Patents Assigned to Vanderbilt University
  • Multifunctional degradable nanoparticles with control over size and functionalities
    Patent number: 8492510
    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 polymer 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: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Eva M. Harth, Alice E. Van Der Ende
  • LOW RESOURCE PROCESSOR USING SURFACE TENSION VALVES FOR EXTRACTING, CONCENTRATING AND DETECTING MOLECULAR SPECIES
    Publication number: 20130183678
    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 a molecular species for protein-protein, DNA-DNA and other chemical interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Rick Haselton
  • Elastic Hydraulic Accumulator/Reservoir System
    Publication number: 20130180235
    Abstract: The invention is a combination accumulator and reservoir which stores energy when the accumulator deforms from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid from the reservoir. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid and returns to its original shape. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator and the fluid reservoir reside in the same housing such that the volume of each varies inversely. Accordingly, the invention is more compact and weighs less than conventional accumulators. Another feature of the invention is that fluid is located around the bladder accumulator to lubricate contact between the bladder and sides of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Vanderbilt University
  • NANOSCALE POROUS GOLD FILM SERS TEMPLATE
    Publication number: 20130182249
    Abstract: Provided are patterned nanoporous gold (“P-NPG”) films that may act as at least one of an effective and stable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (“SERS”) substrate. Methods of fabricating the P-NPG films using a low-cost stamping technique are also provided. The P-NPG films may provide uniform SERS signal intensity and SERS signal intensity enhancement by a factor of at least about 1×107 relative to the SERS signal intensity from a non-enhancing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Sharon M. Weiss, Yang Jiao, Judson D. Ryckman, Peter N. Ciesielski, G. Kane Jennings
  • Immunological compositions as cancer therapeutics
    Patent number: 8486413
    Abstract: The present invention concerns antibodies that react immunologically with an epitope comprising VDKSRWQQG (SEQ ID NO: 1), including those that bind to cancer cells, and methods relating thereto. In particular, the antibodies that react immunologically with a particular epitope found in anti-tumor antigen antibodies are not only indicative of favorable therapy using the anti-tumor antigen antibodies, but are therapeutic in and of themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Paula R. Pohlmann, Raymond L. Mernaugh, Carlos L. Arteaga
  • SUBSTITUTED (1-(METHYLSULFONYL)AZETIDIN-3-YL)(HETEROCYCLOALKYL)METHANONE ANALOGS AS ANTAGONISTS OF MUSCARINIC ACETYLCHOLINE M1 RECEPTORS
    Publication number: 20130178458
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted (1-(methylsulfonyl)azetidin-3-yl)(heterocycloalkyl)methanone analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as antagonists 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: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Vanderbilt University
  • Targeted, NIR Imaging Agents for Therapy Efficacy Monitoring, Deep Tissue Disease Demarcation and Deep Tissue Imaging
    Publication number: 20130177502
    Abstract: Compounds and methods related to NIR molecular imaging, in-vitro and in-vivo functional imaging, therapy/efficacy monitoring, and cancer and metastatic activity imaging. Compounds and methods demonstrated pertain to the field of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor imaging, metabolic imaging, cellular respiration imaging, cellular proliferation imaging as targeted agents that incorporate signaling agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Vanderbilt University
  • Pro-apoptotic bacterial vaccines to enhance cellular immune responses
    Patent number: 8481056
    Abstract: Whole-cell vaccines and methods for their use in producing protective immune responses in vertebrate hosts subsequently exposed to pathogenic bacteria. The present invention involves a method of enhancing antigen presentation by intracellular bacteria in a manner that improves vaccine efficacy. After identifying an enzyme that has an anti-apoptotic effect upon host cells infected by an intracellular microbe, the activity of the enzyme is reduced, thereby modifying the microbe so that it increases immunogenicity. Also, the present invention provides a method of incrementally modifying enzyme activity to produce incrementally attenuated mutants of the microbe from which an effective vaccine candidate can be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Douglas S. Kernodle, Markian R. Bochan
  • ANTI-FACTOR XI MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20130171144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting thrombosis without compromising hemostasis. Compositions include anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies (aXIMabs) capable of binding to an epitope on the heavy chain of human FXI, particularly the A3 domain of the heavy chain of human FXI. Compositions also include epitope-binding fragments, variants, and derivatives of the monoclonal antibodies, cell lines producing these antibody compositions, and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the amino acid sequences of the antibodies. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies of the invention, or epitope-binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicants: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
  • System and Methods of Using Image-Guidance for Providing an Access to a Cochlear of a Living Subject
    Publication number: 20130165960
