Patents Assigned to The University of Nottingham
  • Patent number: 7785617
    Abstract: An open porous matrix of particulate material for in vivo use in or on a target tissue in medicine, the matrix comprising particles cross-linked with one another so as to define pores there between and uses therefor are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Kevin Morris Shakesheff, Aliasger Karimjee Salem
  • Patent number: 7644733
    Abstract: A duct (10) for transporting a two phase mixture has a length portion of circular cross-section (12) leading, via a transition zone (14) in which the duct cross-section changes from circular to lobed, to a zone in which its cross-section exhibits at least one lobe (16) extending helically around and along the duct. The duct has a cross-sectional area which is substantially constant, or which progressively increases, over the transition zone. The transition from circular to lobed cross-section is alternatively smooth and continuous, and the transition zone occupies a duct length in which the or each lobe becomes relocated by at least one position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Trevor Frank Jones, Jeyakumar Ganeshalingham, Benjamin Raylor
  • Patent number: 7566436
    Abstract: A mixing reactor for mixing efficiently streams of fluids of differing densities. In a preferred embodiment, one of the fluids is supercritical water, and the other is an aqueous salt solution. Thus, the reactor enables the production of metal oxide nanoparticles as a continuous process, without any risk of the reactor blocking due to the inefficient mixing inherent in existing reactor designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Edward Henry Lester, Barry James Azzopardi
  • Patent number: 7533775
    Abstract: This application concerns the separation of fine granular mixtures that may occur when the grains are suitably vibrated within fluid. In particular, the present invention provides a method of separating a particulate mixture comprising different particle types, comprising subjecting a supported particle bed comprising a fluid and said particulate mixture to a vibration thereby to effect separation of the particulate mixture into strata each of which is preferentially rich in substantially one particle type. Apparatus for effecting the above method also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Peter John King, Michael Robert Swift, Nasreen Burtally
  • Patent number: 7491387
    Abstract: A method of disinfection of livestock is provided. The method comprises administering at least one bacteriophage in an effective amount to said livestock to reduce the number of Campylobacter spp present in the gastro-intestinal tract of said livestock. The bacteriophage are selected from CP8 (NCIMB Accession No. 41184) and CP34 (NCIMB Accession No. 41185).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventor: Ian Frank Connerton
  • Patent number: 7476829
    Abstract: A method of microwave pre treatment of a multi-phase material (200) prior to a subsequent operation on the material (200). The material (200) having a first phase of material and a second phase of material. The method comprises heating the material electromagnetically, preferably with microwaves (202), to produce a power density of at least 109 Wm?3 in a continuous process in which the material (200) moves into and through an electromagnetic, preferably microwave, treatment area (212). The material (200) experiences exposure to microwaves (202), in the treatment area (212) for a time of the order of ½ second or less before the material (200) is passed out of the treatment area (212) for subsequent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventor: Samuel William Kingman
  • Patent number: 7470427
    Abstract: Non-leguminous crops, e.g. wheat, maize and rice, do not form nodules and are dependant for their nutrition on fixed nitrogen from the soil, or from chemical/nitrogenous fertilizers. The present invention provides non-leguminous plants and leguminous plants, including legumes that fail to nodulate with Rhizobia, with bacteria that enable them to fix nitrogen endophytically. Therefore, the plants contain nitrogen fixing bacteria the bacteria being located intacellularly in living plant cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventor: Edward Charles Daniel Cocking
  • Publication number: 20080267930
    Abstract: A method of producing a reprogrammed cell or reprogrammed cell nucleus, comprising exposing a differentiated cell, or the nucleus of a differentiated cell to a cell or cell extract thereof derived from an oocyte, egg, ovary or early embryo of a cold blooded vertebrate, wherein the cold blooded vertebrate has one or more of the following properties: (i) a primitive vertebrate body plan including laterally projecting ribs and/or spinal projections; (ii) germ cells which do not contain germ plasm; and/or (iii) the oocyte, egg, ovary or early embryo cell or cell from which the cell extract is derived, expresses a highly conserved form of Oct-4 and/or nanog. There is also provided uses of the reprogrammed cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Andrew Johnson, Keith Campbell, Ramiro Alberio
  • Patent number: 7142308
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a sample are provided. The method can include the steps of: (i) irradiating the sample with a beam of radiation in which at least some of the radiation results in the excitation of surface waves, (ii) exciting surface waves which are confined to an area having a principal dimension comparable to the wavelength of the surface waves, (iii) detecting radiation which includes radiation produced by the surface waves, and (iv) analyzing the detected radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Michael Geoffrey Somekh, Chung Wah See
  • Patent number: 6855329
    Abstract: The invention provides a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer article having a surface wherein a biologically active ligand is provided on said surface in a spatially controlled pattern. The pattern may be formed using a poly(dimethyl siloxane) mold. The biologically active ligand may be attached to the polymer article by a biotin-avidin-biotin linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Kevin Shakesheff, Nikin Patel, Scott M. Cannizzaro, Robert S. Langer
  • Patent number: 6762827
    Abstract: An optical endoscopic fluid flow measurement probe assembly is disclosed having a user end and a distal end. The distal end having a light sheet generator and at least one reflected light acquirer, and the endoscope is provided with transmission means to transmit information away from the distal end. The light sheet generator is adapted in use to generate a sheet of light and the light acquirer being adapted to image light reflected from the light sheet, the light sheet generator and light acquirer being provided in the same endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Abdelwahab Aroussi, Mohamed Menacer
  • Patent number: 6683071
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the initiation of oestrus and ovulation early postpartum, especially but not exclusively, in dairy cows which comprises supplying a prostaglandin post partum and subsequently treating with a progesterone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignees: The University of Nottingham, Milk Development Council
    Inventor: George Eric Lamming
  • Patent number: 6602905
    Abstract: Compounds having anti-fibrotic effects are provided. Also provided is a method for treating disorders, diseases or conditions associated with pathological fibrotic states. The compounds useful in the present invention are homocysteine thiolactone and selected derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Sheila Margaret Gardiner, Terence Bennett, Barrie Walsham Bycroft, David Idris Pritchard, Paul Williams
  • Patent number: 6158237
    Abstract: Heat transfer apparatus comprises a refrigeration assembly having a low pressure region and a high pressure region. The apparatus may also include a power generation assembly connected to the refrigeration assembly between the low and high pressure regions. The refrigeration assembly and the power generation assembly are so arranged that refrigerant in the high pressure region can be passed through the power generation assembly to the low pressure region of the refrigeration assembly. Power may be generated by the power generation assembly on passage therethrough of the refrigerant. The apparatus may also include an absorption region comprising a piston and cylinder, ejector cycles in combination with absorption cycles, fibre heat exchanges, vortex tubes, and one embodiment comprises lamp or a torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Saffa Bashir Riffat, Ian William Eames
  • Patent number: 6143784
    Abstract: A method of reducing muscle fatigue during exercise or for treating chronic heart failure, the method comprising increasing the concentration of TCA cycle intermediates in the muscle mitochondria by the administration of pyruvate to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Paul Leonard Greenhaff, Elizabeth Jane Simpson, Dumitru Constantin-Teodosiu
  • Patent number: 5969158
    Abstract: A compound having formula (1) for use as a medicament wherein n is 2 or 3; Y is O, S or NH; X is O, S or NH; and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl or acyl which may be substituted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Barrie Walsham Bycroft, Herbert Fitzgerald Sewell, Gordon Sydney Anderson Birnie Stewart, Paul Williams
  • Patent number: 5968900
    Abstract: Compositions herein increased creatine retention and/or glycogen storage in muscle. A composition comprises creatine or its derivative and a carbohydrate or its derivative. The carbohydrate is in an amount by weight which is greater than the amount of creatine. The amount of carbohydrate and the amount of creatine are effective for increasing creatine retention and/or glycogen storage in muscle. The compositions may be in the form of a pharmaceutical or a dietary supplement and are intended for use in the human or animal body. Other compositions comprise creatine or an active derivative together with insulin or an active derivative. The amount of creatine and the amount of insulin are effective for increasing creatine retention and/or glycogen storage in muscle. The compositions including creatine and insulin may further contain a carbohydrate or its derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Paul Leonard Greenhaff, Allison Lesley Green, Ian Andrew MacDonald, Eric Hultman
  • Patent number: 5776974
    Abstract: A compound having formula (1) for use as a medicament wherein n is 2 or 3; Y is O, S or NH; X is O, S or NH; and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl or acyl which may be substituted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Barrie Walsham Bycroft, Herbert Fitzgerald Sewell, Gordon Sydney Anderson Birnie Stewart, Paul Williams
  • Patent number: 5593827
    Abstract: The compound N-(.beta.-ketocaproyl)L-homoserine lactone is shown to be an autoinducer that enhances gene expression in a wide variety of microorganisms. Use can be made of this property for diagnostic purposes, e.g., when gene expression causes bioluminescence or antibiotic production, or to promote bacterial growth. The invention claims use for these purposes of the compound and analogs of formula (I) where n is 2 or 3, each of X and Y is O, S or NH, and R is optionally-substituted C1-C12 alkyl or acyl. Some of these are also claimed as new compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Barrie W. Bycroft, Paul Williams, Gordon S. A. B. Stewart, Siri R. Chhabra, Paul Stead, Michael K. Winson, Philip J. Hill, Catherine E. D. Rees, Nigel J. Bainton
  • Patent number: 5389373
    Abstract: A process for preparing an oil-in-water emulsion of a drug which is poorly soluble in water wherein the drug (e.g. amphotericin B) is dissolved in a solution of high or low pH prior to the formation of the drug emulsion. The solution of high pH is preferably a 0.5M solution of sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide and the solution of low pH is preferably a 0.5M solution of hydrochloric acid. The process comprises the steps of (a) dissolving the drug in a solution of high or low pH, (b) adding the resulting solution to a pre-formed emulsion, (c) adding to the emulsion an amount of an acid, base or buffer appropriate to neutralise at least substantially the product of step (b), and (d) where an acid or base is added in step (c), optionally adding sufficient buffer to adjust the pH of the product of step (c) to a desired value. A drug emulsion made by the process is also provided, in which the drug is primarily associated with the oil droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Stanley S. Davis, Clive Washington