Patents Assigned to University of Minnesota
  • Automated detection of nitrogen deficiency in crop
    Patent number: 10599926
    Abstract: Pixel color values representing an image of a portion of a field are received where each pixel color value has a respective position within the image. A processor identifies groups of the received pixel color values as possibly representing a Nitrogen-deficient plant leaf. For each group of pixel color values, the processor converts the pixel color values into feature values that describe a shape and the processor uses the feature values describing the shape to determine whether the group of pixel color values represents a Nitrogen-deficient leaf of a plant. The processor stores in memory an indication that the portion of the field is deficient in Nitrogen based on the groups of pixel color values determined to represent a respective Nitrogen-deficient leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos, Vassilios Morellas, Dimitris Zermas, David Mulla, Michael Bazakos, Daniel Kaiser
  • Biosynthetic pathways and products
    Patent number: 10597687
    Abstract: This disclosure describes biosynthesized compounds including anhydromevalonolactone and ?-methyl-?-valerolactone. This disclosure further describes biosynthetic methods for making these compounds. In some embodiments, the biosynthetic methods can include a combination of biosynthesis and chemical steps to produce ?-methyl-?-valerolactone. Finally, this disclosure described recombinant cells useful for the biosynthesis of these compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Kechun Zhang, Mingyong Xiong
  • Manual wheelchair system for improved propulsion and transfers
    Patent number: 10588795
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame having a first lateral member that is connected to first and second braces at their respective first ends. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The collapsible frame additionally includes a second lateral member that is connected to the first and second braces as their respective second ends. The first and second braces are configured to release the second lateral member to collapse the manual wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veteran Affairs, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Gary D. Goldish
  • Substrates for FLT3 kinase and uses thereof
    Patent number: 10590168
    Abstract: The invention provides kinase substrates and methods comprising their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Laurie L. Parker, Minervo Perez
  • Systems and methods for steady-state echo magnetic resonance imaging
    Patent number: 10591566
    Abstract: A method for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data from a subject. The method includes performing a series of radio frequency pulses formed of individual RF pulses applied with a constant time interval between each of the individual RF pulses to form a consistent magnetic field about at least of a region of interest in the subject, where the RF pulse has a flip angle of less than 30 degrees. The method also includes performing phase encoding gradients to achieve spatial encoding and performing an imaging acquisition process over an acquisition window to acquire imaging data. The method further includes performing phase encoding rephasing gradients and repeating the preceding steps such that a time between a center of the acquisition window and a center of a first RF pulse in a first RF pulse in a repetition of the RF pulses is equal to the constant pulse interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Naoharu Kobayashi, Djaudat Idiyatullin, Michael Garwood
  • Homologous recombination in multipotent adult progenitor cells
    Patent number: 10583202
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of altering gene expression by homologous recombination in a multipotent adult progenitor cell (MAPC). In particular, methods of producing a recombinant MAPC, of correcting a genetic defect in a mammal, of providing a functional and/or therapeutic protein to a mammal, and of transforming a MAPC are provided. MAPCs containing an erogenous DNA as well as recombinant MAPCs and their differentiated progeny are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: ABT Holding Company, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Catherine M. Verfaillie, Uma Lakshmipathy
  • Systems and methods to provide sympathetic modulation therapy
    Patent number: 10583295
    Abstract: An example of a system may include a lead including a distal electrode portion. The distal electrode portion may be configured to at least partially encircle a sympathetic chain in a lumbar region or thoracic region. The distal electrode portion may include at least one electrode oriented toward the sympathetic chain when the distal electrode portion at least partially encircles the sympathetic chain. The distal portion may include at least one anchoring site configured for use to mechanically secure the distal electrode portion to tissue proximate to the sympathetic chain. The lead may have a strain relief proximate to the distal electrode portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Akshay Ashok Gupte, Bryan Allen Clark, Bryce Calvin Beverlin, II, David Ernest Wechter
  • Aerosol particle growth systems using polymer electrolyte membranes
    Patent number: 10583410
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are aerosol particle growth systems including polymer electrolyte membranes and related methods of increasing the size of aerosol particles. In some embodiments, an outer housing contains a reservoir of a working fluid, and a PEM conduit extends through the outer housing, the reservoir, and the working fluid so that the working fluid is in contact with an outer surface of the PEM conduit. The conduit can be generally helical or coiled, for example. In some embodiments, the working fluid is molecularly transported across the PEM and disperses into an aerosol flowing through the PEM conduit. As the aerosol flows through the PEM conduit, the aerosol particles act as nucleation sites for the gaseous working fluid, which condenses on the particles, causing the particles to grow in size and making them easier to detect, collect, measure, count, study, or otherwise investigate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Pramod S. Kulkarni, Jikku Moolamkunnam Thomas, Christopher J. Hogan, Jr.
