Patents Examined by Marjorie A. Moran
  • Patent number: 8150628
    Abstract: A method and system are described for transmitting a timing estimate record responsive to a systemic flow of one or more artificial markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8150627
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identification of differentially methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences within genomic target sequences that are associated with cancer in an individual by obtaining a biological sample comprising genomic DNA from the individual measuring the level or pattern of methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences for two or more of the genomic targets in the sample, and comparing the level of methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences in the sample to a reference level of methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences, wherein a difference in the level or pattern of methylation of the genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences in the sample compared to the reference level identifies differentially methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences associated with cancer. As disclosed herein, the methods of the invention have numerous diagnostic and prognostic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian-Bing Fan, Marina Bibikova
  • Patent number: 8140456
    Abstract: To provide an effective factor extraction system in which samples are generated artificially from a sample group and a virtual sample set is created so that even when the number of sample is relatively small, specific factors can be selected/extracted with high reliability by using the virtual sample set. The effective factor extraction system comprises a section for extracting samples arbitrarily from sample sets and creating a plurality of paired virtual sample sets, a statistical quantity operating section for reading out the feature value held by sample contained in respective virtual sample sets and operating the average value and the variance, a section for operating Fisher ratio from the average value and the variance, and a section for testing significant factors using the operated Fisher ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaguchi University
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hamamoto, Masaaki Oka
  • Patent number: 8116981
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for rapidly and effectively characterizing a cell as belonging to a particular genus, species, strain, or having a particular phenotype. The methods and systems utilize mass spectrometry and low-energy negative ionization to detect cell surface markers indicative of a particular cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ara Chutjian, Murray R. Darrach, Roger G. Kern
  • Patent number: 8108149
    Abstract: The present invention provides standard deviation score (SDS) calculators, which SDS calculators are useful for transforming insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations to IGF-1 standard deviation scores. In one embodiment, IGF-1 blood levels are calculated so as to take into account IGFBP-3 blood levels (and, optionally, IGF-2 blood levels) to provide an IGF-1 production rate, which can be used to calculate an IGF-1 production rate SDS. The IGF-1 SDS and IGF-1 production rate SDS are particularly useful in assessing the stimulated rate of IGF-1 production in response to, for example, growth hormone therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Tercica, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross Graham Clark, Gillian Clark, legal representative, George M. Bright, Sam Liao
  • Patent number: 8108150
    Abstract: Methods and devices for more efficiently engineering diversity into recombinant polypeptides and/or nucleic acids are provided herein. For example, a variety of methods of selecting and/or assessing potential crossover sites in an amino acid sequence or a nucleotide sequence are provided, as well as the resulting chimeric product sequences. These methods include, e.g., consideration of structural, functional and/or statistical data in the selection and assessment of sequences and crossover sites for use in recombination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Codexis Mayflower Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Emily C. Mundorff, Sridhar Govindarajan, Claes Gustafsson, Jeremy S. Minshull
  • Patent number: 8060354
    Abstract: Selecting the nutrition for an animal or animal group comprises performing a diagnostic test to obtain first data. A data base that comprises first data relating a genomic analysis of a bodily fluid or tissue sample from an animal to a physiological condition and optionally the genotype of the animal is accessed. A data base that comprises second data relating to effects of nutrition on genomic analysis is accessed. The first and second data are processed with input data defining the physiological condition and optionally the genotype of the animal or animal group to derive the nutrition for an animal or animal group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: HEMOPET
    Inventor: W. Jean Dodds
  • Patent number: 8050870
    Abstract: Statistical models for identifying associations are described herein. By way of example, a system for identifying associations between variables can include a model builder and an association identifier. The model builder can receive observations about the variables and generate a null model and a non-null model. The association identifier can assess the strength of the association between the variables by determining how much the non-null model better explains the observed data than the null model. Additionally or alternatively, the structure of the observed data can be inferred simultaneously with the statistical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Heckerman, Jonathan M. Carlson, Carl M. Kadie
  • Patent number: 8041514
    Abstract: A method for judging feature of malignant tumor is described. The method comprises obtaining step, first comparing step, second comparing step and judging step. The obtaining step comprises obtaining a first parameter based on activity and expression level of a first cyclin dependent kinase (first CDK) contained in a tumor cell of the malignant tumor, a second parameter based on activity and expression level of a second cyclin dependent kinase (second CDK) contained in the tumor cell, a third parameter based on the first parameter and the second parameter, and a fourth parameter based on expression level of a cyclin contained in the tumor cell. The first comparing step comprises comparing a first threshold value with the third parameter. The second comparing comprises comparing a second threshold value with the fourth parameter. The judging step comprises judging the feature of the malignant tumor based on the comparison results of the first comparing step and the second comparing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Masaki Shibayama, Hideki Ishihara, Tomoko Matsushima, Aya Katayama, Yuko Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8024135
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting airborne agents. The system includes a semiconductor ultraviolet optical source configured to emit an ultraviolet light, a controller configured to generate a pseudo-random code for emission of the ultraviolet light modulated at the pseudo-random code, a telescope configured to focus the ultraviolet light to a distance from the source and to receive elastically backscattered signals and fluorescence signals from the distance, and a sensor configured to detect the elastically backscattered and fluorescence signals. The method generates a pseudo-random code and emits at least one wavelength of ultraviolet light modulated at the pseudo-random code, transmits the modulated ultraviolet light pulses to a distance from the source, receives elastically backscattered signals and fluorescence signals from the distance, and detects the elastically backscattered and fluorescence signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Science & Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyo Sang Lee, Coorg R. Prasad
