Patents Assigned to Yale University
  • Patent number: 8790317
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a microfabricated, silicon-based, Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED) device. The device comprises a silicon shank portion, at least one individual parylene channel disposed along at least a part of an entire length of the shank, wherein the channel has one or more dimensioned fluid exit ports disposed at one or more respective locations of the channel and a fluid (drug) input opening. The fluid input opening may be configured or adapted to be connected to a fluid reservoir and/or a pump and/or a meter and/or a valve or other suitable control device(s) or apparatus that supplies and/or delivers fluid (eg, a drug) to the microfabricated device. The device may have multiple channels disposed side by side or in different surfaces of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Cornell University, Yale University
    Inventors: William L. Olbricht, Keith B. Neeves, Conor Foley, Russell T. Mattews, W. Mark Saltzman, Andrew Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20140204442
    Abstract: Described is a method of controlling the absorption of light in a cavity, a system in which absorption is so controlled, and an interferometer embodying the underlying physical concept. Materials can be made to completely absorb incident light when the light is imposed in a specific pattern of illumination. Coherent perfect absorption, as the process is referred to, is achieved when a cavity is illuminated coherently and monochromatically by the time-reverse of the output of a lasing mode. Varying the parameters of the incident light and/or of the cavity allows the absorption of the incident light by the cavity to be controlled; enhanced or even reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventors: A. Douglas Stone, Hui Cao, Li Ge, Yidong Chong
  • Patent number: 8785500
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression are described. More specifically, the invention demonstrates that intranasal administration of ketamine is effective to ameliorate the symptoms of depression in a patient who has not responded to an adequate trial of one antidepressant in the current episode and has recurrent or chronic depressive symptoms (>2 years).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Yale University, National Institute of Health
    Inventors: Dennis S. Charney, Sanjay J. Mathew, Husseini K. Manji, Carlos A. Zarate, Jr., John H. Krystal
  • Patent number: 8778979
    Abstract: Methods of treating mental disorders, including anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, are provided. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a glutamate modulator to an individual in need thereof. Also provided are methods of enhancing the activity of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) comprising co-administering a glutamate modulator and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Pharmaceutical composition comprising a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a glutamate modulator are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Vladimir Coric, John H. Krystal, Gerard Sanacora
  • Publication number: 20140186648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to materials, methods and apparatuses for performing imprint lithography using amorphous metallic materials. The amorphous metallic materials can be employed as imprint media and thermoplastic forming processes are applied during the pattern transfer procedure to produce micron scale and nanoscale patterns in the amorphous metallic layer. The pattern transfer is in the form of direct mask embossing or through a serial nano-indentation process. A rewriting process is also disclosed, which involves an erasing mechanism that is accomplished by means of a second thermoplastic forming process. The amorphous metallic materials may also be used directly as an embossing mold in imprint lithography to allow high volume imprint nano-manufacturing. This invention also comprises of a method of smoothening surfaces under the action of the surface tension alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventors: Jan Schroers, Golden Kumar, Hongxing Tang
  • Publication number: 20140178392
    Abstract: Disclosed are NgR proteins and biologically active Nogo (ligand) protein fragments. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for modulating the expression or activity of the Nogo and NgR protein. Also disclosed are peptides which block Nogo-mediated inhibition of axonal extension. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful in the treatment of cranial or cerebral trauma, spinal cord injury, stroke or a demyelinating disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventor: Stephen M. Strittmatter
  • Publication number: 20140165566
    Abstract: A method of converting thermal energy into mechanical work that uses a semi-permeable membrane to convert osmotic pressure into electrical power. A closed cycle pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) process known as an osmotic heat engine (OHE) uses a concentrated ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution to create high osmotic pressures which generate water flux through a semi-permeable membrane against a hydraulic pressure gradient. The depressurization of the increased draw solution volume in a turbine produces electrical power. The process is maintained in steady state operation through the separation of the diluted draw solution into a re-concentrated draw solution and deionized water working fluid, both for reuse in the osmotic heat engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Menachem Elimelech, Jeffrey McCutcheon
