Abstract: Therapeutic application of mild to moderate hypothermia in a medical procedure has been found to provide benefits to patients. For example, application of mild hypothermia in the auditory pathway can prevent functional hearing loss post cochlear implant surgery. Devices have been conceived and reduced to practice that apply localized cooling to a small area such as the basal or middle turn of the cochlea. The devices include a cooling tip with at least one thermo-conductive surface. A heat-transporting fluid is circulated through the cooling tip. After absorbing heat, the heat-transporting fluid may be controllably cooled with a thermoelectric cooling device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 19, 2015
Date of Patent:
April 30, 2019
Assignees:
Lucent Medical Systems, Inc., University of Miami
Inventors:
Suhrud Rajguru, Efrem Ari Roberson, Curtis S. King, Thomas J. Balkany
Abstract: Methods for treating and diagnosing psychiatric affective disorders, e.g., an affective disorder associated with aberrant Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist to Smoothened (Smo), an antagonist to Patched-1 (Ptch-1) and/or an antagonist to Shh.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 2015
Date of Patent:
December 4, 2018
Assignees:
University of Massachusetts, University of Miami
Inventors:
Edward I. Ginns, Marzena Galdzicka, Janice A. Egeland
Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating/and or preventing diabetes using a specific inhibitor of SMAD7 expression or function. Also disclosed are methods of promoting organ and/or cell, e.g., pancreatic islet cell, survival after transplantation using a specific inhibitor of SMAD7 expression or function.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 18, 2013
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2018
Assignees:
University of Miami, Nogra Pharma Limited
Inventors:
Giovanni Monteleone, Peter Buchwald, Luca Inverardi, Antonello Pileggi, Camillo Ricordi, Alice Tomei
Abstract: Imaging systems and methods of using the same are provided for monitoring the quantity of fluorescent pigment, for example lipofuscin, in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer of a retina in vivo. Various imaging modalities can be integrated into a single system and excited by a single broadband light source for the monitoring of the fluorescent pigment. The influence of varying optical properties found in the optical path of the pigment's auto-fluorescence between the RPE and an image receiver can be corrected.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 27, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 21, 2018
Assignees:
The Florida International University Board of Trustees, University of Miami
Abstract: Assays, methods and kits for predicting a subject's (e.g., human) risk of primary glomerulopathy, secondary glomerulopathy or recurrence (e.g., post-transplant recurrence) of any glomerular disease include examining cells for the presence or absence of cytoskeletal disruptions or rearrangements and examining cells for modulation of expression and/or activity of markers such as SMPDL-3b. Assays for predicting if a diabetic subject will develop kidney disease or a patient with FSGS will develop recurrent disease after transplant also include examining cells for the presence or absence of cytoskeletal disruptions or rearrangements and examining cells for modulation of expression and/or activity of markers such as SMPDL-3b. Also described herein are compositions and methods for treating and preventing the afore-mentioned disorders.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 14, 2011
Date of Patent:
August 21, 2018
Assignee:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Alessia Fornoni, George William Burke, Sandra Merscher-Gomez
Abstract: A stable liquid nanoemulsion of a volatile gas anesthetic, such as, isoflurane or sevoflurane, is disclosed which is effective in inducing and maintaining a state of anesthesia and/or general anesthesia in a patent. A method of preparation of stable liquid formulations of volatile gas anesthetics is presented, as well as a method for directly testing the concentration of a volatile gas anesthetic in a stable liquid formulation. A kit comprising an amount of a stable liquid formulation of a volatile gas anesthetic, and the non-specialized equipment for administration of the same to a patient, either in an operating room environment or in the field, is also described herein.
Abstract: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of proteinuric kidney disease, which comprises both native and transplanted kidneys. Treatment was limited in the past due to the complicated pathogenesis of FSGS, including previously unidentified serum factors. Here, serum soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR) is reported to be elevated in FSGS patients but not in patients with other primary glomerular diseases. Higher pre-transplantation suPAR levels are associated with risk for FSGS recurrence in kidney grafts. Renal disease only develops when suPAR sufficiently activates podocyte ?3 integrin. Thus, disease pathogenesis can be stopped or slowed by ex vivo removal of suPAR from a subject's circulation. Removal may be measured by comparing the level (e.g., amount or concentration) of suPAR before and after such treatment.