    Abstract: A system and methods for providing an access to a cochlea of a living subject. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises the steps of operating a surgical instrument towards a region of interest of the living subject for opening an access to the cochlea of the living subject from the lateral edge of the skull of the living subject to the cochlea of the living subject, and intra-operatively monitoring at least a part of the surgical instrument so that the surgical instrument is operated substantially along a predetermined path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
  • Heterocyclic Sulfone MGLUR4 Allosteric Potentiators, Compositions, and Methods of Treating Neurological Dysfunction
    Publication number: 20130158078
    Abstract: Heterocyclic sulfone compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: P. Jeffrey Conn, Craig W. Lindsley, Corey R. Hopkins, Colleen M Niswender, Rocco D. Gogliotti, James M. Salovich, Darren W. Engers, Yiu-Yin Cheung
  • DISTRIBUTED PISTON ELASTOMERIC ACCUMULATOR
    Publication number: 20130153073
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eric J. Barth, John M. Tucker
  • MULTIFUNCTIONAL DEGRADABLE NANOPARTICLES WITH CONTROL OVER SIZE AND FUNCTIONALITIES
    Publication number: 20130142733
    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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Eva M. Harth, David J. Calkins, Alice E. Van Der Ende
  • PHOTOLITHOGRAPHED MICRO-MIRROR WELL FOR 3D TOMOGRAM IMAGING OF INDIVIDUAL CELLS
    Publication number: 20130143165
    Abstract: A micro-mirror well. In one embodiment the micro-mirror well includes a plurality of planar mirrors arranged around an axis of symmetry and inclined to form a pyramid well, where each of the plurality of planar mirrors is capable of reflecting light emitting from an object of interest placed inside the pyramid well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Vanderbilt University
  • CONTINUUM ROBOTS AND CONTROL THEREOF
    Publication number: 20130131868
    Abstract: Method for controlling continuum robots and systems therefrom are provided. In the system and method, a new system of equations is provided for controlling a shape of the elastic member and a tension on a tendon applying a force to an elastic member of the robot. The system of equations can be used to estimate a resulting shape of the elastic member from the tension applied to the tendon. The system of equations can also be used to estimate a necessary tension for the tendon to achieve a target shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Caleb Daniel Rucker, Robert James Webster
  • ANTI-FXI ANTIBODIES AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20130129745
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are monoclonal antibodies specific for factor XI (fXI) that prevent activation of fXI by factor XIIa (fXIIa). The monoclonal antibodies are universal fXI antibodies, capable of binding all mammalian species tested. The anti-fXI monoclonal antibodies prolong clotting time in mammalian plasmas. Moreover, administration of the fXI monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein results in inhibition of thrombosis without altering hemostasis in animal models of thrombosis. Thus, provided herein are monoclonal antibodies specific for fXI that block activation of fXI by fXIIa, compositions and immunoconjugates comprising such antibodies and their methods of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicants: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Oregon Health & Science University, Vanderbit University
  • Free solution measurement of molecular interactions by backscattering interferometry
    Patent number: 8445217
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatuses for the free solution measurement of molecular interactions by backscattering interferometry (BSI). Molecular interaction can be detected between analytes in free-solution wherein at least one of the analytes is label-free and detection is performed by back-scattering interferometry. Further, molecular interaction can be detected between analytes in free-solution, wherein at least one of the analytes is label-free, wherein one of the analytes is present in a concentration of less than about 5.0×10?7M. Also disclosed are label-free, free-solution, and/or real-time measurements of characteristic properties and/or chemical events using the disclosed techniques. The disclosed methods can have very low detection limits and/or very low sample volume requirements. Also disclosed are various biosensor applications of the disclosed techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Darryl J. Bornhop
  • Apparatus and methods for optical stimulation of neural tissues
    Patent number: 8444683
    Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of generating at least one beam of radiation; introducing at least one of one or more chromophores and one or more optical agents to a target neural tissue; and delivering the at least one beam of radiation to the target neural tissue, wherein the at least one beam of radiation is delivered with a radiant exposure that causes a thermal gradient in the target neural tissue, thereby stimulating the target neural tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Jonathon D. Wells, E. Duco Jansen
  • Isolated polynucleotides
    Patent number: 8445661
    Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated strain of a previously unknown Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus pseudolugdunensis. Also disclosed are the sequences of the S. pseudolugdunensis tuf gene and 16s rRNA and methods for distinguishing S. pseudolugdunensis from other staphylococcal species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignees: Qiagen Sciences, LLC, Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Yi-Wei Tang, Charles W. Stratton, Jian Han
  • SUBSTITUTED BENZYLSPIROINDOLIN-2-ONE ANALOGS AS POSITIVE ALLOSTERIC MODULATORS OF THE MUSCARINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR M1
    Publication number: 20130123236
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted benzylspiroindolin-2-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: November 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY