Patents by Inventor Heikki Kouru

Heikki Kouru 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).

  • Patent number: 11255861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining risk of preterm birth (PTB) in a pregnant individual. The method comprises measuring in a biological sample obtained from the pregnant individual, levels of biomarkers AFP and free hCGbeta, and at least one biomarker selected from FSTL3, sTNFR1, PIGF2, Activin A, uE3 and sP-selectin and optionally cervical length; or levels of biomarkers AFP and free hCGbeta and cervical length, and determining a relative risk of the pregnant individual developing PTB. The invention relates also to a kit, apparatus and system for predicting risk of PTB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen, Tarja Ahola, Teemu Korpimäki
  • Patent number: 11162955
    Abstract: A method for predicting risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a pregnant individual includes measuring one or more biochemical markers in a blood sample obtained from the pregnant individual to determine one or more biomarker levels, where the one or more measured biochemical markers includes at least one of PAI-2 and sTNFR1, identifying, for each of the one or more measured biochemical markers, a difference between the measured biomarker level and a corresponding predetermined control level, and, responsive to the identifying, determining a prediction corresponding to a relative risk of the pregnant individual having or developing GDM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Teemu Korpimäki, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Patent number: 10656163
    Abstract: The present description relates to a method for determining the risk of a pregnant woman with chronic hypertension developing early or late onset pre-eclampsia. The present description provides methods useful for determining risk that a pregnant individual with chronic hypertension will develop an early pre-eclampsia or late pre-eclampsia. Useful combination of biochemical markers including PlGF and sP-Selectin and related clinical population studies are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Tarja Ahola, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Publication number: 20200033354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining risk of preterm birth (PTB) in a pregnant individual. The method comprises measuring in a biological sample obtained from the pregnant individual, levels of biomarkers AFP and free hCGbeta, and at least one biomarker selected from FSTL3, sTNFR1, PIGF2, Activin A, uE3 and sP-selectin and optionally cervical length; or levels of biomarkers AFP and free hCGbeta and cervical length, and determining a relative risk of the pregnant individual developing PTB. The invention relates also to a kit, apparatus and system for predicting risk of PTB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Pertti HURSKAINEN, Heikki KOURU, Mikko SAIRANEN, Tarja AHOLA, Teemu KORPIMÄKI
  • Patent number: 10444247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining risk of preterm birth (PTB) in a pregnant individual. The method comprises measuring in a biological sample obtained from the pregnant individual, levels of biomarkers AFP and free hCGbeta, and at least one biomarker selected from FSTL3, sTNR1, P1GF2, Activin A, Ue3 and sP-selectin and optionally cervical length; or levels of biomarkers AFP and free hCGbeta and cervical length, and determining a relative risk of the pregnant individual developing PTB. The invention relates also to a kit, apparatus and system for predicting risk of PTB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen, Tarja Ahola, Teemu Korpimäki
  • Publication number: 20190137508
    Abstract: A method for predicting risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a pregnant individual includes measuring one or more biochemical markers in a blood sample obtained from the pregnant individual to determine one or more biomarker levels, where the one or more measured biochemical markers includes at least one of PAI-2 and sTNFR1, identifying, for each of the one or more measured biochemical markers, a difference between the measured biomarker level and a corresponding predetermined control level, and, responsive to the identifying, determining a prediction corresponding to a relative risk of the pregnant individual having or developing GDM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Teemu Korpimäki, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Patent number: 10119978
    Abstract: A method for predicting risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a pregnant individual includes measuring one or more biochemical markers in a blood sample obtained from the pregnant individual to determine one or more biomarker levels, where the one or more measured biochemical markers includes at least one of PAI-2 and sTNFR1, identifying, for each of the one or more measured biochemical markers, a difference between the measured biomarker level and a corresponding predetermined control level, and, responsive to the identifying, determining a prediction corresponding to a relative risk of the pregnant individual having or developing GDM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: WALLAC OY
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Teemu Korpimäki, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Publication number: 20180156815
    Abstract: A method for predicting risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a pregnant individual includes measuring one or more biochemical markers in a blood sample obtained from the pregnant individual to determine one or more biomarker levels, where the one or more measured biochemical markers includes at least one of PAI-2 and sTNFR1, identifying, for each of the one or more measured biochemical markers, a difference between the measured biomarker level and a corresponding predetermined control level, and, responsive to the identifying, determining a prediction corresponding to a relative risk of the pregnant individual having or developing GDM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Teemu Korpimäki, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Publication number: 20170285041
    Abstract: The present description relates to a method for determining the risk of a pregnant woman with chronic hypertension developing early or late onset pre-eclampsia. The present description provides methods useful for determining risk that a pregnant individual with chronic hypertension will develop an early pre-eclampsia or late pre-eclampsia. Useful combination of biochemical markers including PlGF and sP-Selectin and related clinical population studies are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Tarja Ahola, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Publication number: 20170261511
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining risk of preterm birth (PTB) in a pregnant individual. The method comprises measuring in a biological sample obtained from the pregnant individual, levels of biomarkers AFP and free hCG-beta, and at least one biomarker selected from FSTL3, sTNR1, P1GF2, Activin A, Ue3 and sP-selectin and optionally cervical length; or levels of biomarkers AFP and free hCGbeta and cervical length, and determining a relative risk of the pregnant individual developing PTB. The invention relates also to a kit, apparatus and system for predicting risk of PTB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Pertti HURSKAINEN, Heikki KOURU, Mikko SAIRANEN, Tarja AHOLA, Teemu KORPIMAKI
