Patents Assigned to The University of Houston System
  • Publication number: 20220218272
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, methods and systems for determining differential blood oxygenation for early detection of pressure ulcers. By applying near infrared radiation of an appropriate wavelength to the tissue and determining the absorbance at a plurality of points where the distance between the source of the near infrared radiation and the detector are known, the oxygenation state of the hemoglobin can be determined based on position in a three-dimensional space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Apogee Interests, LLC, The Methodist Hospital
    Inventors: Luca POLLONINI, Scott E. PARZYNSKI, Jeffrey D. FRIEDMAN
  • Publication number: 20220221408
    Abstract: Methods, devices and kit for analyzing a sample comprising 1,5-anhydroglucitol and a first analyte via one or more chemiluminescent reactions. Certain embodiments include measuring a first light response resulting from a first chemiluminescent reaction and measuring a second light response resulting from a second chemiluminescent reaction. Certain embodiments also include comparing the first light response to the second light response to determine a ratio of 1,5-anhydroglucitol and the first analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
    Inventors: Richard C. WILLSON, Jinsu KIM, Binh V. VU, Olga Patricia VÁZQUEZ VILLEGAS, Federico Augusto RUIZ RUIZ, Marco Antonio RITO PALOMARES
  • Publication number: 20220213347
    Abstract: Durable antibacterial coatings are prepared by inter-diffusing zwitterionic polyurethane in acrylic polyurethane. Bacterial attachment is substantially eliminated from the surface of the coatings due to the hydrophilicity of the zwitterionic polyurethane. Long-term antibacterial properties were observed for both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria even when the coatings were constantly challenged by mechanical abrasion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Hadi Ghasemi, Zixu Huang
  • Patent number: 11375890
    Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous objective assessment are discussed herein. The systems and methods may comprise sensor(s), a processor, a clock, data storage, and a power source. The sensor(s) may continuously monitor viewing distances, light exposure, or the like, and the system may log corresponding time and/or duration information. Also provided herein are methods of treating, preventing, and/or diagnosing vision impairment risk. These systems and methods may provide warns, such as when detecting the viewing of materials too closely (e.g. ?30 cm), near to near intermediate viewing (e.g. ?70 cm) exceeding a predetermined time (e.g. ?20 min.) without a break, and/or not getting enough outdoor light exposure (e.g. at least 75 minutes of exposure at >1000 lux) for the day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Lisa Ostrin
  • Patent number: 11380462
    Abstract: A composition for a plurality of configurations of a high-temperature superconductor tape including a superconducting film disposed on a compliant film or sandwiched or captured between at least one pair of compliant film layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Venkat Selvamanickam
  • Publication number: 20220202792
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and formulations for treating a patient suffering from one or more of chronic inflammatory injury, metaplasia, dysplasia or cancer of an epithelial tissue, which method comprises administering to the patient an agent that selectively kills or inhibits the proliferation or differentiation of pathogenic epithelial stem cells (PESCs) relative to normal epithelial stem cells in the tissue in which the PESCs are found. Representative epithelial tissues include pulmonary, genitourinary, gastrointestinal/esophageal, pancreatic and hepatic tissues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicants: University of Houston System, The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System, Tract Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank McKEON, Marcin DULEBA, Yanting ZHANG, Jingzhong XIE, Wa XIAN, Matthew VINCENT
  • Patent number: 11369261
    Abstract: An excitation force (internal or external) and phase-sensitive optical coherence elastography (OCE) system, used in conjunction with a data analyzing algorithm, is capable of measuring and quantifying biomechanical parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The method was approbated and demonstrated on an example of the system that combines a pulsed ultrasound system capable of producing an acoustic radiation force on the crystalline lens surface and a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the lens displacement caused by the acoustic radiation force. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. The noninvasive measurement method also utilizes phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence elastography (PhS-SSOCE) to distinguish between tissue stiffness, such as that attributable to disease, and effects on measured stiffness that result from external factors, such as pressure applied to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Kirill V. Larin, Jiasong Li, Manmohan Singh, Chen Wu, Salavat Aglyamov
  • Publication number: 20220195389
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of modifying immune cells by increasing the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity of the immune cells in order to produce modified immune cells with enhanced longevity. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure include one or more of the following steps: (1) obtaining immune cells from a subject; (2) increasing the AMPK activity of the immune cells; (3) expanding the modified immune cells; (4) introducing the modified immune cells to a subject; and (5) treating a disease in the subject. In further embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure include an in vivo method of increasing the AMPK activity of immune cells in a subject in order to treat a disease in the subject. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the modified immune cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Navin Varadarajan, Irfan Naseem Bandey, Melissa Martinez Paniagua
  • Patent number: 11365294
    Abstract: A facile and scalable method to prepare graphene-based amphiphilic Janus nanosheets with high efficiency utilizing the formation of hydrogen bonding to immobilize graphene oxide (GO) on the surfaces of starch microspheres. After selective functionalization of the exposed surface using alkylamine, amphiphilic Janus nanosheets (AJN) were obtained by releasing the nanosheets from the starch microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Zhifeng Ren, Dan Luo, Feng Wang
