Patents by Inventor Merrill Biel

Merrill Biel 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: 20220105184
    Abstract: Provided herein are conjugates, compositions and methods for use in photoimmunotherapy, such as photoimmunotherapy induced by activation of a phthalocyanine dye conjugated to a targeting molecule that binds a protein on cell, for example, an IR700-antibody conjugate. In some embodiments, the phthalocyanine-dye conjugate can be activated by irradiation with near-infrared light. Features of the conjugates, compositions and methods, including the dose of the conjugate, provide various advantages, such as lower toxicity and/or improved efficacy. In some embodiments, also provided is a dual label phthalocyanine-dye conjugate in which the targeting molecule is conjugated to an additional fluorescent dye, which can be used for photoimmunotherapy while, for example, also exhibiting improved performance for imaging or detection. Also provided are therapeutic methods using the conjugates and compositions for treatment of diseases and conditions, including tumors or cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Rakuten Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill BIEL, Lewis R. MAKINGS, Roger HEIM, Miguel GARCIA-GUZMAN, Eileen Sun CHIN, Deepak YADAV, Jerry FONG
  • Publication number: 20210401985
    Abstract: Provided herein are conjugates, compositions and methods for use in photoimmunotherapy, such as photoimmunotherapy induced by activation of a phthalocyanine dye conjugated to a targeting molecule that binds a protein on cell, for example, an IR700-antibody conjugate. In some embodiments, the phthalocyanine-dye conjugate can be activated by irradiation with near-infrared light. Features of the conjugates, compositions and methods, including the dose of the conjugate, provide various advantages, such as lower toxicity and/or improved efficacy. In some embodiments, also provided is a dual label phthalocyanine-dye conjugate in which the targeting molecule is conjugated to an additional fluorescent dye, which can be used for photoimmunotherapy while, for example, also exhibiting improved performance for imaging or detection. Also provided are therapeutic methods using the conjugates and compositions for treatment of diseases and conditions, including tumors or cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Rakuten Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill BIEL, Lewis R. Makings, Roger Heim, Miguel Garcia-Guzman, Eileen Sun Chin, Deepak Yadav, Jerry Fong
  • Patent number: 11147875
    Abstract: Provided herein are conjugates, compositions and methods for use in photoimmunotherapy, such as photoimmunotherapy induced by activation of a phthalocyanine dye conjugated to a targeting molecule that binds a protein on cell, for example, an IR700-antibody conjugate. In some embodiments, the phthalocyanine-dye conjugate can be activated by irradiation with near-infrared light. Features of the conjugates, compositions and methods, including the dose of the conjugate, provide various advantages, such as lower toxicity and/or improved efficacy. In some embodiments, also provided is a dual label phthalocyanine-dye conjugate in which the targeting molecule is conjugated to an additional fluorescent dye, which can be used for photoimmunotherapy while, for example, also exhibiting improved performance for imaging or detection. Also provided are therapeutic methods using the conjugates and compositions for treatment of diseases and conditions, including tumors or cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Rakuten Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill Biel, Roger Heim, Miguel Garcia-Guzman
  • Patent number: 10908341
    Abstract: The present invention provides a frontal light diffusing device comprising a non-circular core fiber section having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lens; wherein fiber core of the non-circular core section has a “top hat” core irradiance distribution and the frontal light diffusing device provides a “top hat” spatial irradiance distribution at a targeted location. The present invention further provides a frontal light diffusing device comprising an optical fiber and a collimation lens assembly wherein the collimation lens assembly includes a variable aperture that blocks portions of light outcoupled from the optical fiber thereby allowing only a central portion of the light to exit through the variable aperture resulting in a flat irradiance distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Aspyrian Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Kyle Johnston, Merrill Biel
  • Publication number: 20200166690
    Abstract: The present invention provides a frontal light diffusing device comprising a non-circular core fiber section having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lens; wherein fiber core of the non-circular core section has a “top hat” core irradiance distribution and the frontal light diffusing device provides a “top hat” spatial irradiance distribution at a targeted location. The present invention further provides a frontal light diffusing device comprising an optical fiber and a collimation lens assembly wherein the collimation lens assembly includes a variable aperture that blocks portions of light outcoupled from the optical fiber thereby allowing only a central portion of the light to exit through the variable aperture resulting in a flat irradiance distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Kyle Johnston, Merrill Biel
  • Patent number: 10527771
    Abstract: The present invention provides a frontal light diffusing device comprising a non-circular core fiber section having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lens; wherein fiber core of the non-circular core section has a “top hat” core irradiance distribution and the frontal light diffusing device provides a “top hat” spatial irradiance distribution at a targeted location. The present invention further provides a frontal light diffusing device comprising an optical fiber and a collimation lens assembly wherein the collimation lens assembly includes a variable aperture that blocks portions of light outcoupled from the optical fiber thereby allowing only a central portion of the light to exit through the variable aperture resulting in a flat irradiance distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rakuten Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Kyle Johnston, Merrill Biel
