Patents by Inventor Michael Croghan

Michael Croghan 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: 8633315
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, B, W, R3, R4 and R5 are defined herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides compounds of general Formula II wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R4, R5, W, X and Z are defined herein. The invention also includes use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of disorders and conditions related to the activity of beta-secretase protein. Such disorders include, for example, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Patel F. Vinod, Michael Croghan, Bryant Yang
  • Publication number: 20130273004
    Abstract: Selected heterocyclic compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as angiogenesis mediated diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving, cancer and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Guoqing CHEN, Jeffrey A. ADAMS, Jean E. BEMIS, Shon BOOKER, Guolin CAI, Lucian V. DIPIETRO, Celia DOMINGUEZ, Daniel ELBAUM, Julie GERMAIN, Stephanie D. GEUNS-MEYER, Michael K. HANDLEY, Qi HUANG, Joseph L. KIM, Tae-Seong KIM, Alexander S. KISELYOV, Xiaohu OUYANG, Vinod F. PATEL, Leon M. SMITH, II, Markian M. STEC, Andrew TASKER, Ning XI, Shimin XU, Chester YUAN, Michael CROGHAN
  • Patent number: 8552181
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase activity and for the treatment of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related CNS conditions, mediated thereby. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I or Formula II wherein R1a-1c, B, R3-5 and W of Formula I, and R1a-1c, R2-5, A1-4, W, X, Z, m and n of Formula II are defined herein. The invention further provides compounds of Formula III and IV and sub-Formulas II-A-II-D and III-A-III-D. The compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions for treating, prophylactically or therapeutically, disorders related to the activity of beta-secretase protein, including without limitation, AD, cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Vinod F. Patel, Michael Croghan, Thomas Dineen, Scott Harried, Daniel Horne, Ted Judd, Matthew Walker, Charles Kreiman, Patricia Lopez, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Matthew Weiss, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang, Russell Graceffa
  • Patent number: 8431563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that interact with glucokinase regulatory protein. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of treating type 2 diabetes, and other diseases and/or conditions where glucokinase regulatory protein is involved using the compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Kate Ashton, Michael David Bartberger, Yunxin Bo, Marian C. Bryan, Michael Croghan, Christopher Harold Fotsch, Clarence Henderson Hale, Roxanne Kay Kunz, Longbin Liu, Nobuko Nishimura, Mark H. Norman, Lewis Dale Pennington, Steve Fong Poon, Markian Myroslaw Stec, David Joseph St. Jean, Jr., Nuria A. Tamayo, Christopher Michael Tegley, Kevin Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20130072483
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, B, W, R3, R4 and R5 are defined herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides compounds of general Formula II wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R4, R5, W, X and Z are defined herein. The invention also includes use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of disorders and conditions related to the activity of beta-secretase protein. Such disorders include, for example, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: AMGEN INC.
    Inventors: Wenge ZHONG, Stephen Hitchcock, Vinod F. Patel, Michael Croghan, Thomas Dineen, Daniel Horne, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Patricia Lopez, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Lewis Pennington, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang, Yuan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20120225854
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that interact with glucokinase regulatory protein. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of treating type 2 diabetes, and other diseases and/or conditions where glucokinase regulatory protein is involved using the compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: AMGEN INC.
    Inventors: Kate Ashton, Michael David Bartberger, Yunxin Bo, Marian C. Bryan, Michael Croghan, Christopher Harold Fotsch, Clarence Henderson Hale, Roxanne Kay Kunz, Longbin Liu, Nobuko Nishimura, Mark H. Norman, Lewis Dale Pennington, Steve Fong Poon, Markian Myroslaw Stec, David Joseph St. Jean, JR., Nuria A. Tamayo, Christopher Michael Tegley, Kevin Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20120220583
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase activity and for the treatment of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related CNS conditions, mediated thereby. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I or Formula II wherein R1a-1c, B, R3-5 and W of Formula I, and R1a-1c, R2-5, A1-4, W, X, Z, m and n of Formula II are defined herein. The invention further provides compounds of Formula III and IV and sub-Formulas II-A-II-D and III-A-III-D. The compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions for treating, prophylactically or therapeutically, disorders related to the activity of beta-secretase protein, including without limitation, AD, cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: AMGEN INC.
