Patents by Inventor Michael Heffernan

Michael Heffernan 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: 20080135146
    Abstract: A self-balancing wheel assembly includes a rim, a tire mounted to the rim and defining an inflatable chamber between the rim and the tire, and a valve mounted to the rim for inflating and deflating the tire. The valve includes a housing having a channel therein extending between an outer surface of the housing and the chamber. The valve includes a stopper movable within the channel between an open and a closed position for allowing and blocking fluid flow through the channel, the stopper being narrower in width than the channel. The assembly further includes balancing media in the chamber, the balancing media comprising solid particles sized sufficiently large to inhibit passage of the solid particles past the stopper. The assembly can be used in wheels having integral TPMS modules, and having aluminum valve stems connected to the modules and short, nickel plated valve cores mounted in the stems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Heffernan, Russell J. Freeman
  • Patent number: 7269185
    Abstract: A communications network has multiple resource-allocation layers and incorporates a management structure for allocating resources to allocate resources requested by a first layer of said layers from a second of said layers. At a first layer, the management structure provides an indication to a second layer of the required resources that are to be allocated from the second layer. The second layer automatically offers the required resource together with a condition for use of those resources. This condition includes a notional price factor which is dependent on current demand. Under the control of the manager, the first layer determines if the condition for use of the offered resources is acceptable and, if so, automatically accepts the offered resources from the second layer. In a preferred embodiment, ingress to an underlying multi-wavelength transport layer of the network is controlled via a virtual port which allocates traffic to real ports one for each wavelength supported by the transport layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Paul Kirkby, Michael Heffernan, David Ireland, Peter Hamer, Radhakrishnan Kadengal
  • Patent number: 7038085
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the enantiomers of para-hydroxy-milnacipran or congeners thereof. Biological assays revealed that racemic para-hydroxy-milnacipran is approximately equipotent in inhibiting serotonin and norepinephrine uptake (IC50=28.6 nM for norepinephrine, IC50=21.7 nM for serotonin). Interestingly, (+)-para-hydroxy-milnacipran is a more potent inhibitor of norepinephrine uptake than serotonin uptake (IC50=10.3 nM for norepinephrine, IC50=22 nM for serotonin). In contrast, (?)-para-hydroxy-milnacipran is a more potent inhibitor of serotonin uptake compared to norepinephrin uptake (IC50=88.5 nM for norepinephrine, IC50=40.3 nM for serotonin). The invention also relates to salts and prodrug forms of the aforementioned compounds. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are combined to prepare a formulation for administration to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman V. Rariy, Michael Heffernan, Stephen L. Buchwald, Timothy M. Swager
  • Publication number: 20060024366
    Abstract: A once-a-day oral milnacipran modified release formulation has been developed. The formulation comprises an extended release dosage unit (optionally containing the immediate release portion) coated with delayed release coating. The milnacipran composition, when administered orally, first passes through the stomach releasing from zero to less than 10% of the total milnacipran dose and then enters the intestines where drug is released slowly over an extended period of time. The release profile is characterized by a 0.05-4 hours lag time period during which less than 10% of the total milnacipran dose is released followed by a slow or extended release of the remaining drug over a defined period of time. The composition provides in vivo drug plasma levels characterized by Tmax at 4-10 hours and an approximately linear drop-off thereafter and Cmax below 3000 ng/ml, preferably below 2000 ng/ml, and most preferably below 1000 ng/ml.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Jane Hirsh, Roman Rariy, Shubha Chungi, Srinivas Rao, Michael Heffernan
  • Publication number: 20060003004
    Abstract: A once-a-day oral milnacipran pulsatile release composition has been developed that releases the drug in spaced apart “pulses”. The dosage forms are comprised of first, second and optional third dosage units, with each dosage unit having a different drug release profile. This dosage form provides in vivo drug plasma levels characterized by Cmax below 3000 ng/ml, preferably below 2000 ng/ml, and most preferably below 1000 ng/ml.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Jane Hirsh, Roman Rariy, Michael Heffernan
  • Patent number: 6896483
    Abstract: The clearances between an array of turbine blades and its surrounding blade track may be controlled by an expansion control material system supporting the blade tracks. The blade track support hoop is placed in tension by the expansion control material placed therein and the expansion control material is placed in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Tab Michael Heffernan, James C. Muskat
  • Publication number: 20040142904
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the enantiomers of para-hydroxy-milnacipran or congeners thereof. Biological assays revealed that racemic para-hydroxy-milnacipran is approximately equipotent in inhibiting serotonin and norepinephrine uptake (IC50=28.6 nM for norepinephrine, IC50=21.7 nM for serotonin). Interestingly, (+)-para-hydroxy-milnacipran is a more potent inhibitor of norepinephrine uptake than serotonin uptake (IC50=10.3 nM for norepinephrine, IC50=22 nM for serotonin). In contrast, (−)-para-hydroxy-milnacipran is a more potent inhibitor of serotonin uptake compared to norepinephrin uptake (IC50=88.5 nM for norepinephrine, IC50=40.3 nM for serotonin). The invention also relates to salts and prodrug forms of the aforementioned compounds. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are combined to prepare a formulation for administration to a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Roman V. Rariy, Michael Heffernan, Stephen L. Buchwald, Timothy M. Swager
