Patents Assigned to The University of Houston System
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Patent number: 12214298Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the detection of analytes in high volumetric flow applications. Particular embodiments relate to the use of fluorescence polarization/anisotropy based for detection of analytes in a flow cell. In one testing format, an analyte of interest is probed with reagents containing fluorescent labeled recognition elements. When present in a sample or portion of a sample, the labeled analyte produces a shift in fluorescence polarization/anisotropy/intensity/lifetime as the output signal following the binding of the recognition elements to the analytes.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: University of Houston SystemInventors: Richard C. Willson, Ujwal Patil, Binh V. Vu, Ekaterini Kourentzi, Mary Crum
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Patent number: 12208287Abstract: The present invention addresses IBD from the standpoint of mucosal stem cells cloned from defined regions of the gastrointestinal tract. In the case of pediatric Crohn's disease, for example, isolation of those stem cells according to the methods of the present invention reveals a pattern of inflammatory gene expression in stem cells from the terminal ileum and colon that is epigenetically maintained despite months of continuous cultivation in the absence of immune or stromal cells, or of intestinal microbes. Superimposed on this distributed inflammatory phenotype is a differentiation defect that profoundly and specifically alters the mucosal barrier properties of the terminal ileum. The co-existence of diseased and normal stem cells within the same endoscopic biopsies of Crohn's disease patients implicates an epigenetically enforced heterogeneity among mucosal stem cells in the dynamics of this condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: University of Houston SystemInventors: Frank Mckeon, Matthew Vincent
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Patent number: 12208159Abstract: Provided herein are fluorinated compounds having chemical structures: (I) where n is 0 or greater, or (II) where m and n are 0 or greater, or an amino acid, a soluble polymer, an oligo(ethylene glycol), a poly(ethylene glycol), or a carbohydrate each fluorinated with perfluorocarbons having the chemical structure (III) where n is 0 or greater. These fluorinated compounds are utilized in contact lenses to impart lipid-resistant, protein-resistant and biofouling-resistant properties, thus reducing discomfort and infection caused by contact lens wear without changing its transmission characteristics. Also provided is an ophthalmic drug delivery system comprising at least one of the compounds described above embedded in the contact lens and a kit to incorporate the ophthalmic into a contact lens. Methods for incorporating these compounds onto a contact lens without affecting transparency and for use in treating an ophthalmologic-associated condition are provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2022Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: University of Houston SystemInventors: Guoting Qin, Chengzhi Cai
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Patent number: 12201416Abstract: A soleus contraction measurement system includes a sensor configured to measure rotational movement when positioned on a user's foot with an X-axis oriented laterally across the user's foot, a Y-axis oriented parallel to the user's foot, a Z-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis, and a positive X-axis rotational movement corresponding to an increasing ankle angle, and a memory storing computer-executable instructions for controlling a processor to: measure an X-axis rotational movement, identify a positive X-axis rotational movement as a plantarflexion and a negative X-axis rotational movement as an ankle dorsiflexion, deem the plantarflexion a performed soleus contraction when the plantarflexion is immediately followed by the ankle dorsiflexion for two consecutive cycles of plantarflexion and ankle dorsiflexion, and cause performance information regarding the performed soleus contractions to be communicated.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2023Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: University of Houston SystemInventor: Marc Hamilton
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Patent number: 12203935Abstract: Disclosed are probes based on papilloma virus and modified SV40 that can be used for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood stream, methods for manufacturing such probes, and methods for using such probes.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: The University of Houston SystemInventors: Shaun Xiaoliu Zhang, Xinping Fu
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Publication number: 20250018009Abstract: Loss of cardiomyocytes underlies most causes of heart failure, and normal repair processes are inadequate to deal with extensive myocardial damage. The inventors have identified mutations of the N-terminus of serum respose factor (SRF)'s MADS box, termed STEMINs, that block cardiac differentiation, but also powerfully activate the stem cell marker genes Nanog and Octomer 4, as well as cyclins, which promotes adult myocyte replication. SRF Stemin mutations are not cardiac-specific, and also propel mammalian fibroblasts into a proliferative state. Thus, STEMINs may be useful for regeneration of all tissue and organ types, by activating partial pluripotency programs and enhacing repair by increased cell replication. Following withdrawal of STEMINs, the cells then return to normal cell identity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2024Publication date: January 16, 2025Applicant: University of Houston SystemInventors: Robert J. SCHWARTZ, Dinakar IYER
