Patents Assigned to University of Houston System
  • Publication number: 20200324014
    Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic antibacterial peptides that have a sequence at least 80% identical to a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the diastereomer thereof with a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 or pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided are methods for stimulating wound healing via the synthetic antibacterial peptides and for forming an antimicrobial coating on contact lenses. In addition a device is provided that has a surface with a coating of the synthetic antibacterial peptides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Universita' degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza
    Inventors: Alison McDermott, Maria Luisa Mangoni
  • Publication number: 20200325766
    Abstract: The electrical submersible pump (ESP) is currently the fastest growing artificial-lift pumping technology. Deployed across 15 to 20 percent of oil-wells worldwide, ESPs are an efficient and reliable option at high production volumes and greater depths. However, ESP performance is often observed to decline gradually and reach the point of service interruption due to factors like high gas volumes, high temperature, and corrosion. The financial impact of ESP failure is substantial, from both lost production and replacement costs. Therefore, ESP performance in extensively monitored, and numerous workflows exist to suggest actions in case of break-downs. However, such workflows are reactive in nature, i.e., action is taken after tripping or failure. Therefore, a data-driven analytical framework is proposed to advance towards a proactive approach to ESP health monitoring based on predictive analytics to detect impending problems, diagnose their cause, and prescribe preventive action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Frontender Corporation, Halliburton
    Inventors: Supriya Gupta, Michael Nikolaou, Luigi Saputelli, Cesar Bravo
  • Patent number: 10801079
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of enriching and isolating novel microbial organisms, such as rhizobacteria, that promote the growth of plants by recreating the rhizosphere in a laboratory setting. The methods of the invention can be used to produce and characterize beneficial microbes grown at the root-soil interface and provide a technique for selectively enriching bacteria that live in close association with plants and foster the growth thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventor: Michael LaMontagne
  • Patent number: 10799146
    Abstract: Systems and methods for real time laparoscopic navigation. Exemplary embodiments can comprise scanning a structure of interest internal to a patient to provide image data; generating a first three-dimensional reconstruction of the structure of interest based on the image data; annotating the first three-dimensional reconstruction of the structure of interest with a plurality of reference points; obtaining spatial coordinates of the plurality of reference points during a laparoscopic procedure; and generating a second three-dimensional reconstruction of the structure of interest based on the spatial coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignees: University of Houston System, The Methodist Hospital
    Inventors: Marc Garbey, Brian James Dunkin, Barbara Lee Bass
  • Patent number: 10793713
    Abstract: Biorenewable additives or modifiers can be used for improving the performance of biorenewable thermoplastics. Modified natural oils, unmodified natural oils, and compatibilizers, as well as mixtures thereof, can be used in combination with a biorenewable thermoplastic such as polylactide (PLA) in order to produce an improved thermoplastic. Modified natural oils include acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO), unmodified natural oils include unmodified soybean oil (SYBO), and the compatibilizers may be star polymer compatibilizers. The improved thermoplastic may have improved tensile properties with little plasticization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Megan Robertson, Sheli Mauck, Shu Wang
  • Patent number: 10792145
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of fabricating an artificial heart muscle (AHM) patch. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining and/or isolating cells from a subject. In some embodiments, the cells are primary cardiac cells. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a scaffold. In some embodiments, the method includes seeding the cells in the fibrin gel scaffold. In some embodiments, the method includes culturing the cells seeded in the fibrin gel scaffold under conditions appropriate for the formation of an artificial heart muscle (AHM) patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventor: Ravi K. Birla
  • Patent number: 10787579
    Abstract: Novel coatings are disclosed prepared from electropolymerization of electropolymerizable monomers-analyte complexes onto a conducting layer or non-conducting of a substrate, where the analyte is removed by electrochemically mediated washing permitting linear molecular sensing of the analyte over a wide concentration range. The coating may also include templating particles deposited on the electrode substrate prior to electropolymerization, where the particles can be removed to form a submicron structured coating. Methods for making and using the coatings are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Rigoberto Advincula, Roderick B. Pernites
  • Publication number: 20200289476
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to compositions that include a liquid formulation comprising a molecule selected from the group consisting of riluzole, a derivative of riluzole, an analog of riluzole, a pharmaceutical equivalent of riluzole, a benzothiazole-based molecule, combinations thereof, and salts thereof. The liquid formulations may also include a solubilizing agent. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of treating a condition or disease in a subject by administering to the subject a composition of the present disclosure. The condition or disease to be treated may include spinal cord injury, and the administration may occur by parenteral administration. In some embodiments, the administered molecule may have an absorption half-life of less than 1.5 hours, an elimination half-life of more than 10 hours, and a bioavailability of more than 65%. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making the compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicants: University of Houston System, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
    Inventors: Diana S-L. Chow, Mahua Sarkar, Robert G. Grossman
  • Publication number: 20200295369
    Abstract: An improved rechargeable battery may utilize materials that are entirely solid-state. The battery may utilize at least one organic active material for an electrode. The battery may utilize a cathode that comprises quinone(s). An electrolyte of the battery may be an ion-conducting inorganic compound. An anode of the battery may comprise an alkali metal. Further, a carbonyl group of the quinone(s) of the cathode may be reduced into a phenolate and coordinated to an alkali metal ion during discharge and vice versa during charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Yan Yao, Yanliang Liang
  • Patent number: 10777408
