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).

  • Publication number: 20090196324
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Land Instruments International Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Geoffrey Ronald Beynon, Ian Hamilton Ridley, Stuart Francis Metcalfe, Andrew Mellor, Ben Wileman
  • Publication number: 20090155311
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the control of the generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Med. College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Bruce R. Blazar, David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Publication number: 20090123420
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of the non-physiologic D-isomer of an IDO inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Publication number: 20090081155
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Patent number: 7422365
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Land Instruments International Limited
    Inventors: Gary Roy Chamberlain, Andrew Mellor, Ian Hamilton Ridley
  • Publication number: 20070077234
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Publication number: 20070077224
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Publication number: 20070048769
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew Mellor, David Munn
  • Patent number: 7160539
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Medical College of Georgia
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Publication number: 20060292618
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Mellor, David Munn
  • Publication number: 20060232675
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: LAND INSTRUMENTS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Gary Chamberlain, Andrew Mellor, Ian Ridley
  • Publication number: 20050186289
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of the non-physiologic D-isomer of an IDO inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Publication number: 20040234623
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Patent number: 6482416
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Publication number: 20020155104
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Patent number: 6451840
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Patent number: 6395876
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor
  • Publication number: 20010001040
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Applicant: Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Munn, Andrew Mellor