Patents Assigned to University of Utah
  • Use of -quaternary ammonium salts as pain modulating agents
    Patent number: 9155733
    Abstract: Provided are tris-quaternary ammonium compounds which are modulators of nociception and pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: University of Kentucky Research Foundation, University of Utah
    Inventors: Joseph R. Holtman, Peter Anthony Crooks, Linda P. Dwoskin, J. Michael McIntosh
  • Targeted chromosomal mutagenesis using zinc finger nucleases
    Patent number: 9145565
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method or methods of targeted genetic recombination or mutagenesis in a host cell or organism, and compositions useful for carrying out the method. The targeting method of the present invention exploits endogenous cellular mechanisms for homologous recombination and repair of double stranded breaks in genetic material. The present invention provides numerous improvements over previous mutagenesis methods, such advantages include that the method is generally applicable to a wide variety of organisms, the method is targeted so that the disadvantages associated with random insertion of DNA into host genetic material are eliminated, and certain embodiments require relatively little manipulation of the host genetic material for success. Additionally, it provides a method that produces organisms with specific gene modifications in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dana Carroll, Mary M. Golic, Marina Bibikova, Gary Drews, Kent G. Golic
  • Isolation, identification, and uses of antifungal compounds
    Patent number: 9139616
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to isolated compounds useful as antifungal agents, for example, compounds having a structure represented by a formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen or hydroxyl; wherein R2 is hydrogen or xylose; and wherein R3 and R4 are each hydrogen or together oxygen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; methods of isolating and purifying same; pharmaceutical compositions comprising same; agricultural compositions comprising same; and methods of treating and/or preventing fungal infections using same. 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 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Eric W. Schmidt, Joseph O. Falkinham, Peter W. Jeffs
  • Methods for analysis of free and autoantibody-bound biomarkers and associated compositions, devices, and systems
    Patent number: 9140695
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits associated with analyzing, enriching, and/or isolating a biomarker or analyte in a biological sample. In one aspect, for example, a method for determining a concentration of a biomarker in a biological sample can include binding any unbound biomarker with an antibody specific for the biomarker to form antibody-bound biomarker, enriching the antibody-bound biomarker and any endogenous autoantibody-bound biomarker to form an enriched fraction, identifying the biomarker in the enriched fraction, and determining the concentration of the biomarker in the biological sample. In one aspect, the concentration of the biomarker is derived from initially unbound biomarker and autoantibody-bound biomarker in the biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mark M. Kushnir, Alan L. Rockwood, A. Wayne Meikle
  • Methods for deactivating biomass
    Patent number: 9139460
    Abstract: A method of deactivating biomass is set forth. The method includes two stages, a disrupting stage and a rupture stage. The disrupting stage includes the steps of injecting an oxidizer gas into the biomass with minimal or significant elevated pressure and then a depressurizing of the biomass. The steps cause a disruption of cellular membranes of cells present in the biomass. The rupture stage includes the step of injecting the biomass with a rupture gas sufficient to pressurize the biomass to a second elevated pressure following by the depressurizing of the biomass. The injecting and depressurizing steps of the rupture stage can be repeated at least two times in order to rupture the cell membranes and expose residual cell contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: P. K. Andy Hong
  • State estimator for rejecting noise and tracking and updating bias in inertial sensors and associated methods
    Patent number: 9127947
    Abstract: A method and system for tracking and updating bias in an inertial sensor by determining a maximum bias drift and a noise band for a sensor, determining a prior bias value of the sensor, and measuring a current bias value of the sensor. The method and system can further include calculating a bias difference between the prior bias value and the current bias value, and updating the prior bias value with the current bias value if the current bias value is within the noise band and the bias difference is less than or equal to the maximum bias drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mark A. Minor, Eric A. Johnson, Stacy J. Morris Bamberg
  • Grated collimation system for computed tomography
    Patent number: 9125572
    Abstract: A collimator for a computed tomography imaging device can include first and second leaves positioned on opposing sides of a primary radiation delivery window. The first and second leaves can include first and second gratings having a plurality of attenuating members with a plurality of secondary radiation delivery windows extending between adjacent attenuating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Frederic Noo, Dominic Heuscher
  • Development of natural killer cells and functional natural killer cell lines
    Patent number: 9121008
    Abstract: The invention relates to natural killer cells and methods for the development of immortalized natural killer cells and use of the natural killer cells. A growth and culture system is described that supports increased natural killer cell development, and provides for the establishment of continuous natural killer cell lines. Additionally, the disclosed method for generating natural killer cells may be used to produce large numbers of natural killer cells for therapeutic applications and for natural killer cell research.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: Schickwann Tsai
  • Ultra-high efficiency color mixing and color separation
    Patent number: 9110291
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combining or separating spectral components by means of a polychromat. A polychromat is employed to combine a plurality of beams, each derived from a separate source, into a single output beam, thereby providing for definition of one or more of the intensity, color, color uniformity, divergence angle, degree of collimation, polarization, focus, or beam waist of the output beam. The combination of sources and polychromat may serve as an enhanced-privacy display and to multiplex signals of multiple spectral components. In other embodiments of the invention, a polychromat serves to disperse spectral components for spectroscopic or de-multiplexing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jose Dominguez-Caballero, Rajesh Menon
  • COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PEPTIDE EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION USING A TYPE III SECRETION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150225466
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for expressing and purifying a peptide of interest using a Flagellar Type III secretion system. Disclosed are nucleic acid sequences that contain a FlgM nucleic acid sequence, a cleavage site, and a nucleic acid sequence of interest. Also disclosed are polypeptides that contain FlgM, a cleavage site and a peptide of interest. Methods of producing polypeptides that have FlgM, a cleavage site and a peptide of interest are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kelly T. Hughes, Baldomero M. Olivera
