Patents Assigned to University of Kent
  • Patent number: 11717154
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method that can be used to remotely acquire high resolution depth resolved images from a sample. The apparatus employs an adapter to an imaging device, where the adapter uses a minimum of components to produce interferometry patterns on the input facet of the imaging device. The imaging device can be a bundle endoscope terminated on a camera sensor or on several camera sensors or simply a camera sensor. In conjunction with a swept source or a broadband source, at least one camera sensor may be employed to provide optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the sample. When the imaging device uses a bundle of optical fibers, the apparatus and method can provide OCT images tolerant to bending of the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventors: Adrian Podoleanu, Manuel Marques, Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 11690516
    Abstract: The present specification relates to Master-Slave (MS) interferometry for sensing the axial position of an object subject to optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and to MS-OCT applied to curved and axially moving objects. The methods and apparatuses allow producing OCT signals from selected depths within the object irrespective of its axial position in respect to the imaging system. Images are obtained for curved objects that are flattened along a layer of interest in the object, images that are used to provide OCT angiography images less disturbed by axial movement or lateral scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventors: Adrian Podoleanu, Manuel Marques, Adrian Bradu, Adrian Fernandez Uceda
  • Publication number: 20220042996
    Abstract: Disclosed is the use of latrophilin expression as a biomarker for the diagnosis of haematopoietic cell cancer in a subject, together with methods for diagnosis and a kit for the detection of latrophilin expression on white blood cells collected from a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: University of Kent, School of Pharmacy
    Inventors: Vadim Sumbayev, Yuri Ushkaryov, Bernhard Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20210145285
    Abstract: The present specification relates to Master-Slave (MS) interferometry for sensing the axial position of an object subject to optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and to MS-OCT applied to curved and axially moving objects. The methods and apparatuses allow producing OCT signals from selected depths within the object irrespective of its axial position in respect to the imaging system. Images are obtained for curved objects that are flattened along a layer of interest in the object, images that are used to provide OCT angiography images less disturbed by axial movement or lateral scanning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: University of Kent
    Inventors: Adrian Podoleanu, Manuel Marques, Adrian Bradu, Adrian Fernandez Uceda
  • Publication number: 20200037871
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method that can be used to remotely acquire high resolution depth resolved images from a sample. The apparatus employs an adapter to an imaging device, where the adapter uses a minimum of components to produce interferometry patterns on the input facet of the imaging device. The imaging device can be a bundle endoscope terminated on a camera sensor or on several camera sensors or simply a camera sensor. In conjunction with a swept source or a broadband source, at least one camera sensor may be employed to provide optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the sample. When the imaging device uses a bundle of optical fibers, the apparatus and method can provide OCT images tolerant to bending of the bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: University of Kent
    Inventors: Adrian Podoleanu, Manuel Marques, Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 10457948
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a method for the manufacture of a disulphide-requiring biopharmaceutical having an element of at least tertiary structure using wild type E. coli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventor: Colin Robinson
  • Publication number: 20190248813
    Abstract: The invention provides a material with perovskite-type structure having a formula selected from Formula I and Formula II. in which A? represents one or more monovalent cations that can be selected from alkali metal ions, (organo)ammonium and (organo)phosphonium ions; A? represents one or more divalent cations that can be selected from alkaline earth metal cations; A?? represents one or more trivalent cations that can be selected from lanthanide ions; a, b and c are each in the range of from 0 to 1, a+b+c=1; x=a+2b+3c; d is in the range of from 1 to 5, each of e, f and g are in the range of from 0 to 1. with the proviso that g is less than 1 in Formula I; e+f+g?1; y=2(e+f)+3g; each X in “X” and “X2” is independently selected from the halogens; and h is in the range of from 0.0001 to 0.2. X2 is a dihalogen moiety, and can be the source of a valence band “hole” in the photovoltaic semiconducting material. The invention also relates to photovoltaic devices or a surface coating that comprises the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: University of Kent
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Green
  • Patent number: 10300451
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for generating an affinity reagent library against a target protein which interacts with a ligand, which comprises the following steps; •i) determining one or more structural element(s) of the ligand which are involved in ligand: target protein interaction; •ii) producing a library of peptides which retain these structural element(s); and •iii) grafting each peptide from the library of peptides into a portion of the affinity reagent molecule such that it may interact with the target protein, in order to produce an affinity reagent library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignees: Queen Mary University of London, University of Kent
    Inventors: Ahuva Nissim, John Marshall, Mark Howard
  • Publication number: 20190144814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified microorganisms comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acid molecules together encoding at least three different proteins, each protein comprising an enzymatic domain and a bacterial microcompartment-targeting signal polypeptide, wherein said enzymatic domains each catalyse a different substrate to product conversion in the same metabolic pathway, and wherein said microorganisms are essentially free of bacterial microcompartments (BMCs); and to cell free systems comprising aggregates comprising at least three different proteins, each protein comprising an enzymatic domain and a bacterial microcompartment-targeting signal polypeptide, wherein said enzymatic domains each catalyse a different substrate to product conversion in the same metabolic pathway, and wherein said system does not comprise bacterial microcompartments; and to methods for the production of said microorganisms and cell free systems and their use in methods of producing a product of int
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: University of Kent
    Inventors: Matthew John Lee, Stefanie Frank, Martin James Warren
  • Patent number: 9464150
    Abstract: The present invention refers to new classes of polymerizable monomers targeting biotin, a biotin derivative, a biotin analog or a biotinylated molecule and related structures, as well as molecularly imprinted polymers obtainable by polymerization of at least one of these monomers and at least one cross-linking monomer in the presence of a suitable template molecule. The obtained polymers may be used for separation of biotin and related small molecules, together with larger biotinylated molecules of biological origin, e.g. proteins, from complex mixtures. The monomer comprises i) an isophthalic acid derivative or a pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivative and ii) a vinyl-2-aminopyridine derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Kent
    Inventor: Andrew Hall
  • Patent number: 9187766
    Abstract: A non-therapeutic method of accumulating a polymeric or high molecular weight molecular product within a bacterial microcompartment in bacterial cytoplasm, which method employs a recombinant bacteria which is transformed to express a microcompartment containing an enzyme capable of converting a low molecular weight substrate into a polymeric or high molecular weight product, the method comprising the steps of: incubating the recombinant bacteria with the low-molecular weight substrate, or a precursor of the low molecular weight substrate which is capable of being metabolized to the substrate within the recombinant bacteria, such that the substrate or precursor is taken up by the bacteria, wherein the substrate enters the microcompartment and the enzyme within the microcompartment converts the substrate to a polymeric or high molecular weight molecular product, and wherein the polymeric or high molecular weight molecular product is accumulated within the microcompartment due to its size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: University College Cork, National University of Ireland, University of Kent
    Inventors: Michael Prentice, Martin Warren, Mingzhi Liang
  • Patent number: 9167144
    Abstract: The invention describes several embodiments of an adapter which can make use of the devices in any commercially available digital cameras to transform the digital camera into a fundus camera for inspecting the back of the eye, or into a microscope. The camera adapter is adapted to be placed between the camera device and the object. The devices in the camera being used are at least its optical source, photodetector sensor, memory, shutter and autofocus. Means in the adapter are provided to employ these devices and allow camera to operate its autofocus capability and its different color sensors. Methods of investigation of an object are also presented of using the adapter to transform the camera into an imaging instrument, where the effect of adjustments of elements inside the adapter are guided by the displaying screen of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventor: Adrian Podoleanu
  • Patent number: 8842056
    Abstract: An electronically tuneable surface. The surface comprises: a conductive sheet comprising at least one opening; and a biasing circuit. The biasing circuit comprises first and second conductors, separated from the conductive sheet by a dielectric, and arranged at mutually opposing sides of the opening such that each conductor is capacitively coupled to the conductive sheet at the respective side of the opening. The conductors define a gap between them corresponding to the opening. The biasing circuit also comprises an electrical control element bridging the gap, connected to the first and second conductors. When the element is in a first state, the surface exhibits a first frequency transmission characteristic with respect to incident electromagnetic radiation, and when the element is in a second state, the surface exhibits a second, different characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventors: John Batchelor, Benito Sanz-Izquierdo, Edward Parker, Jean-Baptiste Robertson
  • Patent number: 8678594
    Abstract: A spectral interferometry apparatus and method are disclosed, that can be used to monitor or measure an unknown length by following a characteristic of an indicating signal. The measurement is performed by adjusting an optical path difference (OPD) in an interferometer part of an interferometer configuration until sound or light or both are obtained with the desired strength and pitch. Embodiments are presented where the unknown length is the eye length. Spectral interrogation of the interferometer optical output is achieved by reading the signal of an analogue photodetector array in a spectrometer or by tuning a swept source and processing the signal of a photodetector. Sound of different pitches are produced either directly in this process, or by using a nonlinear amplifier, or a mixer. For enhanced signal, the array may be driven by a nonlinear clock or the swept source may be driven by a distorted driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: University of Kent at Canterbury