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Patent number: 12174237Abstract: A system for monitoring a circuit, comprising a device under test, such as a power field effect transistor or capacitor, coupled to a power source and a signal source and configured to generate a power output using the signal source, a current output, a voltage output and an end of life detector coupled to the current output and the voltage output and configured to generate a first impedance as a function of the current output and the voltage output, to compare the first impedance to a second impedance and to generate an indicator if the first impedance exceeds the second impedance.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignees: University of Houston System, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Harish Krishnamoorthy, Joshua Hawke
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Patent number: 12168134Abstract: A method of locating an implantation site in the brain includes inserting a plurality of multi-contact electrodes into a region of a target structure in an individual's brain. High Frequency Stimulation (HFS) is applied to a contact of a multi-contact electrode of the plurality of multi-contact electrodes. High Frequency Oscillations (HFO) evoked in the region of the target structure by the HFS are measured. Evoked Compound Activity (ECA) evoked in the region of the target structure by the HFS is measured. It is determined if at least one of the HFO and the ECA is above a predetermined threshold. If at least one of the HFO and the ECA is above the predetermined threshold, a location of the contact of the multi-contact electrode is identified as a site for electrode implantation in the individual's brain.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2021Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Nuri F. Ince, Musa Ozturk, Ashwin Viswanathan
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Patent number: 12168612Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strategy to synthesize antimony- and zinc-doped tin oxide particles with tunable band gap characteristics. The methods yield stable and monodispersed particles with great control on uniformity of shape and size. The methods produce undoped and antimony and zinc-doped tin oxide stand-alone and core-shell particles, both nanoparticles and microparticles, as well as antimony and zinc-doped tin oxide shells for coating particles, including plasmonic core particles.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2020Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignees: University of Houston System, National Central UniversityInventors: T. Randall Lee, Riddhiman Medhi, Sang Ho Lee, Chien-Hung Li, Allan J. Jacobson, Tai-Chou Lee
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Publication number: 20240400726Abstract: This invention relates to nickel catalysts with alkali ions for homopolymerization and copolymerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Loi H. Do, Thi V. Tran
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Patent number: 12138347Abstract: Nanoparticles and nanonetworks formed of these nanoparticles are provided. Methods for forming such nanoparticles and nanonetworks are also provided, as well as uses of the nanoparticles and/or nanonetworks, including their use for drug delivery.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: University of Houston SystemInventor: Eva Harth
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Publication number: 20240352068Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertains to one or more novel peptoids, derivatives thereof, multimers thereof, and combinations thereof. The peptoids may be suitable for use in treating or preventing a cancer in a subject, detecting a cancer in a subject, or as research and development tools. Further embodiments pertain to methods of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells by exposing the cancer cells to the peptoids. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of treating or preventing a cancer in a subject by administering the peptoids to the subject. Further embodiments pertain to methods of detecting cancer in a subject by exposing cells susceptible of being cancerous to the peptoids, detecting the presence or absence of vimentin associated with cells susceptible of being cancerous, and correlating the presence or absence of the vimentin to the presence or absence of the cancer in the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: October 24, 2024Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Damith Gomika UDUGAMASOORIYA, Satya Prakash SHUKLA, Haowen ZHANG