  • Patent number: 8024132
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems
    Inventors: Gregor Sagner, Karim Tabiti, Martin Gutekunst, Richie Soong
  • Patent number: 8019555
    Abstract: An electrically active particle is disclosed, having a virus scaffold. Nanoparticles are bonded to the surface of the virus, and the nanoparticles are connected to each other by, molecular wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Banahalli Ratna, Amy Blum, Carissa Soto, Tina Brower, Steve Pollack
  • Patent number: 8019554
    Abstract: A predictive indicator tool for predicting the risk of a manufacturing process producing products having defects. Manufacturing sub-processes are identified for the process and s a series of 12 questions is applied to each sub-process. The questions are generated using Six Sigma statistical techniques. The questions are scored and an associated algorithm is applied to produce a quantitative score is indicative of risk. The quantitative risk score is compared to an alert level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Lea Ann Conway, David W. Powell, Susanne Manz, Robert M. Smith, Mizanu Kebede
  • Patent number: 8014989
    Abstract: The invention is directed to accurate calculation of a birefringence of a polymer stretched and oriented. Disclosed is a method for calculating a birefringence of a polymer in an information processing apparatus, having an amorphous state generating step including accepting input of a parameter, generating a model of the polymer on the basis of the parameter, and bringing the model into an amorphous state; a stretching step including stretching the model brought into the amorphous state; a birefringence calculating step including calculating a birefringence of the stretched model; and an outputting step including outputting the birefringence thus calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yosuke Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8010295
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for classifying a population of subjects into various sub-populations for a selected biological condition. Patients are categorized in accordance with numeric scores for a affected status for the selected biological condition and a risk status for the selected biological condition. The numeric scores for an overall population are determined in advance for the selected biological condition. Medical test results, including genetic tests, and risk factors are numerically scored and may further be weighted in accordance with their relevance in determining affected status and risk. Medical test results and medical histories for individual subjects within the population may then automatically be scored in accordance with the predefined characteristics. The numerical scores for affected status and risk status may be stored in a data structure, such as a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: IB Security Holders LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Magness, Shawn P. Iadonato
  • Patent number: 8005624
    Abstract: A method and system of supplying rodents, such as mice, to medical researchers pre-installs and/or embeds physiologic sensors onto or within the rodents prior to selling the modified rodents to the researchers. The specialty skills, such as small animal surgical and anesthesia skills and sensor placement and testing, are centralized in one organization rather than being spread about a collection of researchers. The subjects with preinstalled, pre-tested hardware, are sold to the researcher as needed. Communication hardware and software will be supplied for the user to convert their desktop computer into a wireless monitoring station. Additionally an external pulse oximeter for small rodents, such as mice, provides measurements on a hand or foot of the rodent with a sensor configured to avoid shunting around the rodent appendage, and configured for high heart rates (200-900 beats per minutes) of the subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: STARR Life Sciences Corp.
    Inventor: Eric William Starr
  • Patent number: 7987056
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods and compositions relating to mixed-library parallel gene trait mapping. In particular embodiments, the methods concern quantitative microarray hybridization techniques for genome-wide identification of trait conferring genes. In other embodiments, the compositions concern genetic elements that confer or are associated with a trait. In an exemplary embodiment, the trait is enhanced growth rate. In another exemplary embodiment, genetic elements that confer enhanced bacterial growth rate comprise part or all of the sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5. In other embodiments, the genetic elements that confer enhanced bacterial growth rate correspond to the YliF, adrA, yeaP, yddV or ydeH genes of E. coli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Ryan T. Gill, Michael D. Lynch, Tanya Warnecke
  • Patent number: 7957916
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for generating theoretical mass spectral fragmentation patterns of a chemical structure is provided. The method includes obtaining a description of a chemical structure and generating, from the description, a list of chemical structure information. A binary tree data structure is used to organize the list of chemical structure information. The binary tree data structure may be fragmented by determining, based on a set of predetermined rules, a fragmentation point between two nodes in the binary tree data structure thereby dividing the binary tree data structure into a fragment and a complement. The molecular formula and molecular weight of each fragment is determined. The binary tree data structure is traversed and appropriate fragmentation rules are applied to produce a plurality of theoretical molecular fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventors: Lynde J. Nottebaum, Thomas D. McClure
  • Patent number: 7939343
    Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of a contaminant in a first sample, the method including producing the first sample, including adding a plurality of immuno-beads to a test substance; exposing a crystal microbalance immunosensor to the first sample; determining a change in a first motional resistance of the crystal microbalance immunosensor following exposure to the first sample (?R1); and determining the concentration of the contaminant in the first sample according to ?R1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Yanbin Li, Xiao-Li Su
  • Patent number: 7927796
    Abstract: Disclosed is number coding of pairs (“doublets”) or small sets (“multiplets”) of solid phase carriers which provides distinguishable subtypes of a given type of such carriers, where each carrier type is distinguishable on the basis of a different code. Such number coding is useful for augmenting a coding system, such as a color code, and thereby effectively multiplying the number of “colors” (distinguishable sub-types). It can be applied, for example, to determine whether a sample is homozygous or heterozygous at a number of different sites for one of two different alleles, where the same color code is applied for each of the two alleles, and the alleles with the same color code are distinguished by knowing how many carriers are associated with molecules which detect each different allele.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: BioArray Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Seul, Enqing Tan, Chiu Chau