Patents Assigned to University of British Columbia (UBC)
  • Publication number: 20190307689
    Abstract: Transfection reagent composition, lipid nanoparticles prepared from the transfection reagent composition, kits that include the transfection reagent composition, and methods for making and using lipid nanoparticles prepared from the transfection reagent composition. Lipids when dispersed in aqueous media readily form liposomes, such as unilamellar vesicles and multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes have been used successfully to encapsulate and deliver a wide range of chemicals including nucleic acids, proteins and, small molecule drugs, to cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Euan Ramsay, R. James Taylor, Colin Walsh, Nathan M. Belliveau, Pieter R. Cullis, Timothy Leaver, Andre Wild
  • Patent number: 10429628
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for deep microscopic super resolution imaging use two independent and variable focal planes. Movements of fiducial markers imaged using one focal plane are monitored and used to provide real-time or near real-time correction for sample drift. A second focal plane may be used to collect light for super-resolution imaging of a sample. A prototype embodiment has produced low drift when imaging many microns deeper than the fiducial markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Keng C. Chou, Reza Tafteh
  • Patent number: 10426846
    Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides comprising an OLIG1 mini-promoters are provided. The mini-promoter may be operably linked to an expressible sequence, e.g. reporter genes, genes encoding a polypeptide of interest, guide RNA, regulatory RNA sequences such as miRNA, siRNA, anti-sense RNA, etc., and the like. The promoter may also be provided in a vector, for example in combination with an expressible sequence. The polynucleotides find use in a method of expressing a sequence of interest, e.g. for identifying or labeling cells, monitoring or tracking the expression of cells, gene therapy, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Elizabeth M. Simpson, Charles de Leeuw, Wyeth W. Wasserman, Daniel Goldowitz
  • Patent number: 10423736
    Abstract: A computer implemented method simulates the behavior of a gas-solid mixture in a fluidized bed having a particulate comprising Geldart group A particles using a Eulerian model comprising, for each time step (a current time step) and for each cell: obtaining an initial value of an agglomerate diameter corresponding to the cell and corresponding to the beginning of the current time step; performing a force-balance procedure for the cell to determine a first agglomerate diameter corresponding to the cell and corresponding to the current time step, wherein performing the force-balance procedure comprises determining a plurality of forces for the cell based at least in part on the initial value of the agglomerate diameter; updating one or more drag relationships for the current time step based at least in part on the first agglomerate diameter; and performing a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) solve procedure to determine, for the current time, the any one or more of: one or more of: a gas velocity {right arrow o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: John Grace, Amir Hossein Ahmadi-Motlagh, Martha Salcudean, Christine Hrenya
  • Patent number: 10421936
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for perfusing a cell with perfusion fluid are provided herein, wherein the gravitational forces acting on the cell to keep the cell at or near a retainer or a retaining position exceed the hydrodynamic forces acting on the cell to move it toward an outlet. Also provided, are methods for assaying cell products within the microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Carl L. G. Hansen, Veronique Lecault, James M. Piret, Anupam Singhal
  • Publication number: 20190282280
    Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicants: The University of British Columbia, British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch
    Inventors: Edward Scott Harshman, Steven Charles Dimmer, Daniel Reed Baker, David Thomas Stinson, Robert N. Meek, Robin John Noel Coope, Lok Tin Lam
  • Patent number: 10401241
    Abstract: Sensor arrays are provided for sensing pressure and/or moisture over a two-dimensional sensing surface. The sensor arrays comprise ionically conductive materials. Individual sensor elements in the sensor arrays may comprise piezoionic ionically conductive materials, piezoresistive ionically conductive materials and/or capacitive sensor elements having electrodes fabricated from ionically conductive materials. Two-dimensional pressure maps and/or moisture maps of the sensing surface may be obtained by implementing methods comprising scanning over individual sensor elements in the sensor arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: John Madden, Yuta Dobashi, Mirza Saquib Sarwar
  • Patent number: 10400266
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating, concentrating and/or detecting molecules based on differences in binding affinity to a probe are provided. The molecules may be differentially modified. The molecules may be differentially methylated nucleic acids. The methods can be used in fields such as epigenetics or oncology to selectively concentrate or detect the presence of specific biomolecules or differentially modified biomolecules, to provide diagnostics for disorders such as fetal genetic disorders, to detect biomarkers in cancer, organ failure, disease states, infection or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Andrea Marziali, Joel Pel, Jason Donald Thompson, Gosuke Shibahara