  • Publication number: 20190282696
    Abstract: Provided herein are conjugates, compositions and methods for use in photoimmunotherapy, such as photoimmunotherapy induced by activation of a phthalocyanine dye conjugated to a targeting molecule that binds a protein on cell, for example, an IR700-antibody conjugate. In some embodiments, the phthalocyanine-dye conjugate can be activated by irradiation with near-infrared light. Features of the conjugates, compositions and methods, including the dose of the conjugate, provide various advantages, such as lower toxicity and/or improved efficacy. In some embodiments, also provided is a dual label phthalocyanine-dye conjugate in which the targeting molecule is conjugated to an additional fluorescent dye, which can be used for photoimmunotherapy while, for example, also exhibiting improved performance for imaging or detection. Also provided are therapeutic methods using the conjugates and compositions for treatment of diseases and conditions, including tumors or cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Rakuten Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill BIEL, Roger HEIM, Miguel GARCIA-GUZMAN
  • Patent number: 10416366
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diffuser light blocking device comprising an end cap member (820) having a pocketing feature (821) that has a side wall (822) and an end reflective surface (810); the pocketing feature's shape corresponds to exterior shape of distal portion (830) of a diffuser (800) having a distal end surface (801); the pocketing feature engages the distal portion; an overlapping section (815) of the pocketing feature's side wall surrounds the distal portion's side wall (802) and prevents at least 95% of the light output from the distal portion from escaping out of the distal portion's side wall; the end reflective surface blocks any forward propagating light output from the distal end surface and returns at least 80% of light coming out of the distal end surface back towards the diffuser; the end cap member is thermally conductive; the end cap member's length (831) and diameter (832) provide an exterior surface area that is at least 1,000% of the surface area of the distal end surface; and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rakuten Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Kyle Johnston, Merrill Biel
  • Patent number: 10295719
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cylindrical light diffusing device comprising a non-circular core fiber having (i) a fiber core that provides a “top hat” core irradiance distribution; (ii) light blocking means that prevent frontal light emisson from distal end of the non-circular core fiber; and (iii) a light diffusing section having a diffusing proximal end, a diffusing distal end, and internal scattering features distributed within the fiber core of the light diffusing section along central axis of the fiber core, wherein the light diffusion section emits irradiance in a radially symmetric longitudinally “top hat” diffusing irradiance distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Aspyrian Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Kyle Johnston, Merrill Biel
  • Publication number: 20180250405
    Abstract: Provided herein are conjugates, compositions and methods for use in photoimmunotherapy, such as photoimmunotherapy induced by activation of a phthalocyanine dye conjugated to a targeting molecule that binds a protein on cell, for example, an IR700-antibody conjugate. In some embodiments, the phthalocyanine-dye conjugate can be activated by irradiation with near-infrared light. Features of the conjugates, compositions and methods, including the dose of the conjugate, provide various advantages, such as lower toxicity and/or improved efficacy. In some embodiments, also provided is a dual label phthalocyanine-dye conjugate in which the targeting molecule is conjugated to an additional fluorescent dye, which can be used for photoimmunotherapy while, for example, also exhibiting improved performance for imaging or detection. Also provided are therapeutic methods using the conjugates and compositions for treatment of diseases and conditions, including tumors or cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Aspyrian Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill BIEL, Lewis R. MAKINGS, Roger HEIM, Miguel GARCIA-GUZMAN, Eileen Sun CHIN, Deepak YADAV, Jerry FONG
  • Publication number: 20180239074
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diffuser light blocking device comprising an end cap member (820) having a pocketing feature (821) that has a side wall (822) and an end reflective surface (810); the pocketing feature's shape corresponds to exterior shape of distal portion (830) of a diffuser (800) having a distal end surface (801); the pocketing feature engages the distal portion; an overlapping section (815) of the pocketing feature's side wall surrounds the distal portion's side wall (802) and prevents at least 95% of the light output from the distal portion from escaping out of the to distal portion's side wall; the end reflective surface blocks any forward propagating light output from the distal end surface and returns at least 80% of light coming out of the distal end surface back towards the diffuser; the end cap member is thermally conductive; the end cap member's length (831) and diameter (832) provide an exterior surface area that is at least 1,000% of the surface area of the distal end surface; an
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Kyle Johnston, Merrill Biel
  • Publication number: 20180113247
