Patents Assigned to University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth Systems of the Higher Education
  • CRISPR EPIGENETIC THERAPEUTICS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20220325298
    Abstract: Disclosed are effective, specific, and durable pain management therapies using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR-based) epigenetic modulation of endogenous pathways involved in pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Samira Kiani, Mo Reza Ebrahimkhani, Tahere Mokhtari
  • Highly stable electronic device employing hydrophobic coating layer
    Patent number: 11469054
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as, without limitation, a perovskite solar cell or a light emitting diode, includes an assembly including at least one electronic portion or component, and a composite coating layer covering at least part of the assembly including the at least one electronic portion or component. The composite coating layer includes a polymer material, such as, without limitation, PMMA or PMMA-PU, having nanoparticles, such as, without limitation, reduced graphene oxide or SiO2, embedded therein. The electronic device may further include a second coating layer including a second polymer material (such as, without limitation, PMMA or PMMA-PU without nanoparticles) positioned between the coating layer and the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Global Frontier Center for Multiscale Enery Systems
    Inventors: Jung-Kun Lee, Gillsang Han
  • Method of making a distributed optical fiber sensor having enhanced Rayleigh scattering and enhanced temperature stability, and monitoring systems employing same
    Patent number: 11467338
    Abstract: A method of making an optical fiber sensor device for distributed sensing includes generating a laser beam comprising a plurality of ultrafast pulses, and focusing the laser beam into a core of an optical fiber to form a nanograting structure within the core, wherein the nanograting structure includes a plurality of spaced nanograting elements each extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of optical fiber. Also, an optical fiber sensor device for distributed sensing includes an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis, a core, and a nanograting structure within the core, wherein the nanograting structure includes a plurality of spaced nanograting elements each extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. Also, a distributed sensing method and system and an energy production system that employs such an optical fiber sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Peng Kevin Chen, Aidong Yan, Michael P. Buric, Paul R. Ohodnicki, Sheng Huang
  • METHODS OF RESTORING LYSOSOMAL FUNCTION OF RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELLS BY ACTIVATION OF TFEB
    Publication number: 20220313722
    Abstract: A method of restoring lysosomal function of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and a method of preventing and/or treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Stargardt's macular retinal degeneration, neurodegenerative disease, or diabetic retinopathy in a subject are provided. The methods comprise administering (i) a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising a constitutively active form of transcription factor EB (TFEB) or (ii) the polypeptide to a subject in need thereof. Associated polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, and compositions thereof also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Debasish Sinha, Leah Caroline Thomas Byrne, Nadezda Anatolyena Stepicheva, Sayan Ghosh, Stacey Hose
  • GRIFFITHSIN MUTANTS
    Publication number: 20220315629
    Abstract: The invention provides modified griffithsin polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, as well as corresponding nucleic acids, vectors, cells, fusion proteins, constructs, conjugates, and methods of inhibiting viral infection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicants: The United States of America,as represented by the Secretary,Department of Health and Human Services, University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc., University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Barry R. O'Keefe, Tinoush Moulaei, Kenneth E. Palmer, Lisa C. Rohan, Joshua L. Fuqua, Lindsay F. Kramzer
  • INHALED DELIVERY OF PEPTIDE MIMICS OF CXCL10 FOR TARGETED ANTI-FIBROTIC THERAPY
    Publication number: 20220313777
    Abstract: Administration via inhalation of small peptides that mimic CXCL10 (FIBROKINE™ peptides) is described. The peptides can be administered as an aerosol, such as an aerosol with a droplet size small enough to reach lung alveoli. Use of the peptides to treat fibrosis, such as lung fibrosis, is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Tuskegee University
    Inventors: Cecelia C. Yates, Timothy E. Corcoran, Zariel I. Johnson, Jesse Jaynes
  • NITRITE FORMULATIONS AND USES THEREOF FOR THE TREATMENT OF LUNG INJURY
    Publication number: 20220305051
    Abstract: Methods for the treatment of lung injury caused by chemical inhalation, smoke inhalation or microbial infection are described. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of nitrite or a nitrite formulation. Nitrite formulations that include a nitrite salt and an anti-caking agent, such as sodium bicarbonate, and the use of such formulations, is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jason Joseph Rose, Mark Thomas Gladwin, Rakesh P. Patel, Sadis Matalon
  • GEL FOR TREATING PERIOCULAR AND/OR ORBITAL PATHOLOGIES AND CONDITIONS
    Publication number: 20220296512
    Abstract: A method comprising treating a periocular wound in a subject, comprising topically administering to the periocular wound a composition comprising at least one thermoresponsive gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Morgan V. Fedorchak, Jenny Yu, Michael A. Washington
  • IMMUNOPET AND IMMUNOSPECT IMAGING TO IDENTIFY CYTOTOXIC T CELL ACTIVITY
    Publication number: 20220296737
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for identifying cytotoxic T cell activity due to cancer immunotherapy in a subject. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering an effective amount of a tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to a subject receiving a cancer immunotherapy, wherein the tracer comprises an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to a luminal domain of a lymphocytic granule-associated molecule (LGAM) labeled with a PET or SPECT detectable moiety, and detecting the signal of the tracer by PET or SPECT imaging to identify the cytotoxic T cell activity due to immune therapy for the cancer in the subject. In several embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment specifically binds to the luminal domain of CD107a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Carolyn Anderson, Wilson Edwards, Gary Kohanbash
