Patents Assigned to The University of Massachusettes
  • Publication number: 20180360390
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing or monitoring progress of a pathology using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and machine learning are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Rosalba Gaudiuso, Ebo Ewusi-Annan, Noureddine Melikechi, Benyuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20180206727
    Abstract: Currently most cancers, including breast cancers, are removed without any intraoperative margin control. Post-operative methods inspect 1-2% of the surgical margin and are prone to sampling errors. The present invention relates to an optical imaging system that will enable evaluation of the surgical margin in vivo and in real-time. The invention provides for simultaneous fluorescence and fluorescence polarization imaging. The contrast of the acquired images will be enhanced using fluorescent agents approved for diagnostic use in patients. As the staining pattern of fluorescence images is similar to that of histology, and the values of fluorescence polarization are significantly higher in cancerous as compared to normal cells, the invention provides for further improvements in diagnostic methods. The systems and methods can be applied to the intra-operative delineation of cancerous tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Anna N. Yaroslavsky, Rakesh Patel, Dennis Wirth
  • Patent number: 9950075
    Abstract: The invention in some aspects provides compounds useful for targeting bacterial infections. In some embodiments, the compounds comprise a transferrin receptor ligand covalently linked to a bactericidal agent. In some embodiments, the bactericidal agent is a bactericidal peptide, such as a glycoside hydrolase (e.g., lysozyme).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Son N. Nguyen, Cedric E. Bobst, Igor A. Kaltashov
  • Patent number: 9329126
    Abstract: A detector suitable for mass spectroscopy uses a thin membrane that converts the kinetic energy of impinging molecules into corresponding photons, the latter detected with a suitable photosensor. The arrival of molecules at the membrane is detected by detection of the corresponding photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, University of Hamburg, The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Robert H. Blick, Jonathan Rodriguez, Hyunseok Kim, Zlatan Aksamija, Wolfgang Hansen, Christian Heyn
  • Publication number: 20150297363
    Abstract: A prosthetic limb includes a plurality of extendable segments configured to adjust the length of the prosthetic limb. Also included is a first end assembly operatively coupled to the plurality of extendable segments, wherein the first end assembly is radially adjustable to manipulate the thickness of the prosthetic limb. Further included is a second end assembly operatively coupled to the plurality of extendable segments, wherein the second end assembly is radially adjustable to manipulate the thickness of the prosthetic limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Perez de Alderete, Erin Elizabeth Keaney, Brendan Charles Donoghue
  • Patent number: 9150674
    Abstract: A novel amphiphilic graft copolymer is described. A process to make amphiphilic graft copolymers via grafting either poly(ethylene oxide) or polylactide side chains onto an EVA platform using oxo-anion ring-opening polymerization chemistry is also described. Polyethylene or polypropylene based graft copolymers are prepared starting from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) or maleic anhydride grafted isotactic polypropylene respectively. The amphiphilic character will result from the incorporation of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side-chains. Various applications of the novel amphiphilic graft copolymer are also described including, but not limited to, thermoplastic elastomer, films, fibers, fabrics, gels, breathable packaging materials, additive for biodegradable system, surfactant, antistatic additives, polymer compatibilizers, phase transfer catalysts, solid polymer electrolytes, biocompatible polymers, or incorporation into the materials listed above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company, The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Theresa Hermel-Davidock, Edward Bryan Coughlin
  • Patent number: 9102939
    Abstract: A process is provided of introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo. The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure. Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical. The present invention is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: The Carnegie Institution of Washington, The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Andrew Fire, Stephen Kostas, Mary Montgomery, Lisa Timmons, SiQun Xu, Hiroaki Tabara, Samuel E. Driver, Craig C. Mello
  • Publication number: 20150178048
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for a circuit for generation of a random output. A bistable circuit has two stable states as an output and a clock signal as an input. The bistable circuit includes a first logic circuit and a second logic circuit cross-coupled connected together, which transition into a metastable state before resolving to the two stable states. The second logic circuit resolves to a stable state at a resolution time. A digitization circuit is configured to generate random bits corresponding to a variance of the resolution time of the second logic circuit resolving from the metastable state to the stable state for cycles of the clock signal. The resolution time randomly varies according to noise. An actual value of the stable state is eliminated as factor in generating the random bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Wayne P. Burleson, Vikram Belur Suresh
  • Patent number: 8911760
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to copolymers having one or more polyisobutylene segments and one or more biodegradable polymer segments, to methods of making such copolymers, to medical articles that contain such copolymers, and to methods of making such medical articles. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise a plurality of polyisobutylene segments and a plurality of biodegradable polymer segments. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise urethane linkages, urea linkages, amide linkages, ester linkages, anhydride linkages, carbonate linkages, linkages commonly described as “click” chemistry linkages, and combinations of two or more types of such linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., The University of Massachusetts Lowell
    Inventors: Mark Boden, Marlene C. Schwarz, Frederick H. Strickler, Rudolf Faust, Umaprasana Ojha, Tomoya Higashihara
  • Patent number: 8906284
    Abstract: A wrinkled adhesive surface is prepared by swelling a laterally confined elastomer layer with a polymerizable monomer composition. Swelling the elastomer layer spontaneously produces a wrinkled surface, and the wrinkles are then stabilized by polymerizing the polymerizable monomer composition. The stabilized wrinkled surfaces prepare by the method can exhibit substantially enhanced adhesion relative to smooth surfaces of the same material. The stabilized wrinkled surfaces can also exhibit adhesion that is repeatable through many cycles of contact with and separation from another surface. The adhesive characteristics of the stabilized wrinkled surfaces can be tailored by manipulating the size of the wrinkles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Alfred J. Crosby, Edwin P. Chan, Ryan C. Hayward
  • Patent number: 8883919
