Patents by Inventor Michael J. Therien

Michael J. Therien 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: 10061037
    Abstract: Systems and devices incorporating radiation detection, and techniques and materials for improved radiation detection are provided that involve a nano-scintillator exhibiting a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation. The nano-scintillator can include at least one nanocrystal comprising a rare earth element, a lanthanide dopant, and a spectator dopant, wherein the nanocrystal exhibits a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths less than 100 nm. As one example, the nanocrystal is [Y2?xO3; Eux, Liy], where x is 0.05 to 0.1 and y is 0.1 to 0.16, and has an average nanoparticle size of 40 to 70 nm. These nanocrystals can be fabricated through a glycine combustion method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Ian N. Stanton, Terry T. Yoshizumi, Michael J. Therien
  • Patent number: 9907976
    Abstract: A system and method for light stimulation within a medium. The system has a reduced-voltage x-ray source configured to generate x-rays from a peak applied cathode voltage at or below 105 kVp, and a plurality of energy-emitting particles in the medium which, upon radiation from the x-ray source, radiate at a first lower energy than the x-ray source to interact with at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium. The method introduces the plurality of energy-emitting particles into the medium, radiates the energy-emitting particles in the medium with x-rays generated from a peak applied cathode voltage at or below 105 kVp; and emits a lower energy than the x-ray source to interact with the medium or with at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC, DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Harold Walder, Zakaryae Fathi, Michael J. Therien, Mark W. Dewhirst, Ian N. Stanton, Jennifer Ann Ayres, Diane Renee Fels, Joseph A. Herbert
  • Publication number: 20170319868
    Abstract: A system and method for light stimulation within a medium. The system has a reduced-voltage x-ray source configured to generate x-rays from a peak applied cathode voltage at or below 105 kVp, and a plurality of energy-emitting particles in the medium which, upon radiation from the x-ray source, radiate at a first lower energy than the x-ray source to interact with at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium. The method introduces the plurality of energy-emitting particles into the medium, radiates the energy-emitting particles in the medium with x-rays generated from a peak applied cathode voltage at or below 105 kVp; and emits a lower energy than the x-ray source to interact with the medium or with at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicants: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC., DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Frederic A. Bourke, JR., Harold Walder, Zakaryae Fathi, Michael J. Therien, Mark W. Dewhirst, Ian N. Stanton, Jennifer Ann Ayres, Diane Renee Fels, Joseph A. Herbert
  • Publication number: 20170184729
    Abstract: Systems and devices incorporating radiation detection, and techniques and materials for improved radiation detection are provided that involve a nano-scintillator exhibiting a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation. The nano-scintillator can include at least one nanocrystal comprising a rare earth element, a lanthanide dopant, and a spectator dopant, wherein the nanocrystal exhibits a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths less than 100 nm. As one example, the nanocrystal is [Y2-xO3; Eux, Liy], where x is 0.05 to 0.1 and y is 0.1 to 0.16, and has an average nanoparticle size of 40 to 70 nm. These nanocrystals can be fabricated through a glycine combustion method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Ian N. Stanton, Terry T. Yoshizumi, Michael J. Therien
  • Patent number: 9618632
    Abstract: Systems and devices incorporating radiation detection, and techniques and materials for improved radiation detection are provided that involve a nano-scintillator exhibiting a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation. The nano-scintillator can include at least one nanocrystal comprising a rare earth element, a lanthanide dopant, and a spectator dopant, wherein the nanocrystal exhibits a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths less than 100 nm. As one example, the nanocrystal is [Y2-x03; Eux, Liy], where x is 0.05 to 0.1 and y is 0.1 to 0.16, and has an average nanoparticle size of 40 to 70 nm. These nanocrystals can be fabricated through a glycine combustion method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Ian N. Stanton, Terry T. Yoshizumi, Michael J. Therien
  • Publication number: 20170043178
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicants: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC., DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tuan VO-DINH, Jonathan P. SCAFFIDI, Venkata Gopal Reddy CHADA, Benoit LAULY, Yan ZHANG, Molly K. GREGAS, Ian Nicholas STANTON, Joshua T. STECHER, Michael J. THERIEN, Frederic A. BOURKE, JR., Harold WALDER, Zak FATHI, Jennifer A. AYRES, Zhenyuan ZHANG, Joseph H. SIMMONS, Stephen John NORTON
  • Patent number: 9526914
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure. The methods may be performed in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1. The methods may further be performed by application of an initiation energy to activate a photoactivatable agent directly or via an energy modulation agent, optionally in the presence of one or more plasmonics active agents, thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: Duke University, Immunolight, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan Vo-Dinh, Jonathan P. Scaffidi, Venkata Gopal Reddy Chada, Benoit Lauly, Yan Zhang, Molly K. Gregas, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Joshua T. Stecher, Michael J. Therien, Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Harold Walder, Zak Fathi, Jennifer A. Ayres, Zhenyuan Zhang, Joseph H. Simmons, Stephen John Norton
