Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring micro-architectural properties of vascular networks are described herein. An example method can include injecting an ultrasound contrast agent into a medium, and transmitting a plurality of acoustic pulses into the medium using a ultrasound transducer array. Each respective acoustic pulse can be transmitted from one or more elements of the ultrasound transducer array. The method can also include receiving a plurality of backscattered signals with the ultrasound transducer array in response to each respective acoustic pulse, and obtaining a response matrix including the backscattered signals. The method can further include extracting a coherent or incoherent contribution to the backscattered signals from the response matrix, and quantifying a property of a vascular network based on the coherent or incoherent contribution to the backscattered signals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 21, 2023
Assignees:
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Marie Muller, Paul Dayton, Aditya Joshi
Abstract: Phase-incrementing MRSI (pi-MRSI) method has resolved overlapping biomarker images in the presence of a read-gradient. On a Bruker 9.4T MRI spectrometer, the pi-SEE-HSelMQC sequence was implemented. The choline-selective and lactate CH-selective RF pulses were phase incremented by 10° in opposite signs, synchronized with the phase-encoding steps. The lactate and choline images from a yogurt phantom displayed opposite image offsets without image overlapping. In vivo one-dimensional pi-SEE-HSelMQC CSI images of lactate and choline, acquired from the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer xenograft in a nude mouse, as well as two-dimensional pi-SEE-HSelMQC imaging of lactate and choline acquired from the PC3 human prostate cancer xenograft in a nude mouse, also had opposite image offsets, shifted away from the spurious residual water signals in the image center. The pi-SEE-HSelMQC method completely suppresses lipid and water with potential clinical applications in disease diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 20, 2021
Date of Patent:
March 14, 2023
Assignee:
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Abstract: A system for estimating maximum heart rate and maximal oxygen uptake from submaximal exercise intensities can include an exercise intensity monitor, a cardiopulmonary monitor, and one or more computers. The computers can be configured, by virtue of appropriate programming, to receive submaximal exercise intensity data from the exercise intensity monitor and submaximal cardiopulmonary data from the cardiopulmonary monitor while a user, who coupled to the exercise intensity monitor and the cardiopulmonary monitor, is performing an exercise at a submaximal exercise intensity. The one or more computers then determine a heuristic estimate of a maximal cardiopulmonary state of the user based on the submaximal exercise intensity data and the submaximal cardiopulmonary data.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 2016
Date of Patent:
February 21, 2023
Assignees:
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, DUKE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Claudio Luiz Battaglini, Brian Patrick Mann, Michael Joseph Mazzoleni
Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods of making substituted arenes via direct C—H amination. More specifically, methods of making para- and ortho-substituted arenes via direct C—H amination are disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 9, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 21, 2023
Assignee:
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Inventors:
David Nicewicz, Nathan Romero, Kaila Margrey, Nicholas Tay
Abstract: A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an “actuation force,” such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the “actuation force.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 10, 2022
Publication date:
February 2, 2023
Applicants:
Redbud Labs, Inc., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Inventors:
Richard Chasen Spero, Jay Kenneth Fisher, Richard Superfine
Abstract: A microfabricated device having at least one gas-entrapping feature formed therein in a configuration that entraps air bubbles upon wetting the feature with a solvent or solution is described. The device includes a sacrificial residue in contact with the gas-entrapping feature, the dissolution of which guides the wetting of the gas-entrapping feature.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 2019
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Inventors:
Nancy L. Allbritton, Yuli Wang, Christopher Sims
Abstract: The present invention provides Factor IX fusion proteins with higher specific activity and a longer useful clotting function relative to wild type or non-modified Factor IX protein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 19, 2016
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2023
Assignee:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract: This invention relates to polynucleotides encoding mini-dystrophin proteins, viral vectors comprising the same, and methods of using the same for delivery of mini-dystrophin to a cell or a subject.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 11, 2020
Date of Patent:
January 10, 2023
Assignees:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bamboo Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Xiao Xiao, Juan Li, Chunping Qiao, Scott W. J. McPhee, Richard J. Samulski, Maritza McIntyre
Abstract: This invention relates to modified parvovirus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that do not functionally interact with wild-type large Rep proteins, synthetic Rep proteins that functionally interact with the modified ITRs, and methods of using the same for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell or a subject. The modifications provide a novel Rep-ITR interaction that limits vector mobilization, increasing the safety of viral vectors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 19, 2020
Date of Patent:
January 3, 2023
Assignee:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic liver-specific promoters and expression constructs for producing polypeptides and functional nucleic acids in the liver of a subject. The invention further relates to optimized polynucleotide sequences encoding Factor IX proteins, vector comprising the same, and methods of using these compositions to treat a bleeding disorder.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 2018
