Patents Assigned to Trustees of Tufts College
  • Patent number: 11121334
    Abstract: A field effect transistor having a channel that comprises three-dimensional graphene foam. The subject matter of the invention concerns a three dimensional field-effect transistor having a channel based on graphene foam and the use of ionic liquid as a gate. The graphene foam is made of a three-dimensional network of single and double layer graphene that extends in all the three dimensions. Metal contacts on either end of the graphene foam form the drain and source contacts of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Sameer Sonkusale, Shideh Kabiri Ameri Abootorabi, Pramod Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 11110148
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffolds described herein can be adjusted as to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue. Accordingly, methods for engineering of 3-dimensional tissue, e.g. bone and cartilage, using the silk fibroin scaffold material are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Trustees of Tufts College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David L. Kaplan, Rina Sears, Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Lorenz Meinel
  • Publication number: 20210268500
    Abstract: Articles and methods involving fluidic devices are generally provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic device comprises a first layer comprising first and second regions that are disconnected from each other in the first layer and a second layer comprising a channel in fluidic communication with the first and second regions. The device may also comprise a third layer comprising a channel in fluidic communication with the first and second regions. One or more portions of a channel and/or one or more reagents may comprise reagent. In some embodiments, a method comprises flowing two or more fluid samples towards each other through a channel. The fluids may meet at an interface and/or may react at an interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Daniel J. Wilson, Charles R. Mace
  • Patent number: 11103686
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating microneedle arrays capable of delivering a suitable drug dosages to subjects are provided. In one aspect, a method comprises creating at least one forming mold using laser ablation in a cross-over line pattern. The method further comprises casting a first material onto the at least one forming mold to create at least one microneedle mold. The method further comprises casting a second material onto the at least one microneedle mold to create at least one hollow microneedle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Hojatollah Rezaei Nejad, Aydin Sadeqi, Sameer Sonkusale
  • Publication number: 20210263027
    Abstract: Articles and methods involving fluidic devices are generally provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic device comprises a first layer comprising a central region in fluidic communication with an environment external to the fluidic device. The first layer may also comprise a first channel and a second channel in fluidic communication with the central region and extending radially outwards therefrom. The first and second channels may comprises first and second sample regions from which first and second samples can be removed from the fluidic device. In some embodiments, a fluidic device comprises a first layer and a second, filtration layer configured to separate blood cells from plasma positioned between the environment external to the fluidic device and the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Charles R. Mace, Jessica C. Brooks, Syrena C. Fernandes, Keith Baillargeon
  • Patent number: 11096924
    Abstract: Disclosed are combination therapies including administration of I-DASH inhibitors and PGE2 antagonists, and the use of such therapies in the treatment of cell proliferative diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: William W. Bachovchin, Hung-sen Lai, Wengen Wu
  • Patent number: 11099210
    Abstract: A method of carrying out sub-resonant tapping in an atomic force microscope includes causing a probe that is disposed above a sample to be translated in a direction parallel to a horizontal plane defined by the sample and to oscillate in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane about an equilibrium line that is separated from the horizontal plane by a vertical offset. As a result, the probe repeatedly taps a surface of the sample. Each tap begins with a first contact of the probe on the surface followed by a progressive increase in force exerted by the sample on the probe until a peak force is attained. The vertical offset is controlled by relying at least in part on a feature other than the peak force as a basis for controlling the vertical offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Piers Echols-Jones, William C. Messner, Igor Sokolov
  • Patent number: 11091563
    Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are provided for treating a subject exposed to or at risk for exposure to a disease agent using a pharmaceutical composition including at least one recombinant heteromultimeric neutralizing binding protein including two or multiple binding regions, such that the binding regions are not identical, and each binding region specifically binds a non-overlapping portion of the disease agent, thereby treating the subject for exposure to the disease agent. In a related embodiment, the heteromultimeric neutralizing binding protein includes two or multiple binding regions that neutralize a plurality of disease agents. In certain embodiments, the disease agent includes a bacterium, a bacterial protein, a virus, a viral protein, a cancer cell, and a protein or molecule produced therefrom. In certain embodiments, the disease agent is a plurality of different disease agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: Charles B. Shoemaker, Hanping Feng
  • Patent number: 11090702
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to remediation of contaminated environmental sites. In particular, the present disclosure relates to passive control compositions and their use in remediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: C. Andrew Ramsburg, Christopher S. Martin, Katherine A. Muller
  • Patent number: 11076950
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrolarynx devices, systems, and their use. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and compositions (e.g., devices) that provide electrolarynx (EL) users with improved speech quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: Karen Panetta, Chiamaka Chima, Paul Lehrman
  • Publication number: 20210221874
    Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are provided for treating a subject exposed to or at risk for exposure to a disease agent, methods, compositions and kits having a pharmaceutical composition including at least one recombinant binding protein or a source of expression of the binding protein, wherein the binding protein neutralizes at least one or a plurality of disease agents that are toxins, for example at least one of a Botulinum toxin or an Anthrax toxin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventor: CHARLES B. SHOEMAKER
  • Patent number: 11065339
    Abstract: Disclosed are proteasome inhibitors, fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-activated prodrugs of proteasome inhibitors, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the inhibitors and prodrugs. Also disclosed are related pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using the inhibitors and prodrugs and compositions thereof, for example, in treating cancer or other cell proliferative diseases. In vitro and in vivo methods of quantifying the expression of FAP in a biopsy sample and a mammal, respectively, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: William W. Bachovchin, Hung-sen Lai, Sarah E. Poplawski
  • Patent number: 11057991
    Abstract: Described herein are flexible and stretchable LED arrays and methods utilizing flexible and stretchable LED arrays. Assembly of flexible LED arrays alongside flexible plasmonic crystals is useful for construction of fluid monitors, permitting sensitive detection of fluid refractive index and composition. Co-integration of flexible LED arrays with flexible photodetector arrays is useful for construction of flexible proximity sensors. Application of stretchable LED arrays onto flexible threads as light emitting sutures provides novel means for performing radiation therapy on wounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Rak-Hwan Kim, Dae-Hyeong Kim, David L. Kaplan, Fiorenzo G. Omenetto
  • Patent number: 11046828
    Abstract: A macroporous polymeric hydrogel microsphere that contains poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan, and water. The hydrogel microsphere, having a diameter of 50-250 ?m and a mesh size of 5-100 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the microsphere based on a micromolding technique utilizing surface tension-induced droplet formation followed by photo-induced polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Hyunmin Yi, Sukwon Jung
  • Publication number: 20210188953
    Abstract: Provided are multicomponent heteromultimeric binding protein molecules, which comprise heavy-chain-only variable domains (VHH) that specifically bind and neutralize target disease-causing agents, e.g., toxin proteins, such as C. difficile toxin A and/or toxin B, or C. botulinum toxin A and/or toxin B. The multimeric or heteromultimeric VHH-based neutralizing agents are called VNA binding molecules. Also provided are polynucleotides which encode the VNA binding molecules. Compositions, methods and kits comprising such multimeric binding protein molecules and polynucleotides are provided for treating a subject who has been exposed to, or who is at risk of exposure to, such disease-causing agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventor: Charles B. Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 11026603
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a dielectric sensor configured to detect a physiological variable within a subject. The dielectric sensor having at least one split-ring resonator configured to be positioned within an oral cavity of the subject and to be bioresponsive to at least one physiological variable. The split-ring resonator having a first resonator loop, a second resonator loop, and a dielectric interlayer interposed between and contacting the first resonator and the second resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Fiorenzo G. Omenetto, Peter Tseng, Bradley Napier, Mark Brenckle, Logan Garbarini
  • Publication number: 20210155812
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides biologically-based ink compositions, methods of making the biologically-based ink composition, as well as articles, objects, devices, and/or apparatuses fabricated from or that comprise the biologically-based ink compositions. The biologically-based ink composition can include a silk fibroin solution having a concentration of silk fibroin between 0.1 wt % and 10 wt %, as well as a thickening agent and a humectant dispersed throughout the silk fibroin solution. The biologically-based ink compositions may be used to functionalize a substrate to fabricate sensors, non-toxic conductive inks/textiles, microfluidic channels, technical apparel or fashion accessories, functionalized furniture, tensile canopies, architectural wall paper, facade components, or may be patterned on a substrate to encapsulate scents, flavors, dyes and pigments, therapeutic agents, or biologically active molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Fiorenzo G. OMENETTO, Giuseppina MATZEU, Laia MOGAS SOLDEVILA
  • Publication number: 20210153755
    Abstract: A method is directed to continuously, non-invasively, and directly measuring blood pressure, and includes providing a calibrated measurement device having a blood-flow control balloon and a sensor array. The method further includes placing the sensor array in a non-invasive manner over the surface of a patch of skin connected to an artery by adjoining soft tissues and inflating the blood-flow control balloon with a controlled amount of pressure. In response to the inflating of the blood-flow control balloon, changes in the artery geometry and forces are detected, via the sensor array, during a heartbeat cycle. The changes correspond to spatio-temporal signals from the artery or in the adjoining soft tissues. The spatio-temporal signals are measured and processed, via a controller, to determine blood-pressure parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicants: Trustees of Tufts College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mandayam A. SRINIVASAN, Mohan THANIKACHALAM, Edward Howard ADELSON, Abhijit BISWAS
  • Patent number: 10993983
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are cyclic peptides that induce cellular autophagy and have significant cell penetration activity. Methods for inducing autophagy and thereby treating various diseases and conditions associated with impaired autophagy are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: Trustees of Tufts College, Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Joshua Kritzer, Beth Levine, Leila Peraro
  • Patent number: 10953053
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preventing, ameliorating, or treating a disease caused by a species of bacterial genus Vibrio, for example, cholera caused by V. cholerae, the compositions containing two or more strains of lytic bacteriophage that infect and kill Vibrio cells. The bacteriophage are virulent, which replicate intracellularly and lyse and kill the bacteria. Use of two or more strains in a single treatment, as a result of a rate of mutation of the bacteria to simultaneous resistance to all of the bacteriophage to be so low as to be negligible, reduces appearance of phage-resistant bacteria to statistical negligibility. Normal human microbial flora species were not affected. In alternative embodiments of the method and the composition, antibiotic agents or other treatment agents can be administered with a cocktail of the plurality of bacteriophage strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: Andrew Camilli, Lynne Cairns, Minmin Yen