    Inventors: Wenge ZHONG, Stephen HITCHCOCK, Vinod F. PATEL, Michael CROGHAN, Thomas DINEEN, Scott HARRIED, Daniel HORNE, Ted JUDD, Matthew KALLER, Charles KREIMAN, Patricia LOPEZ, Holger MONENSCHEIN, Thomas NGUYEN, Matthew WEISS, Qiufen XUE, Bryant YANG, Russell GRACEFFA
  • Patent number: 8173810
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, B, W, R3, R4 and R5 are defined herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides compounds of general Formula II wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R4, R5, W, X and Z are defined herein. The invention also includes use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of disorders and conditions related to the activity of beta-secretase protein. Such disorders include, for example, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Vinod F. Patel, Michael Croghan, Thomas Dineen, Daniel Horne, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Patricia Lopez, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Lewis Pennington, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang, Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 8163766
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein A, B, R3, R4, R5, i and j are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, methods of use for these compounds, including treatment of AD and related diseases, by administering the compound(s) of Formula I, or compositions including them, to a subject. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas II and III, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen A. Hitchcock, Vinod F. Patel, Yuan Cheng, Michael Croghan, Randall W. Hungate, Daniel La, Patricia Lopez, Matthew K. Kaller, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Thomas Nixey, Lewis Pennington, Matthew Weiss, Ted Judd, Russell Graceffa, Qiufen Xue, Charles Kreiman, Brian K. Albrecht, Denise Lyn Andersen, Michael Bartberger, James Brown, Ryan Brown, Stuart C. Chaffee, Scott Harried, Craig Masse, Bryant Yang
  • Patent number: 8163909
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I or Formula II wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, B, R3, R4, R5 and W of Formula I, and R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R2a, R3, R4, R5, A1, A2, A3, A4, W, X, Z, m and n of Formula II are defined herein. The invention also provides compounds of Formula III, sub-Formulas II-A-II-D, sub-Formulas III-A-III-D and Formula IV. The invention further includes use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of disorders and conditions related to the activity of beta-secretase protein. Such disorders include, for example, AD, cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Vinod F. Patel, Michael Croghan, Thomas Dineen, Scott Harried, Daniel Horne, Ted Judd, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Patricia Lopez, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Matthew Weiss, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang
  • Publication number: 20120065185
    Abstract: Selected heterocyclic compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as angiogenesis mediated diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving, cancer and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Guoqing CHEN, Jeffrey Adams, Jean Bemis, Shon Booker, Guolin Cai, Lucian Di Pietro, Celia Dominguez, Daniel Elbaum, Julie Germain, Stephanie Geuns-Meyer, Michael Handley, Qi Huang, Joseph L. Kim, Tae-Seong Kim, Alexander Kiselyov, Xiaohu Ouyang, Vinod F. Patel, Leon M. Smith, Markian Stec, Andrew Tasker, Ning Xi, Shimin Xu, Chester Chenguang Yuan, Michael Croghan
  • Patent number: 7973047
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein A, B, W, R3, R4, R5, i and j are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, methods of use for these compounds, including treatment of AD and related diseases, by administering the compound(s) of Formula I, or compositions including them, to a subject. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas II and III, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Brian K. Albrecht, Michael D. Bartberger, James Brown, Ryan Brown, Stuart C. Chaffee, Yuan Cheng, Michael Croghan, Russell Graceffa, Scott Harried, Dean Hickman, Daniel Horne, Randall Hungate, Ted Judd, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Daniel La, Patricia Lopez, Craig E. Masse, Thomas Nixey, Vinod F. Patel, Lewis Pennington, Matthew Weiss, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20110118250
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein A, B, R3, R4, R5, i and j are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, methods of use for these compounds, including treatment of AD and related diseases, by administering the compound(s) of Formula I, or compositions including them, to a subject. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas II and III, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Albrecht, Denise Lyn Andersen, Michael Bartberger, James Brown, Ryan Brown, Stuart C. Chaffee, Yuan Cheng, Michael Croghan, Russell Graceffa, Scott Harried, Stephen Hitchcock, Randall Hungate, Ted Judd, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Daniel La, Patricia Lopez, Craig Masse, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Thomas Nixey, Vinod F. Patel, Lewis Pennington, Matthew Weiss, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang, Wenge Zhong
  • Patent number: 7872009
