Patents Assigned to Wake Forest University
  • Patent number: 9993630
    Abstract: A subdural drainage system includes: (a) a subdural drainage device having an opening formed therethrough, said subdural drainage device having an upper portion, a body portion, and a lower portion; (b) a housing having an upper portion and lower portion, with said housing connected to said subdural drainage device; said housing movable between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration; and (c) an elongated element positioned inside said housing, said elongated element having an upper portion, a lower portion and a deformable member connected to the lower portion; said elongated element being configured such that said elongated element is moved between (i) a retracted position with said elongated element inside a portion of said subdural drainage device and said deformable member inside said housing, and (ii) an extended position with said elongated element extending through said subdural drainage device such that said deformable member automatically extends to an extended, deformed position i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Charles L. Branch, Jr., John P. Eikman
  • Patent number: 9975942
    Abstract: Provided herein is a construct comprising, in combination: an EphA3, EphA2 and/or EphB2 binding ligand; and at least one effector molecule. In some embodiments, the at least one effector molecule comprises a therapeutic agent, a nanoparticle, a detectable group, a lipid, or a liposome. In some embodiments, the construct is a fusion protein and/or a covalent conjugate. Further provided is a construct comprising in combination: a ligand that binds to EphA2, EphA3 and/or EphB2; a ligand that binds to IL-13R?2; and at least one effector molecule. Also provided are methods of use thereof for treating cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Services
    Inventors: Waldemar Debinski, Carla Lema Tome, Sara Ferluga, Poonam S. Sonawane
  • Patent number: 9974830
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds, compositions, and methods for detecting, diagnosing and treating cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Waldemar Debinski, Jill Wykosky, Denise Mazess Herpai
  • Patent number: 9968550
    Abstract: A topical wound treatment composition comprises a hydrogen peroxide generator; alkaline powder; not more than 5 percent by weight of water; additional topical active agent if desired, and emollient (preferably hygroscopic emollient) to balance. When topically applied to a wound and water from the surrounding environment diffuses into the composition, the hydrogen peroxide generator and/or the alkaline compound diffuse into one another, causing a chemical reaction that generates treatment-effective amounts of oxygen to occur. The oxygen can then diffuse out of the composition and aid in wound treatment or healing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Harrison, Steve J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 9968706
    Abstract: A keratin hydrogel matrix serves as an effective acellular scaffold for axonal regeneration and facilitates functional nerve recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Mark E. Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 9968705
    Abstract: Provided herein are scaffolds and methods useful to promote the formation of functional clusters on a tissue, for example, motor endplates (MEPs) or a component thereof on skeletal muscle cells or tissue, as well as the use of scaffolds so produced for repairing a tissue injury or defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: George J. Christ, Justin M. Saul, John B Scott, Benjamin T. Corona, Benjamin S. Harrison, Catherine Ward
  • Patent number: 9962466
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for obtaining uniform sized muscle fiber fragments for transplantation. These muscle fiber fragments are able to reconstitute into long fibers that are oriented along native muscle. The implanted muscle cells integrate with native vascular and neural network, as confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry. This invention is particularly advantageous because autologous muscle can be harvested from a donor site, processed and injected into target sites in the operating room. The fragmented muscle fibers can be readily integrated within the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Anthony Atala, James Yoo, In Kap Ko
  • Patent number: 9962160
    Abstract: Surgical staplers include: (a) a stapler head having opposed first and second elongate jaws with opposing proximal and distal end portions; (b) a staple cartridge held in at least one of the first and second jaws, the stapler cartridge configured to concurrently deliver a plurality of parallel rows of staples; and (c) a tissue protection segment held in a proximal portion of at least one of the first and second jaws. The jaws are configured to close against target tissue and, at stapler firing, staples are delivered to a subset of tissue held inside the jaws so that tissue held by the tissue protection segment adjacent the proximal end portion of the stapler is not stapled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: John K. Petty, Lucas P. Neff
  • Patent number: 9938502
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for mimicking an in vivo environment for culturing cells in vitro. The in vivo mimicking environment is based on the generation of a tissue-specific extracellular matrix wherein the matrix provides a substrate for which the cultured cell originated from. The tissue-specific extracellular matrix can further comprise a component of a whole tissue-specific homogenate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Yuanyuan Zhang, Shay Soker, Anthony Atala, Aleksander Skardal
  • Patent number: 9931434
    Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to compositions, methods, delivery devices and kits for repairing or augmenting a tissue in a subject. The compositions described herein are injectable such that they can be placed in a tissue to be treated with a minimally-invasive procedure (e.g., by injection) and/or be molded flexibly into a tissue void of any shape and/or size. In some embodiments, the composition described herein comprises a plurality of silk fibroin particles, which can retain their original volume within the tissue for a period of time. The compositions can be used as a filler to replace a tissue void, e.g., for tissue repair and/or augmentation, or as a scaffold to support tissue regeneration and/or reconstruction. In some embodiments, the compositions described herein can be used for soft tissue repair or augmentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: Trustees of Tufts College, University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Evangelia Bellas, Kacey Marra, J. Peter Rubin, David L. Kaplan, James J. Yoo