  • Patent number: 10403402
    Abstract: A system permits a medical practitioner to interact with medically relevant information during a medical procedure. The system comprises: a projector for projecting a user interface menu image onto a projection surface; a three-dimensional optical imaging system for capturing three-dimensional location information for objects in a sensing volume which includes the projection surface; and a controller connected to receive the three-dimensional location information from the three-dimensional optical imaging system and configured to interpret one or more gestures made by the practitioner in a space between the three-dimensional optical imaging system and the projection surface based on a location of the gesture relative to the projected user interface menu image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Nima Ziraknejad, Behrang Homayoon, Peter Lawrence, David Ming-Teh Liu
  • Publication number: 20190231401
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intermedullary bone fracture fixation are described herein. The fixation device includes a main body having a flexible state and a rigid state. The fixation device further includes a proximal interface coupled to a proximal end of the main body to anchor the fixation device to an exterior surface of the bone and a distal interface coupled to a distal end of the main body to anchor the fixation device to an interior cavity of the bone. The fixation device further includes a locking interface to configured to convert the main body from the flexible state to the rigid state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicants: University of British Columbia, British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch
    Inventors: Edward Scott HARSHMAN, Steven Charles DIMMER, David Thomas STINSON
  • Patent number: 10348178
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide methods and systems for moving a plurality of moveable stages relative to a stator. The stator comprises a plurality of coils shaped to provide pluralities of coil trace groups where each coil trace group comprises a corresponding plurality of generally linearly elongated coil traces which extend across a stator tile. Each moveable stage comprises a plurality of magnet arrays. Methods and apparatus are provided for moving the moveable stages relative to the stator, where a magnet array from a first moveable stage and a magnet array from a second moveable stage both overlap a shared group of coil traces. For at least a portion of the time that the magnet arrays from the first and second moveable stages overlap the shared group of coil traces, currents are controllably driven in the shared coil trace group based on the positions of both the first and second moveable stages. The positions of the first and second moveable stages may be ascertained by feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Xiaodong Lu
  • Patent number: 10348177
    Abstract: A displacement device comprises a stator comprising non-parallel stator-x and stator-y elongated traces. The device comprises a moveable stage comprising a first magnet array comprising first magnetization segments linearly elongated in a stage-x direction and having magnetization directions generally orthogonal to the stage-x direction. The first magnet array comprises a first pair of adjacent first magnetization segments comprising two first magnetization segments adjacent to one another in a stage-y direction non-parallel to the stage-x direction. Each first magnetization segment in the first pair has a corresponding magnetization direction oriented at a corresponding angle ?n about a corresponding stage-x axis as measured from a positive stage-z direction that is generally orthogonal to both the stator-x and stator-y directions. The corresponding angle ?n is one of 45°+n90° where n is any integer. Each first magnetization segment in the first pair has a different magnetization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Xiaodong Lu
  • Publication number: 20190201325
    Abstract: A simple, self-propelling particle system is disclosed that can deliver a cargo through flowing aqueous solutions. This disclosure provides a non-aqueous composition comprising: (i) particles formed of a carbonate salt and having an average diameter of about 100 ?m or less; and (ii) an acid in solid form. The particles may be associated with a cargo molecule or particle. In mouse models of severe hemorrhage, the propelled particles are able to deliver a procoagulant enzyme and halt bleeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicants: The University of British Columbia, The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Kastrup, Ju Hun Yeon, James Baylis, Thomas Frederick Burke
  • Patent number: 10307188
    Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: The University of British Columbia, British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch
    Inventors: Edward Scott Harshman, Steven Charles Dimmer, Daniel Reed Baker, David Thomas Stinson, Robert N. Meek, Robin John Noel Coope, Lok Tin Lam
  • Publication number: 20190164320