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein A, B, R3, R4, R5, i and j are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, methods of use for these compounds, including treatment of AD and related diseases, by administering the compound(s) of Formula I, or compositions including them, to a subject. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas II and III, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Albrecht, Denise Lyn Andersen, Michael Bartberger, James Brown, Ryan Brown, Stuart C. Chaffee, Yuan Cheng, Michael Croghan, Russell Graceffa, Scott Harried, Stephen Hitchcock, Randall Hungate, Ted Judd, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Daniel La, Patricia Lopez, Craig Masse, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Thomas Nixey, Vinod F. Patel, Lewis Pennington, Matthew Weiss, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang, Wenge Zhong
  • Patent number: 7838676
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein R1, W, B, R3, R4, R5, i and j are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, methods of use for these compounds, including treatment of AD and related diseases, by administering the compound(s) of Formula I, or compositions including them, to a subject. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas II and III, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Qiufen Xue, Brian K. Albrecht, Denise Lyn Andersen, Michael Bartberger, James Brown, Ryan Brown, Stuart C. Chaffee, Yuan Cheng, Michael Croghan, Russell Graceffa, Scott Harried, Stephen Hitchcock, Randall Hungate, Ted Judd, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Daniel La, Patricia Lopez, Craig Masse, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Thomas Nixey, Vinod F. Patel, Lewis Pennington, Matthew Weiss, Bryant Yang, Wenge Zhong
  • Publication number: 20100222338
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein A, B, W, R3, R4, R5, i and j are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, methods of use for these compounds, including treatment of AD and related diseases, by administering the compound(s) of Formula I, or compositions including them, to a subject. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas II and III, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Brian K. Albrecht, Michael D. Bartberger, James Brown, Ryan Brown, Stuart C. Chaffee, Yuan Cheng, Michael Croghan, Russell Graceffa, Scott Harried, Dean Hickman, Daniel Horne, Randall Hungate, Ted Judd, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Daniel La, Patricia Lopez, Craig E. Masse, Thomas Nixey, Vinod F. Patel, Lewis Pennington, Matthew Weiss, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7745484
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein A, B, W, R3, R4, R5, i and j are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, methods of use for these compounds, including treatment of AD and related diseases, by administering the compound(s) of Formula I, or compositions including them, to a subject. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas II and III, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Brian K. Albrecht, Michael D. Bartberger, James Brown, Ryan Brown, Stuart C. Chaffee, Yuan Cheng, Michael Croghan, Russell Graceffa, Scott Harried, Dean Hickman, Dan Horne, Randall Hungate, Ted Judd, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Daniel La, Patricia Lopez, Craig Masse, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Thomas Nixey, Vinod F. Patel, Lewis Pennington, Matthew Weiss, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang
  • Publication number: 20090275602
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I or Formula II wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, B, R3, R4, R5 and W of Formula I, and R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R2a, R3, R4, R5, A1, A2, A3, A4, W, X, Z, m and n of Formula II are defined herein. The invention also provides compounds of Formula III, sub-Formulas II-A-II-D, sub-Formulas III-A-III-D and Formula IV. The invention further includes use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of disorders and conditions related to the activity of beta-secretase protein. Such disorders include, for example, AD, cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: AMGEN INC.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Vinod F. Patel, Michael Croghan, Thomas Dineen, Scott Harried, Daniel Horne, Ted Judd, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Patricia Lopez, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Matthew Weiss, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang
  • Patent number: 7514564
    Abstract: Selected amines are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as angiogenesis mediated diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving, cancer and the like. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Guoqing Chen, Jeffrey Adams, Jean Bemis, Lucian Di Pietro, Celia Dominguez, Daniel Elbaum, Julie Germain, Qi Huang, Joseph L. Kim, Xiaohu Ouyang, Vinod F. Patel, Leon M. Smith, Andrew Tasker, Ning Xi, Shimin Xu, Chester Chenguang Yuan, Michael Croghan, Tae-Seong Kim
  • Publication number: 20090036478
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, B, W, R3, R4 and R5 are defined herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides compounds of general Formula II wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R4, R5, W, X and Z are defined herein. The invention also includes use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of disorders and conditions related to the activity of beta-secretase protein. Such disorders include, for example, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: AMGEN INC.
    Inventors: Wenge Zhong, Stephen Hitchcock, Vinod F. Patel, Michael Croghan, Thomas Dineen, Daniel Horne, Matthew Kaller, Charles Kreiman, Patricia Lopez, Holger Monenschein, Thomas Nguyen, Lewis Pennington, Qiufen Xue, Bryant Yang, Yuan Cheng