  • Patent number: 9905810
    Abstract: An electroluminescent device described herein, in one aspect, comprises a first electrode and second electrode and a light emitting layer positioned between the first and second electrodes. A current injection gate is positioned between the first electrode and the light emitting layer or the second electrode and the light emitting layer. In some embodiments, the current injection gate comprises a semiconductor layer of electronic structure restricting injected current flow from the first or second electrode through the semiconductor layer as a function of alternating current voltage frequency applied to the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University
    Inventors: David Carroll, Robert Summers, Yonghua Chen
  • Patent number: 9895426
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a myopathy. In certain embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for treating, improving muscle function, and prolonging survival in a subject with X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM). The present invention provides a method comprising systemic administration of a composition that induces the increased expression of myotubularin in the muscle of a subject. The invention provides sustained regional and global increases in muscle function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Genethon, Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventors: Martin K. Childers, Alan H. Beggs, Ana Maria Buj Bello
  • Patent number: 9896656
    Abstract: Differentiation and stability of neural stem cells can be enhanced by in vitro or in vivo culturing with one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) compositions, such as collagen I, IV, laminin and/or a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. In one aspect of the invention, adult mammalian enteric neuronal progenitor cells can be induced to differentiate on various substrates derived from components or combinations of neural ECM compositions. Collagen I and IV supported neuronal differentiation and extensive glial differentiation individually and in combination. Addition of laminin or heparan sulfate to collagen substrates unexpectedly improved neuronal differentiation, increasing neuron number, branching of neuronal processes, and initiation of neuronal network formation. In another aspect, neuronal subtype differentiation was affected by varying ECM compositions in hydrogels overlaid on intestinal smooth muscle sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Khalil Bitar
  • Patent number: 9882128
    Abstract: In one aspect, organic thin film transistors are described herein. In some embodiments, an organic thin film transistor comprises a source terminal, a drain terminal and a gate terminal; a dielectric layer positioned between the gate terminal and the source and drain terminals; and a vibrationally-assisted drop-cast organic film comprising small molecule semiconductor in electrical communication with the source terminal and drain terminal, wherein the transistor has a carrier mobility (?eff) of at least about 1 cm2/V·s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University
    Inventors: Oana Diana Jurchescu, Peter James Diemer
  • Patent number: 9879278
    Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for the selective expression of a target gene in a subset of cells. In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a construct comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an episomal maintenance element and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a target gene wherein the expression of the episomal maintenance element is regulated by a constitutive promoter and the expression of the target gene is regulated by a non-constitutive promoter. The construct is able to maintain episomal state, no matter whether the target gene is expressed in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Baisong Lu, Qingguo Zhao, James Yoo, Anthony Atala
  • Patent number: 9878013
    Abstract: A targeting peptide that specifically binds to an IL13 receptor (e.g., wherein said targeting peptide is not an IL13 fragment) is described. The targeting peptide is optionally conjugated to at least one effector molecule. In some embodiments, the peptide specifically binds to the IL13R?2 protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Waldemar Debinski, Hetal Pandya, Denise Mazess Herpai
  • Patent number: 9868788
    Abstract: Provided herein is an antibody (e.g., an isolated antibody) that specifically binds an epitope (e.g., linear epitope) within amino acids spanning the extracellular portion of human IL-13RA2. In some embodiments, the amino acids spanning the extracellular portion of human IL-13RA2 have at least 90% identity with the corresponding canine sequence of IL-13RA2. In some embodiments, the antibody specifically binds both human and canine IL-13RA2. In some embodiments, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the antibody is a recombinant antibody. In some embodiments, the antibody is humanized. In some embodiments, the antibody is the monoclonal antibody produced by hybridoma 1E10B9 or a recombinant form thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Waldemar Debinski, Denise Mazess Herpai
  • Patent number: 9865051
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to generate at least one two-dimensional weighted CBF territory map of color-coded source artery locations using an automated vascular segmentation process to identify source locations using mutual connectivity in both image and label space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Youngkyoo Jung
  • Patent number: 9861764
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide needle guides that facilitate direct penile injection of drug therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Ryan P. Terlecki
  • Patent number: 9862924
    Abstract: Differentiation and stability of neural stem cells can be enhanced by in vitro or in vivo culturing with one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) compositions, such as collagen I, IV, laminin and/or a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. In one aspect of the invention, adult mammalian enteric neuronal progenitor cells can be induced to differentiate on various substrates derived from components or combinations of neural ECM compositions. Collagen I and IV supported neuronal differentiation and extensive glial differentiation individually and in combination. Addition of laminin or heparan sulfate to collagen substrates unexpectedly improved neuronal differentiation, increasing neuron number, branching of neuronal processes, and initiation of neuronal network formation. In another aspect, neuronal subtype differentiation was affected by varying ECM compositions in hydrogels overlaid on intestinal smooth muscle sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Khalil Bitar