Patents Assigned to Université Laval
  • Process for increasing the yield of lipid and omega-3 fatty acid in seaweed culture
    Publication number: 20060099694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for producing polyunsaturated fatty acids from algae. The method comprises the step of applying at least growth-limiting factor to an algae culture, causing growth arrest of said algae culture and production and stocking by algae in culture of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Applicants: Universite de Sherbrooke, Universite Laval, Rival S.E.C.
    Inventors: Rejean Tremblay, Fabrice Pernet, Edwin Bourget
  • Segmented waveguide array grating filters
    Patent number: 6999662
    Abstract: An optical device for filtering an optical signal is described. The optical filtering device comprises an optical input receiving the optical signal; an elongated waveguide connected to the input and having a modified transverse dimension to create a series of partially reflective segments having predetermined effective indices of refraction (neff) with a distribution within the waveguide to provide the filtering of the optical signal, wherein the segments are designed for single mode operation and wherein a reflected filtered output optical signal is generated, wherein the transverse dimension varies within a narrow range over which a transverse size of the mode remains close to its minimum value; an optical output connected to the waveguide for providing the filtered optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Université Laval
    Inventors: Michel A. Duguay, Étienne Grondin
  • Parallel manipulators with four degrees of freedom
    Patent number: 6997669
    Abstract: A manipulator for receiving and displacing an object, comprising a moving portion, adapted to receive the object. Four support legs each extend between the moving portion and a ground for supporting the moving portion. Each support leg is connected to the ground by a first joint, and with sequentially second, third, fourth and fifth joints connecting the first joints to the moving portion. The support legs are topologically equivalent to one another with respect to the joints. Each of the support legs has constraints in the joints operable to restrict movement of the moving portion to three translational degrees of freedom and one rotational degree of freedom. Actuators are each operatively connected to a different first joint for controlling the movement of the moving portion in any one of the four translational degrees of freedom. A method for controlling the movement of the moving portion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Université Laval
    Inventors: Xianwen Kong, Clément Gosselin
  • Segmented waveguide array gratings (SWAG)-based archival optical memory
    Patent number: 6993224
    Abstract: An archival waveguide memory device is provided and comprises a large number of elongated waveguides and a series of partially reflective elements distributed within each of the waveguides in accordance with data to be stored within the waveguides so as to act upon an input optical signal in each one of the waveguides and to generate a reflected output optical signal able to be uniquely correlated with the data. A method of recording data in a waveguide is also provided. A method of retrieving data stored in a waveguide is further provided and comprises injecting a pulsed optical signal in the waveguide, detecting a reflected output optical signal from the waveguide, and decoding a temporal variation in the reflected output optical signal to retrieve the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Université Laval
    Inventor: Michel A. Duguay
  • Chemotactic factor inhibitor for modulating inflammatory reactions
    Publication number: 20050288211
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for modulating, reducing or inhibiting, inflammatory reactions in a patient. Particularly, inflammatory reactions that are targeted by the present invention are cell migration, secretion of toxic products and proteolysis at a site of inflammation. Reduction of inflammation manifestations and reactions occurs by using an anti-S100 polynucleotide or polypeptide inhibitor or antagonist, which is essentially targeted against S100A8, S100A9 or S100A12, alone or in combination with other inhibitors of chemokines or immune modulating products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: Universite Laval
    Inventors: Philippe Tessier, Carle Ryckman, Karen Vandal, Pascal Rouleau
  • Combined therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease
    Publication number: 20050267085
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a pharmaceutical composition for treating the symptoms associated to Parkinson's disease. The method and the pharmaceutical composition use a combination of a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of DHEA or DHEA-S in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a dopamine precursor, such as levodopa. The present invention also concerns to the use of at least one of DHEA or DHEA-S in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a dopamine precursor to manufacture a medicament for treating a neurodegenerative diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
    Inventor: Therese Di Paolo
