Patents Examined by Robert T. Crow
  • Patent number: 8846897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filtering nucleic acids, to a kit for carrying out the method according to the invention and to a novel use of magnetic particles for filtering a biological sample. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) the sample is held in an aqueous solution; b) lysing of the sample; c) separation of cellular debris; and d) the nucleic acids are isolated from the solution, steps (a) to (c) taking place under non-chaotropic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Heike Euting, Guido Hennig, Kerstin Bohmann
  • Patent number: 8822205
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to FET arrays for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions such as nucleic acid sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to improving signal (and also signal to noise ratio) from released hydrogen ions during nucleic acid sequencing reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Milgrew
  • Patent number: 8821942
    Abstract: A calcium carbonate granulation and a method for preparing a calcium carbonate granulation are provided. The method includes applying an atomized binder to powdered calcium carbonate in a fluid bed granulator at a relatively high atomization pressure to achieve a reduced binder droplet size, and drying the resulting composition at elevated temperatures in a fluidized bed dryer. The resulting granulation include porous granules having a lower density and reduced mean particle size with improved compressibility. In addition, the resulting granulation can be compacted into tablets having a hardness 50% greater than the hardness of tablets formed from commercially available granulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David S. Chang, Huoy-Jiun Jean Wang
  • Patent number: 8815576
    Abstract: A system for fast DNA sequencing by amplification of genetic material within microreactors, denaturing, demulsifying, and then sequencing the material, while retaining it in a PCR/sequencing zone by a magnetic field. One embodiment includes sequencing nucleic acids on a microchip that includes a microchannel flow channel in the microchip. The nucleic acids are isolated and hybridized to magnetic nanoparticles or to magnetic polystyrene-coated beads. Microreactor droplets are formed in the microchannel flow channel. The microreactor droplets containing the nucleic acids and the magnetic nanoparticles are retained in a magnetic trap in the microchannel flow channel and sequenced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.
    Inventor: Neil Reginald Beer
  • Patent number: 8802838
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for analyzing polymer molecules. These methods are employed for the high throughput readout of DNA and RNA molecules with single molecule sensitivity. The method of the present invention comprises (1) the electrically controlled unzipping of DNA (or RNA) double strands, and (2) the readout of the molecule's identity (or code) using one or more molecule signal detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Jerome Mathe, John S. Eid
  • Patent number: 8784872
    Abstract: Formulations have been developed which assist individuals having an addiction such as smoking to reduce or quit engaging in the addictive behavior. Representative behaviors include smoking, excessive alcohol or food ingestion, drug addiction, and ingestion of caffeine or junk food providing quick “highs”. The formulations assist the smoker to become dissatisfied with smoking, until he or she willingly gives up the habit or at least cuts down on the number of cigarettes smoked per day as an initial step towards quitting in the future. The formulations can also be used in conjunction with other known formulations, such as nicotine gum or patch. The formulations contain hydrophilic polymers, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) alone or in combination or polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) (also known as povidone or polyvidone alone or in combination.), sweeteners and/or flavorings, viscosity modifiers/binders, and pH or buffering agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Comgenrx, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan T. Oronsky, Neil C. Oronsky, Arnold L. Oronsky
  • Patent number: 8778367
    Abstract: The present invention relates to vesicles for topical delivery of drugs and cosmetics, named glyceromes and characterized by high content of glycerol. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical formulations and cosmetic products containing glycerosomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Prigen S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Zaru, Maria Letizia Manca, Anna Maria Fadda, Gaetano Orsini
  • Patent number: 8759068
    Abstract: The system for fermentation using algae of the present invention includes a first reactor and a second reactor being in fluid communication with each other. A first valve placed between the first reactor and the second reactor controls the fluid connection between the reactors. A gas inlet, in fluid connection to the first reactor, is located at an end opposite the second reactor. A devolatization unit or cell lysis chamber is connected to the second reactor by a second valve. A biomass stream having gas, liquid and biosolids contents passes through the first reactor with gas. The biomass stream mixes and dissolves the gas in the reactors. The cellular structure of the biomass stream ruptures in the devolatization unit, allowing the processed materials, such as oil, gas, and biosolids, to be harvested for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Missing Link Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Samuel L. Shepherd, Jerry McCall
  • Patent number: 8759075
    Abstract: Collection devices and kits for biological sample collection include a biologic sample collection device having a hydrophilic swab matrix that includes a modified polycaprolactone (PCL). Methods of production and use thereof are also described herein. The biologic sample collection devices, kits and methods described herein are used to collect a biologic sample (e.g., blood, buccal cells, etc.) and to enable extraction of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA) from that biologic sample so that the nucleic acids can be analyzed (e.g., sequencing and subsequent analysis of DNA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Diomics Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J Kindt, Franco A Ferrari, Frederic Zenhausern, Vasana Maneeratana, Deirdre Morhet
  • Patent number: 8754285
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to thin-film adhesive materials suitable for various applications. In particular, the present invention provides pliable viscoelastic thin-films configured to form strong water-resistant adhesive bonds to various surface types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce P. Lee, Jediah White, Fangmin Xu, John L. Murphy, Laura Vollenweider