  • Publication number: 20040132826
    Abstract: A once-a-day oral milnacipran modified release formulation has been developed. The formulation comprises an extended release dosage unit (optionally containing the immediate release portion) coated with delayed release coating. The milnacipran composition, when administered orally, first passes through the stomach releasing from zero to less than 10% of the total milnacipran dose and then enters the intestines where drug is released slowly over an extended period of time. The release profile is characterized by a 0.05-4 hours lag time period during which less than 10% of the total milnacipran dose is released followed by a slow or extended release of the remaining drug over a defined period of time. The composition provides in vivo drug plasma levels characterized by Tmax at 4-10 hours and an approximately linear drop-off thereafter and Cmax below 3000 ng/ml, preferably below 2000 ng/ml, and most preferably below 1000 ng/ml.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicants: Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc., Cypress Bioscience, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane Hirsh, Roman V. Rariy, Shubha Chungi, Michael Heffernan, Srinivas G. Rao
  • Publication number: 20040121010
    Abstract: A once-a-day oral milnacipran pulsatile release composition has been developed that releases the drug in spaced apart “pulses”. The dosage forms are comprised of first, second and optional third dosage units, with each dosage unit having a different drug release profile. This dosage form provides in vivo drug plasma levels characterized by Cmax below 3000 ng/ml, preferably below 2000 ng/ml, and most preferably below 1000 ng/ml. These levels help to avoid stimulation of the cholinergic effects on the CNS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane Hirsh, Roman V. Rariy, Michael Heffernan
  • Publication number: 20040122104
    Abstract: A once-a-day oral milnacipran modified release formulation has been developed. The formulation comprises an extended release dosage unit (optionally containing the immediate release portion) coated with delayed release coating. The milnacipran composition, when administered orally, first passes through the stomach releasing from zero to less than 10% of the total milnacipran dose and then enters the intestines where drug is released slowly over an extended period of time. The release profile is characterized by a 0.05-4 hours lag time period during which less than 10% of the total milnacipran dose is released followed by a slow or extended release of the remaining drug over a defined period of time. The composition provides in vivo drug plasma levels characterized by Tmax at 4-10 hours and an approximately linear drop-off thereafter and Cmax below 3000 ng/ml, preferably below 2000 ng/ml, and most preferably below 1000 ng/ml.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane Hirsh, Roman V. Rariy, Shubha Chungi, Michael Heffernan
  • Publication number: 20020097747
    Abstract: A communications network has multiple resource-allocation layers and incorporates a management structure for allocating resources to allocate resources requested by a first layer of said layers from a second of said layers. At a first layer, the management structure provides an indication to a second layer of the required resources that are to be allocated from the second layer. The second layer automatically offers the required resource together with a condition for use of those resources. This condition includes a notional price factor which is dependent on current demand. Under the control of the manager, the first layer determines if the condition for use of the offered resources is acceptable and, if so, automatically accepts the offered resources from the second layer. In a preferred embodiment, ingress to an underlying multi-wavelength transport layer of the network is controlled via a virtual port which allocates traffic to real ports one for each wavelength supported by the transport layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Kirkby, Michael Heffernan, David Ireland, Peter Hamer, Radhakrishnan Kadengal
  • Patent number: 6129797
    Abstract: A method and composition of matter for balancing tire and rim assemblies of vehicles is disclosed wherein the composition of matter has rounded balancing elements of different size to line the interior of a tire casing and to move over the lining to offset points of imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: M&R Tire Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Heffernan, Russell J. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5766501
    Abstract: A method and composition of matter for balancing tire and rim assemblies of vehicles is disclosed wherein the composition of matter has rounded balancing elements of different sizes to line the interior of a tire casing and to move over the lining to offset points of imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: M & R Tire Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Heffernan, Russel J. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5728243
    Abstract: A method and composition of matter for balancing tire and rim assemblies of vehicles is disclosed wherein the composition of matter has rounded balancing elements of different sizes to line the interior of a tire casing and to move over the lining to offset points of imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventors: Michael Heffernan, Russel J. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5706257
    Abstract: A device and method for encouraging proper timing compliance in accordance with a medication prescription regimen. The device is preprogrammed so as to be tailored for the particular prescription regimen to be complied with. Appropriate circuitry is provided in order to generate a dosage signal, which dosage signal persists and changes in an easily recognizable manner until compliance with that dosage requirement is indicated by interacting with the device. Also included is circuitry for prompting compliance with refill requirements of the prescription. The device includes a casing which can have members for facilitating stand-up display or hang-up display of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Health Solutions, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Rothman, Michael Heffernan, Dixon Newbold