  • Electric field switchable magnetic devices
    Patent number: 10586579
    Abstract: A magnetic device may include a layer stack. The layer stack may include a first ferromagnetic layer; a non-magnetic spacer layer on the first ferromagnetic layer, where the non-magnetic spacer layer comprises at least one of Ru, Ir, Ta, Cr, W, Mo, Re, Hf, Zr, or V; a second ferromagnetic layer on the non-magnetic spacer layer; and an oxide layer on the second ferromagnetic layer. The magnetic device also may include a voltage source configured to apply a bias voltage across the layer stack to cause switching of a magnetic orientation of the second ferromagnetic layer without application of an external magnetic field or a current. A thickness and composition of the non-magnetic spacer layer may be selected to enable a switching direction of the magnetic orientation of the second ferromagnetic layer to be controlled by a sign of the bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, Delin Zhang, Sara A. Majetich, Mukund Bapna
  • AORTO OSTIAL FLUID DIRECTING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200069913
    Abstract: A fluid directing device may include a catheter and a skirt. The catheter may define a lumen and may have a distal end and a proximal end. The skirt may be attached to a distal region of the catheter and may encircle the catheter. The skirt may have a proximal end attached to the catheter, and a free distal end, the skirt having a sidewall extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the skirt configured to move between a collapsed state and an expanded state in which the sidewall extends radially away from the catheter, the sidewall defining an interior chamber in the expanded state, wherein the skirt is configured to prevent contrast media that exits the catheter lumen from passing through the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicants: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC., REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: TINA MARIE LENNEMAN, DENNIS A. BOISMIER, KYLE HARISH SRIVASTAVA, KEVIN J. GOODWIN, FELIX LANDAETA, PAIGE V. TRACY
  • AORTIC OCCLUSION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200069312
    Abstract: A vessel occlusion device is provided for use during a coronary artery bypass procedure. The vessel occlusion device may include a clamp including at least one rigid portion sized to be disposed around an outer surface of a vessel such as the aorta. The clamp defines a clamp lumen sized to receive the vessel. The clamp has a sidewall with an opening extending therethrough, and an inflatable balloon disposed within the clamp lumen and positioned proximal of the opening in the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicants: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC., REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: TINA MARIE LENNEMAN, DENNIS A. BOISMIER, KYLE HARISH SRIVASTAVA, KEVIN J. GOODWIN, FELIX LANDAETA, PAIGE V. TRACY
  • CD200 inhibitors and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 10576145
    Abstract: The present invention provides in certain embodiments conjugates comprising at least one CD200 inhibitor and an adjuvant, and methods of reversing or modulating immune suppression in a patient having a disease or disorder arising from abnormal cell growth, function or behavior, which method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a composition comprising a CD200 inhibitor and an adjuvant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventor: Michael Olin
  • METHODS FOR TREATING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND ASSOCIATED SYMPTOMS
    Publication number: 20200061148
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by restoring an ASD patient's gut microbiota. These methods can be used with ASD patient with or without ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms. Provided here is a method for ASD treatment in a subject in need thereof comprising or consisting essentially of administering a therapeutic composition comprising a fecal microbe or a fecal microbiota preparation to the subject. Also provided here is a method comprises administering an antibiotic to a human subject; subjecting the human subject to a bowel cleanse; and administering purified fecal microbiota to the human subject. Further provided are evaluation and quantitative characterization of patient symptom improvements upon treatment described here.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicants: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University, Regents of the University of Minnesota, Crestovo Holdings LLC
    Inventors: James ADAMS, Rosa KRAJMALNIK-BROWN, Dae-Wook KANG, Michael J. SADOWSKY, Alexander KHORUTS, Thomas J. BORODY
