Patents Examined by Larry D Riggs, II
  • Patent number: 10131945
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Zachary Demko
  • Patent number: 10131955
    Abstract: New methods for identifying patents with hematuria who are at low risk of having urothelial cancer (UC) include combining selected phenotypic variables with levels of genotypic expression into a new metric, the “G+P INDEX.” The G+P INDEX combines age, sex, smoking history, presence of hematuria, and frequency of hematuria with genotypic expression of the genetic markers, MDK, CDC2, HOXA13, IGFBP5, and optionally IL8Rb, then determining of the G+P INDEX value obtained for a patient is within one of three groups, either: (1) at High Risk of UC, (2) at Risk of UC, or (3) at Low Risk of UC. For groups 1 and 2, further clinical and laboratory work up is indicated, and patients in group 3 are monitored periodically to determine the need for further clinical workup. Using the G+P INDEX can save substantial time, effort, and funds by avoiding unnecessary medical diagnostic procedures for patients at Low Risk of UC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: PACIFIC EDGE LIMITED
    Inventors: David Darling, James Miller Suttie, Mark Dalphin, Laimonis Kavalieris, Paul O'Sullivan, Satish Kumar
  • Patent number: 10128002
    Abstract: A method of administering insulin includes receiving subcutaneous information for a patient at a computing device and executing a subcutaneous outpatient program for determining recommended insulin dosages. The subcutaneous outpatient program includes obtaining blood glucose data of the patient from a glucometer in communication with the computing device, aggregating blood glucose measurements to determine a representative aggregate blood glucose measurement associated with at least one scheduled blood glucose time interval, and determining a next recommended insulin dosage for the patient based on the representative aggregate blood glucose measurement and the subcutaneous information. The method also includes transmitting the next recommended insulin dosage to a portable device associated with the patient. The portable device displays the next recommended insulin dosage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Aseko, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Booth, Harry Hebblewhite
  • Patent number: 10109024
    Abstract: A method begins by a drive unit affiliated with farm equipment receiving data from the farm equipment to produce agricultural data. The method continues with the drive unit determining a filtering constraint based on one or more parameters selected from a plurality of lists of agricultural parameters and filtering the agricultural data based on the filtering constraint to produce filtered agricultural data. The method continues with the drive unit determining processing of the filtered agricultural data and executing the processing of the filtered agricultural data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: The Climate Corporation
    Inventors: Brad B. Bakke, Craig Eugene Rupp, A. Corbett S. Kull, Austin Brock Atchison
  • Patent number: 10095842
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a set of control molecules for use in a combinatorial approach for the treatment of medical conditions, including providing one or more sets of control molecules, where each control molecule within the set acts on a set of targets and the number of control molecules within the one or more sets of control molecules is fewer than the number of targets within the sets of targets; and searching within the sets of control molecules to identify a subset of control molecules that together with a subset of targets form an artificial system to produce a biological effect through the modulation of the subset of targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SALGOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Giovanni Paternostro, Jacob D Feala
  • Patent number: 10092224
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the level of an analyte such as glucose in a subject comprises repeated steps of extracting a quantity of the analyte from the subject into a sample, for example using reverse iontophoresis, then measuring the concentration of the analyte with a method that depletes the analyte. Whereas known methods aim to deplete the analyte fully between extraction steps, the present method allows the concentration to build up with each cycle and measures successive changes in concentration. The higher concentrations present permit more reliable measurements to be made. The sample may be primed with an initial quantity of the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DERMAL DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Dewan Fazlul Hoque Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 10072295
    Abstract: The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital analysis is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Stephen Quake, Hei-Mun Christina Fan
  • Patent number: 10061889
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining the copy number of a chromosome in a fetus in the context of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. In an embodiment, the measured genetic data from a sample of genetic material that contains both fetal DNA and maternal DNA is analyzed, along with the genetic data from the biological parents of the fetus, and the copy number of the chromosome of interest is determined. In an embodiment, the maternal serum is measured using a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray, along with parental genomic data, and the determination of the chromosome copy number is used to make clinical decisions pertaining to the fetus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, Allison Ryan, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Zachary Demko
  • Patent number: 10061890
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining the copy number of a chromosome in a fetus in the context of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. In an embodiment, the measured genetic data from a sample of genetic material that contains both fetal DNA and maternal DNA is analyzed, along with the genetic data from the biological parents of the fetus, and the copy number of the chromosome of interest is determined. In an embodiment, the maternal serum is measured using a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray, along with parental genomic data, and the determination of the chromosome copy number is used to make clinical decisions pertaining to the fetus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, Allison Ryan, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Zachary Demko
  • Patent number: 10017812
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Zachary Demko, Matthew Hill, Bernhard Zimmermann, Johan Baner
  • Patent number: 10010291
    Abstract: A system and method provides a glucose report for determining glycemic risk based on an ambulatory glucose profile of glucose data over a time period, a glucose control assessment based on median and variability of glucose, and indicators of high glucose variability. Time of day periods are shown at which glucose levels can be seen. A median glucose goal and a low glucose line provide coupled with glucose variability provide a view into effects that raising or lowering the median goal would have. Likelihood of low glucose, median glucose compared to goal, and variability of glucose below median provide probabilities based on glucose data. Patterns can be seen and provide guidance for treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Erwin S. Budiman, Gary A. Hayter, Kenneth J. Doniger, Timothy C. Dunn, Nathan C. Crouther, Glenn H. Berman, Howard A. Wolpert
  • Patent number: 10002232
    Abstract: Disclosed are a biological sample analysis system and method for determining whether or not each of a plurality of biological samples has a test-target property using the plurality of biological samples and a plurality of pools generated by pooling samples. The system includes a determiner configured to determine whether or not there is a possibility of a determination of a false positive according to test values for the test-target property of the plurality of pools, an additional sample selector configured to select a minimum number of additional test-target samples on which an individual test of whether or not a sample has the test-target property will be carried out from among the plurality of samples when it is determined that there is the possibility of a determination of a false positive, and a test result determiner configured to determine whether or not each of the plurality of samples has the test-target property according to test results of the additional test-target samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignees: SAMSUNG SDS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG LIFE PUBLIC WELFARE FOUNDATION.
    Inventors: Yoo Jin Hong, Seong Hyeuk Nam, Yong Seok Lee, Sung Soo Kang, Chang Seok Ki
  • Patent number: 9994897
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for non-invasive determination of sex in a fetus or of Y chromosomal frequency abnormalities—indicative of aneuploidy or sex mosaicisms in a fetus—by detecting and determining the relative contribution genetic sequences from the Y chromosome in view of the percent fetal contribution in a maternal mixed sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ARIOSA DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Struble, Arnold Oliphant, Eric Wang
  • Patent number: 9983184
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of predicting the cutting-time of coagulating milk based upon time parameters generated from fluorescence measurements. The method includes the steps of (a) measuring a change in the fluorescence response of coagulating milk, (b) generating time parameters from the fluorescence response, and (c) using time parameters and a cutting time prediction equation to predict cutting time. Additionally, an additional method is provided for determining a cutting time prediction equation by regression analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: REFLECTONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Fred Payne
  • Patent number: 9965587
    Abstract: A method includes: measuring a blood glucose (bG) level in a blood sample; storing the bG level and a time of receipt of the blood sample; storing a classification of the blood sample; in response to the receipt of the blood sample, selecting a group of stored bG levels having the classification of the blood sample and that were received within a predetermined period before receipt of the blood sample; calculating a bG evaluation parameter from the selected bG levels; evaluating the bG evaluation parameter in relation to first predetermined criteria, the first predetermined criteria including a first threshold indicative of a high bG level or a low bG level; selectively displaying an indication of recognition of a pattern in the selected bG levels when the bG evaluation parameter is greater than or less than the first threshold; and selectively removing the indication from the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy N. Aykroyd, Amy C. Day, Paul J. Galley, Horst Merkle, Christen A. Rees, Michelle M. Stevens, Scott A. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 9965595
    Abstract: A method of administering insulin includes receiving blood glucose measurements of a patient at a data processing device from a glucometer. The blood glucose measurements are separated by a time interval. The method also includes receiving patient information at the data processing device and selecting a subcutaneous insulin treatment from a collection of subcutaneous insulin treatments. The selection is based on the blood glucose measurements and the patient information. The selection includes one or more of a subcutaneous standard program, a subcutaneous program without meal boluses, a meal-by-meal subcutaneous program without carbohydrate counting, a meal-by-meal subcutaneous program with carbohydrate counting, and a subcutaneous program for non-diabetic patients. The method also includes executing, using the data processing device, the selected subcutaneous insulin treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Aseko, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Booth, Harry Hebblewhite
  • Patent number: 9965585
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for determining genetic or molecular aberrations in a biological sample. Biological samples including cell-free DNA fragments are analyzed to identify imbalances in chromosomal regions, e.g., due to deletions and/or amplifications in a tumor. Multiple loci are used for each chromosomal region. Such imbalances can be used to diagnose (screen) a patient for cancer, as well as prognosticate a patient with cancer, or to detect the presence or to monitor the progress of a premalignant condition in a patient. Severity of an imbalance and the number of regions exhibiting an imbalance can be used. A systematic analysis of non-overlapping genomic segments can provide a general screening tool. A patient can be tested over time to track severity of each of one or more chromosomal regions and a number of chromosomal regions to enable screening and prognosticating, as well as monitoring of progress (e.g. after treatment).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo, Kwan Chee Chan, Rossa Wai Kwun Chiu, Peiyong Jiang
  • Patent number: 9949648
    Abstract: A blood pressure measurement system is configured to perform a calibration automatically when a calibration condition is satisfied. The calibration condition is based upon one or more parameters of pulse waves of a subject. The parameters may include pulse wave area; a time difference between systolic peak and reflected wave peak or dichrotic notch in the pulse wave and a shape of at least a portion of the pulse wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Luya Li, Rakesh Kumar Sethi, Ming Sun, Alexander Yuk Sit, Yong Liu
  • Patent number: 9946847
    Abstract: In alternative embodiments the invention provides libraries of compounds, or drugs or drug candidates, manufactured and selected for having a desired property such as a biological or a chemical activity, and methods for making and using them. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for identifying desirable compounds from very large compound sets using a compound fragment as the query. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods of making compounds, and libraries of compounds, using a “feasible reaction” growth scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BIOBLOCKS INC.
    Inventors: Peter V. Pallai, Warren S. Wade
  • Patent number: 9939378
    Abstract: A system and method for the detection of bacteria on a sample, utilizes spectroscopic analysis of the sample and the fluorescent properties of bacteria or other substance(s) or matter associated with the bacteria to identify the presence of bacteria on the sample. A detector analyses light emitted from the sample in response to illumination. The detector 5 is arranged to analyze the emission spectra across two wavebands, a first waveband containing the wavelengths associated with the fluorescent properties of the bacterial species or other substance or matter to be detected, and a second waveband excluding these wavelengths but also having an overlapping region with the first waveband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Veritide Limited
    Inventors: Joon Koo Choi, Robert Ian Johnston