Patents by Inventor Andrew Mellor
Andrew Mellor 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).
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Publication number: 20090196324Abstract: A method of measuring the temperature of a sheet material arranged such that it forms at least one side of a cavity, so as to enhance the effective emissivity of the sheet material in the vicinity of the cavity comprises: generating a thermal image of at least part of the inside of the cavity, the thermal image comprising a plurality of pixels each having a pixel value representative of radiation emitted by a respective region of the cavity; identifying a first subset of the pixels whose pixel values meet predetermined criteria; using the identified first subset to determine a line on the thermal image representative of optimal emissivity enhancement in the cavity; and selecting a second subset of the pixels based on the determined line and generating a temperature profile along the determined line derived from the pixel values associated with each of the second subset of pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Land Instruments International LimitedInventors: Thomas Geoffrey Ronald Beynon, Ian Hamilton Ridley, Stuart Francis Metcalfe, Andrew Mellor, Ben Wileman
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Publication number: 20090155311Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the control of the generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and uses thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Med. College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Bruce R. Blazar, David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Publication number: 20090123420Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of the non-physiologic D-isomer of an IDO inhibitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, IncInventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Publication number: 20090081155Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of both an inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in addition to the administration of an additional therapeutic agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, IncInventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Patent number: 7422365Abstract: A thermal imaging system and method for quantitative thermal mapping of a scene. The system comprises a thermal imaging device, a heat source of known temperature and emissivity located within the scene viewed by the thermal imaging device and a processor adapted to generate a calibrated temperature map of the scene from the data supplied by the thermal imaging device, based on the known temperature of the heat source. This enables accurate temperature measurements to be made using inexpensive uncooled Focal Plane Array detectors.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Land Instruments International LimitedInventors: Gary Roy Chamberlain, Andrew Mellor, Ian Hamilton Ridley
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Publication number: 20070077234Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment. Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: Medical College of Georgia ResearchInventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Publication number: 20070077224Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment. Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: Medical College of Georgia ResearchInventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Publication number: 20070048769Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery antigen-presenting cells (APCs) may be generated to have predetermined levels of expression of the intracellular enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Because expression of high levels of IDO is correlated with a reduced ability to stimulate T cell responses and an enhanced ability to induce immunologic tolerance, APCs having high levels of IDO may be used to increase tolerance in the immune system, as for example in transplant therapy or treatment of autoimmune disorders. For example, APCs having high levels of IDO, and expressing or loaded with at least one antigen from a donor tissue may be used to increase tolerance of the recipient to the donor's tissue. Alternatively, APCs having reduced levels of IDO expression and expressing or loaded with at least one antigen from a cancer or infectious pathogen may be used as vaccines to promote T cell responses and increase immunity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Inventors: Andrew Mellor, David Munn
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Patent number: 7160539Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Medical College of GeorgiaInventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Publication number: 20060292618Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery antigen-presenting cells (APCs) may be generated to have predetermined levels of expression of the intracellular enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Because expression of high levels of IDO is correlated with a reduced ability to stimulate T cell responses and an enhanced ability to induce immunologic tolerance, APCs having high levels of IDO may be used to increase tolerance in the immune system, as for example in transplant therapy or treatment of autoimmune disorders. For example, APCs having high levels of IDO, and expressing or loaded with at least one antigen from a donor tissue may be used to increase tolerance of the recipient to the donor's tissue. Alternatively, APCs having reduced levels of IDO expression and expressing or loaded with at least one antigen from a cancer or infectious pathogen may be used as vaccines to promote T cell responses and increase immunity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2006Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Andrew Mellor, David Munn
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Publication number: 20060232675Abstract: A thermal imaging system and method for quantitative thermal mapping of a scene. The system comprises a thermal imaging device, a heat source of known temperature and emissivity located within the scene viewed by the thermal imaging device and a processor adapted to generate a calibrated temperature map of the scene from the data supplied by the thermal imaging device, based on the known temperature of the heat source. This enables accurate temperature measurements to be made using inexpensive uncooled Focal Plane Array detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2004Publication date: October 19, 2006Applicant: LAND INSTRUMENTS INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Gary Chamberlain, Andrew Mellor, Ian Ridley
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Publication number: 20050186289Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of the non-physiologic D-isomer of an IDO inhibitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Publication number: 20040234623Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of both an inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in addition to the administration of an additional therapeutic agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Patent number: 6482416Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Publication number: 20020155104Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Patent number: 6451840Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1998Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Patent number: 6395876Abstract: A high affinity and extremely selective tryptophan transport system present in human monocyte-derived macrophages is disclosed. Human monocyte-derived macrophages include two distinct transporters, a high affinity (Km=290±160 nM) transporter that is highly specific for tryptophan and a low affinity (Km=27±4 &mgr;M) transporter that is less specific for tryptophan, consistent with the known system L. The tryptophan transport system is predominantly (86%) sodium-independent. The high-affinity system is very specific for tryptophan and shows no transport of any other essential amino acids in the tryptophan transport concentration range. This high-affinity system is expressed at very low levels in fresh monocytes, but undergoes a 10-30 fold induction during macrophage differentiation.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1998Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
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Publication number: 20010001040Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2000Publication date: May 10, 2001Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor