Patents by Inventor Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa

Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa 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: 20230296633
    Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging and tracking fibrin formation via interaction of a test sample with a clotting agent or for imaging and tracking fibrin removal by an anti-clotting agent are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: John Connor, Shinichiro Kurosawa, Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa, George G. Daaboul
  • Patent number: 10913970
    Abstract: A system and method for antibiotic susceptibility testing efficiently determines whether bacteria are alive or have been killed by antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic susceptibility testing device includes at least one reservoir into which a bacteria solution is introduced and a microfluidic channel connected to the reservoir, wherein the cross-sectional size of the microfluidic channel is selected to be comparable to the size of the bacterium to be tested. Furthermore, the electrical resistance or voltage signal across the microchannel is monitored as bacteria swim into and out of the channel. Alternatively, a small population of bacteria can be immobilized in the microchannel. The resistance or voltage signal fluctuates when the bacteria are alive and moving in and out of the channel or wiggling on the microchannel walls. If the bacteria are dead, they have limited motility and the signal fluctuations are significantly smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kamil Ekinci, Le Li, Chuanhua Duan, Vural Kara, Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 10604784
    Abstract: A system and method for antibiotic susceptibility testing efficiently determines whether bacteria are alive or have been killed by antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic susceptibility testing device includes at least one reservoir into which a bacteria solution is introduced and a microfluidic channel connected to the reservoir, wherein the cross-sectional size of the microfluidic channel is selected to be comparable to the size of the bacterium to be tested. Furthermore, the electrical resistance or voltage signal across the microchannel is monitored as bacteria swim into and out of the channel. Alternatively, a small population of bacteria can be immobilized in the microchannel. The resistance or voltage signal fluctuates when the bacteria are alive and moving in and out of the channel or wiggling on the microchannel walls. If the bacteria are dead, they have limited motility and the signal fluctuations are significantly smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Kamil Ekinci, Le Li, Chuanhua Duan, Vural Kara, Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa
  • Publication number: 20190153502
    Abstract: A system and method for antibiotic susceptibility testing efficiently determines whether bacteria are alive or have been killed by antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic susceptibility testing device includes at least one reservoir into which a bacteria solution is introduced and a microfluidic channel connected to the reservoir, wherein the cross-sectional size of the microfluidic channel is selected to be comparable to the size of the bacterium to be tested. Furthermore, the electrical resistance or voltage signal across the microchannel is monitored as bacteria swim into and out of the channel. Alternatively, a small population of bacteria can be immobilized in the microchannel. The resistance or voltage signal fluctuates when the bacteria are alive and moving in and out of the channel or wiggling on the microchannel walls. If the bacteria are dead, they have limited motility and the signal fluctuations are significantly smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kamil EKINCI, Le LI, Chuanhua DUAN, Vural KARA, Deborah STEARNS-KUROSAWA
  • Patent number: 10214763
    Abstract: A system and method for antibiotic susceptibility testing efficiently determines whether bacteria are alive or have been killed by antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic susceptibility testing device includes at least one reservoir into which a bacteria solution is introduced and a microfluidic channel connected to the reservoir, wherein the cross-sectional size of the microfluidic channel is selected to be comparable to the size of the bacterium to be tested. Furthermore, the electrical resistance or voltage signal across the microchannel is monitored as bacteria swim into and out of the channel. Alternatively, a small population of bacteria can be immobilized in the microchannel. The resistance or voltage signal fluctuates when the bacteria are alive and moving in and out of the channel or wiggling on the microchannel walls. If the bacteria are dead, they have limited motility and the signal fluctuations are significantly smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kamil Ekinci, Le Li, Chuanhua Duan, Vural Kara, Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa
  • Publication number: 20180155758
    Abstract: A system and method for antibiotic susceptibility testing efficiently determines whether bacteria are alive or have been killed by antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic susceptibility testing device includes at least one reservoir into which a bacteria solution is introduced and a microfluidic channel connected to the reservoir, wherein the cross-sectional size of the microfluidic channel is selected to be comparable to the size of the bacterium to be tested. Furthermore, the electrical resistance or voltage signal across the microchannel is monitored as bacteria swim into and out of the channel. Alternatively, a small population of bacteria can be immobilized in the microchannel. The resistance or voltage signal fluctuates when the bacteria are alive and moving in and out of the channel or wiggling on the microchannel walls. If the bacteria are dead, they have limited motility and the signal fluctuations are significantly smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kamil Ekinci, Le Li, Chuanhua Duan, Vural Kara, Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa
  • Publication number: 20180051311
    Abstract: A system and method for antibiotic susceptibility testing efficiently determines whether bacteria are alive or have been killed by antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic susceptibility testing device includes at least one reservoir into which a bacteria solution is introduced and a microfluidic channel connected to the reservoir, wherein the cross-sectional size of the microfluidic channel is selected to be comparable to the size of the bacterium to be tested. Furthermore, the electrical resistance or voltage signal across the microchannel is monitored as bacteria swim into and out of the channel. Alternatively, a small population of bacteria can be immobilized in the microchannel. The resistance or voltage signal fluctuates when the bacteria are alive and moving in and out of the channel or wiggling on the microchannel walls. If the bacteria are dead, they have limited motility and the signal fluctuations are significantly smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kamil Ekinci, Le Li, Chuanhua Duan, Vural Kara, Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa
  • Publication number: 20060286614
    Abstract: The assay of soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) is useful to monitor effective thrombin levels and a hypercoagulable state. An assay for sEPCR is therefore useful to monitor ongoing effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy. A sEPCR ELISA assay is particularly useful for this purpose. A state of hypercoagulability in patients or normal individuals can also be identified by such an assay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kurosawa, Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa
  • Publication number: 20050032140
    Abstract: The assay of soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) is useful to predict cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). An assay for sEPCR is therefore useful to identify individuals at risk of developing ASCVD. An sEPCR ELISA assay is particularly useful for this purpose. Elevated sEPCR is indicative of an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kurosawa, Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa