Patents Examined by David M. Naff
  • Patent number: 7018654
    Abstract: A method of protecting a chemical compound from degradation comprising combining the chemical compound with an amino acid polymer. Disclosed are methods of combining chemical compounds with synthetic amino acid polymers for protection from degradation of the chemical compounds and to provide for controlled release of the compounds. A method is described for the selective release of drug substances from a synthetic amino acid polymer in the stomach or small intestine, utilizing pH-dependent changes in a higher order structure. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a drug substance that has been combined with an amino acid polymer and a pharmaceutically acceptable combination of excipients is disclosed. A cell culture media comprising a polypeptide containing glutamine that has been co-polymerized with an amino acid is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: New River Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: Randal J. Kirk, Keith R. Latham
  • Patent number: 7018828
    Abstract: Media and kits are disclosed for use in processes requiring microbial culture. More specifically, the invention provides carrageenan-stabilized agar-based microbial culture media and kits constructed using the media. The media and kits of the invention may allow the construction of kits with increased shelf stability and useful life. Further, the media and kits of the invention may be used in kits and methods useful in the manual determination of the type of infection present in a specimen in periods of about 24 hours. The stabilized culture media of the invention are useful in a broad variety of applications. In an embodiment, the media contains both an agar medium and iota carrageenan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Read Taintor
  • Patent number: 7018821
    Abstract: The present invention provides highly impact-resistant, water-soluble or water dispersible, low-dust granules comprising an active ingredient and methods for obtaining the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel T. Becker, Mark S. Gebert, Isabelle Mazeaud
  • Patent number: 7015028
    Abstract: A multi-stage process and system for treating organic waste materials includes steps of hydrolyzing the materials in an anaerobic vessel, transferring the liquid product of hydrolysis to an anaerobic digester, and further decomposing the waste materials under aerobic conditions to yield a compost product usable as a soil amendment. Biogas produced by digestion of the hydrolysis liquid product may be burned to generate electricity or heat, and the liquid digester product may be recirculated for use as an inoculant to aid hydrolysis of subsequently processed batches of waste materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Alta Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris E. Choate, Paul A. Sherman, Ruihong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7011962
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. In an embodiment, lipids are produced by growing microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales in a medium and extracting the lipids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7011963
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for synthesis, by inverse bead polymerization of a monomer phase, of a bead-like, cross-linked, hydrophilic copolymer which has binding activity toward ligands containing nucleophilic groups. The invention relates to support polymer materials with high binding capacity for penicillin acylase and low swelling factor, as well as to use of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Roehm GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Christian Meier, Thomas Suefke, Hans-Ulrich Petereit, Roger Recktenwald, Thomas Boller
  • Patent number: 7005280
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. In an embodiment, lipids are produced by growing microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales in a medium and extracting the lipids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 6998119
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of microorganisms belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium for preparing a carrier for the treatment or prophylaxis of diarrhea. The invention also relates to food or pharmaceutical compositions containing such microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Harald Bruessow, Roberto Reniero, Josette Sidoti
  • Patent number: 6995013
    Abstract: A cell-scaffold composition that comprised of at least five layers of biocompatible material, each of which layers is coated with a biological sealant material and contains different cells The cell-scaffold composition is located in a bioreactor that contains devices for mechanically stimulating each of the cells in each of the layers at distinct frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: BioMed Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Connelly, Omotunde M. Babalola
  • Patent number: 6995007
    Abstract: A composition comprising bacteria and an inert carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be porous, ceramic particles. The composition can also include a growth medium. Bacteria in such a composition can comprise a novel strain designated APM-1. APM-1 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, motile rod, and appears to be most closely related to Bacillus spp. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed compositions for controlling plant fungal diseases, for controlling mammalian fungal diseases, or for bioremediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Haim B. Gunner, Ming-Jung Coler, William A. Torello
  • Patent number: 6994848
    Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated microorganism strain, Lactobacillus paracasei GM-080, which is found to be effective in treating allergy. The use of the Lactobacillus paracasei GM-080 in treating allergy related disease is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: GenMont Biotech Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Hsiang Hsu, Wei-Chih Su, Ying-Yu Wang, Tzu-Chi Chang, Cheng-Wei Lai
  • Patent number: 6994849