  • Patent number: 8753514
    Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gases. The constituent gases and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 8748504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the development and fabrication of thin-film polymer nanocomposites containing vertically aligned nanomaterials, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). In certain embodiments, the present invention utilizes liquid crystal mesophases of hexagonally packed cylindrical micelles that orient with their long axes parallel to an applied magnetic field, thereby directing the alignment of the nanomaterials, such as SWNTs, sequestered in the micellar cores. In certain embodiments, the mesophase may be a stable, single-phase material containing monomers that can be polymerized after nanotube alignment to form the nanocomposite polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Menachem Elimelech, Chinedum Osuji, Meagan Mauter
  • Publication number: 20140155459
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of using microRNAs to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. In one aspect, methods are disclosed that are useful for identifying a subject in need of therapeutic intervention to reduce or improve a symptom of pulmonary arterial hypertension, reducing proliferation of pulmonary vascular cells in a subject, or treating pulmonary arterial hypertension in a subject. In another aspect, compositions include an inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) expression comprising at least one of: a mature sequence of miR-424 or miR-503; a pri-miRNA of miR-424 or miR-503; a pre-miRNA of miR-424 or miR-503; and the complement thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions for reducing proliferation of pulmonary vascular cells in a subject in need thereof and biomarker panels are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventors: Hyung J. Chun, Jongmin Kim
  • Publication number: 20140147448
    Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods useful for treating preventing abnormal thrombus formation and subsequent cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients and patients with increased cardiovascular risk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventors: John Hwa, WaiHo Tang
  • Patent number: 8727997
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring changes in blood volume using waveforms in the peripheral vasculature. In particular, the systems and methods relate to detecting ventilation-induced variation (VIV) of waveforms in the peripheral vasculature. Advantageously, the systems and methods may relate to analyzing VIV in peripheral venous pressure (PVP). Thus, the VIV of PVP may be measured, wherein decreased VIV is indicative of decreased blood volume In exemplary embodiments, such as involving spontaneous breathing, it may be necessary to account for changes in respiratory signal strength. Thus systems and methods are also provided for assessing coherence between ventilation and VIV for a flow or pressure waveform. Specifically, coherence is evaluated by comparing the waveform to a detected respiratory signal. Finally, systems and method are provided for distinguishing the impact of respiration on the PG signal during hypervolemia as compared to hypovolemia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Kirk H. Shelley, David G. Silverman, Adam J. Shelley
  • Publication number: 20140127126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that mutations in KCNJ5 are associated with adrenal diseases and disorders. The invention includes compositions and methods for the assessment, characterization and treatment of adrenal diseases and disorders, based upon the presence or absence of a KCNJ5 mutation that is associated with an adrenal disease or disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventors: Richard P. Lifton, Bixiao Zhao, Murim Choi, Goran Akerstrom, Gunnar Westin, Peyman Bjorklund, Per Hellman
  • Patent number: 8710839
    Abstract: In MRI by excitation of nuclear spins and measurement of RF signals induced by these spins in the presence of spatially-varying encoding magnetic fields, signal localization is performed through recombination of measurements obtained in parallel by each coil in an encircling array of RF receiver coils. Through the use of magnetic gradient fields that vary both as first-order and second-order Z2 spherical harmonics with position, radially-symmetric magnetic encoding fields are created that are complementary to the spatial variation of the encircling receiver coils. The resultant hybrid encoding functions comprised of spatially-varying coil profiles and gradient fields permits unambiguous localization of signal contributed by spins. Using hybrid encoding functions in which the gradient shapes are thusly tailored to the encircling array of coil profiles, images are acquired in less time than is achievable from a conventional acquisition employing only first-order gradient fields with an encircling coil array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Robert Todd Constable, Jason Stockmann, Lick-Kong Tam
