Patents Assigned to University College London
  • Mixed flow pump
    Patent number: 6595746
    Abstract: A highly efficient mixed flow pump can prevent flow separation which is likely to occur in a corner portion of a flow passage of a diffuser section. The mixed flow pump includes a casing having an axis and defining an impeller section and a diffuser section disposed downstream of the impeller section with stationary diffuser blades protruding from a hub. The diffuser blades are formed so that an angular difference, between a hub blade angle and a casing blade angle, is chosen to conform to a specific distribution pattern along a flow passage of the diffuser section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, University College London
    Inventors: Akira Goto, Kosuke Ashihara, Takaki Sakurai, Masatoshi Suzuki, Mehrdad Zangeneh
  • Spectrum processing and processor
    Patent number: 6526299
    Abstract: An elastic scattering spectrum taken from human tissue is taken and preprocessed by dividing the absorption spectrum into a plurality of wavelength ranges and fitting the measured absorption spectrum to the absorption of predetermined absorption components in some fitting ranges and to a smooth function, such as a straight line, in the remainder of the fitting ranges. The absorption components may include, for example, haemoglobin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: University College London
    Inventor: David Pickard
  • CD25 binding molecules
    Patent number: 6521230
    Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to the CD25 antigen are characterized by the amino acid sequence of their hypervariable regions. Initially produced in murine form, they may be converted to chimeric or humanized forms, immunoconjugates or antibody fragments (generally described as binding molecules). The products are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of transplant rejection, paticularly in combination with other antibodies to activated T-cells, for example CD7 antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignees: Novartis AG, University College London
    Inventors: Peter Lloyd Amlot, Arne Nalpon Akbar, Günther Heinrich, Salvatore Cammisuli
  • Helically wound reinforcing components for flexible tubular conduits
    Patent number: 6516833
    Abstract: This invention relates to flexible tubular conduits or pipes particularly in situations where the conduits need to withstand relatively high pressures. In such cases, the conduits are reinforced by helically wound armor which is compliant in flexure, and profiled to allow each subsequent turn to interlock with the previous turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: University College London
    Inventors: Joel Aaron Witz, Raymond Nicholas Burke
  • Turbomachinery impeller
    Patent number: 6508626
    Abstract: Disclosed is an impeller for a turbomachine. The impeller comprises a hub, full blades equidistantly disposed on the hub in a circumferential direction, and a splitter blade disposed between each adjacent two of the full blades. The splitter blade is shaped in such a way that a spanwise distribution of a pitchwise position of a leading edge of the splitter blade is determined according to a spanwise and pitchwise non-uniformity distribution of fluid velocity of a fluid flowing into the splitter blade, whereby a non-dimensional circumferential position of a leading edge of the splitter blade varies in a spanwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, University College of London
    Inventors: Takaki Sakurai, Hideomi Harada, Kosuke Ashihara, Mehrdad Zangeneh, Akira Goto
  • Eukaryotic gene expression cassette and uses thereof
    Publication number: 20030008836
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expression cassette comprising, operably linked, (i) a myosin light chain enhancer, (ii) a promoter selected from a myosin heavy chain promoter and a viral promoter and (iii) a polynucleotide sequence of interest. The expression cassette can be used in methods of medical treatment and vaccination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: University College London
    Inventor: Geoffrey Goldspink
  • Modified human chorionic gonadotropin (&bgr;-hCG) proteins and their medical use
    Patent number: 6469139
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modified human chorionic gonadotropin (&bgr;-hCG) proteins and their medical use as immunological contragestatives. The modification causes a reduction in the cross-reactivity of the modified &bgr;-hCG protein with luteinizing hormone (LH) as defined by the ability of both proteins to react with the same antibody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: University College London
    Inventors: Ivan Maurice Roitt, Peter John Delves, Torben Lund
  • Spectrum processing and processor
    Publication number: 20020137993
    Abstract: An elastic scattering spectrum taken from human tissue is taken and preprocessed by dividing the absorption spectrum into a plurality of wavelength ranges and fitting the measured absorption spectrum to the absorption of predetermined absorption components in some fitting ranges and to a smooth function, such as a straight line, in the remainder of the fitting ranges. The absorption components may include, for example, haemoglobin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: University College London
    Inventor: David Pickard
  • Anticoagulant peptide fragments derived from apolipoprotein B-100
    Patent number: 6444644
    Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide compound of formula Z1—K—A—Q—X1—K—K—N—K—H—R—H—S—X2—T—Z2 (SEQ ID NO:1) where: X1 represents S or Y, X2 represents T or I, Z1 represents the N terminus of the peptide, or from 1 to 47 amino acids, Z2 represents the C terminus of the peptide, a terminal amide group, or from 1 to 77 amino acids; or a variant of this peptide which contains one or more internal deletions, insertions or substitutions and which substantially retains anti-coagulant properties of apoB-100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: University College London
    Inventors: Karl Richard Bruckdorfer, Camille Ettelaie
  • Methods of treatment using CD25 binding molecules
    Patent number: 6383487
    Abstract: Novel monoclonal antibodies to the CD25 antigen are characterized by the amino acid sequence of their hypervariable regions. Initially produced in murine form, they may be converted to chimeric or humanized forms, immunoconjugates or antibody fragments (generally described as binding molecules). The products are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of transplant rejection, paticularly in combination with other antibodies to activated T-cells, for example CD7 antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: Novartis AG, University College London
    Inventors: Peter Lloyd Amlot, Arne Nalpon Akbar, Günther Heinrich, Salvatore Cammisuli
  • Glucose responsive &bgr;-cell line
    Patent number: 6372501
    Abstract: The present invention provides an immortalized insulin producing human &bgr;-cell which may be rendered glucose responsive by suitable bioengineering methods. The invention also provides a method for producing an immortalized glucose responsive insulin producing human &bgr;-cell comprising the steps of selecting an unregulated immortalized human insulin secreting &bgr;-cell, transecting said selected cell line with elements for the genetic control of glucose responsiveness and proliferating said transfected &bgr;-cell accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: Aberdeen University, The University of Sheffield, The University of Leicester, University College London
    Inventors: Albert Aynsley-Green, Keith Lindley, Kevin Docherty, Mark Dunne, Wendy MacFarlane, Roger Frank Lever James
  • Device for use in tying knots
    Patent number: 6358259
    Abstract: A thread guide device is provided which is adapted to be removably or fixedly mounted on the distal end of an endoscope, or which is an integral part thereof. Alternatively, the device may comprise a head joined to the distal end of an elongate example in the form of longitudinally extending passages, which are laterally spaced from one another. The device permits a knot formed by threads which have passed through the thread guides to be viewed by the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: University College London
    Inventors: Paul Swain, Feng Gong, Geoffrey John Brown, Timothy Noel Mills
  • Tissue implant
    Patent number: 6306169
    Abstract: A biomechanical implant is described which comprises at least two matrix components, the first matrix component being composed of collagen with a porous macrostructure with the ability to withstand tensile or shear forces, the second matrix component being a hydrated alginate gel which substantially fills the porous macrostructure of the first component and exerts a swelling pressure, the implant additionally comprising a population of cells comprising chondrocytes, fibrochondrocytes, fibroblasts or osteoblasts, or precursors thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignees: Abonetics Ltd., University College London
    Inventors: David Alan Lee, Daniel Lawrence Bader, Myra Deborah Stephens
  • HSV strain lacking functional ICP27 and ICP34.5 genes
    Patent number: 6248320
    Abstract: The present invention provides a herpes simplex virus strain which lacks a functional ICP34.5 gene and a functional ICP27 gene. It also provides the use of a herpes simplex virus strain which lacks a functional ICP34.5 gene and a functional ICP27 gene in the treatment of disorders of, or injuries to, the nervous system of a mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignees: University College London, The University Court of the University of Glasgow
    Inventors: Robert Stuart Coffin, David Seymour Latchman, Alasdair Roderick Maclean, Suzanne Moira Brown
  • Method of treating muscular disorders
    Patent number: 6221842
    Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising particular isoforms of human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). An isofoim of the invention is an IGF-I polypeptide corresponding to the mechanical-stimulation-specific, stretch-inducible IGF-I isoform present in stretched rabbit EDL muscle, the polypeptide comprising peptides encoded by IGF-I exons 4, 5 and 6 when transcribed in the reading frame of the stretched rabbit EDL muscle isoform and the polypeptide having the ability to induce growth of muscle tissue. The isoforms of the invention have utility in treating muscular disorders, especially muscular dystrophy. Methods of treatment of such muscular disorders in humans and animals with the isoforms of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: University College London
    Inventor: Geoffrey Goldspink
  • Device for use in the eye
    Patent number: 6186974
    Abstract: A glaucoma filtration implant is constituted by a generally tubular body section having an oblong external diameter formed of a continuous convex curve. The device preferably has flow resistance structure provided by a portion of the internal lumen having a reduced diameter. The flow resistance structure may have a length of up to 5000 &mgr;m and a diameter in the range 15 to 50 &mgr;m, the diameter being selected so as to achieve a pressure drop along the flow resistance structure in the range 5 to 15 mm Hg. The internal conduit for liquid flow also may include a removable flow inhibitor, which can be removed after implantation by a laser, such as an ophthalmic YAG laser. The device is made of biocompatible materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust
    Inventors: Bruce Duncan Samuel Allan, Andrew Victor Graham Muir, Stephen Alister Jones
  • Reduced logMAR visual acuity test chart
    Patent number: 6142631
    Abstract: An improved visual acuity chart is disclosed. The ratio of the size of the optotypes of neighbouring lines on the chart is a constant and preferably the size decrement between lines is 0.1 logMAR. Each line of optotypes has two, three or four optotypes, preferably three. Crowding bars for visual acuity charts are also disclosed. These bars are spaced from the ends of row and/or above and below the top and bottom lines. The individual bars may be joined together with linking sections. The spacing form the optotypes is preferably one half the width or height of the optotypes and their breadth is preferably that of the strokes of the optotypes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: University College London, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust
    Inventors: Ian E. Murdoch, D. Allstair H. Laidlaw, Dan A. Rosser, Fred W. Fitzke
  • Multiple sclerosis virus
    Patent number: 6136528
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide in substantially isolated form comprising a sequence of nucleotides which is capable of selectively hybridizing to the genome of the human multiple sclerosis virus (HMSV) or the complement thereof, wherein HMSV is characterized by:(i) a positive stranded RNA genome;(ii) said genome comprising one or more open reading frames (ORF) encoding protein(s) or polyprotein(s);(iii) said genome encoding a reverse transcriptase enzyme; and(v) said genome comprising nucleotide sequences which are homologous to or selectively hybridizable with any one of the nucleotide sequences illustrated in SEQ ID NOS:1 to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignees: University College London, Biomerieux S.A.
    Inventors: Jeremy Garson, Philip Tuke
  • Hormone and growth factor phosphoglycokine mimetics from mycobacterium
    Patent number: 6106822
    Abstract: A hormone or growth factor mimetic second messenger is derived from a microorganism of the genus Mycobacterium, suitably M. vaccae. The mimetic second messenger may mimic the action of insulin, ACTH, NGF, EGF, FGF, TGF.beta. or HGF. Further, methods of treating type I or type II diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, central nervous system damage, hepatic damage, alcohol abuse, drug sensitivity, tissue damage, adrenal atrophy, etc., are also disclosed. The methods are carried out by administering the mimetic second messenger to a patient in need thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: University College of London
    Inventors: Thomas W. Rademacher, Hugo N. Caro, Graham A. W. Rook
  • Gel-matrix electrophoresis
    Patent number: 6071396
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoresis gel-matrix layer, usually adhered upon a support plate, having two mutually opposite ends for application of an electrophoresis voltage thereto, an exposed major surface extending between the two ends, and a plurality of wells in the thickness of the layer and open at the said exposed surface, wherein the wells are arranged in a plurality of rows each extending transversely of the end-to-end direction of the layer and the wells in successive rows are progressively offset in the transverse direction whereby electrophoresis tracks obtained from wells of one row will pass, if extended so far, between wells of at least one other row and tracks obtained therefrom. The invention also provides a method of making, and a method of using, such a gel-matrix layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: University College London
    Inventor: Ian Nicholas Monsarratt Day