Patents Assigned to University of British Columbia (UBC)
  • Patent number: 5171749
    Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation for therapy to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Julia G. Levy, David Dolphin, Jack J. Chow, Ethan Sternberg
  • Patent number: 5168183
    Abstract: A levitation system for levitating a levitated magnetic element in a stable suspended position on one side of a separating plane using a magnetic arrangement on the opposite side of the separating plane. The magnetic arrangement provides a preselected static magnetic field configuration that interacts with a magnet in the levitated element so that the magnetic potential energy of this interaction increases for displacements of the element from its stable position in directions parallel to a stability plane and decreases for displacements of the element from the stable position perpendicular to the stability plane. Any movement perpendicular to the stability plane is sensed and used by a feedback control system to control a force applied to the levitated element to stabilize the element against displacement from the stable position in directions perpendicular to the stability plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Lorne A. R. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 5167121
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a multi-linked manipulator arm monitors the desired flow of hydraulic fluid to each of the actuators for the links of the manipulator, and when the desired flow to any one or more of the actuators exceeds the available flow to the respective actuators, the flows to all the actuators are reduced on the basis of a scaling factor based on the ratio of the available flow to the desired flow of that actuator having the maximum ratio of its desired to available flows so that the relative speed of all the actuators for manipulating the arm is maintained. In some cases some actuators may have higher priority than others and a second scaling factor in which such priorities have been applied may also have to be applied to the flows to reduce the relative speeds of all actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Nariman Sepehri, Real N. Frenette, Peter D. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5166991
    Abstract: An optical switch biasing flow of light between a main optical waveguide and one or the other of a pair of secondary waveguides extending from one axial end of the main waveguide to define a Y structure with the secondary waveguides symmetrically positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main waveguide is provided. A resonant conductor having a pair of legs each of which is operatively associated with the main waveguide and its respective adjacent one of the secondary waveguides generates a resonant voltage that directs the flow of light between the main waveguide and the secondary waveguide associated with the leg having an appropriate voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Nicolas A. F. Jaeger, Winnie C. Lai, Mingche Chen
  • Patent number: 5164316
    Abstract: Novel transcription initiation regions that provide for enhanced transcription of a DNA sequence, particularly a plant sequence, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Joan C. McPherson, Robert Kay
  • Patent number: 5150436
    Abstract: A slow-wave electrode structure suitable for use in integrated optical modulators having a pair of spaced substantially parallel integrated optical waveguides in a compound semi-conductor substrate (such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium phosphide (InP)) is formed by a pair of substantially parallel conductor strips on the surface of the substrate each in a position for interaction with its respective adjacent of said waveguides. The conductor strips are capacitively interconnected by narrow fins each integral with one of the strips and extending between the strips whereby the conducting strips and fins may be applied as a single layer to the substrate. The narrow fins significantly increase the capacitance per unit length between the strips without an equivalent decrease in inductance per unit length along the strips such that the phase velocity of the microwave signals is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Nicolas A. F. Jaeger, Zachary K. F. Lee
  • Patent number: 5149708
    Abstract: A group of hydro-dibenzoporphyrins prepared by di-Diels-Alder additions at the A and C rings of the appropriate divinyl porphyrins have absorption maxima in the range of 700-820 nanometers and are photosensitizing agents. These compounds are useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating biological materials generally to destroy unwanted targets such as viruses, cells and tissues. The use of the compounds of the invention permits irradiation with wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The compounds of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptors or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to home to target tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of photosensitizer to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: David Dolphin, Paul Y. Hin, Tilak Wijesekera
  • Patent number: 5137819
    Abstract: A fusion protein is prepared containing a polypeptide such as an enzyme and an amino acid sequence having a substrate binding region of a polysaccharidase such as cellulase that has essentially no polysaccharidase activity. By contacting the fusion protein with an affinity matrix containing a substrate such as cellulose for the cellulase substrate binding region, the substrate binding region binds to the affinity matrix to immobilize the polypeptide. The polypeptide can be purified by separating the fusion protein or polypeptide from the affinity matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Douglas G. Kilburn, Robert C. Miller, Richard A. J. Warren, Neil R. Gilkes
  • Patent number: 5133771
    Abstract: A custom made femoral component is made using the femoral cavity and an internal latex envelope as the mold. After the femoral cavity is worked into a roughly conical shape, an internal latex envelope is inserted into the cavity and filled with bone cement. An endoskeleton is inserted down the femoral cavity into the bone cement. The internal latex mold conforms to the shape of the cavity and an accurate negative of the cavity is created as the bone cement solidifies. The femoral component is pulled from the cavity and the internal latex envelope is peeled off the component. All traces of the internal latex envelope is removed from the femoral cavity and component. The femoral component is then reimplanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Clive P. Duncan, Martine J. Breault, Christ P. Beauchamp, Nancy J. Paris
  • Patent number: 5123927
    Abstract: A method and equipment for producing an antibiotic loaded knee prothesis by custom molding a femoral prothesis in a removable mold from a settable material containing a selected antibiotic, applying the molded prothesis to the distal end of the femur, completing the set of the material to anchor the prothesis to the femur and removing the removable mold. Next a tibial prothesis is custom molded in a second removable mold from a settable material containing a selected antibiotic, the material set and the so formed tibial prothesis is removed from the second mold and is then connected to the proximal end of the tibia in a position to form an articulating joint with the previously molded and applied femoral prothesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Clive P. Duncan, Martine J. Breault, Chris P. Beauchamp, Nancy J. Paris, Bassam A. Masri
  • Patent number: 5122713
    Abstract: This invention pertains to an atmospheric pressure capacitively coupled plasma formed inside a graphite furnace as a source for atomic emission spectroscopy. A capacitively coupled plasma device includes an electrically conducting, hollow elongated tube and an electrically conducting rod located coaxially and substantially inside the elongated tube, an ionizable gas present inside the cylindrical tube, and a mechanism of applying a high-frequency electric potential between the tube and the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Dong C. Liang, Michael W. Blades
  • Patent number: 5106969
    Abstract: 5-Methylimidazo[4,5-e]-1,2-thiazin-4(5-H)-one, having the structure ##STR1## a cytotoxic metabolite of the marine sponge Neamphius huxleyi, has been isolated from the sponge by extraction and chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignees: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., The University of Alberta, The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Raymond J. Andersen, Theresa M. Allen, E. Dilip de Silva, Julie S. Racok, Jon Clardy, Linda S. Brinen
  • Patent number: 5096858
    Abstract: A method of producing ceramic composites of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 reinforced by shaped SiC particles preferably shaped as fine particles (random), platelets, whiskers or fibres by in situ production of SiC particles by heating a mixture of carbon particles of the desired shape with silicates of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 to a temperature above 1500.degree. C., convert the silicates and carbon to Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiC to produce in situ SiC particles of the desired shape and provide a ceramic powder that may be densified by techniques such as hot pressing, isostatic pressing or sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Asoke C. Das Chaklader, Sankar Das Gupta
  • Patent number: 5095030
    Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Julia G. Levy, David Dolphin, Jack K. Chow, Ethan Sternberg
  • Patent number: 5087636
    Abstract: A method to prepare bone marrow or other hemopoietic cells free of malignant cells for autologous transplants is described. The mononuclear cells from the marrow are treated with a green porphyrin (Gp) to effect the uptake of said Gp by malignant cells selectively, and then irradiated with a wavelength of light absorbed by said Gp to effect the destruction of the malignant cells. The purged marrow cells can then be used for autologous transplantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Catriona Jamieson, Julia G. Levy
  • Patent number: 5081397
    Abstract: A novel atmospheric pressure capacitively coupled ratio frequency plasma discharge method and apparatus. The apparatus is suitable for atomic absorption and atomic emission analysis of discrete sample volumes (1-50 .mu.l). The plasma can be operated at very low Radio Frequency (RF) input powers (10-600 W) which allow for optimal conditions for atom resonance line absorption measurements. Sample vaporization for analysis in the plasma is done by an electrically heated tantalum strip vaporizer. The vaporization and dissociation-atomization steps are separately controlled. Analyte absorption takes place in the plasma discharge which is characterized by a long path length (10-50 cm) and low support gas flow rate (0.05 to 6 L/m) both of which provide for a relatively long residence time. The device exhibits linear calibration plots and provides sensitivities in the range of from 3.5-40 pg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Dong C. Liang, Michael W. Blades
  • Patent number: 5074975
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the electrosynthesis of oxygenated halogen salts of alkali metals such as alkali metal halate, alkali metal hypohalite and alkali metal perhalate and an alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide in the same electrochemical reactor. The invention also relates to a method for oxygen depolarization of cathodes in reactors that are used for the electrosynthesis of oxygenated halogen salts of alkali metals. The invention also relates to a method for the electrosynthesis of oxygenated chlorine salts of alkali metals which avoids the need to use chromates that are used in conventional chlorate production for the suppression of the cathodic reduction of hypochlorite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Colin W. Oloman, Eric Kalu
  • Patent number: 5073193
    Abstract: A system for producing ceramic or cermet material in a plasma type thermal reactor wherein a reactor flame and reactants are introduced into one end of a reaction chamber through which a concentric film of collecting liquid (oil) flows and empties at the opposite end into a pool of collecting liquid. The collecting (and cooling) liquid enters the chamber at the same end the flame enters and forms a liquid wall surrounding the flame that sweeps substantially the whole inner periphery of the walls of the chamber from one end to the opposite end and empties into the pool of collecting (and cooling) liquid. Liquid from the pool is recirculated back to the one end and is filtered to remove the particulate formed from the reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Asoke C. D. Chaklader, Robert G. Butters, Douglas A. Ross
  • Patent number: 5069546
    Abstract: A atmospheric pressure capacitively coupled plasma high intensity spectral lamp. The lamp generates atom line and ion line spectra from a substance to be analyzed. The lamp comprises a hollow means adapted for containing and sustaining an atmospheric pressure capacitively generated plasma discharge, a first electrode connected to a radio frequency power supply, electrically insulated from the plasma and enclosing at least a portion of the hollow means, and a second electrode constructed of the substance to be analyzed, connected to a radio frequency power supply, the electrode penetrating into the plasma discharge and being capacitively arranged with the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Dong C. Liang, Michael W. Blades
  • Patent number: 5067467
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel device for compressing and injecting gaseous fuel from a variable pressure gaseous fuel supply into a fuel receiving apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to an intensifier-injector which compresses and injects gaseous fuel from a variable pressure source into the cylinder of a positive displacement engine. An intensifier-injector for gaseous fuels in internal combustion engines comprising means which utilizes the compressed gas from the chamber of the internal combustion engine or compressed fluid or gas from an external compressor to drive an intensifier means which raises the pressure of fuel gas supplied to the internal combustion engine for rapid late-cycle injection into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Philip G. Hill, Ronald J. Pierik, K. Bruce Hodgins