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymeric composite comprising a first organic polymer that forms a first organic polymer phase; and a low molecular weight compound that exists in the form of a second crystalline phase; wherein the second crystalline phase is dispersed within the first organic polymer phase. Disclosed herein too is a polymeric composite comprising a first organic polymer that forms a first organic polymer phase; and a second phase that comprises a crystalline organic polymer, wherein the crystalline organic polymer has a different molecular structure from the first organic polymer; wherein the second phase is not covalently bonded to the first organic polymer phase and wherein the second phase has an average particle size of about 1 to about 20 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Alan J. Lesser, Thomas J. McCarthy, Joonsung Yoon, Onur S. Yordem
  • Patent number: 8766179
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrospray ionization source that provides improved temperature control compared to prior sources. A combination of a continuous flow sample design and the use of a long heat shield combine to improve thermal control and reduce memory effects observed with prior designs. The temperature-controlled source is particularly useful for the study of biomolecules, particularly the study of protein aggregation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Igor A. Kaltashov, Guanbo Wang, Rinat R. Abzalimov
  • Publication number: 20140175579
    Abstract: A nanopatterned surface is prepared by forming a block copolymer film on a miscut crystalline substrate, annealing the block copolymer film, then reconstructing the surface of the annealed block copolymer film The method creates a well-ordered array of voids in the block copolymer film that is maintained over a large area. The nanopatterned block copolymer films can be used in a variety of different applications, including the fabrication of high density data storage media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Thomas P. Russell, Soojin Park, Ting Xu
  • Patent number: 8753818
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of identifying an individual that has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or is at risk of developing ALS comprising detecting one or more alterations in a profilin 1 (PFN1) sequence of an individual in need thereof compared to a wild type profilin sequence. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of identifying an individual that has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or is at risk of developing ALS comprising selectively sequencing a profilin 1 (PFN1) sequence of an individual in need thereof; and detecting one or more alterations in the PFN1 sequence of the individual. If the one or more alterations are detected then the individual has ALS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: John E. Landers, Robert H. Brown
  • Patent number: 8652640
    Abstract: The present invention includes an article of manufacture or device, or related system, comprising a heterogeneous surface for selective analyte sensing or separation. Such an article can comprise a surface member and a plurality of spaced components extending therefrom and coupled thereto, such a surface member and spaced components providing a surface heterogeneity selected from different electrostatic interactions, different non-electrostatic interactions and a combination of such interactions, such that the interactions are at least partially sufficient for selective analyte interaction and/or separation. Each such component extension can be of a nanometer dimension about the Debye length of a medium comprising an analyte particle exposed to such a surface. An analyte particle, optionally of a mixture of particles, can be dimensioned from about 30 nm to 20 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Maria M. Santore, Jun Zhang, Vincent Rotello
  • Patent number: 8581272
    Abstract: A nanopatterned surface is prepared by forming a block copolymer film on a miscut crystalline substrate, annealing the block copolymer film, then reconstructing the surface of the annealed block copolymer film. The method creates a well-ordered array of voids in the block copolymer film that is maintained over a large area. The nanopatterned block copolymer films can be used in a variety of different applications, including the fabrication of high density data storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: The University of Massachusetts, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas P. Russell, Soojin Park, Ting Xu
  • Patent number: 8580754
    Abstract: A process is provided of introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo. The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure. Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical. The present invention is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Carnegie Institution of Washington, The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Andrew Z. Fire, Stephen A. Kostas, Mary K. Montgomery, Lisa Timmons, SiQun Xu, Hiroaki Tabara, Samuel E. Driver, Craig C. Mello
  • Publication number: 20130253140
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymeric composite comprising a first organic polymer that forms a first organic polymer phase; and a low molecular weight compound that exists in the form of a second crystalline phase; wherein the second crystalline phase is dispersed within the first organic polymer phase. Disclosed herein too is a polymeric composite comprising a first organic polymer that forms a first organic polymer phase; and a second phase that comprises a crystalline organic polymer, wherein the crystalline organic polymer has a different molecular structure from the first organic polymer; wherein the second phase is not covalently bonded to the first organic polymer phase and wherein the second phase has an average particle size of about 1 to about 20 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Alan J. Lesser, Thomas J. McCarthy, Joonsung Yoon, Onur S. Yordem
  • Patent number: 8519074
    Abstract: Polymers including pendent hydrophobic groups and pendent proton transfer groups are shown to form nanostructured films exhibiting greatly increased proton conductivity compared with films prepared from corresponding polymers lacking hydrophobic groups. The polymers can include repeating units each of which has both a hydrophobic group and a proton transfer group. Alternatively, the polymers can be the product of copolymerizing a first monomer with at least one hydrophobic group and a second monomer with at least one proton transfer group. The polymers are useful for the preparation of fuel cell proton exchange membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Massachusettes
    Inventors: Sankaran Thayumanavan, Mark Tuominen, Ryan Hayward
  • Patent number: 8518837
    Abstract: Nanopatterned surfaces are prepared by a method that includes forming a block copolymer film on a substrate, annealing and surface reconstructing the block copolymer film to create an array of cylindrical voids, depositing a metal on the surface-reconstructed block copolymer film, and heating the metal-coated block copolymer film to redistribute at least some of the metal into the cylindrical voids. When very thin metal layers and low heating temperatures are used, metal nanodots can be formed. When thicker metal layers and higher heating temperatures are used, the resulting metal structure includes nanoring-shaped voids. The nanopatterned surfaces can be transferred to the underlying substrates via etching, or used to prepare nanodot- or nanoring-decorated substrate surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Thomas P. Russell, Soojin Park, Jia-Yu Wang, Bokyung Kim