Patents Assigned to Virginia Tech
  • Patent number: 11254926
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Neal, II, Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos, John H. Rossmeisl, John L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11180489
    Abstract: Sphingosine kinases are enzymes that catalyze the biosynthesis of sphingosine-1-phosphate. The invention provides prodrugs of compounds that are effective for inhibition of sphingosine kinase type 1, sphingosine kinase type 2, or both, according to formula (I) as described herein. Formula I compounds are useful in the treatment of a range of diseases wherein increasing the level of sphingosine-1-phosphate in blood is medically indicated. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of Formula I compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: U niversity of Virginia Patent Foundation, Virginia Tech Entellectuzal Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Brandon Thorpe, Webster L. Santos, Kevin R. Lynch
  • Patent number: 11171203
    Abstract: A variety of high electron mobility transistor structures are provided having charge compensation regions that can extend below the gate electrode through the barrier layer and at least partially through the III-V semiconductor layer. The charge compensation regions include a p-type semiconductor or oxide. In some aspects, the charge compensation regions extend vertically through said barrier layer into said channel layer, wherein said charge-compensation regions are doped with p-type dopants and are placed aside the 2DEG channel and do not overlap vertically with the 2DEG channel. In some aspects, at least a portion of the charge compensation regions extend from below the gate electrode to make Ohmic contact with the source electrode. In some aspects, by extending the charge compensation regions from below the gate electrode and closer to the source and drain electrodes, the HEFTs can demonstrate avalanche characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yuhao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210309870
    Abstract: A method is provided for creating a porous coating on a surface of a substrate by electrodeposition. The substrate is a part of the cathode. An anode is also provided. A coating is deposited or disposed on the surface by applying a voltage that creates a plurality of porous structures on the surface to be coated. Continuing to apply a voltage creates additional porosity and causes portions of the attached porous structures to detach. A covering layer is created by applying a voltage that creates a thin layer that covers the attached porous structures and the detached portions which binds the porous structures and detached portions together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Atieh Haghdoost, Ranga Pitchumani, Mehdi Kargar
  • Publication number: 20210276244
    Abstract: In some aspects, described herein are methods of additive manufacturing in which one or more corrugated layers are incorporated into the three-dimensional (3D) object. Also provided herein are 3D objects that can include one or more corrugated layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: BROOK KENNEDY, EDWARD OLIN COE
  • Publication number: 20210238181
    Abstract: The disclosure provides compounds of Formula (I-A) and (I-B) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The variables, R, R2, R3, X1, X2, X3, Y1, Y, and Z are defined herein. Certain compounds of Formula (I-A) and (I-B) act as selective mitochondrial protonophore uncouplers that do not affect plasma membrane potential. These compounds are useful for treating or decreasing the risk of conditions responsive to mitochondrial uncoupling, such as cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, Parkinson's disease, ischemia reperfusion injury, heart failure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), Because mitochondrial uncouplers decrease the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to contribute to age-related cell damage, the compounds are useful for increasing lifespan. Compounds and salts of Formulae (I-A) and (I-B) are also useful for regulating glucose homeostasis or insulin action in a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Webster L. SANTOS, Yumin DAI, Jose A. SANTIAGO-RIVERA, Jacob H. MURRAY
  • Patent number: 11047146
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner includes a chassis that supports a motor and a camera that is associated with the chassis and configured to identify at least one object. A controller is in communication with the camera and is configured to control movement of the pool cleaner based on output from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Leonessa, Christopher H. Cain, Brian Boothe
  • Patent number: 11032014
    Abstract: One or more processors control processing of radio frequency (RF) signals using a machine-learning network. The one or more processors receive as input, to a radio communications apparatus, a first representation of an RF signal, which is processed using one or more radio stages, providing a second representation of the RF signal. Observations about, and metrics of, the second representation of the RF signal are obtained. Past observations and metrics are accessed from storage. Using the observations, metrics and past observations and metrics, parameters of a machine-learning network, which implements policies to process RF signals, are adjusted by controlling the radio stages. In response to the adjustments, actions performed by one or more controllers of the radio stages are updated. A representation of a subsequent input RF signal is processed using the radio stages that are controlled based on actions including the updated one or more actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James O'Shea, Thomas Charles Clancy, III
  • Patent number: 11020426
    Abstract: Described herein are low sodium formulations. In some embodiments, the low sodium formulations can contain an effective concentration of sodium and an effective concentration of calcium. The low sodium formulations can be provided as combination kit that can include, in some embodiments, a low sodium formulation and a defibrillation device. Also described herein are methods of administering the low sodium formulation to a subject in need thereof and performing cardiac resuscitation and/or defibrillation on the subject in need thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Poelzing, David Ryan King
  • Patent number: 10994259
    Abstract: Novel crystalline porous materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and methods for their synthesis are provided herein. The MOFs include a M6(?3-OH)8(OH)8(?2,?2-(O2C)2cyclam)8 cluster, and a metal atom coordinated to the one or more cyclam of the cluster, wherein M is Zr or Hf, and the metal atom is any one of Cu, Ni, Cr, Ru, Co, and Gd. The MOFs can be used as an adsorbent, alone or in a medium with other components, of CO2. The MOFs can also be used as a catalyst for the transformation of CO2 and epoxides to cyclic carbonates. The MOFs can also be used in the electrochemical catalytic reduction of CO2. The MOFs can also be used for photocatalytic CO2 reduction for the production of carbon-based fossil fuels. The MOFs can also be used for light-induced nitric oxide (NO) release. The MOFs can also be used as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Amanda Morris, Jie Zhu