  • Publication number: 20160327563
    Abstract: A method for predicting risk of pre-eclampsia in a pregnant individual includes measuring one or more biochemical markers including an RBP4 biochemical marker in a blood sample obtained from the pregnant individual to determine one or more biomarker levels including an RBP4 biomarker level, identifying, for each of the one or more measured biochemical markers, a difference between the measured biomarker level and a corresponding predetermined control level, and, responsive to the identifying, determining a prediction corresponding to a relative risk of the pregnant individual having or developing pre-eclampsia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Teemu Korpimäki, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Publication number: 20140273025
    Abstract: A method for predicting risk of pre-eclampsia in a pregnant individual includes measuring one or more biochemical markers including an RBP4 biochemical marker in a blood sample obtained from the pregnant individual to determine one or more biomarker levels including an RBP4 biomarker level, identifying, for each of the one or more measured biochemical markers, a difference between the measured biomarker level and a corresponding predetermined control level, and, responsive to the identifying, determining a prediction corresponding to a relative risk of the pregnant individual having or developing pre-eclampsia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Teemu Korpimäki, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Publication number: 20140273024
    Abstract: A method for predicting risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a pregnant individual includes measuring one or more biochemical markers in a blood sample obtained from the pregnant individual to determine one or more biomarker levels, where the one or more measured biochemical markers includes at least one of PAI-2 and sTNFR1, identifying, for each of the one or more measured biochemical markers, a difference between the measured biomarker level and a corresponding predetermined control level, and, responsive to the identifying, determining a prediction corresponding to a relative risk of the pregnant individual having or developing GDM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Pertti Hurskainen, Teemu Korpimäki, Heikki Kouru, Mikko Sairanen
  • Patent number: 5416328
    Abstract: A method for the evaluation of sample activities in multidetector liquid scintillation counters. All prepared quench curve standards are measured only in one reference detector in order to establish the relationship between the quench levels and the counting efficiencies. In addition, only two of the standards, preferably those with lowest and highest level of quench, are measured in every detector in order to establish the relationship of the quench levels between the reference detector and any other detector and in order to establish the relationship of the counting efficiencies between the reference detector and any other detector. The activities of unknown samples are evaluated by utilizing the predetermined relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Wallace Oy
    Inventors: Tapio Yrjonen, Heikki Kouru
  • Patent number: 5194735
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for the evaluation of sample activities in multidetector liquid scintillation counters. According to the invention the memory of said apparatus is provided with a theoretically derived model for each isotope between the counting efficiencies and the quench levels. In addition at least one standard is measured in each detector in order to establish relationships between said theoretical model and each detector. The activities of an unknown sample is evaluated by utilizing said theoretical model and said relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Tapio Yrjonen, Heikki Kouru
  • Patent number: 5134294
    Abstract: Liquid scintillation counter includes a memory having stored spectra of known counting efficiencies and known levels of quench, for the isotopes to be meansured. A device extracts from the spectra, using the determined quench level value for each of the N isotopes, a reference spectrum representing a pure isotope spectrum at the determined quench level. A device determines for each extracted reference spectrum a factor by which the extracted reference spectrum is to be multiplied in order to fit the sum of the multiplied reference spectra to the sample spectrum. Each factor is directly related to the amount of each isotope in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Kenneth Rundt, Heikki Kouru
  • Patent number: 5120962
    Abstract: Liquid scintillation counter includes a memory having stored spectra of known counting efficiencies and known levels of quench, for isotopes to be measured. A device extracts from the spectra, by using the determined quench level value for each of the N isotopes, a reference spectrum representing a pure isotope spectrum at the predicted quench level. A device determines for each extracted reference spectrum a factor by which the extracted reference spectrum is to be multiplied in order to fit the sum of the multiplied reference spectra to the sample spectrum. Each factor is directly related to the amount of each isotope in the sample. A device computes a goodness-of-fit value and predicts a new value for the quench level based on this goodness-of-fit value. A method in liquid scintillation counter includes predicting a first value of the quench level of the scintillation sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Kenneth Rundt, Heikki Kouru
  • Patent number: 5089706
    Abstract: To produce a quench calibration function for a liquid scintillation counter having stored a basic correlation between a quantity to be quench calibrated and a quench index, the value of the quantity to be quench calibrated and the value of the quench index for at least one reference sample is measured by measuring means from said basic correlation, the value of the quantity to be quench calibrated for the measured value of the quench index for each reference sample is evaluated by evaluating means. Then the difference or ratio between the measured and the calculated values of the quantity to be quench calibrated for each reference sample is calculated by calculating means, whereupon said calculated difference or ratio as a function of quench index is approximated by approximating means, and said basic correlation and said function of quench of quench index are combined into the quench calibration function by combining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventor: Heikki Kouru
  • Patent number: 4918310
    Abstract: In a liquid scintillation counter the light output from a liquid scintillation sample containing radioactive isotopes of unknown activity is measured by means of a detector. A pulse height analyzer having discriminators that are combined to define pulse height windows, is connected to the detector for measuring and temporarily storing count rates for each of the windows. Moreover, there are means for determining a value for the quench level of the sample. According to the invention the number of pulse height windows is at least N+1, when the number of isotopes is N,N being .gtoreq.2. There are memory means for storing for each of said windows representations of counting intensities determined by measuring calibration samples of each isotope at different levels of quench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Wallac OY
    Inventors: Kenneth Rundt, Heikki Kouru