Patents Assigned to Vanderbilt University
  • Upper extremity assistance device
    Patent number: 11534321
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the orthotic device can include a powered hand portion, a switching element, and a controller. The wearer can interact with the switching element to generate input signals for adjusting an operation of the powered hand portion. The controller can receive the input signals and generate control signals to accordingly adjust the operation of the powered hand portion. In some embodiments, a powered hand portion can be comprised of a plurality of linkages and at least one powered actuator to assist with an opening and closing of the hand portion. The plurality of linkages can be operated by at least one electric motor with quick-connect elements to link onto fingers of a user. In some embodiments, an electrically-actuated clutch mechanism can be affixed to an upper arm section and a lower arm section of an orthotic device. The clutch mechanism can be configured into different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Michael Goldfarb, Benjamin William Gasser, Daniel Alvin Bennett
  • Antibodies to human respiratory syncytial virus protein F pre-fusion conformation and methods of use therefor
    Patent number: 11524994
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to human respiratory syncytial virus F protein, including both neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies, and methods for use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James E. Crowe, Jr., Jarrod Mousa
  • Rhodol-based thallium sensors for high-throughput screening of potassium channels
    Patent number: 11519859
    Abstract: Provided are novel rhodol-based compounds, the preparation method thereof, and use thereof in Tl+ flux assays. The fluorescent thallium ion sensor compounds have a rhodol fluorophore attached to an amino dicarboxylic acid metal binding moiety. The compounds are prepared in the “pro-dye” form, with the rhodol oxygen and the carboxylic acids of the metal binding unit masked by protecting groups. The disclosed compounds may be used as more red-shifted and less pH-sensitive variants of Thallos.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Charles David Weaver, Brendan F. Dutter, Gary A. Sulikowski
  • HUMAN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES TO HANTAVIRUS AND METHODS OF USE THEREFORE
    Publication number: 20220380442
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing hantavirus and methods for use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: James E. CROWE, Jr.
  • Mucosal impedance measuring apparatus for detecting and measuring the condition of mucosa
    Patent number: 11504053
    Abstract: A mucosal impedance measuring apparatus detects and measures a condition of mucosa. The mucosal impedance measuring apparatus includes a catheter comprising a tube, impedance sensing electrodes on an exterior surface of the catheter, a balloon mounted on the tube in which the balloon is capable of inflation and deflation, and an impedance measuring system. The impedance measuring system is adapted to measure a pressure-regulated impedance measurement of the mucosa that is indicative of the condition of the mucosa when the balloon is inflated and the impedance sensing electrodes direct an electric current through mucosa while the balloon is pressed against the mucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: Diversatek Healthcare, Inc., Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Jerry E. Mabary, Michael F. Vaezi, Thomas D. Stuebe
  • CARBON FIBER REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC SHEETS FOR EFFICIENT MICROWAVE HEATING WITH DISPERSED WAVY CARBON NANOTUBES
    Publication number: 20220356312
    Abstract: A non-woven carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite object is formed by the variable frequency microwave (VFM) irradiation of a mixed fiber sheet of thermoplastic fibers, carbon fibers and wavy carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The mixed fiber sheets are prepared from a slurry of the thermoplastic fibers, carbon fibers, and wavy CNTs such that the wavy CNTs contact the carbon fibers and thermoplastic fibers. Upon irradiation with VFM radiation, the wavy CNTs generate heat and transfer the heat to the thermoplastic fibers, causing melting of the thermoplastic to form the matrix of the CFRTP composite object. The mixed fiber sheets can be combined alone or with other sheets to form laminar composites that are molded into objects and heated by VFM irradiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Yuyang Song, Umesh N. Gandhi, Piran R. Kidambi
  • Systems and methods for compact optical relay
    Patent number: 11493751
    Abstract: An optical relay comprises a first scan mirror configured to receive an input optical beam, and to reflect the input optical beam as a first intermediate optical beam; a telecentric mirror configured to receive the first intermediate optical beam, and to reflect the first intermediate optical beam as a second intermediate optical beam; a second scan mirror configured to receive the second intermediate optical beam, and to reflect the second intermediate optical beam as an output optical beam; and a lens system disposed between the telecentric mirror and the first and second scan mirrors, such that the first intermediate optical beam and the second intermediate optical beam pass through the lens system. The optical relay may be a component of an optical system which further includes an optical engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Yuankai Tao, Joseph D. Malone
  • Genetically induced nephron progenitors
    Patent number: 11492644
    Abstract: Expression of exogenous SNAI2, EYA1 and SIX1 genes in a cell, tissue or organ not normally having nephron progenitor activity, induces or re-programs that cell to have or subsequently develop nephron progenitor activity. Nephron progenitors induced 5 by expression of SNAI2, EYA1 and SIX1 may be used for the production of nephron cells and tissues that are useful in treatment of kidney disorders, kidney regeneration, kidney transplantation, bioprinting and nephrotoxocity testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: MURDOCH CHILDRENS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OE VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Melissa Little, Jessica Vanslambrouck, Lauren Woodard, Matthew Wilson
  • Compositions for inhibition of insect sensing
    Patent number: 11484032