  • Multilayer iron nitride hard magnetic materials
    Patent number: 10573439
    Abstract: The disclosure describes multilayer hard magnetic materials including at least one layer including ??-Fe16N2 and at least one layer including ??-Fe16(NxZ1-x)2 or a mixture of ??-Fe16N2 and ??-Fe16Z2, where Z includes at least one of C, B, or O, and x is a number greater than zero and less than one. The disclosure also describes techniques for forming multilayer hard magnetic materials including at least one layer including ??-Fe16N2 and at least one layer including ??-Fe16(NxZ1-x)2 or a mixture of ??-Fe16N2 and ??-Fe16Z2 using chemical vapor deposition or liquid phase epitaxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, Yanfeng Jiang
  • Method to enhance swallowing safety and appeal of beverages for treating dysphagia based on rheological and sensory parameters
    Patent number: 10568831
    Abstract: An edible composition of matter having an apparent viscosity of from about 150 cP to about 2000 cP at about 30 s?1; a yield stress of from 0 Pa to about 20 Pa at 1 s?1; and a flow index of from about 0.2 to about 0.6. The composition may include an imaging agent. The compositions are useful for providing sustenance to dysphagic subjects and for evalualuating dysphagia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, The Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Heather N. Mendenhall, Richard W. Hartel, JoAnne Robbins, Jacqueline A. Hind, Zata M. Vickers
  • Coatings containing polymer modified enzyme for stable self-cleaning of organic stains
    Patent number: 10563094
    Abstract: Bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Ping Wang, Liting Zhang, Andreas Buthe, Xueyan Zhao, Songtao Wu, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Systems and methods for programming and operating deep brain stimulation arrays
    Patent number: 10561848
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for determining and/or programming stimulation settings for a pulse generator capable of steering current to a deep brain stimulation array are disclosed. Individual patient brain geometry and lead specific geometry data can be used to generate a maximum activation function curve. Optimization methods can be used to find stimulation settings that are as close as possible to achieving the value of the maximum activation function curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: YiZi Xiao, Edgar Peña, Matthew Douglas Johnson
  • Steering resonance along a trajectory
    Patent number: 10564241
    Abstract: A method for generating a magnetic resonance image includes applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse to a specimen. The method includes modulating a spatially varying magnetic field to impart an angular velocity to a trajectory of a region of resonance relative to the specimen. The method includes acquiring data corresponding to the region of resonance and reconstructing a representation of the specimen based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Angela Lynn Styczynski Snyder, Curtis A. Corum, Djaudat S. Idiyatullin, Steen Moeller, Michael G. Garwood
  • Workzone safety system
    Patent number: 10567910
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a wireless communication system capable of receiving position information for a plurality of workers in a work zone and a position system capable of providing position information for a piece of movable equipment in the work zone. A processor is capable of receiving the position information for the plurality of workers and the position information for the movable equipment and is capable of determining the position of the workers relative to the position of the movable equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: M. Imran Hayee, Nazanin Abbaszadeh Banaeiyan, Attiq Uz Zaman
  • Method of making iron nitride powder with anisotropic shape
    Patent number: 10562103
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for milling an iron-containing raw material in the presence of a nitrogen source to generate anisotropically shaped particles that include iron nitride and have an aspect ratio of at least 1.4. Techniques for nitridizing an anisotropic particle including iron, and annealing an anisotropic particle including iron nitride to form at least one a?-Fe16N2 phase domain within the anisotropic particle including iron nitride also are disclosed. In addition, techniques for aligning and joining anisotropic particles to form a bulk material including iron nitride, such as a bulk permanent magnet including at least one a?-Fe16N2 phase domain, are described. Milling apparatuses utilizing elongated bars, an electric field, and a magnetic field also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, YanFeng Jiang