Patents Assigned to Vanderbilt University
  • Publication number: 20140306575
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a thermionic energy converter comprises an anode, a cathode spaced from the anode to define a gap therebetween, and molecular hydrogen incorporated into the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: William F. Paxton, Jim L. Davidson, Weng P. Kang, Mick E. Howell
  • Publication number: 20140309159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating autoimmune, microbial, metabolic, neoplastic, and posttraumatic diseases mediated by inflammation in a subject. Compositions and methods including at least one importin beta-selective nuclear transport modifier (NTM) and/or at least one importin alpha-selective NTM, and/or at least one importin alpha-specific NTM, and/or at least one inhibitor of importin alpha and importin beta complex formation may be administered to a subject to modulate the transport of transcription factors, mediated by nuclear import adaptors, into the nucleus of a cell resulting in a decrease or abrogation of inflammation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Jack J. Hawiger, Jozef Zienkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20140308202
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods of assessing hormonally-regulated cancers such as prostate and breast, by examining the expression of particular genes disregulated in this disease state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert J. Matusik, Renjie Jin, Yajun YI, Fiona E. YULL, Timothy S. Blackwell, Peter E. CLARK, Joseph A. SMITH
  • Patent number: 8861311
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating projectile trajectory and projectile source location are provided. A method for estimating location information associated with a supersonic projectile propelled from a source includes recording sound at a first location using a single microphone during travel of the supersonic projectile to produce an acoustic recording. The method further includes estimating a miss distance between the first location and a trajectory of the projectile based on the shockwave length. Locating a projectile source includes concurrently recording sound at multiple locations and generating data sets associated with the locations, each of the plurality of data sets including a miss distance, a range, a time of arrival of a muzzle blast from the source, and a time of arrival of a shockwave produced by the projectile. Additionally, the method includes calculating an approximate location of the source at each of the locations based on the data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Akos Ledeczi, Peter Volgyesi, Janos Sallai
  • Publication number: 20140300353
    Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetic resonance analysis and imaging are provided. IN particular, pulse sequences for DWI, APT, and MRS analysis and imaging are provided which rely on an RF excitation pulse for the signal of interest, followed by one or more refocusing pulses and acquisition steps, based on the type of imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Zhu HE
  • Patent number: 8853237
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to naphthyridinone analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive 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: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: P. Jeffrey Conn, Craig W. Lindsley, Shaun R. Stauffer, Jason Manka, Jon Jacobs, Ya Zhou, José Manuel Bartolomé-Nebreda, Gregor James MacDonald, Susana Conde-Ceide, Carrie K. Jones
  • Patent number: 8853392
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds, including phenylethynylbenzamide derivatives, cycloalkylethynylbenzamide derivatives, styrylbenzamide derivatives, 4-(3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)benzamide derivatives, 4-(pyridinylethynyl)benzamide derivatives, and N1-phenylterephthalamide derivatives, which are useful as positive 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: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: P. Jeffrey Conn, Craig W. Lindsley, Charles David Weaver, Alice L. Rodriguez, Colleen M. Niswender, Carrie K. Jones, Richard Williams
  • Patent number: 8853274
    Abstract: A composition including a farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) and a gamma-secretase inhibitor (GSI) is useful for producing an effect against a glioblastoma cell and/or for treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Jialiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20140288084
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted 2-(4-heterocyclylbenzyl)isoindolin-1-one analogs compounds, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 (mAChR M1); 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Craig W. Lindsley, P. Jeffrey Conn, Michael R. Woods, Corey R. Hopkins, Bruce J. Melancon, Michael S. Poslusney, Darren W. Engers
  • Patent number: 8840680
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling jointed mechanical devices are is provided, where the device is controlled based on a topographic state (300) map having one or more motion axes (D1, D2) and defining a plurality of poses and a plurality of transitions in parallel with one of the motion axes, In the map, each motion axis is associated with complementary types of motion in the device and each of the transitions associated with at least two of the poses. A method includes the steps of receiving a control signal and determining a mechanical state of the device within the topographic state map. The method further includes identifying potential transitions associated with the mechanical state based on the topographic state map. The method also includes adjusting the mechanical state based on the control signal if the control signal is associated with a type of motion associated with one of the identified transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Michael Goldfarb, Skyler Ashton Dalley, Huseyin Atakan Varol, Tuomas Emory Wiste
  • Publication number: 20140272937
    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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Rick Haselton, David Wright, Joseph Conrad, Nick Adams
  • Publication number: 20140276586
    Abstract: A steerable surgical needle (10) includes an elongated needle shaft (12), a beveled tip portion (14), and a flexural element (16) that connects the needle shaft (12) with the tip portion (14) and permits the tip portion to deflect relative to the needle shaft. A method for steering the surgical needle (10) through tissue includes the steps of advancing the needle in the body tissue to induce tip flexure which causes the needle to follow a curved trajectory, and rotating the needle about its longitudinal axis in place, without advancement, to remove the tip flexure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Philip J. Swaney, Robert J. Webster, III
  • Publication number: 20140271665
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering a compound of formula I, optionally as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate and/or hydrate thereof, in combination with an inhibitor that targets HER2 and/or HER3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Exelixis, Inc., Sanofi, Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Dana T. Aftab, Carlos L. Arteaga, Veronique Blanc, Anindita Chakrabarty, Marielle Chiron-Blonde, Celine Nicolazzi, Ariella Hanker, Loic Vincent
  • Publication number: 20140277105
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in manipulating material during a medical procedure includes positioning the material in engagement with a major side surface on a distal end portion of a shaft. A gripper is operated to grip the material between a wire and a major side surface of the shaft by moving the wire along a longitudinal central axis of the shaft. Material is moved to a desired position relative to a patient's body while the material is gripped between the wire and the major side surface of the distal end portion of the shaft. The wire is then retracted along the longitudinal central axis of the shaft to release the material for movement relative to the end distal end portion of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Ray Lathrop, Richard Hendrick, John S. Schneider, Robert J. Webster
  • Publication number: 20140256774
    Abstract: A method of treating at least one of inflammation, psoriasis, and/or hypertension comprising administering to a patient in need there of an effective gamma-ketoaldehyde scavenging amount of a gamma-ketoaldehyde scavenging compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: L. Jackson Roberts, Venkataraman Amarnath, David G. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20140256720
    Abstract: Methods for regulating cancer cell growth and survival, inhibiting cancer cell growth, promoting cancer cell death, and/or treating a cancer make use of antagonists of a type I BMP receptor. In some embodiments the cancer is a lung cancer and the cancer cell is a lung cancer cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY OF NEW JERSEY, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Charles C. Hong, John Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 8826940
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an accumulator which stores energy by deforming from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator returns to its original shape. At least one feature of the accumulator is that it captures elastic strain energy of a stretched bladder, as opposed to relying on gases and metals for energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Eric J. Barth, Alexander V. Pedchenko, Karl Brandt, Oliver E. Tan
  • Patent number: 8826912
    Abstract: A surgical drape includes a base sheet of thin, flexible material. The base sheet includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral side edge, a second lateral side edge, a top edge and a bottom edge. A first support member extends between the first lateral side edge and the top edge, and a second support member extends between the second lateral side edge and the top edge, the first and second support members being shaped and dimensioned to support the sheet in a tented configuration. The base sheet includes a first aperture formed therein and a second aperture formed therein. The first aperture and the second aperture are symmetrically positioned along opposite sides of the sheet relative to a central axis extending between the top edge and the bottom edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Peter Reynolds Bream, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8822684
    Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter relates to compounds of the formula: and methods for use thereof. The presently-disclosed subject matter relates methods of selectively differentiating a stem cell, and methods of screening for compounds useful for enhancing terminal differentiation of committed cardiac progenitor cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Charles C. Hong, Corey R. Hopkins, Antonis K. Hatzopoulos, Craig Lindsley, Jijun Hao
  • Patent number: 8822159
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a mass spectrometry proteomic approach to distinguishing Spitz nevi from Spitzoid malignant melanoma. Histology directed mass spectral profiling allows for targeted analysis of sites of melanocytic lesion within formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded excisional biopsies. The classification system identified 5 peptide peaks, of which two have been identified as originating from vimentin and actin. A sensitivity and specificity for Spitz nevi of 97% and 90%, respectively, were achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Richard Caprioli, Erin H. Seeley