  • Publication number: 20220187391
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to electric field generators that include a signal generator electrically connected to a power amplifier, a impedance matching circuit electrically connected to the power amplifier, and a power divider electrically connected to the impedance matching circuit and to at least one of a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, or a base area. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to method of determining radio frequency (RF)-induced heating on a medical device utilizing an electric field generator of the present disclosure. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making electric field generators for testing a medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Ji Chen
  • Publication number: 20220186116
    Abstract: Provided herein are phosphors of the general molecular formula: (A2-2xEux(Mg1-yCay)PO4F wherein the variables are as defined herein. Methods of producing the phosphors are also provided. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides light-emitting devices comprising these phosphors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Jakoah BRGOCH, Shruti HARIYANI
  • Patent number: 11358134
    Abstract: Phosphine phosphonate and phenoxyphosphine ligands bearing polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains are used as described herein to produce heterobimetallic catalysts. The ligands can be metallated selectively with palladium or nickel and secondary metal ions to provide well-defined heterobimetallic compounds. These heterobimetallic complexes exhibit accelerated reaction rates and greater thermal stability in olefin polymerization compared to other catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Loi Hung Do, Zhongzheng Cai, Thi Tran, Dawei Xiao
  • Publication number: 20220169525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicants: University of Houston System, National Central University
    Inventors: T. Randall Lee, Riddhiman Medhi, Sang Ho Lee, Chien-Hung Li, Allan J. Jacobson, Tai-Chou Lee
  • Patent number: 11345821
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing the composition coating may include selecting a wood or masonry material substrate and utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for manufacturing a composition coating that prevent wetting and/or staining of a substrate. The composition coatings for treating wood or masonry materials improves weather-resistance, microbial resistance, stain-resistance and fungal-resistance of the materials. The reduced permeability of the resulting masonry materials can also delay or inhibit degradation caused by permeation of ions such as chlorides and sulfates. In addition, a stain comprising the composite solution and pigments may impart additional property to wood or masonry materials whilst retaining or improving the original appearance, particularly for the visibility and contrast of the wood grain as seen after the application of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang
  • Publication number: 20220162086
    Abstract: New thermoelectric materials, such as Mg3Bi2-based Zintl phase compounds are described, where the semi-metallic Mg3.2Bi2 show an unexpectedly large Seebeck coefficient at 350 K and enhanced thermoelectric performances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Zhifeng Ren, Jun Mao
  • Patent number: 11323038
    Abstract: A single phase single stage level-1 electric vehicle (EV) battery charger can control the power flow in both directions. The converter efficiency is high as the devices undergo ZCS which reduces switching loss in the devices. This converter does not require any intermediate DC link capacitor stage and the power density of the converter is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Kaushik Rajashekara, Parthasarathy Nayak, Sumit Kumar Pramanick
  • Patent number: 11309480
    Abstract: An ultra-thin film superconducting tape and method for fabricating same is disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a superconducting tape being fabricated by processes which include removing a portion of the superconducting tape's substrate subsequent the substrate's initial formation, whereby a thickness of the superconducting tape is reduced to 15-80 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Venkat Selvamanickam
  • Patent number: 11307146
    Abstract: Methods, devices and kit for analyzing a sample comprising 1,5-anhydroglucitol and a first analyte via one or more chemiluminescent reactions. Certain embodiments include measuring a first light response resulting from a first chemiluminescent reaction and measuring a second light response resulting from a second chemiluminescent reaction. Certain embodiments also include comparing the first light response to the second light response to determine a ratio of 1,5-anhydroglucitol and the first analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: University of Houston System, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Jinsu Kim, Binh V. Vu, Olga Patricia Vázquez Villegas, Federico Augusto Ruiz Ruiz, Marco Antonio Rito Palomares
  • Patent number: 11302467
    Abstract: Modified surfaces of the present disclosure include a surface or substrate material, a magnetic field, which may be generated through the use of a magnet placed at a distance beneath the surface or substrate, or placed above the surface or substrate, or through the use of a magnetic surface or substrate, and a magnetic fluid, such as ferrofluid or ferrogel, deposited in a layer on the top of the surface or substrate. The modified surfaces may be icephobic. In addition, a droplet of liquid placed on the modified surface can be manipulated through placement of a local heat source in proximity to the droplet, without contacting the droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Hadi Ghasemi, Peyman Irajizad, Munib Hasnain
  • Publication number: 20220094274
    Abstract: A single phase single stage level-1 electric vehicle (EV) battery charger can control the power flow in both directions. The converter efficiency is high as the devices undergo ZCS which reduces switching loss in the devices. This converter does not require any intermediate DC link capacitor stage and the power density of the converter is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Kaushik Rajashekara, Parthasarathy Nayak, Sumit Kumar Pramanick