  • Patent number: 10987865
    Abstract: Provided herein are 3D printing systems including, but not limited to, 3D printing systems that can, in some aspects, be configured to print multi-materials and/or 3D structures having micro-scale features. In some aspects, the 3D printing system can include a jethead, wherein the jethead can include a body portion, one or more printing material dispensers that are each coupled to one or more feedstock material reservoirs and the body portion, and at least one cleaning unit configured to clean a printed object, a printing platform, a component of an x axis cartridge, or any combination thereof. Also provided herein are scanning projection optical micro-sterolithography systems that can be configured to allow for printing micro-scale features in large scale 3D objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventor: Xiaoyu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20210115279
    Abstract: In various aspects, a polymer resin is provided for vat or ultraviolet-assisted direct ink writing (UV-DIW) photopolymerization. The resin can include a polyamic acid salt formed from the addition of a photocrosslinkable amine to a polyamic acid. The resin can include a photoinitiator suitable for initiating crosslinking of the photocrosslinkable amine when exposed to a light source of a suitable wavelength and intensity. The polyamic acid can be formed, for instance, by the addition of a diamine to a suitable dianhydride. Methods of additive manufacturing using the resins are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel RAU, Jana HERZBERGER, Timothy LONG, Christopher WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 10959772
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. Included is a method of treating tissue with electrical energy, the method comprising: delivering electrical energy to tissue using one or more electroporation devices comprising one or more electrodes; and cooling the tissue, surrounding tissue, one or more of the electrodes, or one or more of the electroporation devices to minimize heating. In embodiments, the invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors, and in some embodiments, exemplary methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) to cause cell death in treated tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Paulo A. Garcia, John L. Robertson, John H. Rossmeisl, Robert E. Neal, II
  • Publication number: 20210079883
    Abstract: The present invention relates to airfoils having surface treatments to reduce trailing edge noise. The surface treatment is designed to reduce trailing edge noise by modifying the boundary layer turbulence as it approaches the trailing edge. The surface treatment accomplishes its function by breaking up spanwise-oriented turbulence approaching the trailing edge, thereby reducing the spanwise correlation lengthscales; deflecting the boundary layer turbulence away from the edge; and/or creating spanwise vortices or instability waves to reduce the turbulence-edge interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nathan Alexander, William J. Devenport, Ian A. Clark, Justin W. Jaworski, Stewart Glegg, Nigel Peake, Conor Daly
  • Publication number: 20210070285
    Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle anti-collision forewarning method, an in-vehicle computer device and a vehicle anti-collision forewarning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicants: Beijing Idriverplus Technology Co., Ltd., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei ZUO, Lisheng YANG, Dezhao ZHANG, Xiao WANG, Xiaofei LI, Cheng XU
  • Patent number: 10913912
    Abstract: A process for cleaning and dewatering hydrophobic particulate materials is presented. The process is performed in two steps: 1) agglomeration of the hydrophobic particles in a first hydrophobic liquid/aqueous mixture; followed by 2) dispersion of the agglomerates in a second hydrophobic liquid to release the water trapped within the agglomerates along with the entrained hydrophilic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventor: Roe-Hoan Yoon
  • Patent number: 10910551
    Abstract: A piezoelectric material includes a first material layer including a polycrystalline lead zinc niobate-lead zirconate titanate material arranged in a 001 crystal direction; and a second material layer including a mono-crystalline material having a 001 crystal face, wherein the lead zinc niobate-lead zirconate titanate and the mono-crystalline material are different. Also a piezoelectric device including the piezoelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jin S. Heo, Kyunghoon Cho, Shashank Priya, Yongke Yan
  • Patent number: 10910140
    Abstract: A matrix transformer particularly suited to large voltage step-down, high current applications achieves increased good current sharing uniformity or air gap and electrical characteristics and reduced or eliminating termination losses, core losses and winding losses with a unitary magnetic core structure featuring sheets of magnetic material and a two-dimensional array of pillars on which windings, oriented in opposite directions on pillars that are adjacent in orthogonal directions, can be formed or placed comprising metallization on or embedded in a printed circuit board (PCB) structure. Magnetic flux density is reduced by at least one-half by dividing the magnetic flux in each pillar into two paths of increased width in the sheets of magnetic material. Magnetic flux density may be further decreased and flux uniformity improved by extending the sheets of magnetic material beyond a periphery defined by the pillar array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Fei, Fred C. Lee, Qiang Li
  • Patent number: 10892806
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training and deploying machine-learned communication over multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James O'Shea, Tugba Erpek
  • Patent number: 10886860
    Abstract: A three-phase, N-level inverter and method are disclosed. A circuit topology of the inverter comprises first, second and third sets of switches and first, second and third inductors. Each switch comprises at least first, second and third terminals, the first terminals being control terminals. The first terminals of the first, second and third inductors are electrically coupled to the first, second and third sets of switches, respectively. A current controller performs a control algorithm that causes it to output first, second and third sets of gating signals to the control terminals of the switches of the first, second and third sets of switches, respectively, to cause them to be placed in an on state or an off state in a particular sequence to perform zero voltage switching while maintaining synchronization of the three phases of the three-phase, N-level inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Nidhi Haryani, Sungjae Ohn, Rolando Burgos, Dushan Boroyevich