    Inventors: Adrian Podoleanu, Michael Leitner
  • Publication number: 20140071456
    Abstract: The invention discloses an optical interferometer which can be used to provide simultaneous measurements over multiple path lengths and methods to employ such an interferometer as to achieve a variety of functions covering simultaneous measurements at different depths separated by an increment of a multiple differential delay in the interferometer as well as simultaneous polarization measurements from a given depth and imaging. Configurations and methods are presented to encode the axial length in an object under investigation using frequency shifting as well as chirping the frequency of signals determining the frequency shifting. Methods are disclosed on the combination of multiple path configurations as to achieve versatile functionality in measurements, by using either broadband excitation or swept source excitation, combined with either discreet frequency shifting or chirped frequency shifting. Under swept source excitation, the invention discloses a long axial range apparatus, with constant sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: University of Kent
    Inventors: Adrian Podoleanu, Mantas Zurauskas, John Rogers
  • Patent number: 8619184
    Abstract: An adapter which can make use of the devices in any commercially available digital cameras to accomplish different functions, the invention admits addition of confocal detection and provides simultaneous measurements or imaging in at least two channels, confocal and OCT, where the confocal channel provides an en-face image simultaneous with the acquisition of OCT cross sections, to guide the acquisition as well as to be used subsequently in the visualization of OCT images. Different technical solutions are provided for the assembly of one or two digital cameras which together with such adapters lead to modular and portable high resolution imaging systems which can accomplish various functions with a minimum of extra components while adapting the elements in the digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventor: Adrian Podoleanu
  • Patent number: 8514404
    Abstract: The invention discloses an optical interferometer which can be used to provide simultaneous measurements over multiple path lengths and methods to employ such an interferometer as to achieve a variety of functions covering simultaneous measurements at different depths separated by an increment of a multiple differential delay matched in the interferometer as well as imaging. Optical sensors, optical coherence tomography (OCT) set-ups, optical sensing methods and OCT methods are disclosed which can provide: (i) multiple en-face images at several depths with dynamic dispersion compensation, (ii) fast acquisition of cross sections, (iii) fast acquisition of 3D volumes of a scattering object while maintaining dynamic focus; (iv) fast acquisition of long axial measurement profiles, non mechanical, with dynamic focus, range scalable, with applications in tracking and OTDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventor: Adrian Podoleanu
  • Patent number: 8472027
    Abstract: A spectral interferometry apparatus and method is provided to supply unambiguous profiles (A-scans free of mirror terms) of the reflectivity versus optical path difference and make difference between the positive and negative optical path difference or provide output in a selected interval of optical path differences. The apparatus comprises object optics that transfer a beam from an optical source to a target object (55) to produce an object beam and reference optics that produce a reference beam. Displacing means (57) are provided to produce a gap (g) between the object beam (41?) and the reference beam (42?). Optical spectrum dispersing means (7) such as a grating or a prism receive the two relatively displaced beams, and disperse their spectral content onto a reading element such as a CCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventor: Adrian Podoleanu
  • Patent number: 8360328
    Abstract: An antenna for an RFID transponder device having a substrate and an RF integrated circuit. The antenna comprises two opposing conductive elements arranged on one side of the substrate and electrically connected to the integrated circuit; and a conductive patch arranged between the elements on the same side of the substrate and not electrically connected to them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: University of Kent at Canterbury
    Inventors: Mohamad Ali Ziai, John Colin Batchelor
  • Patent number: 8265488
    Abstract: An electromagnetic transmission and reception system comprises a transmitter section and a receiver section. The transmitter section has a first signal source, a second signal source at a lower frequency than the first signal source, and means for generating from the first and second signal sources a plurality of signals with fixed frequency spacing derived from the second signal source frequency. One or more pairs of the plurality of signals are selected, and for the or each pair, the signals of the pair are combined to derive an output signal having a frequency derived from the difference between the frequencies of the signals of the pair. The receiver section combines a received signal, which comprises a received version of the output signal, with a local oscillator signal for frequency down-conversion of the received signal. This local oscillator signal is generated by the transmitter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventors: Phillip Anthony Davies, Nathan Joseph Gomes, Pengbo Shen