Patents by Inventor Benjamin M. Gaston

Benjamin M. Gaston 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: 20040127808
    Abstract: Device and method for non-invasively monitoring asthma and other respiratory diseases, as well as non-respiratory diseases. The method includes collecting condensate from a subject's breath, testing the condensate to determine its acetic acid/acetate level or concentration, and evaluating these properties to determine the presence, absence or status of a respiratory or non-respiratory disease in the subject. The method may also include, prior to the testing step, standardizing the volatile substances that may be present within the condensate in a degassing or gas standardizing step. The device includes a mouthpiece apparatus configured to receive breath from a subject, a condensation apparatus to condense the subject's breath and produce a condensate, and a collection apparatus having a collection chamber containing means for testing the condensate to determine the acetic acid and/or acetate concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: John W. Vaughan, John F. Hunt, Benjamin M. Gaston, Timothy L. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 6585661
    Abstract: A device (10) and method for non-invasively monitoring asthma and other respiratory diseases. The method includes collecting condensate from a subject's breath, testing the condensate to determine its acidity level or ammonium concentration, and evaluating these properties to determine the presence, absence or status of a respiratory disease in the subject. The method may also include, prior to the testing step, standardizing the volatile substances that may be present within the condensate in a degassing or gas standardizing step. The device (10) includes a mouthpiece apparatus (20) configured to receive breath from a subject, a condensation apparatus (60) to condense the subject's breath and produce a condensate, and a collection apparatus (100) having a collection chamber (102) containing means for testing the condensate to determine its chemical properties. The device (10) also include a system for removing or standardizing the volatile substances that may be present with the condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: John F. Hunt, Benjamin M. Gaston
  • Publication number: 20030013695
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating asthma by raising the pH of the airways of an individual. The effect can be mediated directly by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable basic solution or alternatively, the effect can be mediated by enhancing the activity of glutaminase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: John F. Hunt, Benjamin M Gaston
  • Patent number: 6419634
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for determination of the content of higher oxides of nitrogen in exhaled breath condensate which comprises a conduit having an exhalate condensing portion with an inlet and an outlet (the inlet can be configured to fit with a mechanical respirator or, for direct use by the patient, an inlet assembly providing one-way ingress of ambient atmosphere to the device can be associated with the inlet of the conduit exhalate condensing portion); a coolant jacket coaxially surrounding said exhalate condensing portion; a gas release port; and, in enclosed fluid communication with said conduit exhalate condensing portion outlet, a sample assay assembly comprising (i) a translucent analysis chamber attached to the outlet to receive condensate fluid and having a reagent entry port, (ii) a reagent chamber in enclosed fluid communication with the reagent entry port and (iii) a pliable element connecting the outlet and the analysis chamber and forming a portion of the reagent chamber such that flexion of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: NitroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Gaston, IV, John F. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6033368
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for determination of the content of higher oxides of nitrogen in exhaled breath condensate which comprises a conduit having an exhalate condensing portion with an inlet and an outlet (the inlet canbe configured to fit with a mechanical respirator or, for direct use by the patient, an inlet assembly providing one-way ingress of ambient atmosphere to the device can be associated with the inlet of the conduit exhalate condensing portion); a coolant jacket coaxially surrounding said exhalate condensing portion; a gas release port; and, in enclosed fluid communication with said conduit exhalate condensing portion outlet, a sample assay assembly comprising (i) a translucent analysis chamber attached to the outlet to receive condensate fluid and having a reagent entry port, (ii) a reagent chamber in enclosed fluid communication with the reagent entry port and (iii) a pliable element connecting the outlet and the analysis chamber and forming a portion of the reagent chamber such that flexion of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: NitroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Gaston, IV, John F. Hunt