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Publication number: 20240352422Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to compositions suitable for use in differentiating cardiac progenitor cells to cells that resemble cardiac Purkinje cells. Additional embodiments pertain to methods of generating such differentiated cardiac cells by exposing cardiac progenitor cells to the compositions. The present disclosure also pertains to methods of treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease in a subject by administering the compositions or differentiated cardiac cells to the subject. Further embodiments pertain to methods of generating a cardiac tissue by exposing cardiac progenitor cells to a composition of the present disclosure and associating the cardiac progenitor cells with a tissue scaffold. The present disclosure also pertains to the use of the differentiated cardiac progenitor cells to assess the efficacy of one or more compounds in the treatment or prevention of a cardiovascular disease.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2022Publication date: October 24, 2024Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Bradley K. McConnell, Robert J. Schwartz, Nicole Prodan
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Patent number: 12117380Abstract: Milling with ultraviolet excitation (MUVE) realizes high-throughput multiplex imaging of large three-dimensional samples. The instrumentation may comprise a UV-source attachment, precision stage attachment, and/or a blade assembly, and the instrumentation may overcome several constraints inherent to current state-of-the-art three-dimensional microscopy. MUVE offers throughput that is orders of magnitude faster than other technology by collecting a two-dimensional array of pixels simultaneously. The proposed instrumentation also utilizes serial ablation and provides the opportunity for true whole-organ imaging at microscopic resolution.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: University of Houston SystemInventors: David Mayerich, Jason Eriksen
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Publication number: 20240336477Abstract: A hydrogen storage device comprising (i) hydrogen gas and (ii) a host framework material. A hydrogen discharge device comprising (i) hydrogen gas and (ii) a host framework material. A method of storing hydrogen comprising introducing hydrogen gas to a host framework material comprising a zeolite, carbon, silica, nickel foam, carbon nanosponge (CNS), a graphene aerogel or a combination thereof under conditions suitable for the formation of hydrogen gas hydrates. A battery comprising a host framework material comprising hydrogen gas hydrates wherein the host framework material comprises a zeolite, carbon, silica, nickel foam, carbon nanosponge (CNS), a graphene aerogel or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2022Publication date: October 10, 2024Applicant: University of Houston SystemInventor: Hadi Ghasemi
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Publication number: 20240327403Abstract: Identified compounds demonstrate protein kinase inhibitory activity. More specifically, the compounds are demonstrated to inhibit receptor interacting kinase 2 (RIPK2) and/or Activin-like kinase 2 (ALK2). Compounds that are either dual RIPK2/ALK2 inhibitors or that preferentially inhibit RIPK2 or ALK2 could provide therapeutic benefit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM, TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGEInventors: Gregory Cuny, Sameer Nikhar, Alexei Degterev
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Publication number: 20240300889Abstract: This invention relates to materials and methods for iodine capture from a variety of sources and media, and at water/organic solvent interfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: September 12, 2024Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Ognjen Miljanic, Alexandra Robles
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Patent number: 12085534Abstract: A method of measuring dissociation of the biomolecular bonds in one or multiple sample wells using super-resolution force spectroscopy (SURFS). SURFS utilizes precise ultrasound radiation to exert an acoustic radiation force on the biomolecular bonds labeled with magnetic particles. The force-induced dissociation of the protein bonds labeled with magnetic particles may be measured as a reduced magnetic signal by a magnetic sensor. The force resolution allows for differentiating biomolecular bonds with an extremely high level of precision. The biomolecular bonds include protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, nucleic acid-nucleic acid, small molecule-protein, and small molecule-nucleic acid interactions.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Shoujun Xu, Yuhong Wang, Haina Jia, Heng Yin, Yujia Mao
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Patent number: 12077568Abstract: Described herein are single chain polypeptides comprising both the b- and a-chains of insulin fused to each other by a linker. Also provided are nucleic acids coding for the same, host cells expressing the same, and methods of use therefor.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: University of Houston SystemInventor: Ke-He Ruan
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Publication number: 20240290976Abstract: This invention relates to materials for electrodes, to materials for lithium-ion batteries, and to materials for lithium-ion storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: August 29, 2024Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Ognjen Miljanic, Yan Yao, Said Jalife Jacobo, Judy Wu, Alexandra Robles