Date of Patent:
December 20, 2022
Assignee:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract: Described herein are methods for improving or maintaining the barrier integrity of gingival tissue comprising administering an oral care composition comprising a curcurninoid, to the oral cavity of a subject in need thereof.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 17, 2020
Publication date:
December 15, 2022
Applicants:
Colgate-Palmolive Company, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Inventors:
Payal Arora, Zhigang HAO, Paul THOMSON, Manish MANDHARE, Yu WANG, Chi-Yuan CHENG, Harsh TRIVEDI, Long PAN, Silvana BARROS
Abstract: Active surface devices for and methods of providing dried reagents in microfluidic applications is disclosed. In one example, the active surface devices include one or more dried reagent spots in relation to an active surface in the reaction (or assay) chamber thereof. In another example, the active surface devices include a dried reagent coating on the surfaces of the reaction (or assay) chamber including the active surface. In one example, the presently disclosed active surface devices are micropost-based active surface devices for providing active mixing therein. Further, a method of forming a dried reagent spot in the active surface devices is provided. Further, a method of forming a dried reagent coating in the active surface devices is provided. Further, a method of using the active surface devices for providing dried reagents in microfluidic applications is provided.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 2, 2020
Publication date:
December 8, 2022
Applicants:
Redbud Labs, Inc., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Inventors:
Richard Chasen Spero, Jay Kenneth Fisher, Richard Superfine
Abstract: This invention relates to polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a PPT1 polypeptide or a fragment thereof, vectors (viral or non-viral vectors) comprising the same, and methods of using the same for delivery of the open reading frame to a cell or a subject and to treat infantile neuronal lipofuscinosis (infantile Batten disease). The polynucleotides comprise an optimized CLN1 open reading frame.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 2017
Date of Patent:
November 22, 2022
Assignee:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract: This invention relates to SARS-CoV-2 viruses adapted with nanoluciferase reporter molecules and mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 viruses, compositions including the same and methods of use thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 20, 2021
Date of Patent:
November 8, 2022
Assignee:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Inventors:
Ralph Baric, Harold Kenneth Dinnon, III, Sarah Rebecca Leist, Yixuan Hou
Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric AAV capsids targeted to the central nervous system, virus vectors comprising the same, and methods of using the vectors to target the central nervous system. The invention further relates to chimeric AAV capsids targeted to oligodendrocytes, virus vectors comprising the same, and methods of using the vectors to target oligodendrocytes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 13, 2020
Date of Patent:
November 8, 2022
Assignee:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), salts thereof, combinations, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, as well as therapeutic methods of treatment and prevention.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 5, 2020
Date of Patent:
November 8, 2022
Assignees:
GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Limited, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, ViiV Healthcare Company
Inventors:
Richard M. Dunham, David Margolis, Vincent Wing-Fai Tai, Jun Tang
Abstract: This invention relates to polynucleotides comprising optimized aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) open reading frames and vectors and cells comprising the same. The invention further relates to methods of using the same for delivery of the open reading frame to a cell or a subject and methods for treating aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) in a subject.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 22, 2018
Date of Patent:
November 8, 2022
Assignee:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract: Compositions and methods of transplanting cells by grafting strategies into solid organs (especially internal organs) are provided. These methods and compositions can be used to repair diseased organs or to establish models of disease states in experimental hosts. The method involves attachment onto the surface of a tissue or organ, a patch graft, a “bandaid-like” covering, containing epithelial cells with supporting early lineage stage mesenchymal cells. The cells are incorporated into soft gel-forming biomaterials prepared under serum-free, defined conditions comprised of nutrients, lipids, vitamins, and regulatory signals that collectively support stemness of the donor cells. The graft is covered with a biodegradable, biocompatible, bioresorbable backing used to affix the graft to the target site. The cells in the graft migrate into and throughout the tissue such that within a couple of weeks they are uniformly dispersed within the recipient (host) tissue.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 18, 2022
Publication date:
November 3, 2022
Applicant:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Inventors:
Lola M. Reid, Wencheng Zhang, Eliane Wauthier
Abstract: Methods and systems for using encapsulated microbubbles to process biological samples are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for using encapsulated microbubbles to process a biological sample includes creating a mixture comprising encapsulated microbubbles mixed with a biological sample and adding activation energy to the mixture to cause at least some of the microbubbles to oscillate or burst and thereby process the sample, including effecting cell lysis, shearing DNA, and/or performing tissue dispersion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 25, 2018
Date of Patent:
November 1, 2022
Assignee:
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Inventors:
William Perry Janzen, Samantha Gail Pattenden, Chatura Nadisha Jayakody, Jason Eric Streeter, Paul Alexander Dayton, Cameron Champion Wood, Siddharth Kaup Shenoy