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating same is disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a semiconductor device and fabrication of same which include a flexible substrate and a buffer stack overlying the substrate. The buffer stack comprises at least one epitaxial buffer layer. An epitaxial doped layer comprised predominantly of silicon overlies the at least one epitaxial buffer layer. Mobility of the device is greater than 100 cm2/Vs and carrier concentration of the epitaxial doped layer is less than 1016 cm?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Venkat Selvamanickam, Pavel Dutta, Ying Gao
  • Patent number: 10756575
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer system may provide coils that are respectively position on upper and lower ends of a pipe to allow power to be wirelessly transferred. Additionally, the system may also provide a soft ferrite layer placed on the upper and lower pipe sections to enhance the magnetic coupling so that the wireless power transfer efficiency can be maintained at a sufficient level when the coil separation is relatively large. Notably, this ferrite layer may span most or the entirely of the region between the coils to further enhance performance. In some cases, a ferrite core may be position between the coils and the pipe as well. In some cases, the pipe may include a tool section that may be non-conductive or results in a discontinuity in the ferrite layer. However, the setup of the system allows power to be wirelessly transferred despite such discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Xiyao Xin, Ji Chen, David R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 10751440
    Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic antibacterial peptides that have a sequence at least 80% identical to a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the diastereomer thereof with a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 or pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided are methods for stimulating wound healing via the synthetic antibacterial peptides and for forming an antimicrobial coating on contact lenses. In addition a device is provided that has a surface with a coating of the synthetic antibacterial peptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM, UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA
    Inventors: Alison McDermott, Maria Luisa Mangoni
  • Patent number: 10746637
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method for retrieving at least one molecular recognition element in a fixed tissue. In some embodiments the method comprises preparing a solution comprising at least one aldehyde-scavenging agent. In some embodiments, the method comprises contacting the fixed tissue with the solution. In some embodiments, the tissue is fixed with an aldehyde-based cross-linking agent. In some embodiments, a reaction of the aldehyde-scavenging agent with the aldehydes comprising the cross-linking agent retrieves the at least one molecular recognition element. In some embodiments, the at least one molecular recognition element comprises of amino acids, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Jason Eriksen, Craig Vollert, Steven Bark, Wilna Moree
  • Patent number: 10746736
    Abstract: Presented herein are methods of evaluating cellular activity by: placing a cell population on an area; assaying for a dynamic behavior of the cell population as a function of time; identifying cell(s) of interest based on the dynamic behavior; characterizing a molecular profile of the cell(s); and correlating the obtained information. The assayed dynamic behavior can include cellular activation, cellular inhibition, cellular interaction, protein expression, protein secretion, cellular proliferation, changes in cellular morphology, motility, cell death, cell cytotoxicity, cell lysis, and combinations thereof. Sensors associated with the area may be utilized to facilitate assaying. Molecular profiles of the cell(s) can then be characterized by various methods, such as DNA analysis, RNA analysis, and protein analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Navin Varadarajan, Gabrielle Romain, Ivan Liadi, Victor Sendra, Badrinath Roysam
  • Patent number: 10749180
    Abstract: An energy storage device may provide a positive electrode, an electrolyte, and a negative electrode. The energy storage device may utilize an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, which may be nonflammable. The energy storage device may utilize organic material(s) as the negative electrode, such as, but not limited to, poly(anthraquinonyl sulfide) (PAQS), organic carbonyl compounds, organosulfur compounds, redox polymers, or radical polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Yan Yao, Yanliang Liang
  • Publication number: 20200246278
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to formulations for cancer treatment that include a particle loaded with diethylstilbestrol (DES) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may also be loaded into the particle. The formulations may also include a stabilizer that is also loaded into the particle. The particles may be dispersed in an aqueous solution to form a nanosuspension that is adapted for subcutaneous administration and sustained release of DES. Additional embodiments pertain to methods of treating cancer in a subject by administering to the subject a formulation of the present disclosure. The subject may be a human suffering from prostate cancer. The administration of the formulations to the subject may bypass or minimize first pass metabolism. The administration may also minimize hepatic exposure of DES. Additional embodiments pertain to methods of making the formulations of the present disclosure by loading a particle with DES.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Board Of Regents Of The University Of Texas System
    Inventors: Diana S-L Chow, Tanay S. Samant, Shi-Ming Tu
  • Patent number: 10734138
    Abstract: A configuration and a method of constructing a high-temperature superconductor tape including a plurality superconducting filaments sandwiched between a substrate and an overlayer comprising compliant material extending to the substrate through gaps between each superconducting filament thereby isolating each superconducting filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Venkat Selvamanickam
  • Patent number: 10722129
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, methods and systems for determining blood oxygenation. By applying near infrared radiation of an appropriate wavelength to the tissue and determining the absorbance at a plurality of points where the distance between the source of the near infrared radiation and the detector are known, the oxygenation state of the hemoglobin can be determined based on position in a three dimensional space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignees: University of Houston System, The Methodist Hospital
    Inventors: Luca Pollonini, Scott E. Parazynski, Kiefer Forseth
  • Publication number: 20200231445
    Abstract: A stable water based nanofluid of graphene-based amphiphilic Janus nanosheets, where the nanofluid has a high salt-content while retaining the interfacial activities of the nanosheets. Such a nanofluid of amphiphilic Janus nanosheets may be used for enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Zhifeng Ren, Dan Luo, Feng Wang
  • Patent number: 10707397
    Abstract: Materials and systems and methods of manufacture thereof that function as thermoelectric materials both in and near a cryogenic temperature range. In particular, the synthesis of heavy fermion materials that exhibit higher ZTs than previously achieved at cryogenic and near-cryogenic temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Zhifeng Ren, Machhindra Koirala