Patents Assigned to University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
  • Publication number: 20240245627
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are new pharmacological therapies that increase CYB5R3 activity, improve vascular function and limit inflammation by restoring the redox balance in CVD. In one embodiment, disclosed herein are compounds that include an alkyl chain containing a nitroalkene group conjugated to a quinone-containing moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Adam C. Straub, Bruce A. Freeman, Francisco J. Schopfer
  • Publication number: 20240238486
    Abstract: A method of forming a microneedle array can include forming a sheet of material having a plurality of layers and micromilling the sheet of material to form a microneedle array. At least one of the plurality of layers can include a bioactive component, and the microneedle array can include a base portion and plurality of microneedles extending from the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Louis D. Falo, Jr., Geza Erdos, O. Burak Ozdoganlar
  • Publication number: 20240230809
    Abstract: A method for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI using an average saturation efficiency filter (ASEF)/adjustment of rotation and saturation effects (AROSE) includes: applying a first RF pulse train including a high duty cycle, the first RF pulse causing magnetization of exchangeable protons based on saturation and/or rotation effects, transferred to a water pool of a target structure; discontinuing application of the first RF pulse train; acquiring a first water MR signal; applying a second RF pulse train including a low duty cycle, the second RF pulse train causing magnetization of the target molecules based at least in part on saturation transfer and either minimizing rotation transfer with bipolar pulses or adjusting rotation transfer with selected flip angles; discontinuing application of the second RF pulse train; acquiring a second water MR signal; and generating ASEF/AROSE signal representing a difference between the first and second water MR signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: TAO JIN, JULIUS CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20240225516
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for identifying increased likelihood of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in a patient based on ECG data. The methods can include determining based on the ECG data that the patient lacks ST elevation (STE) and that the patient exhibits a ventricular repolarization dispersion (VRD) score that exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The VRD score can be based in part on a T wave complexity ratio that serves as a temporal marker of VRD for the patient. Other markers of spatial and time qualities of repolarization can also be included in the VRD score. An elevated VRD score in the absence of STE can indicate a likelihood of NSTEMI in the patient and a potential major adverse cardiac event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Salah Al-Zaiti, Ervin Sejdic, Clifton W. Callaway
  • Publication number: 20240225764
    Abstract: A system for controlling a magnetic microdevice to move within a fluidic environment, comprising an imaging device, a multi-axis electromagnet for generating a magnetic field based on sinusoidal current signals, and a controller for controlling the multi-axis electromagnet based on a machine-learning model, and wherein for training the machine-learning model, the controller is configured to receive images of the fluidic environment and the magnetic microdevice from the imaging device, determine a state comprising position information of the magnetic microdevice based on the images, calculate a measure of performance associated with a first set of sinusoidal current signals previously inputted to the multi-axis electromagnet, wherein the calculated measure of performance is used to adjust parameters of the machine-learning model, and generate based on the position information and the first set of sinusoidal current signals using the machine-learning model, a second set of sinusoidal current signals as inputs f
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Michael R. Behrens, Warren RUDER
  • Publication number: 20240230983
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical fiber sensing device includes steps of moving an optical fiber having a core linearly along a first direction, during the moving, directly writing a number of nanograting structures into the core using a laser beam generated by an ultrafast laser system, wherein the number of nanograting structures form a number of scattering points; and forming an energy transducing element on an outer surface of the optical fiber, wherein the number of scattering points is/are structured and configured to scatter light out of fiber core and into the transducing element to provide local power for the optical fiber sensing device. A system for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Peng Kevin Chen, Kehao Zhao, Mohan Wang, Sheng Huang
  • Publication number: 20240226170
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating an autoimmune disorder in a subject in need thereof. These methods include administering to the subject a pharmaceutical preparation comprising isolated matrix bound vesicles (MBV) derived from extracellular matrix. The administration can be systemic. In some embodiments, the subject has rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Stephen Badylak, George S. Hussey, Raphael Crum
  • Publication number: 20240225860
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for stimulating asynchronous and stochastic neural activity in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the methods are used to provide asynchronous and stochastic neural activity in a limb of a subject with an amputation of the limb, for example, in a method of controlling the prosthetic limb of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Beatrice Barra, Lee Erik Bartholomew Fisher, Marco Capogrosso, Ehsan Mirzakhalili, Scott Lempka
  • Patent number: 12033726
    Abstract: A method of generating a plurality of spatially co-registered data elements, each spatially co-registered data element being associated with and generated from a pair of co-registered tissue sections obtained from adjacent positions of a core taken from a tissue sample and including an image data section and a genomic data section. The method includes, for each pair of co-registered tissue sections: (i) obtaining and storing as part of a data element a plurality of multi to hyperplexed images from the imaging data section of the co-registered tissue section, (ii) generating and storing as part of the data element image data from the plurality of multi to hyperplexed images, and (iii) generating and storing as part of the data element genomic data from the genomic data section of the associated co-registered tissue section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Srinivas C. Chennubhotla, Albert H. Gough, Andrew M. Stern, Michael J. Becich, Douglass L Taylor
  • Patent number: 12016892
    Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a combination of five or more phages and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as well as methods of treating, reducing, or preventing a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a mammal, methods of treating an antibiotic resistant infection in a mammal, and methods of treating, reducing, or preventing activation of a latent disease caused by M. tuberculosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Graham F. Hatfull, Carlos Andrés Guerrero, Rebekah Marie Dedrick
  • Publication number: 20240197830
