Patents by Inventor Emmanuel C. Opara

Emmanuel C. Opara 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: 20210196646
    Abstract: Provided herein according to embodiments of the present invention is a microcapsule comprising: (a) one or more live mammalian pancreatic islet cells; and (b) an alginate composition encapsulating said islet cells, wherein said alginate composition comprises extracellular matrix proteins solubilized or suspended therein. Compositions comprising a plurality of the microcapsules and the use thereof in treating type I diabetes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventor: Emmanuel C. Opara
  • Patent number: 10766970
    Abstract: Modified alginates are described herein along with hydrogels comprising the same. A modified alginate may be prepared by reacting alginate and an aromatic compound (e.g., an aromatic amine) and/or pH sensitive compound. The modified alginates, hydrogels, and/or methods described herein may be used to coat and/or encapsulate at least a portion of a bioactive substance, optionally for oral delivery in humans and other animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University
    Inventors: Mark E. Welker, Emmanuel C. Opara, Surya R. Banks, Amber N. Weissenfluh
  • Publication number: 20190375860
    Abstract: Modified alginates are described herein along with hydrogels comprising the same. A modified alginate may be prepared by reacting alginate and an aromatic compound (e.g., an aromatic amine) and/or pH sensitive compound. The modified alginates, hydrogels, and/or methods described herein may be used to coat and/or encapsulate at least a portion of a bioactive substance, optionally for oral delivery in humans and other animals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicants: Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University
    Inventors: Mark E. WELKER, Emmanuel C. OPARA, Surya R. BANKS, Amber N. WEISSENENFLUH
  • Publication number: 20190282510
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of encapsulating cells in a crosslinked alginate microbead using a microfluidic encapsulation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Adam R. Hall
  • Patent number: 10398739
    Abstract: A composition comprising microcapsules, the microcapsules containing both live mammalian ovarian granulosa cells and live mammalian ovarian theca cells, is described. In some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained in separate microcapsules in the composition; in some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained together in the same microcapsules in the composition. The composition is can be used for estrogen, and optionally also progesterone, delivery, and hence is preferably free or essentially free of oocytes. Methods of using the same and pharmaceutical formulations containing the same are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, James J. Yoo, Justin M. Saul, Sittadjody Sivanandane, Anthony Atala
  • Patent number: 10251915
    Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Benjamin S. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20180000743
    Abstract: A novel chemically modified alginate hydrogel has been developed which combines an aromatic compound with a carbohydrate, where the aromatic compound is one or more amines combined with an alginate. The chemical structure of alginate is modified using different amines and different methods, including: (1) covalently bonding aminoethyl benzoic acid to the alginate backbone, and (2) oxidizing the vicinal diol in the alginate chain to an aldehyde before coupling to aminoethyl benzoic acid. Alternatively, the combined aromatic compound and carbohydrate can be a dopamine combined with the alginate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mark E. Welker, Emmanuel C. Opara, Surya Banks
  • Publication number: 20170354691
    Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Benjamin S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 9775866
    Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Benjamin S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 9700581
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a subject in need of treatment for a urological condition including administering urine stem cells to said subject in a treatment effective amount; and, in conjunction therewith, administering growth factors to said subject in an amount effective to promote differentiation of said stem cells into skeletal muscle cells. Compositions useful for the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Yuanyuan Zhang, Emmanuel C. Opara
  • Publication number: 20170128497
    Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Benjamin S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 9561254
    Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Benjamin S. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20160354413
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for treating low testosterone comprises microcapsules the microcapsules containing live mammalian ovary cells. The ovary cells comprise ovarian theca cells in a treatment-effective amount, but not granulosa cells or without granulosa cells in amounts detrimental to the administration of testosterone. Methods of treating male subjects afflicted with low testosterone by administration of such ovary cell-containing microcapsules are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Emmanuel C. Opara
  • Publication number: 20160287639
    Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Benjamin S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 9393272
    Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Benjamin S. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20160166620
    Abstract: A composition comprising microcapsules, the microcapsules containing both live mammalian ovarian granulosa cells and live mammalian ovarian theca cells, is described. In some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained in separate microcapsules in the composition; in some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained together in the same microcapsules in the composition. The composition is can be used for estrogen, and optionally also progesterone, delivery, and hence is preferably free or essentially free of oocytes. Methods of using the same and pharmaceutical formulations containing the same are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, James J. Yoo, Justin M. Saul, Sittadjody Sivanandane, Anthony Atala
  • Publication number: 20150297678
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods of enhancing weight gain and/or myogenesis in a subject (e.g., a subject afflicted with cachexia) by the administration of fibroblast growth factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventor: Emmanuel C. Opara
  • Publication number: 20150238531
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a subject in need of treatment for a urological condition including administering urine stem cells to said subject in a treatment effective amount; and, in conjunction therewith, administering growth factors to said subject in an amount effective to promote differentiation of said stem cells into skeletal muscle cells. Compositions useful for the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Yuanyuan Zhang, Emmanuel C. Opara
  • Publication number: 20140322342
    Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. Opara, Benjamin S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8420125
    Abstract: A medical food and/or nutritional supplement for oral administration by mammals includes ?-lipoic acid, linolenic acid complex, biotin, and coenzyme Q-10. A preferred method of manufacturing the medical food or nutritional supplement is by separate microencapsulation of one or more of the components followed by encapsulation of the individual components, for oral administration. Other methods of delivery include packaging in impermeable, disposable packets and mixing the formulations with food or a cold liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Response Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Webster, Emmanuel C. Opara