Patents Assigned to University of Cincinnati
  • Patent number: 6032076
    Abstract: Extra- to intra-corporeal power is provided by a transformer implanted at least partially within a defunctionalized intestinal pouch (or sack), such as an ileal pouch. The transformer includes a continuous loop magnetic core which is implanted within the pouch. The pouch itself includes a passageway permitting the secondary wiring to extend around the and through the magnetic core and through its central opening without entering the pouch providing intracorporeal current. Wire providing the primary windings extend from outside the body in through a stoma into the pouch and surround portions of the magnetic core within the pouch. Because of the use of a generally continuous loop magnetic core of high permeability, there is little or virtually no magnetic flux leakage. A solid circular core of a high permeability material may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: David Melvin, H. Thurman Henderson, Arthur J. Helmicki
  • Patent number: 6030442
    Abstract: A microporous, cross-linked, reversibly responsive gel obtainable from a polymeric precursor is disclosed. The microporous gels exhibit a volume change response on the order of seconds, many times faster than nonporous volume change gels of similar dimension. A method of making a microporous, fast response and reversibly responsive gel having a defined pore size and defined strut thickness is also disclosed. The method comprises preparing a polymer solution having a certain initial concentration of polymer precursor, initiating phase separation of the polymer to produce a phase separated state; cross-linking the polymer in its phase separated state or cross-linking the polymer prior in its phase separated state, or both prior to and during its phase separated state, for a certain cross-linking reaction time; and allowing gelation to be completed. Particular uses of the fast response gels are also described. In one embodiment, a method for purifying and concentrating a solute from a solution is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Bhagwati G. Kabra, Stevin H. Gehrke
  • Patent number: 6027795
    Abstract: An absorbent, microporous foam comprising a crosslinked polymer having interconnected fluid cells distributed throughout its mass, wherein the fluid cells have a diameter of between about 0.1 and about 100 .mu.m, and wherein the foam can rapidly absorb at least about twice its dry weight in fluid, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for producing such microporous, absorbent foams. In this method: (a) a crosslinkable polymer and a first solvent are mixed to form a stable solution which can be induced to phase separate; (b) the stable solution is induced to phase separate into a polymer concentrated phase and a polymer dilute phase; (c) the polymer is induced to crosslink in the polymer concentrated phase for a predetermined period of time thereby forming a microporous material; and (d) the microporous material is dried to produce the absorbent foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Bhagwati G. Kabra, Stevin H. Gehrke
  • Patent number: 6022865
    Abstract: A stable aqueous solution having high concentrations of both biologically available calcium and biologically available phosphate is provided by combining phosphate and calcium ions in the aqueous solution wherein the phosphate is in the form of a saccharide phosphate and preferably a monosaccharide diphosphate. Preferred solutions include fructose 1,6-diphosphate, glucose diphosphate, sucrose diphosphate and so on. This is particularly suitable for providing calcium and phosphate ions in a total parenteral nutrition solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventor: Edward A. Deutsch
  • Patent number: 6018058
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of 1,4-dihydrodioxin masked quinone compounds which are useful as DNA or RNA cleaving reagents. These compounds may additionally include moieties which target the compounds to specific base sequences on the DNA or RNA molecule to permit site-specific cleavage. The process for using these compounds in a UV or short wavelength visible light-activated reaction for cleaving DNA, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Robert M. Wilson, Karlyn A. Schnapp, Andreas Harsch, Stephen J. Keller, Donna J. Schlemm
  • Patent number: 6013633
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to dipeptides and tripeptides and to methods for pharmaceutical treatment of mammals using analogs of such dipeptides and tripeptides. More specifically, the invention relates to tripeptides and their analogs, to pharmaceutical compositions containing such dipeptides and tripeptides and to methods of treatment of mammals using such dipeptides and tripeptides. In addition, the invention relates to methods of treatment of mammals using such dipeptides and tripeptides for control of appetite, blood pressure, cardiovascular response, libido, and circadian rhythm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Ambikaipakan Balasubramanium, William T. Chance
  • Patent number: 5957977
