Abstract: In compounding pharmaceuticals at the outset, the medications are typically arrive in their mass produced form (pills, creams, syrups, etc.) and are individually packaged. Some packaging forms, particularly tubes, take an excessive amount of time to empty for the medication to be used in later compound medications. Presently in this industry, human workers will squeeze the medication out of each individual tube into large bucket containers for storage until the medication is ready for mixing. The disclosed invention provides a novel apparatus and method for emptying multiple tubes at a time with limited human interaction. The apparatus uses a roller and cap-pressing method that can empty several tubes at one time, significantly increasing efficiency. The apparatus is then connected with a novel software package which controls the operation of the device and can provide a counting mechanism for contract monitoring and predicting the lifespan of the device.
Abstract: A coil alignment method performed in a coil alignment apparatus coupled to a VA controller includes: sensing magnetic field intensities induced from a ground assembly (GA) coil through a first auxiliary coil and a second auxiliary coil which are fixedly coupled to a VA coil; comparing a first magnetic field intensity sensed through the first auxiliary coil with a second magnetic field intensity sensed through the second auxiliary coil; moving the VA coil or the GA coil to a position where there is a predetermined difference or less between the first magnetic field intensity and the second magnetic field intensity; and moving at least one of the VA coil and the GA coil in a direction facing each other, so that a center point of the VA coil and a center point of the GA coil are located within a shortest distance of each other or within a certain error range of the shortest distance, while maintaining the predetermined difference or less between the first magnetic field intensity and the second magnetic field in
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignees:
Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Konkuk University Industrial Cooperation Corp.
Inventors:
Jae Yong Seong, Won Shil Kang, Hyun Chul Ku, Jong Gyun Lim
Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting metabolic activity of target cells in a sample. The target cells are concentrated in a nanoliter well having a microfilter. A reporter compound that exhibits a change in electrochemical state in response to metabolic activity of the target cells is introduced. Metabolic activity or viability of the target cells is detected based on a determined change in the electrochemical state of contents in the well.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
The Governing Council of the University of Toronto
Inventors:
Shana Olwyn Kelley, Edward Hartley Sargent, Justin David Besant
Abstract: A fiber fluidic system may be used to produce particles (e.g., NPs and/or microparticles). The fiber fluidic system may include a cylinder with a plurality of elongated fibers oriented along a length of the cylinder. The cylinder may have a first opening at or near a first end of the cylinder and a second opening downstream of the first opening. A constrained phase fluid may be provided through the first opening and a free phase fluid may be provided through the second opening to produce particles (e.g., NPs and/or microparticles) through a second end of the cylinder. The fiber fluidic system may be used to continuously produce the particles at high throughput.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
Texas State University
Inventors:
Tania Betancourt, John L. Massingill, Jr., Holly Stretz
Abstract: Methods and apparatus automatically classify intravascular plaque using features extracted from intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) imagery. One example apparatus includes an image acquisition circuit that accesses a set of IVOCT images, a pre-processing circuit that generates a blood vessel mask based on the IVOCT images, a feature extraction circuit that defines a three dimensional (3D) volume of interest centered on a location in a member of the set of IVOCT images, a classification circuit that generates a classification based on a probability that a voxel represents a type of plaque, and a visualization circuit that provides a visualization, substantially in real time, of a member of the set of IVOCT images and the classification, where the visualization includes a sector classification image, a labeled image, or a 3D visualization. A prognosis or treatment plan may be provided based on the visualization or the classification.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 19, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
Case Western Reserve University
Inventors:
Ronny Y. Shalev, David L. Wilson, Soumya Ray
Abstract: A computer aided diagnostic system and automated method to classify a kidney. Image data for a medical scan that includes image data of a kidney may be received. The kidney image data may be segmented from other image data of the medical scan. One or more iso-contours may be registered for the kidney image data, and renal cortex image data may be segmented from the kidney image data based on the one or more registered iso-contours. The kidney may be classified by analyzing one or more features determined from the segmented renal cortex image data using a learned model associated with the one or more features.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 23, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
Inventors:
Ayman S. El-Baz, Amy Dwyer, Rosemary Ouseph, Fahmi Khalifa, Ahmed Soliman, Mohamed Shehata
Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: a switching amplifier having first, second and power ports; and a current provider. The current provider provides a current to the power port, and further provides an impedance to the power port such that an impedance of the switching amplifier at the second port matches an impedance of an antenna coupled to the second port. The switching amplifier simultaneously amplifies a transmit signal input received at the first port to generate an output signal at the second port for receipt by the antenna, and mixes a receive signal received at the second port from the antenna with the transmit signal input to generate, at the power port, another output signal having a frequency lower than that of the receive signal.