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to chemical modulators of insect olfactory receptors. In particular, compounds and compositions are provided that can inhibit sensory (e.g., host targeting) functions in airborne insects such as mosquitos. Methods of employing such agents, and articles incorporating the same, are also provided. 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 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Laurence Zwiebel, Gregory M. Pask, David C. Rinker, Ian M. Romaine, Gary A. Sulikowski, Paul R. Reid, Alex G. Waterson, Kwangho Kim, Patrick L. Jones, Robert W. Taylor
  • Methods of inhibiting tumor metastasis
    Patent number: 11471444
    Abstract: Thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists, such as ifetroban, inhibit solid tumor metastasis. The formation of surface and microscopic lung metastases are inhibited. Thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists can inhibit the tumor metastasis process without affecting the growth or development of a primary tumor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Jill M. Pulley, Robert R. Lavieri
  • Prosthetic knee with swing assist
    Patent number: 11471306
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and method of control for an artificial prosthetic knee. A prosthetic knee according to the present disclosure relies on strictly passive means of providing support during weight bearing and supplements a resistive swing-phase mechanism with a small powered actuator. This actuator adds power to the knee, exclusively during swing phase, to improve swing-phase behavior. In particular, the knee still relies on the resistive swing-phase mechanism to provide nominal swing-phase knee motion, but supplements that motion as needed with the small powered actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Michael Goldfarb, Almaskhan Baimyshev, Harrison Bartlett, Jantzen Lee
  • Robots and robotic systems for fluid handling and transport of biodevices and applications of same
    Patent number: 11474531
    Abstract: A robot for transporting a biodevice from one place to another place, comprising a body for carrying the biodevice; a driving assembly for driving the body in omnidirectional motion; a sensing unit for sensing at least a position and orientation of the body; and a control unit coupled to the driving assembly and the sensing unit for generating one or more control signals based on at least the sensed position and orientation of the body to drive the driving assembly so as to move the body to a desired place and to arrive with the correct orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, John P. Wikswo
  • Cartridge systems, capacitive pumps and multi-throw valves and pump-valve systems and applications of same
    Patent number: 11465144
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, the fluidic device includes a fluidic chip includes a body having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a fluidic chip registration means formed on the first surface for aligning the fluidic chip with a support structure; and an actuator configured to engage with the one or more channels at the second surface of the body for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flowrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Lisa McCawley, Michael Geuy, Clayton M. Britt, John P. Wikswo
  • METHODS FOR FABRICATING CARBON NANOTUBE ARRAYS WITH A HIGH STRUCTURAL FACTOR
    Publication number: 20220314211
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube (“CNT”) array includes providing a substrate with a CNT catalyst disposed on a surface of the substrate, heating the CNT catalyst to an annealing temperature, exposing the CNT catalyst to a CNT precursor for an exposure period to pre-load the CNT catalyst, and exposing the pre-loaded CNT catalyst to a carbon source for a growth period to form the CNT array. The formed CNT array comprises a plurality of CNT bundles that are aligned with one another in an alignment direction. At least one of the plurality of bundles comprises an average structural factor of 1.5 or less along an entirety of the length thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Yuyang Song, Shailesh N. Joshi, Piran R. Kidambi, Peifu Cheng
  • 2-beta-naphthyl-acetic acid analogs as AKR1C3 inhibitors and methods of using same
    Patent number: 11459295
    Abstract: The invention includes 2-?-naphthyl-acetic acid derivatives, which are selective AKR1C3 inhibitors. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are (R)-naproxen analogs. The invention further includes methods of treating cancer, such as prostate cancer and/or castration-resistant prostate cancer, using at least one compound of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Trevor M. Penning, Adegoke Adeniji, Lawrence J. Marnett
  • GENERATION OF HUMAN ALLERGEN- AND HELMINTH-SPECIFIC IGE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC USE
    Publication number: 20220308065
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to human monoclonal IgE antibodies, and IgG antibodies engineered therefrom. Such engineered antibodies can be used to blunt pathologic IgE responses in subjects, such as in the treatment or prevention of allergies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Scott A. SMITH
  • System and method of testing for leaks after anastomosis
    Patent number: 11452481
    Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods for testing the integrity of a cavity within an anatomical organ. For example, the devices, kits, and methods described herein are useful for detecting leaks in an anastomosis or for testing the integrity or repair of a defect in anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Timothy M. Geiger
  • Continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) and applications of same
    Patent number: 11447734
    Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
  • Method and apparatus for augmented locomotion
    Patent number: 11439564
    Abstract: Provided are apparatuses for augmenting human speed, human-driven compliant mechanisms, artificial limbs to augment human movement, and the like. The apparatuses can include variable stiffness mechanisms including springs that can be configured to selectively store and subsequently release energy generated by human movement. The apparatuses can selectively release the captured energy supplied by the human to provide force and power output beyond the physical capability of the human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David Braun, Amanda Sutrisno, Tiange Zhang
  • HUMAN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES TO SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
    Publication number: 20220281958
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing the coronavirus designated SARS-CoV-2 and methods for use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: James E. CROWE, JR., Seth ZOST, Robert CARNAHAN, Pavlo GILCHUK