Patents Assigned to The Robert Gordon University
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Patent number: 9216036Abstract: A tissue anchor insertion system for inserting a tissue anchor into a body tissue such as bone, comprising a cutting device having a sharp leading end to create an aperture in the bone for insertion of the tissue anchor therein. The cutting device is deployed through a sleeve which is a close fit with the cutting device. The distal end of the sleeve is typically configured to penetrate the tissue in which the tissue anchor is to be inserted. A tissue anchor is also deployed through the sleeve, after the sleeve is in position, on a delivery device configured to support the tissue anchor during its insertion into the tissue. Typically the leading end of the sleeve is embedded within the tissue when the tissue anchor emerges from the distal end during the insertion process, so the tissue anchor is not damaged by insertion through the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: The Robert Gordon UniversityInventor: Alan John Johnstone
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Patent number: 8501151Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus; all to produce hydrogen gas, particularly synthesis gas. Preferred embodiments of the invention include an alpha alumina membrane which has been treated with a TiO2 wash coat on one side and has an active gamma alumina layer on an opposite side. A metal catalyst, preferably rhodium, is deposited within the pores of the alumina. Oxygen travels through the membrane and is activated before contacting methane on the other side of the membrane and forming synthesis gas through partial oxidation of the methane. Embodiments of the invention have a number of benefits including the high conversion rate of oxygen (100%), the separate feed streams of methane and oxygen which allow for optimal ratios to be used without danger of explosion, and the opportunity to vary the feed rates without changing the products formed.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: The Robert Gordon UniversityInventors: Edward Gobina, Susanne Olsen
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Publication number: 20130144351Abstract: A surgical guide device comprises first and second limbs pivotally connected together, with a respective guide sleeve pivotally attached to each limb. Each guide sleeve has a bore through the sleeve that can guide a drill bit or bone fixing for insertion into a fragmented bone portion. The device has an orientation mechanism adapted to change the orientation of the guide sleeves relative to the limbs as the limbs move relative to one another, so as to maintain the orientation of the guide sleeves relative to one another during pivotal movement of the limbs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITYInventor: Alan Johnstone
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Patent number: 8273922Abstract: A process utilising the gases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce alcohols directly, comprises the steps of bringing a fluid mixture comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen into contact with the surfaces of a supported tubular porous catalyst membrane having a range of pore sizes including micropores, mesopores and macropores, controlling the temperature of the said catalyst membrane, maintaining a pressure over said catalyst membrane of from 88 to 600 kPa, and recovering alcohol containing product formed by contact of the fluid mixture with said catalyst membrane.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: The Robert Gordon UniversityInventors: Edward Gobina, Reuben Mfon Umoh
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Publication number: 20120238487Abstract: A polymer having a structure according to the following formula (I): wherein: A represents a hydrophilic group; B represents a hydrophobic aromatic group such as 5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonyl (Dansyl), 9-fluorenylmethoxy carbonyl (Fmoc) and naphthalene (Naphth); D and E independently represent amine groups; F represents an amine group, the amine group being substituted with a B group and an A group, or the amine group being a quaternary ammonium moiety; wherein W, X, Y and Z each independently have values greater than or equal to (1), especially in the range of (1) to (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2010Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITYInventors: Paul Kong Thoo Lin, Woei Ping Cheng, Clare Hoskins
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Publication number: 20110045204Abstract: A surface treatment material useful in making coatings to be applied to fomitic surfaces to inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms, especially bacteria, comprises a photocatalytic component consisting of a metal oxide catalyst together with a metal dopant acting as an upconversion luminescence agent, for example based upon ErCl3, TiO2, Er(NO3)3/TiO2, NdCl3/TiO2, Nd(NO3)3/TiO2, GdCl3/TiO2, Gd(NO3)/TiO2, and optionally including other metals, especially a transition metal such as silver, provides antimicrobial activity in the dark, and enhanced antibacterial activity when exposed to wavelengths in the range of 350 to 790 nm, and thus finds utility in the healthcare, leisure and food industries.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: THE ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITYInventors: Peter Kenneth John Robertson, Patricia Mary Pollard, Simon Officer, Jeanette Mary Claire Robertson
