Patents by Inventor Ai-Ping Wei

Ai-Ping Wei has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20040092545
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 6696286
    Abstract: A method for detecting a microorganism in a test sample is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of microcompartments of a culture device, incubating for a time sufficient to permit at least one cell division cycle of the microorganism, then detecting the presence or absence of the microorganism in the microcompartments. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Ai-Ping Wei, Jean Qiu, Clyde D. Calhoun, James G. Berg, James G. Bentsen, Raymond P. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6683088
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 6677347
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 6632613
    Abstract: An improved oligopeptide composition for use in a fluorescent polarization immunoassay for a high molecular weight analyte is disclosed, along with a kit and a method using the composition. The composition comprises an oligopeptide selected by a screening procedure in which a plurality of different oligopeptides having respective amino acid sequences that represent sequential overlapping segments of the analyte amino acid sequence, and a fluorescent label bound thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the oligopeptide has an amino acid sequence which does not form internal disulfide bridges. Such a preferred oligopeptide will generally have no more than one cysteine residue. In a further preferred embodiment, the fluorescent label is tetramethylrhodamine or a cyanine dye. The kit may be packaged with instructions directing a user to prepare an assay solution containing the monoclonal antibody and the oligopeptide in certain respective concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ai-Ping Wei, James N. Herron
  • Patent number: 6630588
    Abstract: Dye labeled imidazonaphthyridine, imidazopyridine and imidazoquinoline compounds having immune response modulating activity are disclosed. The compounds are useful, inter alia, for determining the binding and/or receptor sites of the molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Rice, Mark A. Tomai, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Publication number: 20030139441
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 6576419
    Abstract: Fluorescent energy transfer dyes capable of moving between a more stacked configuration to exhibit fluorescent quenching and a more spaced configuration to exhibit fluorescence can be conjugated to a peptide epitope or nucleic acid for use in the detection of an unknown antibody in bulk solution. The resulting labeled peptide reagent can be used in an immunoassay procedure by placing it in bulk solution along with the unknown antibody to be detected. When the antibody binds to the peptide epitope, the pair of dyes carried by the peptide epitope will have their configuration altered from a stacked to an unstacked configuration and will exhibit a fluorescent increase in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ai-Ping Wei, James N. Herron
  • Publication number: 20030099999
    Abstract: Fluorescent energy transfer dyes capable of moving between a more stacked configuration to exhibit fluorescent quenching and a more spaced configuration to exhibit fluorescence can be conjugated to a peptide epitope or nucleic acid for use in the detection of an unknown antibody in bulk solution. The resulting labeled peptide reagent can be used in an immunoassay procedure by placing it in bulk solution along with the unknown antibody to be detected. When the antibody binds to the peptide epitope, the pair of dyes carried by the peptide epitope will have their configuration altered from a stacked to an unstacked configuration and will exhibit a fluorescent increase in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Ai-Ping Wei, James N. Herron
  • Publication number: 20020193396
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 6482655
    Abstract: Disclosed are fluorescent energy transfer dyes which are capable of moving between a more stacked configuration to exhibit fluorescent quenching and a more spaced configuration to exhibit fluorescence can be conjugated to a peptide epitope for use in the detection of an unknown antibody in bulk solution. The resulting labeled peptide reagent can be used in an immunoassay procedure by placing it in bulk solution along with the unknown antibody to be detected. When the antibody binds to the peptide epitope, the pair of dyes carried by the peptide epitope will have their configuration altered from a stacked to an unstacked configuration and will exhibit a fluorescent increase in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ai-Ping Wei, James N. Herron
  • Publication number: 20020120141
    Abstract: Dye labeled imidazonaphthyridine, imidazopyridine and imidazoquinoline compounds having immune response modulating activity are disclosed. The compounds are useful, inter alia, for determining the binding and/or receptor sites of the molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Rice, Mark A. Tomai, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 6391578
    Abstract: A method for partitioning an aqueous biological liquid sample into discrete microvolumes for detection and enumeration of microorganisms is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of hydrophilic liquid-retaining zones of a culture device, where each liquid-retaining zone is surrounded by a portion of a hydrophobic “land” area. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Williams, Kurt J. Halverson, Gary E. Krejcarek, Ai-Ping Wei, James G. Berg, Peter D. Wickert, Clyde D. Calhoun, Mark K. Debe, Jean Qiu
  • Patent number: 6376669
    Abstract: Dye labeled imidazonaphthyridine, imidazopyridine and imidazoquinoline compounds having immune response modulating activity are disclosed. The compounds are useful, inter alia, for determining the binding and/or receptor sites of the molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Rice, Mark A. Tomai, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Publication number: 20010024805
    Abstract: A method for partitioning an aqueous biological liquid sample into discrete microvolumes for detection and enumeration of microorganisms is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of hydrophilic liquid-retaining zones of a culture device, where each liquid-retaining zone is surrounded by a portion of a hydrophobic “land” area. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Williams, Kurt J. Halverson, Gary E. Krejcarek, Ai-Ping Wei, James G. Berg, Peter D. Wickert, Clyde D. Calhoun, Mark K. Debe, Jean Qiu
  • Patent number: 5245551
    Abstract: The extinction coefficient of fluorescent dyes in donor-acceptor energy transfer processes is determined for dye-protein conjugates by forming short polypeptide fragment-dye conjugates and measuring the change in ultraviolet light absorbance of the conjugates with changing concentration. The protein concentration is determined by comparing the absorption spectrum of a conjugate of donor dye, acceptor dye, and protein with the individual components thereof using a multiple linear regression technique based on the following model:A.sub.p-d =.alpha..multidot.A.sub.p +.beta..multidot.A.sub.d +.epsilon.where, A.sub.p-d, A.sub.p, A.sub.d are the absorption spectra of the dye-protein conjugate, the protein alone, and the dye-polypeptide compound, respectively, .alpha., .beta. are the regression coefficients to be determined, and .epsilon. is the error term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: James N. Herron, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 5237515
    Abstract: The energy transfer efficiency of a donor-acceptor pair of fluorescent dyes can be determined by first measuring the fluorescence and absorption spectra of donor-protein, acceptor-protein, mixture of donor-protein and acceptor-protein, and donor-acceptor-protein conjugates, then separating the respective spectra into their respective donor-protein complex and acceptor-protein complex components using multiple linear regression, and then determining the transfer efficiency on the basis of the quenching of the donor fluorescence based on the spectral data thus obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: James N. Herron, Ai-Ping Wei