Abstract: Phthalate derivatives that are aspartate-P-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASADH) inhibitor compounds, aspartate N-acetyltransferase (ANAT) inhibitor compounds, or both, are described, as well as methods of making the same, and methods of using the same.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2016
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
The University of Toledo
Inventors:
Ronald E. Viola, Bharani Thangavelu, Vinay Mutthamsetty, Qinzhe Wang, Pravin Bhansali
Abstract: A method of fabricating titanium oxide having a hexagonal column shape is provided. The fabricating method includes preparing a first mixture solution containing oxalic acid and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), and adding a second mixture solution including titanium to the first mixture solution to fabricate titanium oxide having a hexagonal column shape.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University Erica Campus
Abstract: The robotic gripping assist (“RGA”) provides a user with additional grip strength by supporting and forcefully pushing a user's fingers and hand to a gripping position. A motor, controller, and power source are supported on a user's forearm and act as a source for the forced movement. A bending member is worn on the back of a user's hand. The motor draws in or lets out wires that cause the bending member to bend or straighten. By bending the bending member, through rotating the motor in a first direction, the attached fingers of the user are forced into a gripping position. The fingers are moved to a non-gripping position by rotating the motor in the opposite direction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 12, 2019
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
United Arab Emirates University
Inventors:
Fady Al Najjar, Nouf Fadel Nasser Alsaedi, Waleed Khalil Ahmed
Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of hydrocarbon functionalization, methods and systems for converting a hydrocarbon into a compound including at least one group ((e.g., hydroxyl group) (e.g., methane to methanol)), functionalized hydrocarbons, and the like. Systems and methods as described herein can utilize photocatalysis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignees:
University of Virginia Patent Foundation, The Trustees of Princeton University
Inventors:
Thomas Brent Gunnoe, George Fortman, Nicholas C. Boaz, John T. Groves
Abstract: The current invention pertains to a molecular conjugate comprising an antagonist of a cell surface receptor specific to a target cell and an immune effector, such as a T cell modulator, conjugated to the antagonist. The target cell can be a cell responsible for development of a disease in a subject, for example, a cancer cell. In certain embodiments, the immune effector is an immune effector protein or an immune effector fragment thereof. The current invention also pertains to a method of treating a disease in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of the molecular conjugates of the current invention to the subject. The methods of the current invention can be used to treat cancer, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, or melanoma.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 26, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignees:
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc., University of South Florida
Inventors:
Mark McLaughlin, David L. Morse, Shari Pilon-Thomas, Scott Antonia
Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a mechanical parameter for a sample having a target region, include determining a prior probability density function that characterizes at least one physical property of the target region; generating a displacement of the sample in the target region to form a shear wave that propagates orthogonal to a direction of the displacement; transmitting tracking pulses in the target region; receiving corresponding echo signals for the tracking pulses in the target region at a plurality of lateral positions; estimating a propagation parameter of the shear wave in response to the echo signals and the prior probability density function using statistical inference; and determining at least one mechanical parameter of the target region based on the estimated propagation parameter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 16, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
Duke University
Inventors:
Stephen J. Rosenzweig, Ned C. Rouze, Brett C. Byram, Mark L. Palmeri, Kathryn R. Nightingale
Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for targeted metabolomics profiling to provide absolute quantification of a broad array of metabolic intermediates of fatty acids, amino acids, and carbohydrate metabolism for HFpEF. In an aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for assessing risk of death or a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in a subject diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The method may include (a) determining in a sample from the subject the level of each metabolite in at least one factor, wherein the factor is selected from the group consisting of factor 1, factor 3, factor 4, factor 5, factor 10, factor 12, and factor 14; and (b) comparing the level of each metabolite in the sample to a standard, wherein the level of the metabolite in the subject relative to a standard is indicative of the risk of death or MACE in the subject.
Abstract: Improved synthetic copolypeptide antimicrobials contain cationic amino acid residues and may be based on a blocky sequence. These antimicrobials show low mammalian toxicity and may undergo directed self-assembly. The inventive synthetic copolypeptides are useful in treatment of wounds and other infections.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 22, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignees:
The Regents of the University of California, Amicrobe, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael P. Bevilacqua, Diego Benitez, Timothy J. Deming, Jarrod A. Hanson, Lucas Koziol
Abstract: A substance measurement device includes: a container portion configured to receive a substance; a sensing device configured to measure a property of the substance related to at least one of a flow rate of the substance into the container portion, a level of the substance within the container portion, and a volume of the substance within the container portion; and at least one shield positioned within the container portion and configured to provide at least one of: a mechanical buffer between the substance entering the container portion and the sensing device; and an electrical shield between the substance entering the container portion and the sensing device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 15, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignees:
Stream Dx, Inc, University of Utah Research Foundation
Inventors:
Brian D. Holt, Scott B. McClellan, Alvin Y. Le, Kent James Ogden
Abstract: Examples of the present invention utilize principal component analysis (PCA) to detect cough sounds in an audio stream. Comparison of all or portions of the audio stream with a cough model may be conducted. The cough model may include a number of basis vectors may be based on initial portions of known coughs. The initial portions may be non-user specific, and accordingly the cough model may be used to detect coughs across individuals. Moreover, examples of the present invention may reconstruct the cough sounds from stored features such that the cough sounds are reconstructed but the reconstruction techniques used may be insufficient to reconstruct speech sounds that may also have been recorded, which may increase user privacy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 14, 2012
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
University of Washington
Inventors:
Shwetak N. Patel, Eric Cooper Larson, Tien-Jui Lee, Shih-Yen Liu
Abstract: This disclosure describes enzymes from the type II (a discrete set of enzymes) fatty acid synthesis (“FAS”) pathway that can be used in combination with thiolases to operate a functional reversal of the ?-oxidation cycle. A combination of thiolases with one or more of 3-oxoacyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase (FabG, others), 3-hydroxyacyl-[acp] dehydratase (FabA, FabZ, others), and enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase (FabI, FabK, FabL, FabV, others) yields a functional reversal of the ?-oxidation cycle. If only one or two enzymes are used, the remaining enzymes will be traditional beta oxidation enzymes. Once this cycle is coupled with the appropriate priming and termination pathways, the production of carboxylic acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, amines and their ?-, ?-, and ?-functionalized derivatives from renewable carbon sources can be achieved.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 26, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Ramon Gonzalez, James M. Clomburg, Jacob E. Vick