    Abstract: An activator device for activation of cardiac tissue having a stint for placement within the interior volume of a natural heart adjacent cardiac tissue thereof. The device also includes a yoke for placement around a portion of the exterior surface of the natural heart in general alignment with the stint and connected to the stint by at least one cord. The device provides a simple yet reliable mechanism for assisting in extended activation of a natural heart with minimal impact and intrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventor: David Boyd Melvin
  • Patent number: 5958873
    Abstract: The invention is directed to lanthocin-containing tablet formulations for oral administration. The inventive formulations afford delivery of the lanthocin to the colon in amounts sufficient to treat diseases brought on by bacterial infection of the colon. Also provided is a process for preparation of the formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Ahmed Adel Sakr, Walid Abdel-Azim Habib
  • Patent number: 5952655
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to concentrate and detect very low levels of radioactive noble gases from the atmosphere. More specifically the invention provides a method and apparatus to concentrate xenon, krypton and radon in an organic fluid and to detect these gases by the radioactive emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy, University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Gross, John D. Valentine, Francis Markum, Mary Zawadzki, Charles Dickerman
  • Patent number: 5946471
    Abstract: An improved laboratory instrument emulation network system is provided having instrument emulation stations and an instrument emulation network controller in which the emulation network system allows communication between the network controller and each instrument emulation station along a bi-directional, high-speed serial data communications network. The network system allows users at each emulation station to configure the station so as to emulate a certain instrument, i.e., voltmeter, pH meter, temperature meter, etc. The system performs real-time acquisition of raw data at each emulation station, transmits the raw data to the network controller in near-real time where it is converted into engineering units (e.g., volts, units of pH, degrees Celsius), then returns the converted data to the respective station and displays the data in either graphical or numerical format (or both), as the user selects. The converted data can also be transmitted to other emulation stations, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Voorhees, Paul Ardeshir McKenzie, Estel Dean Sprague
  • Patent number: 5888926
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for forming a sorbent-metal complex. The process includes oxidizing a sorbent precursor and contacting the sorbent precursor with a metallic species. The process further includes chemically reacting the sorbent precursor and the metallic species, thereby forming a sorbent-metal complex. In one particular aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the sorbent precursor is transformed into sorbent particles during the oxidation step. These sorbent particles then are contacted with the metallic species and chemically reacted with the metallic species, thereby forming a sorbent-metal complex. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a process for forming a sorbent-metal complex in a combustion system. The process includes introducing a sorbent precursor into a combustion system and subjecting the sorbent precursor to an elevated temperature sufficient to oxidize the sorbent precursor and transform the sorbent precursor into sorbent particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Pratim Biswas, Timothy M. Owens
  • Patent number: 5869802
    Abstract: A plasma producing device is furnished with a half height waveguide that transmits microwave energy through a window into an evacuated chamber, adjustable spacers controlling the distance between an opening of the waveguide and the window, and/or a return piece adjacent a permanent magnet producing the required magnetic field, preferably including sidewalls encompassing the permanent magnet. The improvements promote plasma uniformity at the workpiece by allowing smaller magnets to be employed, reducing stray magnetic fields outside the resonance zone, and facilitating transition of the microwaves from a rectangular transmission mode to a circular transmission mode outside the chamber. Facilitating transistion in this manner improves tuning or impedance matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignees: PlasmaQuest, Inc., University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: John E. Spencer, Robert Westmoreland, Thomas D. Mantei
  • Patent number: 5861132
    Abstract: A gas phase process for the production of titanium dioxide powders having well-controlled crystalline and surface area characteristics is disclosed. In this process, which is preferably carried out in a laminar diffusion flame reactor, vapor phase TiCl.sub.4 and oxygen are mixed in a reaction area which is heated externally. The titanium dioxide powder formed is then collected. It is preferred that the heat source used be a hydrocarbon fueled (e.g., methane) flame. Optionally, a vapor phase dopant (such as SiCl.sub.4) may be added to the reaction mixture to desirably affect the physical properties of the titanium dioxide produced. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a corona electric field is positioned across the area where the combustion reaction takes place (i.e., the reaction area). High anatase, high surface area titanium dioxide powders made by this process are excellent photocatalysts. The products of this process and the use of those products as photocatalysts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Sotiris Emmanuel Pratsinis, Srinivas Vemury, George P. Fotou, Andreas Gutsch