  • Nanoelectromechanical logic devices
    Patent number: 9102516
    Abstract: Nanoelectromechanical logic devices can include a plurality of flexible bridges having control and logic electrodes. Voltages applied to control electrodes can be used to control flexing of the bridges. The logic electrodes can provide logical functions of the applied voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: Massood Tabib-Azar
  • Microscopy visualization
    Patent number: 9104903
    Abstract: A method is described for correlating microscopy images from a number of modalities in a sub diffraction resolution environment. The method may include receiving a number of datasets that may represent microscopy captures from a number of different modalities. The microscopy captures may contain feature markers that may be used to register a number of data points contained in a dataset with data points from another dataset. Upon registering the data points of the datasets, a combined dataset may be produced and a visual image of the combined dataset may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven P. Callahan, Bryan W. Jones, Greg M. Jones, Erik Jorgensen, John Schreiner, Tolga Tasdizen, Shigeki Watanabe, Stan Kanarowski, Josh Cates
  • Intraocular drug delivery device and associated methods
    Patent number: 9095404
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for delivery of an active agent into the eye of a subject can include an ocular active agent delivery device (40) having an active agent reservoir (44) disposed in an annular body (42), the annular body (42) being configured to fit inside of a lens capsule and at least partially encircling a line of sight of an intraocular lens within the lens capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Balamurali K. Ambati, Bruce K. Gale
  • Ozonation conversion of heavy hydrocarbons for resource recovery
    Patent number: 9090834
    Abstract: A method for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons into more usable hydrocarbon products is provided. The method provides for the steps of adding heavy hydrocarbons to a solvent system to form a reaction medium, and ozonating the reaction medium with an ozone containing gas to provide ozonation products. The solvent system can include a first solvent that solubilizes at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbons and a reactive solvent which reacts with ozonation intermediates. Reactive solvent is maintained at concentrations sufficient to decompose ozonation intermediates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: P. K. Andy Hong, Zhixiong Cha
  • Parallel grid population
    Patent number: 9092901
    Abstract: Parallel population of a grid with a plurality of objects using a plurality of processors. One example embodiment is a method for parallel population of a grid with a plurality of objects using a plurality of processors. The method includes a first act of dividing a grid into n distinct grid portions, where n is the number of processors available for populating the grid. The method also includes acts of dividing a plurality of objects into n distinct sets of objects, assigning a distinct set of objects to each processor such that each processor determines by which distinct grid portion(s) each object in its distinct set of objects is at least partially bounded, and assigning a distinct grid portion to each processor such that each processor populates its distinct grid portion with any objects that were previously determined to be at least partially bounded by its distinct grid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ingo Wald, Santiago Ize
  • COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY PRODUCING SIRNA
    Publication number: 20150182601
    Abstract: The disclosure provided herein provides compositions and methods for producing siRNA. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for modulating the production of siRNA. Also disclosed herein are compositions and methods of treating a disease in a subject comprising administering a Dicer enzyme comprising a helicase domain or a mutated Dicer enzyme to a subject. Also disclosed herein are methods of screening for a candidate modulator that modulates siRNA production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Noah C. Welker, Tuhin S. Maity, Phillip Joseph Aruscavage, JR., Brenda L. Bass
  • Methods of treating breast cancer with anthracycline therapy
    Patent number: 9066963
    Abstract: The application describes methods for screening subjects with breast cancer to determine if the breast cancer will be responsive to a breast cancer therapy including an anthracycline. The application also describes methods for treating subjects with breast cancer by screening them for the likelihood of the effectiveness of treating the cancer with a therapy including anthracycline and administering the therapy in subjects when it is found that anthracycline is likely to be effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Washington University, University of Utah Research Foundation, British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch
    Inventors: Charles M. Perou, Matthew J. Ellis, Philip S. Bernard, Torsten O. Nielsen
  • Sub-diffraction-limited patterning and imaging via multi-step photoswitching
    Patent number: 9063434
    Abstract: Sub-diffraction-limited patterning using a photoswitchable recording material is disclosed. A substrate can be provided with a photoresist in a first transition state. The photoresist can be configured for spectrally selective reversible transitions between at least two transition states based on a first wavelength band of illumination and a second wavelength band of illumination. An optical device can selectively expose the photoresist to a standing wave with a second wavelength in the second wavelength band to convert a section of the photoresist into a second transition state. The optical device or a substrate carrier securing the substrate can modify the standing wave relative to the substrate to further expose additional regions of the photoresist into the second transition state in a specified pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rajesh Menon, Precious Cantu
  • J-superfamily conotoxin peptides
    Patent number: 9062118
    Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed J-Superfamily conotoxin peptides, J-conotoxins or J-conotoxin peptides herein), about 25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. The J-conotoxins are useful for treating disorders involving voltage gated ion channels and/or receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, The University of Queensland, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Julita S. Imperial, Baldomero M. Olivera, Paul F. Alewood, Heinz Terlau, David J. Craik, Estuardo Lopez-Vera, Pradip K. Bandyopadhyay
  • Optically guided medical tube and control unit assembly and methods of use
    Patent number: 9060922
    Abstract: An optical medical tube and control unit assembly and methods of using the same are provided. The optical medical tube may include a steering mechanism and an imaging device which provides the user a visual aid when placing a tube in the body of a patient. The optical medical tube may be coupled to a coupling adaptor to enable quick and easy connecting of the imaging device and steering mechanism of the tube with a control unit such that a single control unit may be used to place multiple feeding tubes or confirm that a feeding tube remains in its proper position without the need for lengthy sterilization procedures between uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Utah
    Inventors: Timothy R. Nieman, Trent J. Perry