Patents Assigned to Vanderbilt University
  • Methods and compositions for treatment for coronary and arterial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
    Patent number: 9943494
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a complication associated with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the method comprising administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide precursor to a subject in need thereof. Methods and compositions for treating vasospasm, the method comprising administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide precursor to a subject in need thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Marshall L. Summar, Frederick E. Barr, Reid Carleton Thompson
  • Compositions and methods for treating or preventing infection
    Patent number: 9926345
    Abstract: Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated infection in hospitals worldwide. There is a need for a vaccine to Clostridium difficile that can target toxic proteins, or that can elicit adequate immunity to prevent infection or reduce the severity of infection. Modified Clostridium difficile toxin A and B (TcdA and TcdB) proteins are described herein, which comprise mutations that reduce toxin A and B toxicity compared to the native toxin. The proteins described are highly similar to the native toxin of Clostridium difficile, but toxicity is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Roman Melnyk, Zhifen Zhang, John Tam, Dana Borden Lacy, Stacey A. Seeback, Nicole M. Chumbler
  • Distributed piston elastomeric accumulator
    Patent number: 9920775
    Abstract: The present invention is a distributed piston elastomeric accumulator which stores energy when its elastomeric member stretches from its original length in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid as its elastomeric member returns to its original length and moves the piston to its initial position. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator is not subject to radial strain gradients and the accumulator allows for precise pressure and linear position measurements. Accordingly, the invention allows for optimization of the energy strain storage capacity of a given elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eric J. Barth, John M. Tucker
  • NEGATIVE ALLOSTERIC MODULATORS OF METABOTROPIC GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR 2
    Publication number: 20180072674
    Abstract: Described are negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2), pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions for treating depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, or autism spectrum disorders in a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: P. Jeffrey Conn, Craig W. Lindsley, Kyle A. Emmitte, Andrew S. Felts, Katrina A. Bollinger
  • METHODS OF TREATING AN OVERWEIGHT SUBJECT
    Publication number: 20180055811
    Abstract: The invention generally relates in part to methods of effecting weight loss and/or improving glucose tolerance in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering a MetAP2 inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hughes, James E. Vath, Alan D. Cherrington
  • Nanofiber electrode and method of forming same
    Patent number: 9905870
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming an electrode for an electrochemical device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of mixing at least a first amount of a catalyst and a second amount of an ionomer or uncharged polymer to form a solution and delivering the solution into a metallic needle having a needle tip. The method further includes the steps of applying a voltage between the needle tip and a collector substrate positioned at a distance from the needle tip, and extruding the solution from the needle tip at a flow rate such as to generate electrospun fibers and deposit the generated fibers on the collector substrate to form a mat with a porous network of fibers. Each fiber in the porous network of the mat has distributed particles of the catalyst. The method also includes the step of pressing the mat onto a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Peter N. Pintauro, Wenjing Zhang
  • Dexterous surgical manipulator and method of use
    Patent number: 9901412
    Abstract: A surgical manipulator includes an internal working end having an internal joint, and an external control interface linked to the internal working end for controlling the internal working end. The external control interface includes at least one lever defining a grip volume for a surgeon's hand when gripping and operating the at least one lever, and an external joint linked to the internal joint for controlling the internal joint. The external joint is positioned substantially within the grip volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Ray A. Lathrop, Robert J. Webster, III, James Netterville, Arundathi Prasad, Stanley Duke Herrell
  • Indomethacin analogs for the treatment of castrate-resistant prostate cancer
    Patent number: 9895351
    Abstract: Provided are compositions for inhibiting a biological activity of an aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C3 (AKR1C3) polypeptide. In some embodiments, the compositions are indomethacin derivatives that are AKR1C3-specific inhibitors. Also provided are methods for producing disclosed indomethacin derivatives that substantially lack cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity but that have AKR1C3 inhibitory activity, methods for inhibiting AKR1C3 polypeptide biological activities, and methods for treating prostate tumors in subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: Vanderbilt University, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Marnett, Andy J. Liedtke, Trevor M. Penning, Adegoke O. Adeniji, Michael C. Byrns
  • Porous nanomaterials having three-dimensional patterning
    Patent number: 9889504
    Abstract: Provided are methods for imprinting a porous material, the methods including applying a first stamp to a porous material having an average pore size of less than about 100 ?m, the first stamp having at least a first portion having a first height, a second portion having a second height and a third portion having a third height, wherein the first height, second height and third height are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Sharon M. Weiss, Judson D. Ryckman, Yang Jiao
  • Assessment of right ventricular function using contrast echocardiography
    Patent number: 9883850
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a right ventricular transit time for a patient. An echodense contrast is injected into a patient. A first representative region, representing the right ventricle of the patient, is selected. A second representative region, representing the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery, is selected. Respective first and second time series of intensity values for the first and second representative regions are generated via echocardiography. The right ventricular transit time is determined from the first and second time series of intensity values. The right ventricular transit time is displayed to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Monahan, Evan Brittain, Steven M. Boronyak, William David Merryman