Abstract: The present invention provides methods for purifying a layer of carbon nanotubes comprising providing a precursor layer of substantially aligned carbon nanotubes supported by a substrate, wherein the precursor layer comprises a mixture of first carbon nanotubes and second carbon nanotubes; selectively heating the first carbon nanotubes; and separating the first carbon nanotubes from the second carbon nanotubes, thereby generating a purified layer of carbon nanotubes. Devices benefiting from enhanced electrical properties enabled by the purified layer of carbon nanotubes are also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 3, 2014
Date of Patent:
November 21, 2017
Assignees:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Northwestern University, University of Miami
Inventors:
John A. Rogers, William L. Wilson, Sung Hun Jin, Simon N. Dunham, Xu Xie, Ahmad Islam, Frank Du, Yonggang Huang, Jizhou Song
Abstract: A method and apparatus for 4-dimensional printing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a polymer pen array translatable in three axes, a light source for illuminating the polymer pen array, a reactive surface disposed opposite the polymer pen array, and a flow-through microfluidic cell having a reactive chamber in fluid communication with influx and outflux conduits. Solutions containing reagents are introduced into the reactive chamber, the polymer pen array is inserted into the reactive chamber, and is then illuminated with the light source so as to initiate polymerization between the reagents and the reactive surface.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 1, 2017
Publication date:
September 7, 2017
Applicant:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Adam B. Braunschweig, Yiwen JI, Xiaoming LIU, Yeting ZHENG
Abstract: A method of repairing diseased or dysfunctional pancreas or liver is provided. The method involves preparation of a suspension of stem cells and/or progenitor cells such as biliary tree stem cells, hepatic stem cells, pancreatic stem cells or their descendants, committed progenitor cells, from healthy tissue of the patient or of the biliary tree of a non-autologous donor and engrafting the cells into the wall of bile ducts near to the organ to be treated. The graft consists of stem cells or progenitors that are admixed with biomaterials and, optionally, with cytokines and/or native epithelial-mesenchymal cells appropriate for the maturational lineage stage of the cells to be engrafted.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 9, 2015
Date of Patent:
September 5, 2017
Assignees:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Miami-Diabetes Research Institute, Sapienza Università Di Roma
Inventors:
Lola M. Reid, Yunfang Wang, David A. Gerber, Giacomo Lanzoni, Luca Inverardi, Juan Dominguez-Bendala, Domenico Alvaro, Vincenzo Cardinale, Eugenio Gaudio, Guido Carpino
Abstract: The present invention provides dendrimer conjugates. The present invention provides a composition comprising a dendrimer conjugate and a cell, such as a cell covered with dendrimer conjugates, in which dendrimer conjugates home the cell to a target tissue.
Abstract: Compositions comprising TL1A-Ig fusion proteins and methods of their use, e.g., for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with antigen-specific immune responses, are described. Also described are combination therapies that include the administration of a TNFRSF25 agonist and an interleukin (e.g., IL-2) and/or an mTOR inhibitor (e.g., rapamycin).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 20, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 28, 2017
Assignee:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Eckhard R. Podack, Taylor H. Schreiber, Samia Q. Khan
Abstract: A method of repairing diseased or dysfunctional pancreas or liver is provided. The method involves preparation of a suspension of stem cells and/or progenitor cells such as biliary tree stem cells, hepatic stem cells, pancreatic stem cells or their descendants, committed progenitor cells, from healthy tissue of the patient or of the biliary tree of a non-autologous donor and engrafting the cells into the wall of bile ducts near to the organ to be treated. The graft consists of stem cells or progenitors that are admixed with biomaterials and, optionally, with cytokines and/or native epithelial-mesenchymal cells appropriate for the maturational lineage stage of the cells to be engrafted.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 12, 2014
Date of Patent:
January 3, 2017
Assignees:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Sapienza Università Di Roma, University of Miami—Diabetes Research Institute
Inventors:
Lola M. Reid, Yunfang Wang, David A. Gerber, Giacomo Lanzoni, Luca Inverardi, Juan Dominguez-Bendala, Domenico Alvaro, Vincenzo Cardinale, Eugenio Gaudio, Guido Carpino
Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) of a mammal that has been subjected to a stroke, traumatic injury to the CNS such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), or having an autoimmune or CNS disease have been developed. The compositions and methods described herein include antibodies that specifically bind to at least one component (e.g., ASC, NALP1) in a mammalian inflammasome (e.g., the NALP1 inflammasome) and have use as treatments for SCI, TBI, stroke, and autoimmune and CNS diseases in a mammal. In a rodent model of SCI, therapeutic neutralization of ASC using a polyclonal antibody that specifically binds to ASC inhibited the inflammasome, reduced caspase-1 activation, XIAP cleavage, and interleukin processing, resulting in significant tissue sparing and functional improvement. Additionally, in a rodent model of TBI, neutralization of ASC after TBI reduced caspase-1 activation and XIAP cleavage.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 19, 2014
Date of Patent:
December 6, 2016
Assignee:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Robert W. Keane, W. Dalton Dietrich, Juan Pablo De Rivero Vaccari, Helen M. Bramlett
Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for providing accurately localized, non-invasive radiation treatment for ocular melanoma or other intraocular indications through the completion of specified research tasks. The present invention further provides for dynamic localization of tumors associated with such indications. The system of the present invention includes the CYBERKNIFE system, a robust eye pupil tracking system, and an integrated software package to achieve intra-beam fractional tumor tracking during radiation delivery. The system may further include a mechanical phantom incorporated with a radiation dosimetry calibration kit for validation.
Abstract: Compositions comprising TL1A-Ig fusion proteins and methods of their use, e.g., for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with antigen-specific immune responses, are described. Also described are combination therapies that include the administration of a TNFRSF25 agonist and an interleukin (e.g., IL-2) and/or an mTOR inhibitor (e.g., rapamycin).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 20, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 18, 2016
Assignee:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Eckhard R. Podack, Taylor H. Schreiber, Samia Q. Khan