  • BIOMIMETIC DRUG DELIVERY OF AN IMMUNOMODULATORY AGENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF OCULAR CONDITIONS
    Publication number: 20220296716
    Abstract: A method for treating an ocular disorder in a subject comprising administering a therapeutic agent-loaded carrier to an ocular site of the subject in need thereof, wherein the therapeutic agent loaded-carrier provides controlled delivery of the therapeutic agent under conditions suitable for recruiting regulatory T cells to an ocular region of interest or inducing regulatory T cells in an ocular region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Steven R. Little, Michelle L. Guaragno, Andrew J. Glowacki, Morgan V. Fedorchak, Stephen C. Balmert
  • USE OF RELAXIN TO TREAT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
    Publication number: 20220289809
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using relaxin polypeptides and analogs, or nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides to treat or inhibit atrial fibrillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: David S. Schwartzman, Sanjeev G. Shroff, Guy Salama, Charles F. McTiernan
  • LYMPH NODE AS A SITE FOR TRANSPLANTATION, ORGANOGENESIS AND FUNCTION FOR MULTIPLE TISSUES AND ORGANS
    Publication number: 20220288127
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for transplanting non-lymphoid tissues into lymphoid organs. It may be used to cultivate organ tissues including for the purpose of supplementing or reconstituting organ function. Tissues that may be propagated in this manner include but are not limited to lung, kidney, thyroid, intestine, and brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventor: Eric Lagasse
  • METHODS OF TREATING CANCERS CONTAINING FUSION GENES
    Publication number: 20220290257
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating cancer patients carrying one or more specific fusion genes. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that the protein encoded by the MAN2A1-FER fusion gene exhibits kinase activity and the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting MAN2A1-FER in a cancer other than prostate, for example hepatocellular cancer, led to dramatic improvement of survival of animals xenografted with the cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Jianhua LUO, Zhanghui CHEN, Yanping YU, George MICHALOPOULOS, Joel B. NELSON
  • NRF2 ACTIVATION FOR TREATMENT OF NEPHROGENIC DIABETES INSIPIDUS
    Publication number: 20220273703
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating or preventing nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) in a subject that includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inducer, thereby treating or preventing the NDI in the subject. The Nrf2 inducer may be a fumarate, a nitro fatty acid, a bardoxolone or sulforaphane. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a Nuclear factor-crythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inducer and (ii) lithium or a lithium salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: University Of Pittsburgh-Of The Commonwealth System Of Higher Education
    Inventors: Francisco J. Schopfer, Dario A. Vitturi Iglesias, Soma Jobbagy
  • SENSING CANNULA SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20220273188
    Abstract: Described herein are sensing cannula systems that include a surgical instrument, a detection unit, and a conductive pad having a reference electrode and configured to be placed on the patient at a location outside the patient's body. The surgical instrument can include a cannula (such as a fat grafting cannula) having an electrically conductive distal tip and electrical insulation covering the cannula proximally from the distal tip, wherein the distal tip comprises a first electrode. The detection unit can include electrical circuitry that is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and the conductive pad and operable to measure an electrical impedance between the first electrode and the reference electrode to determine what type of tissue the distal tip is in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, UPMC
    Inventors: David Turer, William W. Clark, April Lawrence, Ehsan Qaium, Joseph Peter Rubin, Cameron Dezfulian
  • TOUCH-SENSING VIA EXCITATION OF A SURFACE WITH A WAVEFORM
    Publication number: 20220276762
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for sensing touch at a surface. Sensing touch can be achieved while decreasing the number of sensors at a surface as well as data and computation complexity, but maintaining accuracy. Such sensing touch can be achieved via applying excitation and detecting emission waveforms at a surface that are associated with touch at a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: David A. Anderson
  • SMALL PEPTIDE COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF
    Publication number: 20220257718
    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: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Tuskegee University
    Inventors: Cecelia C. Yates-Binder, Jesse Jaynes
  • ADJUSTABLE LIPOSUCTION CANNULA
    Publication number: 20220249760
    Abstract: A device for removing fat from a body can include a pair of nested hollow members that each has at least one opening and an adjustment means for adjusting the orientation of the nested hollow members from a first configuration to a second configuration to change an amount of overlap between openings in the nested hollow members. The nested members can be deformable to change the shape of the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: J. Peter Rubin, Arielle A. Richter, Aaron T. Ledgerwood, Jessica C. Huynh, Kacey G. Marra, Stephen Holland, Mark J. Gartner
  • ECM HYDROGEL FOR TREATING ESOPHAGEAL INFLAMMATION
    Publication number: 20220249549
    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: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Stephen Francis Badylak, Juan Diego Naranjo Gutierrez, Lindsey Tamiko Saldin
  • POLYMER-BASED IMPLANT FOR RETINAL THERAPY AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20220249700
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a polymer-based implant and methods of making and using the same. The polymer-based implant comprises a polymer component and a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the polymer-based implant can be used to treat and/or prevent retinal diseases and/or retinopathies. The polymer-based implant exhibits physical properties that provide the ability to safely place the polymer-based implant in an ocular region without undesired diffusion and also to allow for controlled and timely release of the therapeutic agent to a desired region of the ocular region, such as the retina. In particular disclosed embodiments, the polymer-based implant can be used for safe and effective gene therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Morgan Fedorchak, Leah Byrne, José-Alain Sahel