  • Organ on chip integration and applications of the same
    Patent number: 9874285
    Abstract: A platform for cultivation, maintenance, and/or analysis of one or more bio-objects includes one or more integrated bio-object microfluidics modules. Each integrated bio-object microfluidics module is configured to cultivate, maintain, analyze and/or mimic functionalities of a respective bio-object, and includes one or more on-chip pumps; a plurality of fluidic switches; and a microfluidic chip in fluid communication with the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, having at least one chamber for accommodating the bio-object and a plurality of fluidic paths connecting the at least one chamber, the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, and a power and control unit adapted for selectively and individually controlling the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches for performing bio-object microfluidics functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson, Erik M. Werner, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Jennifer R. Mckenzie, David E. Cliffel, William J. Matloff, Frank E. Block, Jr., Joseph R. Scherrer, W. Hunter Tidwell, John P. Wikswo
  • Nanofiber membrane-electrode-assembly and method of fabricating same
    Patent number: 9876246
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a fuel cell membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, includes fabricating each of the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the membrane separately by electrospinning; and placing the membrane between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and pressing then together to form the fuel cell MEA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Peter N. Pintauro, Jason Ballengee, Matthew Brodt
  • Methods for use of small molecule activators of hem-Y / protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)
    Patent number: 9867879
    Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection involves administering an effective amount of a compound of the formula: wherein R1 is H, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R2 is H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R3 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R4 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R5 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R6 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R7 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R8 is —CR3, O, S, wherein R5 and R6, R7 and R6, R5 and R4, R4 and R3 can cyclize forming a 3-10 member ring comprising C, O, S, and/or N optionally substituted with one or more R3; and administering light therapy, such as a photodynamic therapy (PDT) light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Eric P. Skaar, Matthew Surdel, Gary A. Sulikowski, Brendan Dutter, Paul Reid, Alex Waterson
  • System and methods for removing impurities from phosphogypsum and manufacturing gypsum binders and products
    Patent number: 9868647
    Abstract: Methods and systems that remove impurities from phosphogypsum (PG), including from radium and heavy metal salts, and produce gypsum binders and products. In one embodiment, PG is reacted with a chloride solution in an acidic environment under mechanical manipulation and/or heat followed by galvanic and/or zeolite absorption removal of impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignees: TECHNION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD., VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Konstantin Kovler, Boris Dashevsky, David Samuel Kosson, Yonathan Reches
  • Dynamic alarm system for reducing alarm fatigue
    Patent number: 9870678
    Abstract: A dynamic alarm system that can assess the background noise in a clinical environment with sub-minute time sampling and change the alarm output to a desired signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) below ambient noise (negative SNR) to minimize clinician fatigue and ameliorate deleterious patient outcomes, while preserving clinician performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Joseph Schlesinger, Allyson Garcia, Victoria Mitchell, Forbes Turley
  • Substituted 5-aminothieno[2,3-C]pyridazine-6-carboxamide analogs as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4
    Patent number: 9868746
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted 5-aminothieno[2,3-c]pyridazine-6-carboxamide analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4 (mAChR M4); synthesis methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. 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: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Craig W. Lindsley, P. Jeffrey Conn, Michael R. Wood, Bruce J. Melancon, James C. Tarr, James M. Salovich, Michael S. Poslusney
  • Low resource processor using surface tension valves for extracting, concentrating, and detecting whole cells
    Patent number: 9869675
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for isolation, separation and detection of a molecular species using a low resource device for processing of samples. Methods include isolation, separation and detection of whole cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rick Haselton, David Wright, Joseph Conrad, Nick Adams
  • Multifunctional degradable nanoparticles with control over size and functionalities
    Patent number: 9856348
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to polymers, crosslinked polymers, functionalized polymers, nanoparticles, and functionalized nanoparticles and methods of making and using same. In one aspect, the invention relates to degradable polymers and degradable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention relates to methods of preparing degradable nanoparticles and, more specifically, methods of controlling particle size during the preparation of degradable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the degradable nanoparticles are useful for complexing, delivering, and releasing payloads, including pharmaceutically active payloads. 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: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Eva M. Harth, David J. Calkins, Alice E. Van Der Ende
  • Substituted imidazopyridine and triazolopyridine compounds as negative allosteric modulators of mGluR5
    Patent number: 9844542
    Abstract: Disclosed are negative allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. 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: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Kyle A. Emmitte, Craig W. Lindsley, P. Jeffrey Conn, Andrew S. Felts, Alice L. Rodriguez, Katrina A. Smith, Carrie K. Jones
  • Compositions and Methods of Treating Muscular Dystrophy with Thromboxane-A2 Receptor Antagonists
    Publication number: 20170340614
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating and/or ameliorating muscular dystrophy and/or treating cardiomyopathy in muscular dystrophy patients by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicants: Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Leo Pavliv, James West, Ines Macias-Perez, Erica Carrier