  • Patent number: 9526913
    Abstract: A nanoparticle-based system for enhancement of emitted light inside a medium. The nanoparticle-based system includes a phosphorescent material which, upon activation, produces the emitted light, and a metallic structure attached to the phosphorescent material. The metallic structure has a surface plasmon resonance which resonates at a frequency which spectrally overlaps with one or more frequencies of the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: DUKE UNIVERSITY, IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan Vo-Dinh, Jonathan P. Scaffidi, Venkata Gopal Reddy Chada, Benoit Lauly, Yan Zhang, Molly K. Gregas, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Joshua T. Stecher, Michael J. Therien, Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Harold Walder, Zak Fathi, Jennifer A. Ayres, Zhenyuan Zhang, Joseph H. Simmons, Stephen John Norton
  • Publication number: 20160263393
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicants: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC, DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tuan VO-DINH, Jonathan P. SCAFFIDI, Venkata Gopal Reddy CHADA, Benoit LAULY, Yan ZHANG, Molly K. GREGAS, Ian Nicholas STANTON, Joshua T. STECHER, Michael J. THERIEN, Frederic A. BOURKE, JR., Harold WALDER, Zak FATHI, Jennifer A. AYRES, Zhenyuan ZHANG, Joseph H. SIMMONS, Stephen John NORTON
  • Patent number: 9302116
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignees: Duke University, Immunolight, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan Vo-Dinh, Jonathan P. Scaffidi, Venkata Gopal Reddy Chada, Benoit Lauly, Yan Zhang, Molly K. Gregas, Ian N. Stanton, Joshua T. Stecher, Michael J. Therien, Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Harold Walder, Zak Fathi, Jennifer A. Ayres, Zhenyuan Zhang, Joseph H. Simmons, Stephen John Norton
  • Patent number: 9232618
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a change in a medium. A first method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium at least one upconverter including a gas for plasma ignition, with the upconverter being configured, upon exposure to initiation energy, to generate light for emission into the medium, and (2) apply the initiation energy from an energy source including the first wavelength ?1 to the medium, wherein the emitted light directly or indirectly produces the change in the medium. A second method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium an agent receptive to microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation, and (2) apply as an initiation energy the microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation by which the agent directly or indirectly generates emitted light in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet range to produce at least one of physical and biological changes in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC, DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Zakaryae Fathi, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Michael J. Therien, Paul Rath Stauffer, Paolo MacCarini, Katherine Sarah Hansen, Diane Renee Fels, Cory Robert Wyatt, Mark Wesley Dewhirst
  • Publication number: 20150283392
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a change in a medium. A first method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium at least one upconverter including a gas for plasma ignition, with the upconverter being configured, upon exposure to initiation energy, to generate light for emission into the medium, and (2) apply the initiation energy from an energy source including the first wavelength ?1 to the medium, wherein the emitted light directly or indirectly produces the change in the medium. A second method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium an agent receptive to microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation, and (2) apply as an initiation energy the microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation by which the agent directly or indirectly generates emitted light in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet range to produce at least one of physical and biological changes in the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicants: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC., DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Frederic A. Bourke, JR., Zakaryae FATHI, Ian Nicholas STANTON, Michael J. THERIEN, Paul Rath STAUFFER, Paolo MACCARINI, Katherine Sarah HANSEN, Diane Renee FELS, Cory Robert WYATT
  • Publication number: 20150251016
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure. The methods may be performed in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1. The methods may further be performed by application of an initiation energy to activate a photoactivatable agent directly or via an energy modulation agent, optionally in the presence of one or more plasmonics active agents, thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure. Kits containing products or compositions formulated or configured and systems for use in practicing these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicants: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC, DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tuan VO-DINH, Jonathan P. SCAFFIDI, Venkata Gopal Reddy CHADA, Benoit LAULY, Yan ZHANG, Molly K. GREGAS, Ian Nicholas STANTON, Joshua T. STECHER, Michael J. THERIEN, Frederic A. BOURKE, JR., Harold WALDER, Zak FATHI, Jennifer A. AYRES, Zhenyuan ZHANG, Joseph H. SIMMONS, Stephen John NORTON
  • Publication number: 20150083923
    Abstract: Systems and devices incorporating radiation detection, and techniques and materials for improved radiation detection are provided that involve a nano-scintillator exhibiting a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation. The nano-scintillator can include at least one nanocrystal comprising a rare earth element, a lanthanide dopant, and a spectator dopant, wherein the nanocrystal exhibits a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths less than 100 nm. As one example, the nanocrystal is [Y2-x03; Eux, Liy], where x is 0.05 to 0.1 and y is 0.1 to 0.16, and has an average nanoparticle size of 40 to 70 nm. These nanocrystals can be fabricated through a glycine combustion method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ian N. Stanton, Terry T. Yoshizumi, Michael J. Therien
