor: Shanthi Srinivasan
  • Dielectric sensing for sample characterization
    Patent number: 10674931
    Abstract: As one example, a fluid monitoring apparatus includes a dielectric microsensor that includes a capacitive sensing structure integrated into a microfluidic channel. The microfluidic channel includes a fluid input to receive a sample volume of a sample under test (SUT). A transmitter provides an input radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF input of the microsensor. A receiver receives an output RF signal from the microsensor. A computing device computes dielectric permittivity values of the SUT that vary over a time interval based on the output RF signal. The computing device may determine at least one permittivity parameter based on the computed dielectric permittivity values over at least a portion of the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Michael Suster, Pedram Mohseni, Debnath Maji, Evi Stavrou, Umut Gurkan
  • Biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer
    Patent number: 10677800
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for non-invasively diagnosing and/or prognosing a lung cancer and for determining the efficacy of a therapeutic treatment regimen for the lung cancer. Expression levels of at least two small non-coding RNAs, for example, microRNAs and small nucleolar RNAs, are measured and used to calculate an area under the curve (AUC) that provides a probability of lung cancer in the subject. The smoking history of the subject and, if present, the size of pulmonary nodules may be incorporated into the calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: University of Maryland, Baltimore, The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventor: Feng Jiang
  • Maintenance and propagation of mesenchymal stem cells
    Patent number: 10676718
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include compositions, materials and methods for maintaining and propagating mammalian mesenchymal stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cells and applications of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Xiao-Dong Chen, Robert L. Jilka
  • Compositions and methods for white to beige adipogenesis
    Patent number: 10675283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for transitioning or converting a white adipocyte to a beige adipocyte. The compositions and methods may be used in the treatment of obesity. In some embodiments, the compositions include a compound selected from DC677 and DC761.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: University of South Florida, The United States Government as Represented by the Department Of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Denise Ratzlaff Cooper, Ryan Adam Kirchoffer, Robert Pleasants Sparks, Wayne Charles Guida
  • Methods for inhibiting muscle atrophy
    Patent number: 10668087
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for treating muscle atrophy by providing to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound. The compound can modulate the expression levels of multiple mRNA of a muscle atrophy signature. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Christopher M. Adams, Steven D. Kunkel, Michael Welsh
  • TREATMENT OF CANCER AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES WITH NATURAL KILLER (NK) CELL-DERIVED EXOSOMES
    Publication number: 20200163993
    Abstract: Disclosed are therapeutic compositions, methods of preparing, and methods use for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer. More specifically, Natural Killer Cell (NK Cell)-derived exosomes are demonstrated as potent therapeutic agents that can kill tumor cells in vivo, but do not kill normal cells. The exosomes can also be used to treat infectious disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicants: Saint Louis University, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventor: Jacki KORNBLUTH
  • Method and pulse oximeter apparatus using chemical heating
    Patent number: 10660553
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing reliable blood oxygen (SaO2) and heart rate measurements includes a chemical energy heating source in conjunction with a harness that is adapted to secure the chemical energy heating source and a pulse oximeter probe proximate to a region of the body which is to be warmed prior to measurement. Preferably, the chemical energy heating source is in the form a mixture including a metal powder, which releases heat at a predetermined rate via oxidation of the metal powder when exposed to the atmosphere. The apparatus may be designed to be reusable or disposable and can be used in a transmission or reflectance mode, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
    Inventor: Catherine P. Abee
  • INHIBITORS OF NUCLEOTIDYLTRANSFERASE SUPERFAMILY ENZYMES AS ANTIBIOTICS
    Publication number: 20200147086
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of treating a bacterial infection using an inhibitor of the nucleotidyltransferase superfamily enzyme. In some embodiments, the compounds have one of the following formulas (I), (II), (III), or (IV) wherein R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds may be used to treat a bacterial infection including an infection of Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicants: Saint Louis University, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Research Foundation of the City University of New York
    Inventors: Feng CAO, John E. TAVIS, Maureen J. DONLIN, Marvin J. MEYERS, Ryan P. MURELLI, Cari ORTH, Bahaa ELGENDY
  • Parasympathetic activation by vagus nerve stimulation
    Patent number: 10646715
    Abstract: The vagus nerve and branches of the vagus nerve are stimulated below the laryngeal nerve branch bifurcation in order to induce desired parasympathetic responses, such as decreased heart rate, without also triggering any adverse sympathetic responses. Stimulating surfaces of an open field bipolar electrode are positioned on or inserted through the pleural membrane overlying the vagus nerve at a location having substantially no cardiac sympathetic fibers adjacent to the vagus nerve. The open field bipolar electrodes can be securable-wire, needle, plate, or any other type of electrode suitable for being secured to the pleural membrane using one or more fastening mechanisms. Electrical stimuli are generated by a stimulator connected to the stimulating surfaces of the open field bipolar electrode by one or more leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: James Walter, Donald Thomas, Scott Sayers, Sanjay Singh, Raymond Dieter
  • COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING SESSILE SERRATED ADENOMAS/POLYPS
    Publication number: 20200131583
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method to detect sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) and to differentiate SSA/Ps from hyperplastic polyps (HPs). The method uses a molecular signature that is platform-independent and could be used with multiple platforms such as microarray, RNA-seq or real-time quantitative platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicants: BioVentures, LLC, The United States As Represented By The Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Galina GLAZKO, Curt H. HAGEDORN, Yasir RAHMATALLAH
  • Methods of treating cognitive symptoms of an aging-associated impairment by modulating C-C chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3)
    Patent number: 10626399
    Abstract: Methods of treating an adult mammal for an aging-associated impairment are provided. Aspects of the methods include modulating CCR3, e.g., by modulating eotaxin-1/CCR3 interaction, in the mammal in a manner sufficient to treat the mammal for the aging-associated impairment. A variety of aging-associated impairments may be treated by practice of the methods, which impairments include cognitive impairments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Anton Wyss-Coray, Thomas A. Rando, Markus Britschgi, Kaspar Rufibach, Saul A. Villeda
  • BENZATHINE ANALOGS
    Publication number: 20200113900
    Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, having a structure of: wherein X is a divalent linking moiety; and R1-R10 are each individually H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted alkoxy, optionally-substituted aryl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclic, halogen, amino, or hydroxy, provided that at least one of R3 or R8 is an optionally-substituted alkyl, a substituted alkoxy, optionally-substituted aryl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclic, or halogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Beibei Chen, Rama K. Mallampalli
  • Tumor suppressor SALL1 as a therapeutic agent for treating cancer
    Patent number: 10618944
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the SALL1 tumor suppressor. Methods of employing SALL1 to treat cancer, as well as the underlying mechanism by which this occurs, also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: Saint Louis University, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Guangyong Peng, Michael Rauchman, Chunling Ma, Fang Wang