  • Method for enhancing yield of recombinant protein production from plants
    Publication number: 20050251885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the yield of recombinant protein produced in genetically transformed plants. The invention most particularly relates to a method for preventing the undesirable proteolysis of recombinant proteins after harvest of the plant, during processing of the products from the plants. Especially, this invention focuses on introducing protease inhibitors in plants to prevent undesirable proteolysis of recombinant proteins at the time of cell disruption during the extraction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
    Inventors: Dominique Michaud, Daniel Rivard, Raphael Anguenot, Sonia Trepanier, Louis-Philippe Vezina, France Brunelle
  • Bacteria strain and bacteriocin produced therefrom
    Publication number: 20050245443
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an isolated bacteriocin, Divergicin M35, derived form Carnobacterium divergens M35. It also concerns a composition comprising an effective amount of Divergicin M35 and the use of that bacteriocin to kill or limit the proliferation of a microorganism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicants: UNIVERSITE LAVAL, MINISTERE DE L'AGRICULTURE, DES PECHERIES ET DE L'ALIMENTATION
    Inventors: Ismail Fliss, Michel Desbiens, Christophe Lacroix, Imane Tahiri, Regis-Olivier Benech, Ehab Kheadr
  • Method for modeling the transport of ions in hydrated cement systems
    Patent number: 6959270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computational tool that allows to evaluate the degradation of cement-based materials under various types of chemical attacks such as sulfates, chlorides, and plain water. It is based on the physical principles of ionic mass conservation and chemical equilibrium between a solution and different solid phases. The effect of the dissolution or the precipitation of solid phases on the transport coefficients is considered. A method for determining an ion concentration in solution of at least two ions capable of undergoing transport in a cement-based material under a chemical attack and a solid phase profile for at least one component of said cement-based material is provided. A method for determining a diffusion coefficient for each of at least two ions capable of undergoing transport in a cement-based material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignees: Université Laval, SIMCO Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jacques Marchand, Eric Samson, Yannick Maltais
  • Deformable reflecting mirrors from metallic surface layers deposited on liquids
    Patent number: 6951398
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new type of reflective optical element made of a reflective metallic layer comprising reflecting nanoparticles deposited on a liquid surface. Metallic or non-metallic nanometer-sized particles are coated with a ligand. The coated particles are concentrated and deposited on the surface of a liquid where they self-assemble to give optical-quality high-reflectivity optical surfaces. Coating liquid surfaces with reflective layers allows one to make inexpensive and versatile high-quality mirrors. The surfaces of liquids can be shaped by a variety of techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Université Laval
    Inventors: Ermanno Borra, Anna Ritcey, Hélene Yockel-Lelièvre
  • Polyamine transport inhibitors
    Patent number: 6949679
    Abstract: The present invention describes the design, synthesis and therapeutic use of a variety of novel inhibitors of polyamine transport. The main feature of this class of transport inhibitors is to incorporate a linker or side chain that prevents the uptake of polyamines and helps to conjugate polyamine analogs to form dimers with high inhibitory potency against polyamine uptake. These new compounds incorporate features that are designed to maximize their chemical and metabolic stability and their ability to bind to the polyamine transporter, and to minimize their toxicity by preventing their absorption by the cells. The purpose of such inhibitors is to prevent the uptake or salvaging of circulating polyamines by rapidly proliferating cells such as tumor cells, in order to potentiate the effect of therapeutic inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis such as alpha-difluoromethylornithene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Universite Laval
    Inventors: Richard Poulin, Marie Audette, Rene Charest-Gaudrealt
  • Reflecting mirrors shaped with magnetic fields
    Patent number: 6945658
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new type of reflective optical element made of a fluid that responds to a force if subjected to a magnetic field. As a consequence, one can impose any shape one wants to the reflecting surface by generating an appropriate magnetic field geometry with permanent magnets, electromagnets or a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets, or the like. A preferred embodiment uses a ferromagnetic fluid made of water containing ferromagnetic nanoparticles. Liquid ferromagnetic surfaces thus obtained were successfully shaped using magnetic fields. In another preferred embodiment, to modify the reflectivity of the optical element, a reflective layer, such as a nano-engineered silver reflecting surface, is deposited on the surface of the magnetically sensitive fluid. The surface of the reflecting layer can therefore be warped by applying a magnetic field to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Université Laval
