Patents by Inventor Robert E. Johnston
Robert E. Johnston 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).
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Patent number: 11951433Abstract: Air cleaner assemblies, related methods, components therefor, and features thereof are described. In depicted examples, the air cleaner assemblies and components optionally use advantageous housing seal features. In some examples, a filter cartridge for an air cleaner includes a media pack extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite inlet and outlet flow ends and defining an outer perimeter with opposite straight sides and a first curved end. The filter cartridge can include a seal arrangement circumscribing the media pack outer perimeter, wherein a portion of the seal arrangement extends beyond a first plane defined by the media pack outlet flow end and a portion of the seal arrangement is disposed between the first plane and a second plane defined by the media pack inlet flow end, wherein the seal arrangement is aligned along a third plane disposed at an oblique angle to the first and second planes.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.Inventors: Steven K Campbell, Robert D. Johnston, Daniel E. Adamek
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Patent number: 11941179Abstract: A system and method for displaying images of internal anatomy includes an image processing device configured to provide high resolution images of the surgical field from low resolution scans during the procedure. The image processing device digitally manipulates a previously-obtained high resolution baseline image to produce many representative images based on permutations of movement of the baseline image. During the procedure a representative image is selected having an acceptable degree of correlation to the new low resolution image. The selected representative image and the new image are merged to provide a higher resolution image of the surgical field. The image processing device is also configured to provide interactive movement of the displayed image based on movement of the imaging device, and to permit placement of annotations on the displayed image to facilitate communication between the radiology technician and the surgeon.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Isaacs, Samuel Morris Johnston, David Alexander Skwerer, Randall Graham Campbell
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Publication number: 20240098493Abstract: Techniques for identifying a trusted SSID for a wireless network are disclosed. Prior to establishing a connection with a wireless network, a first network message is received from a first access point (AP) identifying a first service set identifier (SSID) associated with a first wireless network, a second network message is received from a second AP identifying a second SSID associated with a second wireless network, and a visual similarity is determined between a first visual representation of the first SSID and a second visual representation of the second SSID. The second SSID is designated as suspicious based on the determined visual similarity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Jay K. JOHNSTON, Jerome HENRY, David C. WHITE, JR., Magnus MORTENSEN, John M. SWARTZ, Robert E. BARTON
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Publication number: 20230400375Abstract: A method of detecting a leak-induced abnormal condition in a semiconductor processing system comprising a subsystem. The method includes determining a performance characteristic of the semiconductor processing system. The method includes determining the leak-induced abnormal condition is present within the subsystem, wherein the determination of the presence of the leak-induced abnormal condition is based on the performance characteristic and a temperature characteristic of the subsystem. The method also includes performing a corrective action based on the determination of the presence of the leak-induced abnormal condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Robert E. JOHNSTON, Daniel GANDER, Chelsea HOGARD, Miranda PIZZELLA, Andrew D. SELVY
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Patent number: 11740152Abstract: A method of detecting a leak-induced abnormal condition in a fluid line system having a plurality of heaters includes determining a plurality of temperature characteristics at a plurality of locations of the fluid line system, where each temperature from among the plurality of temperature characteristics is associated with at least one heater from among the plurality of heaters and monitoring, for each of the plurality of heaters, an electrical characteristic of the heater. The method includes determining the leak-induced abnormal condition is present within the fluid line system in response to the electrical characteristic of a given heater from among the plurality of heaters and the temperature characteristic associated with the given heater satisfying a temperature-and-electrical characteristics (TEC) deviation condition and performing a corrective action in response to determining the leak-induced abnormal condition is present.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Daniel Gander, Chelsea Hogard, Miranda Pizzella, Andrew D. Selvy
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Publication number: 20220228942Abstract: A method of detecting a leak-induced abnormal condition in a fluid line system having a plurality of heaters includes determining a plurality of temperature characteristics at a plurality of locations of the fluid line system, where each temperature from among the plurality of temperature characteristics is associated with at least one heater from among the plurality of heaters and monitoring, for each of the plurality of heaters, an electrical characteristic of the heater. The method includes determining the leak-induced abnormal condition is present within the fluid line system in response to the electrical characteristic of a given heater from among the plurality of heaters and the temperature characteristic associated with the given heater satisfying a temperature-and-electrical characteristics (TEC) deviation condition and performing a corrective action in response to determining the leak-induced abnormal condition is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Robert E. JOHNSTON, Daniel GANDER, Chelsea HOGARD, Miranda PIZZELLA, Andrew D. SELVY
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Patent number: 8821897Abstract: The present invention provides viral adjuvants for enhancing an immune response to an immunogen. In particular embodiments, the viral adjuvant is an alphavirus adjuvant or a Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viral adjuvant. Also provided are compositions comprising the viral adjuvant and an immunogen, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the viral adjuvant or compositions of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response against an immunogen in a subject comprising administering the immunogen and a viral adjuvant of the invention to the subject.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Joseph M. Thompson
