Patents by Inventor C. Willson

C. Willson 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: 20220221408
    Abstract: Methods, devices and kit for analyzing a sample comprising 1,5-anhydroglucitol and a first analyte via one or more chemiluminescent reactions. Certain embodiments include measuring a first light response resulting from a first chemiluminescent reaction and measuring a second light response resulting from a second chemiluminescent reaction. Certain embodiments also include comparing the first light response to the second light response to determine a ratio of 1,5-anhydroglucitol and the first analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
    Inventors: Richard C. WILLSON, Jinsu KIM, Binh V. VU, Olga Patricia VÁZQUEZ VILLEGAS, Federico Augusto RUIZ RUIZ, Marco Antonio RITO PALOMARES
  • Patent number: 11307146
    Abstract: Methods, devices and kit for analyzing a sample comprising 1,5-anhydroglucitol and a first analyte via one or more chemiluminescent reactions. Certain embodiments include measuring a first light response resulting from a first chemiluminescent reaction and measuring a second light response resulting from a second chemiluminescent reaction. Certain embodiments also include comparing the first light response to the second light response to determine a ratio of 1,5-anhydroglucitol and the first analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: University of Houston System, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Jinsu Kim, Binh V. Vu, Olga Patricia Vázquez Villegas, Federico Augusto Ruiz Ruiz, Marco Antonio Rito Palomares
  • Publication number: 20220057406
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for analyzing a sample comprising 1,5-anhydroglucitol and a possible first analyte via one or more chemiluminescent reactions. Certain embodiments include measuring a first light response resulting from a first chemiluminescent reaction and measuring a second light response resulting from a second chemiluminescent reaction. Certain embodiments also include comparing the first light response to the second light response to determine a ratio of 1,5-anhydroglucitol and the first analyte. Also provided are kits including reagents for practicing the claimed methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Victoria M. Hlavinka, Binh V. Vu, Federico Augusto Ruiz-Ruiz, Marco Antonio Rito Palomares, Mary A. Crum
  • Publication number: 20220011315
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved light-based assays, especially ligand binding assays, in which light is emitted from moieties stimulated by stimulating moieties. There is provided a method of generating and detecting a light signal comprising (a) providing a fluid sample comprising an analyte of interest; (b) contacting said sample with a first reagent comprising a molecular recognition element that binds to said analyte; (c) contacting said sample with a second reagent that (i) binds to said analyte in the presence of said first reagent; or (ii) binds to said first reagent; wherein said second reagent contains a light-generating reporter or chemiexcitation emitter; (d) removing unbound first and second reagents; (e) introducing into said sample a source of singlet oxygen or a chemiexcitation stimulator; and (f) measuring the production of light from said reporter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Binh V. VU, Richard C. WILLSON
  • Publication number: 20210178290
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the detection of analytes in high volumetric flow applications. Particular embodiments relate to the use of fluorescence polarization/anisotropy based for detection of analytes in a flow cell. In one testing format, an analyte of interest is probed with reagents containing fluorescent labeled recognition elements. When present in a sample or portion of a sample, the labeled analyte produces a shift in fluorescence polarization/anisotropy/intensity/lifetime as the output signal following the binding of the recognition elements to the analytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Richard C. WILLSON, Ujwal PATIL, Binh V. VU, Ekaterini KOURENTZI, Mary CRUM
  • Publication number: 20200363406
    Abstract: Assay compositions and methods for detection of analytes that include covalent modification of assay elements, such that they are preserved, destroyed, created, or immobilized. Methods for detecting an analyte in a biological sample. The method includes providing a mixture of a biological sample potentially containing the analyte, and a molecular recognition element physically coupled to a covalent modification agent, wherein the molecular recognition element is capable of specific recognition of the analyte, and exposing the mixture to a first set of reaction conditions, wherein the analyte and molecular recognition element can associate to form a recognition complex. Upon formation of the recognition complex, the method further includes generating by use of the covalent modification agent, a template complex; and exposing the template complex to a second set of reaction conditions, wherein the template complex is amplified to generate a detectable product indicative of the presence of the analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: The University of Houston System
    Inventors: Hui CHEN, Mary CRUM, Dimple CHAVAN, Ekaterini KOURENTZI, Binh V. VU, Richard C. WILLSON
  • Publication number: 20180112210
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to method of screening a biological sample for a plurality of diseases. In some embodiments, such a method comprises obtaining a biological sample from a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the biological sample comprises a plurality of biomarkers. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of biomarkers is specific for at least one disease. In some embodiments, the method comprises contacting the biological sample with a display library of peptides. In some embodiments, each peptide in the library may have a unique amino acid sequence. In some embodiments, each of the peptides is physically linked to a nucleic acid sequence that identifies of encodes the peptide. In some embodiments, at least one of the peptides is capable of binding to at least one of the biomarkers in the biological sample. In some embodiments, the method comprises separating the bound peptide particles from the unbound peptide particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Navin Varadarajan, Jay R. Adolacion, Richard C. Willson