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cylindrical light diffusing device comprising a non-circular core fiber having (i) a fiber core that provides a “top hat” core irradiance distribution; (ii) light blocking means that prevent frontal light emisson from distal end of the non-circular core fiber; and (iii) a light diffusing section having a diffusing proximal end, a diffusing distal end, and internal scattering features distributed within the fiber core of the light diffusing section along central axis of the fiber core, wherein the light diffusion section emits irradiance in a radially symmetric longitudinally “top hat” diffusing irradiance distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Kyle Johnston, Merrill Biel
  • Publication number: 20180113246
    Abstract: The present invention provides a frontal light diffusing device comprising a non-circular core fiber section having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lens; wherein fiber core of the non-circular core section has a “top hat” core irradiance distribution and the frontal light diffusing device provides a “top hat” spatial irradiance distribution at a targeted location. The present invention further provides a frontal light diffusing device comprising an optical fiber and a collimation lens assembly wherein the collimation lens assembly includes a variable aperture that blocks portions of light outcoupled from the optical fiber thereby allowing only a central portion of the light to exit through the variable aperture resulting in a flat irradiance distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Kyle Johnston, Merrill Biel
  • Publication number: 20130310734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-functional catheter that can be used to irrigate a treatment site located within a body cavity, to suction waste materials from the treatment site, and to deliver a treatment composition in a generally uniform distribution pattern onto the treatment site. The present invention also provides a method to use this multi-functional catheter for various applications including medical applications (e.g., photodynamic therapy treatment of chronic recurrent sinusitis).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Sinuwave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill Biel, Nicolas Loebel, Soja-Marie Callahan Morgens
  • Patent number: 8267982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cellular and acellular organisms including the steps of providing a surface acting agent in association with a cellular or acellular organism, the surface acting agent disorienting a membrane structure so that said membrane no longer functions as an effective osmotic barrier; providing a photosensitive material in association with the cellular or acellular organism; and applying light in association with the cellular or acellular organism to cause a disruption of the organism. The method according to the present invention may be utilized in invitro and invivo treatment protocols for infections, sterilization procedures, cancer cell eradication, virus and fungus eradication, spore eradication, and biofilm organism eradication. Additional aspects of the invention include particular combinations of photosensitive materials and surfactants for use in photodynamic therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Photodynamic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Merrill A. Biel
  • Patent number: 8187278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cellular and acellular organisms including the steps of providing a surface acting agent containing benzalkonium chloride in association with a cellular or acellular organism, the surface acting agent disorienting a membrane structure so that said membrane no longer functions as an effective osmotic barrier; providing a photosensitive material in association with the cellular or acellular organism; and applying light in association with the cellular or acellular organism to cause a disruption of the organism. The method according to the present invention may be utilized in invitro and invivo treatment protocols for infections, sterilization procedures, cancer cell eradication, virus and fungus eradication, spore eradication, and biofilm organism eradication. Additional aspects of the invention include particular combinations of photosensitive materials and surfactants for use in photodynamic therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Photodynamic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Merrill A. Biel
  • Publication number: 20120029418
    Abstract: The present invention includes a composition for photoablation comprising a photosensitizer and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”) at a very low concentration (e.g., ranging from about 0.01 mM to about 1.25 mM), wherein the composition is used for photoablation of at least one targeted organism. The present invention also includes a method for photoablation comprising applying the composition to a treatment site containing at least one targeted organism and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to inhibit the at least one targeted organism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Merrill Biel
  • Patent number: 7862219
    Abstract: A light diffusing device for use in photodynamic therapy has a progressively distally increased exposed amount of core fiber defining a light emitting section. Excessive light energy emission is thus prevented access to proximal locations and provides an increased amount of available light energy at distal locations, thus permitting an even emission of light energy along the light emitting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Photodynamic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Mersch, Ronald R. Zimmermann, Merrill A. Biel
  • Publication number: 20100097822
    Abstract: A light diffusing device for use in photodynamic therapy has a progressively distally increased exposed amount of core fiber defining a light emitting section. Excessive light energy emission is thus prevented access to proximal locations and provides an increased amount of available light energy at distal locations, thus permitting an even emission of light energy along the light emitting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Steven H. Mersch, Ronald R. Zimmermann, Merrill A. Biel
  • Patent number: D695891
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sinuwave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill Biel, Nicolas Loebel, Soja-Marie Callahan Morgens