    Inventors: Ermanno Borra, Anna Ritcey, Philip R. Laird
  • Nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDASE 8) and uses thereof
    Publication number: 20050196798
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new ectohydroxynucleotidase, namely the NTPDasse8, which allows to regulate platelet aggregation or activation involved in the formation of thrombosis and related diseases. The nucleic acid sequence and the corresponding amino acid sequence and uses thereof are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
    Inventor: Jean Sevigny
  • Organo phosphatic fertilizer
    Publication number: 20050178177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an organo phosphatic fertilizer and to method for preparing the same. The method comprises treating, and optionally dehydrating, mixing it to a mineral fertilizer in a proportion of 40% to 90% of pig manure for 10 to 60% of mineral fertilizer and pelletizing the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
    Inventors: Leon-Etienne Parent, Suzanne Allaire, Lotfi Khiari, Antoine Karam
  • Method for selectively and sequentially extracting catechins from plant product
    Publication number: 20050176939
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for specifically and sequentially purifying catechins from a plant product. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for purifying EGC and EGCG from green tea leaves by sequential brewing at different brewing temperature and for specific infusion times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
    Inventors: Laurent Bazinet, David Labbe, Angelo Tremblay
  • Nicotinic receptor agonists for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
    Publication number: 20050130990
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of nicotine receptor agonists or analogues or derivatives thereof for treating inflammatory pulmonary diseases. Such agonists have fewer side effects than other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as steroids. Moreover, these agonists can be used alone or in combination with other anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pulmonary diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
    Inventors: Yvon Cormier, Evelyne Israel-Assayag, Marie-Renee Blanchet, Rene Gaudreault, Philippe Labrie
  • Method for synthesizing ectomycorrhiza in vitro
    Publication number: 20050132431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for colonizing a root-organ from a plant with a mycorrhizal fungus that is representative of the naturally process of colonization of plant roots by mycorrhizal fungi. The present invention also relates to the use of this method for studying in vitro the colonization of plant roots with a mycorrhizal fungus and to an in vitro model for studying the colonization of plant roots with a mycorrhizal fungus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
    Inventors: Andrew Coughlan, Yves Piche
  • Array receiver with subarray selection
    Patent number: 6907272
    Abstract: An array antenna system comprising an array of antenna elements and a receiver which uses a subset of the signals from the antenna elements, the selection of the subset of signals which should be used for a particular user is made on the basis of measurements of potential performance of the receiver with each subset of signals, combined, rather than of each individual signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Université Laval
    Inventor: Sebastien Joseph Armand Roy
  • Milk protein biofilm and uses thereof
    Publication number: 20050124062
    Abstract: A biofilm for preparing laminated tissue constructs comprising at least one milk protein forming a sheet like structure can be used to support at least one layer of cells adhered to that. The biofilm allows for a easy handling of cultured cell sheets that can be used as tissue graft. The biofilm, comprising milk proteins and at least one plasticizer, when adhered by a cell layer can form a laminated tissue construct for body tissue replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: Université Laval
    Inventors: Muriel Subirade, Mahmoud Rouabhia
  • Dual-wavelength passive self-modulated mode-locked semiconductor laser diode
    Patent number: 6868098
    Abstract: Method of generating laser pulses using a semiconductor laser diode as a lasing amplification medium of an extended laser cavity are presented. Passive self-modulated mode-locked operation of the semiconductor laser diode is achieved by providing an above lasing threshold direct current input current to the semiconductor laser diode while the semiconductor laser diode is operational in a slightly misaligned extended laser cavity favoring the amplification of wavelengths shorter than a center wavelength of a continuous wave operational mode of the semiconductor laser diode at threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Universite Laval
    Inventors: Michel Piché, Patrick Langlois