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Publication number: 20100217051Abstract: A process utilising the gases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce alcohols directly, comprises the steps of bringing a fluid mixture comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen into contact with the surfaces of a supported tubular porous catalyst membrane having a range of pore sizes including micropores, mesopores and macropores, controlling the temperature of the said catalyst membrane, maintaining a pressure over said catalyst membrane of from 88 to 600 kPa, and recovering alcohol containing product formed by contact of the fluid mixture with said catalyst membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: THE ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITYInventors: Edward Gobina, Reuben Mfon Umoh
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Publication number: 20100172809Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus; all to produce hydrogen gas, particularly synthesis gas. Preferred embodiments of the invention include an alpha alumina membrane which has been treated with a TiO2 wash coat on one side and has an active gamma alumina layer on an opposite side. A metal catalyst, preferably rhodium, is deposited within the pores of the alumina. Oxygen travels through the membrane and is activated before contacting methane on the other side of the membrane and forming synthesis gas through partial oxidation of the methane. Embodiments of the invention have a number of benefits including the high conversion rate of oxygen (100%), the separate feed streams of methane and oxygen which allow for optimal ratios to be used without danger of explosion, and the opportunity to vary the feed rates without changing the products formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: Robert Gordon UniversityInventors: Edward Gobina, Susanne Olsen
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Publication number: 20100151508Abstract: Flavonoid-type compounds of the Formula (II); in which R1 is alkyl C2 to C20, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are any one or more of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl or benzyl, especially 7-decyl-3-hydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopy-ran-4-one or 7-ethyl-3-hydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one provide fluorescent probes and antioxidants, and are useful in discriminating healthy and stressed cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2007Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: THE ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITYInventors: Paul Kong Thoo Lin, Charles Stuart Bestwick
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Patent number: 7611307Abstract: The apparatus may include a space frame on which is mounted at least one hydrofoil for generating positive or negative lift. The frame is attachable to underwater equipment such as a turbine. The hydrofoils are adapted to produce negative lift when a flow of liquid passes over them and so in use cause the apparatus and attached equipment to sink to the seabed. The flow of water over the hydrofoils continue to produce negative life and so maintain the apparatus on the seabed. In certain embodiments, the hydrofoils can typically be set to a passive configuration in which they flip over when the current flow changes direction. Furthermore, the hydrofoils are selectively rotatable to provide an angle of attack such that they may be adapted to provide positive lift when it is necessary to remove the apparatus from the water.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Robert Gordon UniversityInventors: Alan Owen, Ian Gordon Bryden
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Publication number: 20090112211Abstract: A method of bone surgery including drilling a first bore in a near cortex of the bone with a first drill bit. Then a second drill bit is passed though the first bore towards a far cortex of the bone, the second drill bit comprising a distal shaft portion and a proximal shaft portion, the distal shaft portion having a diameter less than a diameter of the proximal shaft portion such that a shoulder is defined between the distal and proximal shaft portions. Then a second bore is drilled in the far cortex of the bone with the distal shaft portion of the second drill bit whilst the second drill bit is received in the first bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: The Robert Gordon UniversityInventor: Alan J. Johnstone
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Publication number: 20080289875Abstract: The invention is concerned with the design of oil wells by defining a number of design parameters, some of which are interdependent. The invention makes use of successive optimizations. Input data are selected for a first parameter and varied to achieve a first optimisation. The process is repeated for a second parameter whose input data includes the first parameter, and then repeated for each other of the defined parameters. The design parameters may be presented to the user via a graphical interface such as a virtual reality view.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2005Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: THE ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITYInventors: Philip M. Burge, Mufutau B. Oyeneyin