  • Patent number: 8753813
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of forming a pattern having pattern elements with a plurality of sizes on a substrate surface with a tilted pen array that includes choosing a tilt geometry for a pen array with respect to a substrate, inducing the tilt geometry between the pen array and the substrate surface, and forming a pattern having pattern elements on the substrate surface with the titled pen array, whereby the size of the formed pattern elements varies across the substrate surface along the tilted axis or axes. For example, the tilt geometry is in reference to the substrate surface and comprises a first angle with respect to a first axis of the substrate and a second angle with respect to a second axis of the substrate, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis, and at least one of the first and second angles being non-zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Adam B. Braunschweig, Jinan Chai, Dan J. Eichelsdoerfer, Louise R. Giam, Xing Liao, Lu Shin Wong
  • Patent number: 8741566
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of targets in a sample; in particular, an immunohistochemistry (IHC) sample. Probes and detectable labels may be provided in multiple layers in order to increase the flexibility of a detection system, and to allow for amplification to enhance the signal from a target. The layers may be created by incorporating probes and detectable labels into larger molecular units that interact through nucleic acids base-pairing, including peptide-nucleic acid (PNA) base-pairing. Optional non-natural bases allow for degenerate base pairing schemes. The compositions and methods are compatible with immunohistochemistry (IHC), but also could be used in immunocytochemistry (ICC), in situ hybrid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dako Denmark A/S
    Inventors: Lars Winther, Jesper Lohse, Susanne Gabs, Kenneth Heesche Petersen
  • Patent number: 8741271
    Abstract: Compositions for cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing are described. The compositions comprise essential oils and are stable, non-toxic and environmentally sustainable. Also disclosed are deodorants and scalp refreshers having these properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Danice Dombeck
  • Patent number: 8741570
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and a device for the determination of thermo-optical properties, particularly the size or size distribution, of fluorescently labeled biomolecules or biomolecule complexes, particularly nucleic acids, in a reaction solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen
    Inventors: Stefan Duhr, Philipp Baaske
  • Patent number: 8722330
    Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in collecting and processing complex macromolecular mixtures (e.g., stool samples). For example, stool collection devices, buffers for stabilizing nucleic acid and polypeptides present in stool, and kits for using sequence-specific capture probes (e.g., nucleic acid sequences designed to hybridize with particular target nucleic acids) to capture target nucleic acids directly from complex macromolecular mixtures (e.g., stool samples) without the need to perform prior steps to enrich, isolate, or purify the nucleic acid component are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: David A. Ahlquist, Jonathan J. Harrington, Hongzhi Zou, Patrick S. Quint, William R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8722697
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the following active ingredients: 1) amlodipine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, 2) pioglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and 3) rosuvastatin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The present invention also provides use of the pharmaceutical composition in preparing a medicament for treating hypertension or metabolic syndrome. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can treat hypertension or metabolic syndrome, while effectively controlling the incidence of associated cardiovascular diseases and more potently improving survival prognosis in hypertensive patients. When blood pressure is lowered to desired level, the risk factors such as cardiovascular diseases are rectified, metabolic disorders and prognosis of patients are improved, and survival rate of hypertensive patients is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Corporation
    Inventor: Zhiquan Zhao
  • Patent number: 8715934
    Abstract: Modulation of the viscosity of the oil phase of a microemulsion used for amplification of DNA on a bead increases the homogeneity of product beads and the amount of amplified DNA per bead. Moreover the number of separate microemulsion populations that can be formed in parallel is increased using multi-well plates and mixer mill disruptor machines designed to lyse biological samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Frank Diehl, Kenneth W. Kinzler, Bert Vogelstein
  • Patent number: 8709455
    Abstract: The objective of this patent application is the application/use of sericin nanoparticles m cosmetic formulas for hair care, as an agent that bestows/gives gloss and softness and promotes maintenance of coloration in dyed hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Chemyunion Quimica Ltda.
    Inventors: Maria Del Carmen Velazquez Pereda, Marcio Antonio Polezel, Gustavo de Campos Dieamant, Cecilia Nogueira, Amanda Gomes Marcelino, Marcos Roberto Rossan, Maria Helena Andrade Santana
  • Patent number: 8709489
    Abstract: The invention provides emulsion compositions that include a hydrophobic compound and an arylboronic acid. An exemplary emulsion comprises a hydrophobic polymer and a halogenated arylboronic acid. Use of an arylboronic acid provides the emulsion with exceptional stability. The stability provides advantages for the formation of articles formed from the emulsion, including microparticles, as well as other implantable or injectable medical articles having polymeric matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joram Slager, Aleksey V. Kurdyumov, Dale G. Swan
  • Patent number: 8703417
    Abstract: The invention is directed to enhanced methods for detecting an analyte of interest in situ, by immunoassay, or by hybridization comprising binding an enzyme-labeled conjugate molecule to an analyte of interest in the presence of a redox-inactive reductive species and a soluble metal ion. The enzyme catalyzes the conversion of the inactive reductive species to an active reducing agent, which in turn reduces the metal ion to a metal atom thereby providing an enhanced means of detecting the analyte via metal deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bieniarz, Michael Farrell