  • Patent number: 8704150
    Abstract: A primary beam splitter (310) of an optical apparatus (300) can be used to split an incident light beam (305) into a primary plurality of light beams and to direct a first beam therefrom in a first direction and a second beam therefrom in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Secondary beam splitters (315a,b) positioned in beam paths of the first and second beams can be used to split the first and second beams of the primary plurality of light beams into a secondary plurality of light beams (320a,b) and to split the same into a tertiary plurality of light beams (325a,b). A primary plurality of beam reflectors (335a,b/340a,b/345a,b) can be positioned and used to redirect the secondary and tertiary plurality of light beams toward a common detector (355).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, Yale University
    Inventors: Joerg Bewersdorf, Brian Thomas Bennett
  • Patent number: 8703909
    Abstract: A polypeptide with a predominantly hydrophobic sequence long enough to span a membrane lipid bilayer as a transmembrane helix (TM) and comprising one or more dissociable groups inserts across a membrane spontaneously in a pH-dependant fashion placing one terminus inside cell. The polypeptide conjugated with various functional moieties delivers and accumulates them at cell membrane with low extracellular pH. The functional moiety conjugated with polypeptide terminus placed inside cell are translocated through the cell membrane in cytosol. The peptide and its variants or non-peptide analogs can be used to deliver therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, imaging, gene regulation, cell regulation, or immunologic agents to or inside of cells in vitro or in vivo in tissue at low extracellular pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Yana K. Reshetnyak, Oleg A. Andreev, Ursula Lehnert, Donald M. Engelman
  • Publication number: 20140105870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for generating populations of tissue precursor cells from pluripotent cells, and preferably induction of stem cells into definitive endoderm to generate anterior foregut endoderm from pluripotent cells. The anterior foregut endoderm cells can then be differentiated into an alveolar epithelial type II cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventors: Laura E. Niklason, Mahboobe Ghaedi
  • Patent number: 8697367
    Abstract: Described herein are biomarkers, such as protein biomarkers, which are diagnostic of and predictive for complications that result from an in utero encounter, such as an infection by the fetus, that can lead to premature birth (PTB). The biomarkers can be used to identify fetuses and newborns at risk for complications of PTB, such as (Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis) EONS, intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and other poor outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Catalin S. Buhimschi, Irina Buhimschi, Vineet Bhandari
  • Patent number: 8700563
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a plurality of transactions for accessing a database may be acquired. The database may be associated with a plurality of locks. The plurality of transactions may include a first transaction, a second transaction, and a third transaction. A logical serialization sequence for executing the transactions may be identified. The logical serialization sequence may indicate that (1) the first transaction is to be executed before the second transaction based on all locks that are required by the first transaction being available; (2) the second transaction is to be executed after the first transaction has completed execution based on the second transaction requiring a lock that is required by the first transaction; and (3) the third transaction is to be executed before or during execution of the first transaction based on all locks required by the third transaction being different than the locks required by the first transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Alexander Thomson, Daniel J. Abadi
  • Patent number: 8692052
    Abstract: A mouse with a humanization of the mIL-3 gene and the mGM-CSF gene, a knockout of a mRAG gene, and a knockout of a mII2rg subunit gene; and optionally a humanization of the TPO gene is described. A RAG/II2rg KO/hTPO knock-in mouse is described. A mouse engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that maintains a human immune cell (HIC) population derived from the HSCs and that is infectable by a human pathogen, e.g., S. typhi or M. tuberculosis is described. A mouse that models a human pathogen infection that is poorly modeled in mice is described, e.g., a mouse that models a human mycobacterial infection, wherein the mouse develops one or more granulomas comprising human immune cells. A mouse that comprises a human hematopoietic malignancy that originates from an early human hematopoietic cells is described, e.g., a myeloid leukemia or a myeloproliferative neoplasia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Yale University, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB)
    Inventors: Sean Stevens, Andrew J. Murphy, Richard Flavell, Elizabeth Eynon, Jorge Galan, Tim Willinger, Markus Manz, Anthony Rongvaux, George D. Yancopoulos