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Patent number: 7389819Abstract: A screen system for underground wells, and a method of fluid flow control and/or sand production control in a well. The screen system may include an inner screen and an outer screen having a plurality of slots. A mechanism, which may include a motor, is provided to vary the size of the said slots, and may achieve this by rotating one end of the inner screen relative to the other end. An external screen shroud may also be provided and the rotatable mechanism may be controlled by a controller coupled to electromechanical sensors mounted on one or more portions of the screen system, where the controller may employ a solids prediction model and a plugging tendency model to calculate a control action.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Robert Gordon UniversityInventors: Mufutau Babs Oyeneyin, Asher Mahmood
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Patent number: 7297184Abstract: An apparatus and method to separate a mixture of gases—such as carbon dioxide and methane—by an inorganic membrane comprising a ceramic support and a silica layer made from a silicon elastomer sol. The apparatus and method can efficiently separate the gaseous mixture and can also cope with the extreme conditions found in e.g. hydrocarbon producing wells. A method of manufacturing the apparatus is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Robert Gordon UniversityInventor: Edward Gobina
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Patent number: 7275891Abstract: The apparatus may include a space frame on which is mounted at least one hydrofoil for generating positive or negative lift. The frame is attachable to underwater equipment such as a turbine. The hydrofoils are adapted to produce negative lift when a flow of liquid passes over them and so in use cause the apparatus and attached equipment to sink to the seabed. The flow of water over the hydrofoils continue to produce negative life and so maintain the apparatus on the seabed. In certain embodiments, the hydrofoils can typically be set to a passive configuration in which they flip over when the current flow changes direction. Furthermore, the hydrofoils are selectively rotatable to provide an angle of attack such that they may be adapted to provide positive lift when it is necessary to remove the apparatus from the water.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Robert Gordon UniversityInventors: Alan Owen, Ian Gordon Bryden
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Publication number: 20070010819Abstract: A bone fixing device and a method of distracting a fracture are described. The bone fixing device has threads at both a leading end and a trailing end, and the pitch of the threads are greater at the trailing end. This causes the leading end of the bone fixing device to travel more slowly through the bone than the trailing end, which loads the threads of the screw to put the screw under compression, so that the threads bite more effectively into the bone. A jig and method for insertion of two bone fixing devices are also described. The jig defines parallel planes of insertion which cross when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the parallel planes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2004Publication date: January 11, 2007Applicants: GRAMPIAN HEALTH BOARD, ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITYInventor: Alan Johnstone
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Publication number: 20060239874Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus; all to produce hydrogen gas, particularly synthesis gas. Preferred embodiments of the invention include an alpha alumina membrane which has been treated with a TiO2 wash coat on one side and has an active gamma alumina layer on an opposite side. A metal catalyst, preferably rhodium, is deposited within the pores of the alumina. Oxygen travels through the membrane and is activated before contacting methane on the other side of the membrane and forming synthesis gas through partial oxidation of the methane. Embodiments of the invention have a number of benefits including the high conversion rate of oxygen (100%), the separate feed streams of methane and oxygen which allow for optimal ratios to be used without danger of explosion, and the opportunity to vary the feed rates without changing the products formed. Normally gaseous hydrocarbons recovered from remote oil wells (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2004Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicant: Robert Gordon UniversityInventors: Edward Gobina, Susanne Olsen
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Publication number: 20060112822Abstract: An apparatus and method to separate a mixture of gases—such as carbon dioxide and methane—by an inorganic membrane comprising a ceramic support and a silica layer made from a silicon elastomer sol. The apparatus and method can efficiently separate the gaseous mixture and can also cope with the extreme conditions found in e.g. hydrocarbon producing wells. A method of manufacturing the apparatus is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2006Publication date: June 1, 2006Applicant: Robert Gordon UniversityInventor: Edward Gobina
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Patent number: 7048778Abstract: An apparatus and method to separate a mixture of gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, by a ceramic membrane having a ceramic support and a silica layer. The invention can efficiently separate the gaseous mixture and can also cope with the extreme conditions found in, e.g., hydrocarbon producing wells. A method of manufacturing the apparatus is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: The Robert Gordon UniversityInventor: Edward Gobina