  • Patent number: 5858763
    Abstract: The invention is a consortium of thermophilic methanotrophic organisms in culture medium containing said consortium reproduced at temperatures of 50.degree. C. to 80.degree. C., said consortium being comprised primarily of ovoid or rod-shaped organisms. The consortium can be instilled into soil or water to degrade pollutants, especially hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Wendy J. Davis-Hoover, Stephen J. Vesper
  • Patent number: 5824501
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing BS as well as determining whether a subject is a carrier of a mutated BLM gene. The present invention also provides one or more single-stranded nucleic acid probes and antibodies which may be formulated in kits, and used for diagnosing BS or determining whether a subject is a carrier of a mutated BLM gene. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing the onset of BS in a subject in need of such treatment or prevention, as well as vectors and stem cells useful for such treatment or prevention. The present invention also provides a purified and isolated nucleic acid encoding an enzymatically active BLM protein, a vector comprising this nucleic acid, a cell stably transformed with this vector, as well as a method for producing recombinant, enzymatically active BLM protein. A purified, enzymatically active BLM protein is also provided by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignees: New York Blood Center, University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Nathan A. Ellis, James German, Joanna Groden
  • Patent number: 5783193
    Abstract: An orally administrable therapeutic protein is provided by combining the therapeutic protein with a stabilizing agent in an aqueous solution. The solution is coated onto nonpareils and microencapsulated with a water emulsifiable enteric coating composition. The microcapsules are orally administered. The coating protects the protein as it passes through the stomach. Upon reaching the small intestines, the basic pH of the intestinal juices will dissolve the coating, allowing the protein to be released and induce antigen specific immune response which has the specificity of the native molecule. The stabilizing agent protects the therapeutic protein from denaturation during the encapsulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: J. Gabriel Michael, Allen Litwin
  • Patent number: 5759908
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming crystalline silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure. In this method, the thin silicon layer of an SOI substrate is converted to silicon carbide using a carbonization reaction. The SiC layer is then, optionally, further increased in thickness using a vapor deposition reaction, preferably using a silicon-containing cyclobutane gas. Rather than increasing the thickness of the SiC layer, the vapor deposition process can also be used to deposit a layer of another semiconductor (e.g., a III-N or III-P semiconductor) on the thin SiC layer. The products made by this process are also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Chong Yuan
  • Patent number: 5759629
    Abstract: A method of preventing corrosion of a metal sheet, comprising the steps of: providing a metal sheet chosen from the group consisting of coated steel sheet, aluminum sheet and aluminum alloy sheet; and applying a solution containing at least one hydrolyzed vinyl silane to the metal sheet. A coating of paint or other polymer may be applied directly on top of the vinyl silane coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Wim J. van Ooij, Wei Yuan
  • Patent number: 5750197
    Abstract: A method of preventing corrosion of metals using silanes. The method comprises applying a first treatment solution directly onto the surface of the metal, wherein the first treatment solution contains at least one multi-functional silane having at least two trisubstituted silyl groups, and wherein the substituents are individually chosen from the group consisting of alkoxy and acetoxy. An optional second treatment solution containing an organofunctional silane may also be employed, particularly if the metal is to be painted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Wim J. van Ooij, Vijay Subramanian, Chunbin Zhang
  • Patent number: 5719126
    Abstract: A purified, naturally derived melanogenic inhibitor protein capable of inhibiting melanogenesis in pigmentary cells has an amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 4. A method of producing melanogenic inhibitor protein comprises grafting mammalian skin onto a live host, permitting the mammalian skin to remain on the host for a predetermined period of time, removing the mammalian skin, and extracting the protein from the skin. Methods of controlling melanogenesis in pigmentary cells or selectively destroying melanoma cells comprise the steps of mixing an effective amount of melanogenic inhibitor protein, or an active segment, derivative, or analog thereof, with a suitable carrier, and applying this mixture to the pigmentary or melanoma cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: James J. Nordlund, Jamal Z. Farooqui