    Abstract: Interferon-?-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) peptides, IP-10 peptide variants and in silico designed C-X-C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) peptide agonists are described. The small peptides can be used for inhibiting pathological tissue remodeling and treating fibrosis in a subject, such as a subject with fibrosis of the heart, lung, liver, kidney or skin. The peptide agonists can also be used to treat cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Also described are in silico designed peptide antagonists that bind CXCR3 or ligands of CXCR3. These antagonist peptides block CXCR3 signaling by disrupting interaction of CXCR3 with its ligand. Antagonist peptides can be used, for example, to treat myocarditis and atherosclerosis. In additional embodiments agonists and antagonists of CXCR4 are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Tuskegee University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Cecelia C. Yates-Binder, Jesse Jaynes, Monte S. Willis, Richard J. Bodnar, Zariel I. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240189349
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inhibiting esophageal inflammation in a subject, that include administering to the esophagus of the subject with esophageal inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of an extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel. Methods are also disclosed for reducing esophageal stricture. Compositions are disclosed that include an esophageal extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Stephen Francis Badylak, Juan Diego Naranjo Gutierrez, Lindsey Tamiko Saldin
  • Publication number: 20240191226
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for treating a subject with type 2 diabetes. These methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor that decreases expression of smad2. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is an inhibitory RNA, a small molecule, or a CRISPR-Cas9 system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: George Gittes, Krishna Prasadan
  • Publication number: 20240185625
    Abstract: A method of compensating for focus drift in a microscopy system includes receiving data representing a reference light signal reflected from a sample and received by an image sensor, identifying from the data a peak of the reference light signal, the peak having a maximum intensity value for the reference light signal, extracting a sub-region having a center from the data, the center being located at the peak, calculating a first harmonic of a Fourier transform of the extracted sub-region, estimating a peak position of the reference light signal based on a phase of the first harmonic, and moving the lens system of the microscopy system or the sample in the axial direction using the translation stage based on the estimated position. Also, a system compensating for focus drift in a microscopy system according to the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: HONGQIANG MA, YANG LIU
  • Publication number: 20240185626
    Abstract: A computational systems pathology spatial analysis platform includes: (i) a spatial heterogeneity quantification component configured for generating a global quantification of spatial heterogeneity among cells of varying phenotypes in multi-parameter cellular and subcellular imaging data; (ii) a microdomain identification component configured for identifying a plurality of microdomains for tissue samples based on the global quantification, each microdomain being associated with a tissue sample; and (iii) a weighted graph component configured for constructing a weighted graph for the multi-parameter cellular and subcellular imaging data, the weighted graph having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges each being located between a pair of the nodes, wherein in the weighted graph each node is a particular one of the microdomains and the edge between each pair of microdomains in the weighted graph is indicative of a degree of similarity between the pair of the microdomains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Srinivas C. Chennubhotla, Filippo Pullara, Douglass L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240164665
    Abstract: A system for classifying the severity of a user's impairment can include a target apparatus, a plurality of inertial measurement units, and a processor. The target apparatus can include a base, a target structure coupled to the base, and a plurality of targets coupled to the target structure. The processor can be configured to classify the severity of the user's impairment based on the data collected from the inertial measurement units. A method can include classifying a severity of a person's impairment based on one or more motion features associated with the person's performance of one or more tasks at a target apparatus. A target apparatus used in assessing physical impairment of a user can include a track system, a target structure coupled to the track system, and a plurality of targets coupled to a central portion and arms of the target structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Amit Sethi, Marcus C. Allen, William W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20240156779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, or cancer cachexia, or inhibiting abnormally increased white adipose tissue browning, or decreasing the risk of a kidney stone in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a negative allosteric modulator of parathyroid hormone (PTH) type 1 receptor (PTHR) signaling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Ieva Sutkeviciute, Jean-Pierre Vilardaga, Jiyoung Lee, Ivet Bahar, Burak Kaynak
  • Publication number: 20240156370
    Abstract: A portable hearing screening and amplification device structured to be coupled to a headset includes: a housing, a plurality of buttons, a plurality of indicators, a microphone circuit, an output circuit, a power source, and a controller. Upon passing a background noise test, the portable hearing screening and amplification device is structured to transmit a plurality of hearing screening tones to the headset for a user for testing of the plurality of hearing screening tones and complete the hearing screening based on responses of the user related to the plurality of hearing screening tones, the responses including a number of hearing screening tones that the user has perceived during the hearing screening. Based on a determination that the number of hearing screening tones perceived is less than a prerequisite number, the portable hearing screening and amplification device is further structured to switch to amplification mode and provide amplification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Vipperman, Catherine Palmer, Erik Rauterkus, Jacalynn Ona Sharp, Christopher Dumm, Joseph Lyle Koch
  • Patent number: 11983943
    Abstract: A computational systems pathology spatial analysis platform includes: (i) a spatial heterogeneity quantification component configured for generating a global quantification of spatial heterogeneity among cells of varying phenotypes in multi-parameter cellular and subcellular imaging data; (ii) a microdomain identification component configured for identifying a plurality of microdomains for tissue samples based on the global quantification, each microdomain being associated with a tissue sample; and (iii) a weighted graph component configured for constructing a weighted graph for the multi-parameter cellular and subcellular imaging data, the weighted graph having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges each being located between a pair of the nodes, wherein in the weighted graph each node is a particular one of the microdomains and the edge between each pair of microdomains in the weighted graph is indicative of a degree of similarity between the pair of the microdomains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Srinivas C. Chennubhotla, Filippo Pullara, Douglass L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240148862
    Abstract: Methods are provided for promoting, reducing, or desensitizing various immune responses by delivery of sub-immunogenic doses of an allergen, alone or with other agents, or by delivery of antigens and adjuvants to a cutaneous microenvironment of a subject. Microneedle arrays can be used in connection with this delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Louis D. Falo, JR., Adriana Teresita Larregina De Morelli