  • Patent number: 8951571
    Abstract: Provided are polymer vesicles comprising polymersomes, a radiofrequency absorbing moiety, a protein or a polysaccharide associated with the inner leaflet of the membrane and a therapeutic or diagnostic cargo. The invention also concerns the use of these polymer vesicles for selective electromagnetic energy-induced delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Daniel A. Hammer, Ivan Julian Dmochowski, Gregory Patrick Robbins, Masaya S. Jimbo, Michael J. Therien, Neha P. Kamat
  • Publication number: 20140323946
    Abstract: A system and method for light stimulation within a medium. The system has a reduced-voltage x-ray source configured to generate x-rays from a peak applied cathode voltage at or below 105 kVp, and a plurality of energy-emitting particles in the medium which, upon radiation from the x-ray source, radiate at a first lower energy than the x-ray source to interact with at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium. The method introduces the plurality of energy-emitting particles into the medium, radiates the energy-emitting particles in the medium with x-rays generated from a peak applied cathode voltage at or below 105 kVp; and emits a lower energy than the x-ray source to interact with the medium or with at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicants: DUKE UNIVERSITY, IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic A. Bourke, JR., Harold Walder, Zakaryae Fathi, Michael J. Therien, Mark W. Dewhirst, Ian N. Stanton, Jennifer Ann Ayres, Diane Renee Fels, Joseph A. Herbert
  • Publication number: 20140243934
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure. The methods may be performed in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1. The methods may further be performed by application of an initiation energy to activate a photoactivatable agent directly or via an energy modulation agent, optionally in the presence of one or more plasmonics active agents, thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure. Kits containing products or compositions formulated or configured and systems for use in practicing these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: DUKE UNIVERSITY, IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan VO-DINH, Jonathan P. Scaffidi, Venkata Gopal Reddy Chada, Benoit Lauly, Yan Zhang, Molly K. Gregas, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Joshua T. Stecher, Michael J. Therien, Frederic A. Bourke, JR., Harold Walder, Zak Fathi, Jennifer A. Ayres, Zhenyuan Zhang, Joseph H. Simmons, Stephen John Norton
  • Patent number: 8618509
    Abstract: A system for energy upconversion and/or down conversion and a system for producing a photostimulated reaction in a medium. These systems include 1) a nanoparticle configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1 of radiation, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1 and 2) a metallic structure disposed in relation to the nanoparticle. A physical characteristic of the metallic structure is set to a value where a surface plasmon resonance in the metallic structure resonates at a frequency which provides a spectral overlap with either the first wavelength ?1 or the second wavelength ?2, or with both ?1 and ?2. The system for producing a photostimulated reaction in a medium includes a receptor disposed in the medium in proximity to the nanoparticle which, upon activation by the second wavelength ?2, generates the photostimulated reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Immunolight, LLC, Duke University
    Inventors: Tuan Vo-Dinh, Jonathan P. Scaffidi, Venkata Gopal Reddy Chada, Benoit Lauly, Yan Zhang, Molly K. Gregas, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Joshua T. Stecher, Michael J. Therien, Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Zak Fathi, Jennifer Ann Ayres, Zhenyuan Zhang, Joseph H. Simmons, Stephen John Norton
  • Patent number: 8389958
    Abstract: A system for energy upconversion and/or down conversion and a system for producing a photostimulated reaction in a medium. These systems include 1) a nanoparticle configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1 of radiation, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1 and 2) a metallic structure disposed in relation to the nanoparticle. A physical characteristic of the metallic structure is set to a value where a surface plasmon resonance in the metallic structure resonates at a frequency which provides a spectral overlap with either the first wavelength ?1 or the second wavelength ?2, or with both ?1 and ?2. The system for producing a photostimulated reaction in a medium includes a receptor disposed in the medium in proximity to the nanoparticle which, upon activation by the second wavelength ?2, generates the photostimulated reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Duke University, Immunolight, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan Vo-Dinh, Jonathan P. Scaffidi, Venkata Gopal Reddy Chada, Benoit Lauly, Yan Zhang, Molly K. Gregas, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Joshua T. Stecher, Michael J. Therien, Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Zak Fathi, Jennifer Ann Ayres, Zhenyuan Zhang, Joseph H. Simmons, Stephen John Norton
  • Patent number: 8288497
    Abstract: Provided are ethyne synthons comprising boron and related methods. Also provided are related water-soluble arylethynylene polymers capable of being synthesized in neat water under aerobic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees Of The University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Youn K. Kang, Pravas Deria, Michael J. Therien