  • Publication number: 20180031484
    Abstract: Methods, devices and kit for analyzing a sample comprising 1,5-anhydroglucitol and a first analyte via one or more chemiluminescent reactions. Certain embodiments include measuring a first light response resulting from a first chemiluminescent reaction and measuring a second light response resulting from a second chemiluminescent reaction. Certain embodiments also include comparing the first light response to the second light response to determine a ratio of 1,5-anhydroglucitol and the first analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Tecnologico de Monterrey
    Inventors: Richard C. WILLSON, Jinsu KIM, Binh V. VU, Olga Patricia VÁZQUEZ VILLEGAS, Federico Augusto RUIZ RUIZ, Marco Antonio RITO PALOMARES
  • Publication number: 20170016701
    Abstract: Armor components having a ceramic substrate, a thermal sprayed barrier coating covering the substrate material to form a barrier coated substrate, and an outermost encapsulation of metal generally surrounding at least the periphery of the barrier coated substrate are disclosed herein. The encapsulation of metal was cast to the ceramic substrate as molten metal, and the thermal sprayed barrier coating comprises a cermet material, a ceramic material, or a combination thereof. The ceramic substrate is preferably a ceramic tile for ballistic armor. Also disclosed are armor components having a plurality of the ceramic tiles interconnected by the encapsulation of metal, with the metal, which was casted thereto, surrounding at least the periphery of each of the plurality of the armor components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicants: APS Materials, Inc., buyCASTINGS.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Willson, Michael C. Willson, Anil R. (Neil) Chaudhry
  • Patent number: 9366506
    Abstract: A durable ceramic and metallic coating has been applied to ceramic tiles to protect the tiles while undergoing a molten metal casting operation. The plasma sprayed coating consists of a ceramic top coat layer of aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, or other oxides with or without a metallic bond coat layer and with or without a functionally gradient coating. This coating protects the underlying ceramic tile, which is composed of boron carbide, silicon carbide, alumina (Al2O3) or other type of hard ceramic, from reacting chemically with the molten metal. The molten metal is cast around the ceramic tiles to create a lattice of ceramic tiles that are used for protection from projectiles and shrapnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: APS MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert M. Willson, Michael C. Willson, Anil R. (Neil) Chaudhry
  • Publication number: 20150324518
    Abstract: Selecting which sub-sequences in a database of nucleic acid such as 16S rRNA are highly characteristic of particular groupings of bacteria, microorganisms, fungi, etc. on a substantially phylogenetic tree. Also applicable to viruses comprising viral genomic RNA or DNA. A catalogue of highly characteristic sequences identified by this method is assembled to establish the genetic identity of an unknown organism. The characteristic sequences are used to design nucleic acid hybridization probes that include the characteristic sequence or its complement, or are derived from one or more characteristic sequences. A plurality of these characteristic sequences is used in hybridization to determine the phylogenetic tree position of the organism(s) in a sample. Those target organisms represented in the original sequence database and sufficient characteristic sequences can identify to the species or subspecies level. Oligonucleotide arrays of many probes are especially preferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: George E. Fox, Richard C. Willson, III, Zhengdong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140208929
    Abstract: A durable ceramic and metallic coating has been applied to ceramic tiles to protect the tiles while undergoing a molten metal casting operation. The plasma sprayed coating consists of a ceramic top coat layer of aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, or other oxides with or without a metallic bond coat layer and with or without a functionally gradient coating. This coating protects the underlying ceramic tile, which is composed of boron carbide, silicon carbide, alumina (Al2O3) or other type of hard ceramic, from reacting chemically with the molten metal. The molten metal is cast around the ceramic tiles to create a lattice of ceramic tiles that are used for protection from projectiles and shrapnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicants: BUYCASTINGS.COM, INC., APS MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Willson, Michael C. Willson, Anil R. (Neil) Chaudhry
  • Publication number: 20140141175
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for applying a vibration-damping surface to an article. The method includes providing a coating material comprising a ceramic, metallic or cermet material and a viscoelastic glass frit and plasma spraying the coating material onto an article. The coating material forms a plurality of ceramic, metallic or cermet microstructures having voids with the viscoelastic glass frit distributed to interact with the voids to provide vibration damping. Also disclosed are plasma spray coatings for damping vibrations that includes a ceramic-glass frit composite coating capable of reducing resonant vibrations in a substrate at temperatures between 700° F. to 1500° F. and said plasma spray coating as a coating on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: APS MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Willson, Michael C. Willson, John P. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8628980
    Abstract: Labels and methods of producing labels for use in clinical, analytical and pharmaceutical development assays are provided. Labels may comprise shape-encoded particles which may be coupled to ligands such as DNA, RNA and antibodies, where different shapes are used to identify which ligand(s) are present. Labels may also comprise reflectors, including retroreflectors and retroreflectors susceptible to analyte-dependent assembly for efficient homogeneous assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Raul Ruchhoedft
  • Publication number: 20130034498
    Abstract: Labels and methods of producing labels for use in clinical, analytical and pharmaceutical development assays are provided. Labels may comprise shape-encoded particles which may be coupled to ligands such as DNA, RNA and antibodies, where different shapes are used to identify which ligand(s) are present. Labels may also comprise reflectors, including retroreflectors and retroreflectors susceptible to analyte-dependent assembly for efficient homogeneous assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Paul Ruchhoeft
  • Patent number: 8232112
    Abstract: Labels and methods of producing labels for use in clinical, analytical and pharmaceutical development assays are provided. Labels may comprise shape-encoded particles which may be coupled to ligands such as DNA, RNA and antibodies, where different shapes are used to identify which ligand(s) are present. Labels may also comprise reflectors, including retroreflectors and retroreflectors susceptible to analyte-dependent assembly for efficient homogeneous assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Raul Ruchhoedft
  • Patent number: 8214153
    Abstract: Selecting which sub-sequences in a database of nucleic acid such as 16S rRNA are highly characteristic of particular groupings of bacteria, microorganisms, fungi, etc. on a substantially phylogenetic tree. Also applicable to viruses comprising viral genomic RNA or DNA. A catalogue of highly characteristic sequences identified by this method is assembled to establish the genetic identity of an unknown organism. The characteristic sequences are used to design nucleic acid hybridization probes that include the characteristic sequence or its complement, or are derived from one or more characteristic sequences. A plurality of these characteristic sequences is used in hybridization to determine the phylogenetic tree position of the organism(s) in a sample. Those target organisms represented in the original sequence database and sufficient characteristic sequences can identify to the species or subspecies level. Oligonucleotide arrays of many probes are especially preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Technology Licensing Co. LLC
    Inventors: George E. Fox, Richard C. Willson, III, Zhengdong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120064255
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for applying a vibration-damping surface to an article. The method includes providing a coating material comprising a ceramic, metallic or cermet material and a viscoelastic glass frit and plasma spraying the coating material onto an article. The coating material forms a plurality of ceramic, metallic or cermet microstructures having voids with the viscoelastic glass frit distributed to interact with the voids to provide vibration damping. Also disclosed are plasma spray coatings for damping vibrations that includes a ceramic-glass frit composite coating capable of reducing resonant vibrations in a substrate at temperatures between 700° F. to 1500° F. and said plasma spray coating as a coating on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: APS MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Willson, Michael C. Willson, John P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20120045748
    Abstract: A methodology for bioassays and diagnostics in which a particulate label (ranging in size from nm-scale molecular assemblages to organisms on the scale of tens or hundreds of microns), such as, but not limited to, nanoparticles, bacteria, bacteriophage, Daphnia, and magnetic particles, serve carriers for analytes bound by molecular recognition elements such as antibodies, aptamers, etc. The described methodology is generally applicable to most pathogen assays and molecular diagnostics and also leads to enhanced sensitivity and convenience of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Ulrich Strych, Binh V. Vu
  • Publication number: 20110257382
    Abstract: An immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) method for separating and/or purifying compounds containing a non-shielded purine or pyrimidine moiety or group such as nucleic acid, presumably through interaction with the abundant aromatic nitrogen atoms in the purine or pyrimidine moiety. The method can also be used to purify compounds containing purine or pyrimidine moieties where the purine and pyrimidine moieties are shielded from interaction with the column matrix from compounds containing a non-shielded purine or pyrimidine moiety or group. Thus, double-stranded plasmid and genomic DNA, which has no low binding affinity can be easily separated from RNA and/or oligonucleotides which bind strongly to metal-charged chelating matrices. IMAC columns clarify plasmid DNA from bacterial alkaline lysates, purify a ribozyme, and remove primers and other contaminants from PCR reactions. The metal ion affinity of yeast RNA decreases in the order: copper (II), nickel (II), zinc (II), and cobalt (II).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Jason C. Murphy