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a computational framework with related methods and systems to enhance the analysis of genomic information. More specifically, the disclosure provides for a graph-based reference genome framework, referred to as a GNOmics Graph Model (GGM), which represents genomic sequence information in edges with nodes representing transitions between edges. The disclosed GGM framework can represent all known polymorphisms simultaneously, including, SNPs, indels, and various rearrangements, in a data-efficient manner. The edges can contain weights to reflect the likelihood of a path within the GGM incorporating any particular edge. The disclosure also provides for systems and methods for using the GGM as a reference model for the rapid assembly of short sequence reads and analysis of DNA sequence variation with enhanced computational efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Alice Kaye
  • Patent number: 10294504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel endoglycoceramidase whose hydrolytic activity has been substantially reduced or eliminated, such that the enzyme is useful for synthesis of glycolipids from a monosaccharide or oligosaccharide and a ceramide. More specifically, the endoglycoceramidase is a mutant version of a naturally occurring endoglycoceramidase, preferably comprising a mutation within the active site or the nucleophilic site of the enzyme and more preferably comprising a substitution mutation of the Glu residue within the active site or the nucleophilic site. Also disclosed are a method for generating the mutant endoglycoceramidase and a method for enzymatically synthesizing glycolipids using this mutant enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company, The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Karl F. Johnson, Shawn Defrees, Stephen Withers, Mark Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20190143036
    Abstract: The invention relates to administration of clinical anesthesia. Particular embodiments provide systems and methods for controlled delivery of a combination of an analgesic agent and a hypnotic agent. More specifically, the invention relates to closed-loop control systems/methods for automatically controlling the administration of a combination of a hypnotic agent and an analgesic agent in a clinical anesthesia setting which incorporate feedback based on one or more indirect measures/indicia of analgesia. The invention further relates to such control systems/methods that account for limitations of such indirect measures/indicia of analgesia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Guy Dumont, Klaske Van Heusden, Mark Ansermino
  • Patent number: 10287333
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a peptide comprising a chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-targeting signal domain; a protein-binding domain that selectively binds to a target cytosolic protein; and a cell membrane penetrating domain (CMPD). In another aspect, the invention provides methods for reducing the intracellular expression level of an endogenous target protein in vitro and in an animal, wherein the method involves administration of the peptide. Methods are also provided for treating a pathological condition in an animal, the methods comprising administering the peptide to the animal. In one embodiment, the pathological condition is a neurodegenerative disease. In another embodiment of the invention, the target cytosolic protein is death associated protein kinase 1 and the CMPD is protein transduction domain of the HIV-1 Tat protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Yu Tian Wang, Xuelai Fan, Jack Wuyang Jin
  • Patent number: 10282858
    Abstract: A method is for estimating a three-dimensional (3D) representation of a set of two-dimensional (2D) curves of a concept drawing, the estimate of the 3D representation corresponding to a 3D object underlying the concept drawing. The method comprises: obtaining a representation of a set of 2D curves a concept drawing that represent a 3D object underlying the concept drawing; determining an energy function based on the set of 2D curves, the energy function comprising one or more terms, each term reflective of a preference for a 3D representation based on a characteristic of the 2D curves which reflects how concept drawings are commonly perceived to represent 3D objects; and performing an optimization which minimizes the energy function to thereby determine the 3D representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignees: The University of British Columbia, The Governing Council of the University of Toronto, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique
    Inventors: Alla Sheffer, Karan Singh, Adrien Bousseau, Will Chang, Baoxuan Xu, James McCrae
  • Patent number: 10274494
    Abstract: There are provided methods, and devices for assaying for a binding interaction between a protein, such as a monoclonal antibody, produced by a cell, and a biomolecule. The method may include retaining the cell within a chamber having an aperture; exposing the protein produced by the cell to a capture substrate, wherein the capture substrate is in fluid communication with the protein produced by the cell and wherein the capture substrate is operable to bind the protein produced by the cell; flowing a fluid volume comprising the biomolecule through the chamber via said aperture, wherein the fluid volume is in fluid communication with the capture substrate; and determining a binding interaction between the protein produced by the cell and the biomolecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Anupam Singhal, Carl L. G. Hansen, John W. Schrader, Charles A. Haynes, Daniel J. Da Costa