Patents by Inventor MELANIE A. YEN

MELANIE A. YEN 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).

  • Photoactivated molecules for light-induced modulation of the activity of electrically excitable cells and methods of using same
    Patent number: 10406227
    Abstract: Methods and compositions modulate the activity of electrically excitable cells. Photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells. These supplement and/or replace of vision based on the conversion of light energy to electrical energy within certain cells of the visual system. A “patch” or bridge to circumvent one or more defective, damaged, or diseased cells in the visual system. Additionally, in several embodiments, subjects with normal vision can benefit from the methods, compositions, systems, and/or devices disclosed herein as normal visual acuity can be heightened. The exposure induces an energy (e.g., a receipt of light energy, conversion to electrical energy, and passage of that electrical energy) from the photovoltaic compound to the cell, thereby altering the transmembrane potential of the cell and/or the opening of one or more ion channels, thereby modulating the activity of the electrically excitable cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Robert H. Chow, Mark S. Humayun, Harry B. Gray, Robert H. Grubbs, Dennis A. Dougherty, Mark E. Thompson, Lionel E. Cheruzel, Melanie A. Yen
  • Photoactivated molecules for light-induced modulation of the activity of electrically excitable cells and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 10232043
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the modulation of the activity of electrically excitable cells. In particular, several embodiments relate to the use of photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Melanie A. Yen, Dennis A. Dougherty, Robert H. Grubbs, Harry B. Gray, Robert H. Chow, Mark S. Humayun, Mark E. Thompson, Lionel E. Cheruzel
  • Derivatized corroles and metallocorroles and their use as imaging and therapeutic agents
    Patent number: 10035806
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to derivatized corroles, methods of making and using the same as imaging and therapeutic agents. In certain embodiments, the corroles are compounds having a Structure (I-H) and (I-M): where R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently —F or —N(H)—(CH2)m—Y, provided that at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is —N(H)—(CH2)m—Y, and m and Y are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Melanie A. Yen, Harry B. Gray, Robert H. Grubbs, Joshua Palmer
  • PHOTOACTIVATED MOLECULES FOR LIGHT INDUCED MODULATION OF THE ACTIVITY OF ELECTRICALLY EXCITABLE CELLS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20170189530
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the modulation of the activity of electrically excitable cells. In particular, several embodiments relate to the use of photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Melanie A. Yen, Dennis A. Dougherty, Robert H. Grubbs, Harry B. Gray, Robert H. Chow, Mark S. Humayun, Mark Thompson, Oliver Shafaat, Erin Lamb
  • DERIVATIZED CORROLES AND METALLOCORROLES AND THEIR USE AS IMAGING AND THERAPEUTIC AGENTS
    Publication number: 20170096434
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to derivatized corroles, methods of making and using the same as imaging and therapeutic agents. In certain embodiments, the corroles are compounds having a Structure (I-H) and (I-M): where R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently —F or —N(H)—(CH2)m—Y, provided that at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is —N(H)—(CH2)m—Y, and m and Y are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: MELANIE A. YEN, HARRY B. GRAY, ROBERT H. GRUBBS, JOSHUA Palmer