    Abstract: A biologically pure culture of a yeast of the species Metschnikowia fructicola. The yeast is identified as NRRL Y-30752 and is capable of inhibiting growth of a deleterious micro-organism on a portion of a plant to which a biologically effective amount of a culture of the yeast is applied. Further disclosed is a composition for use in protection of agricultural produce including a biologically effective amount of Metschnikowia fructicola and a carrier. Further disclosed is an article of manufacture including packaging material and the disclosed composition which is identified for use in protection of agricultural produce from a deleterious micro-organism. Further disclosed is a method of inhibiting growth of a deleterious micro-organism on a portion of a plant including applying at least one time an agriculturally effective amount of yeast of the genus Metschnikowia to the portion of a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: State of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Organization
    Inventor: Samir Droby
  • Patent number: 6995248
    Abstract: This invention relates to a biomolecule-bound substrate made of polymeric molecules, each of which contains a reacting group; and a plurality of biomolecules, each of which contains another reacting group. One of the two reacting groups is a substitute group and the other is a leaving group; and the biomolecules are covalently bonded to the solid support via a chemical ligation reaction between the two reacting groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Dr. Chip Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan-Hung Lee, Kang-Jehng Chen, Hsing Hsiao, Shin-Hwan Wang
  • Patent number: 6989249
    Abstract: A method for the indirect extraction of DNA greater than 300 kb in size from non-cultivatable organisms contained in an environmental sample is disclosed. The method comprises isolating the organisms from the sample and embedding the isolated organisms in a block of agarose where the organisms are subsequently lysed and the DNA subjected to a first alternating field electrophoresis to extract DNA fragments which are large in size and separate them from the cell debris. The first electrophoretic migration is followed by an enzymatic restriction step and additional electrophoretic migrations. The invention also encompasses DNA obtained by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Libragen
    Inventors: Renaud Nalin, Patrick Robe, Van Tran Van
  • Patent number: 6989266
    Abstract: A cement paste containing microbial cells which has a sustained effect and an excellent function of purifying water. This cement paste contains a mixture of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus cells at a mixing ratio by mass of 0.1 to 50:0.1 to 50:0.1 to 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Koyoh Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Koga, Yoko Koga
  • Patent number: 6987022
    Abstract: An efficient method for therapeutic treatment of a leukemic patient is disclosed in which the patient's body fluid under external circulation is brought into direct contact with an adsorbent material capable of adsorbing the leukemic cells in the body fluid specifically and selectively. The leukemic cell-adsorbent material, which is used by filling a column to form an adsorbent bed, is a conjugate of a lectin protein extracted from, e.g., Dolichos beans or soybeans coupled with a physiologically inert carrier material such as a polysaccharide in the form of beads or a superparamagnetic material in the form of iron oxide-based magnetic beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Osamu Nakamura, Hideki Ohba, Imre Sallay, Fumio Yagi, Sawako Moriwaki, Seiji Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6984297
    Abstract: A method and a device are used for carrying out measurements on cells located in a liquid environment. Each cell is positioned with an underside of its membrane on a surface having a channel running through it. A negative pressure is established to aspirate the cells. Each cell is electrically scanned via at least one electrode which is spaced apart from the cell. The negative pressure is preferably established in a pulse-like manner to rupture the membrane in such a way that the cell interior enclosed by the membrane is connected to the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignees: NMI Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen, Bayer AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Nisch, Martin Stelzle, Alfred Stett, Thomas Krahn, Thomas Müller, Christoph Methfessel
  • Patent number: 6982164
    Abstract: Unhydrolyzed and hydrolyzed jojoba protein having high simmondsin concentration are provided. These jojoba proteins may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion containing a mixture of amino acids, peptides and/or protein fractions derived from the extraction and hydrolysis of naturally occurring jojoba protein, or dried into a powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: MGP Ingredients, Inc.
    Inventors: Sukh Bassi, Clodualdo C. Maningat, Dharmen Makwana, Ramaswamy Mani
  • Patent number: 6977167
    Abstract: A process for the heterotrophic or predominantly heterotrophic production of whole-celled or extracted microbial products with a high concentration of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids, producible in an aerobic culture under controlled conditions using biologically pure cultures of heterotrophic single-celled fungi microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales. The harvested whole-cell microbial product can be added to processed foods as a nutritional supplement, or to fish and animal feeds to enhance the omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content of products produced from these animals. The lipids containing these fatty acids can also be extracted and used in nutritional, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 6977076
    Abstract: Chlorella extracts containing high molecular weight Chlorella polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes show immune modulatory, specifically immune stimulatory, activity. The polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes contain glucose and any combination of: galactose, rhamnose, mannose and arabinose, as well as N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetyl galactosamine. The extracts may be treated with pronase, DNAse, RNAse and proteases to remove unassociated nucleic acids, ribonucleic acids and proteins. The extracts may also undergo treatment to effect cleavage of specific glycosidic linkages, the linkages being defined by their susceptibility to cleavage by amylase, amyloglucosidase, cellulase or neuraminidase. Chlorella extracts may be administered to a mammal to increase proliferation of splenocytes and increase production of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, INF-? and TNF-?. They may be used as a supplement to a vaccination regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited
    Inventor: Jaroslav A. Kralovec