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Patent number: 8486420Abstract: The present invention provides novel self-replicating and self-propagating chimeric viral vectors and chimeric virus particles comprising a modified genome of a carrier RNA virus packaged within structural proteins of a second virus. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations comprising the chimeric viral vectors and virus particles and methods of inducing an immune response by administration of the same to a subject.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Children's Hospital, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Philip R. Johnson, Christy K. Jurgens, Kelly Young Poe
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Publication number: 20120121650Abstract: The present invention provides novel self-replicating and self-propagating chimeric viral vectors and chimeric virus particles comprising a modified genome of a carrier RNA virus packaged within structural proteins of a second virus. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations comprising the chimeric viral vectors and virus particles and methods of inducing an immune response by administration of the chimeric viral vectors and virus particles or nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and/or RNA) encoding the same to the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2007Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Christy Jurgens, Kelly Young Poe
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Publication number: 20110064772Abstract: The present invention provides viral adjuvants for enhancing an immune response to an immunogen. In particular embodiments, the viral adjuvant is an alphavirus adjuvant or a Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viral adjuvant. Also provided are compositions comprising the viral adjuvant and an immunogen, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the viral adjuvant or compositions of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response against an immunogen in a subject comprising administering the immunogen and a viral adjuvant of the invention to the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Joseph M. Thompson
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Patent number: 7862829Abstract: The present invention provides viral adjuvants for enhancing an immune response to an immunogen. In particular embodiments, the viral adjuvant is an alphavirus adjuvant or a Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viral adjuvant. Also provided are compositions comprising the viral adjuvant and an immunogen, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the viral adjuvant or compositions of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response against an immunogen in a subject comprising administering the immunogen and a viral adjuvant of the invention to the subject.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Joseph M. Thompson
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Patent number: 7651998Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for delivering a nucleotide sequence to a cell using an alphavirus vector that is complexed with an enhancing antibody that specifically binds to the alphavirus vector. Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis vectors are preferred. The cell may be a cell in vitro or in vivo. Alternatively, the cell may be removed from a subject, administered the alphavirus vector ex vivo and then administered to a subject. Antigen-presenting cells are preferred, with dendritic cells being more preferred. Also provided are methods of producing an immune response in a subject, e.g., for producing an immune response against an antigen associated with a pathogen or for immunotherapy of cancer of tumors.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Gene H. MacDonald, Robert E. Johnston
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Publication number: 20090162395Abstract: The present invention is directed to alphavirus vectored vaccine contructs encoding paramyxovirus proteins that find use in the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus or human metapneumovirus infections. In particular, these vaccines induce cellular and humoral immune responses that inhibit RSV. Also disclosed are improved methods for producing alphavirus vectored paramyxovirus vaccines.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: James E. Crowe, JR., Hoyin Mok, Robert E. Johnston, John V. Williams, Nancy L. Davis
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Publication number: 20080279891Abstract: The present invention provides viral adjuvants for enhancing an immune response to an immunogen. In particular embodiments, the viral adjuvant is an alphavirus adjuvant or a Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viral adjuvant. Also provided are compositions comprising the viral adjuvant and an immunogen, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the viral adjuvant or compositions of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response against an immunogen in a subject comprising administering the immunogen and a viral adjuvant of the invention to the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2005Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Joseph M. Thompson
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Publication number: 20080260775Abstract: The present invention provides novel self-replicating and self-propagating chimeric viral vectors and chimeric virus particles comprising a modified genome of a carrier RNA virus packaged within structural proteins of a second virus. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations comprising the chimeric viral vectors and virus particles and methods of inducing an immune response by administration of the same to a subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2006Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Philip R. Johnson
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Patent number: 7235235Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least alphavirus one structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell. Preferably, the helper cell also includes a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging sequence and an inserted heterogeneous RNA.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig
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Patent number: 7106232Abstract: A diversity receiver circuit system (10) including a primary channel (20) and a diversity channel (22), where analog input signals are converted to differential signals in both channels (20, 22). The receiver circuit system (10) includes a multiplexer (14) and a variable gain amplifier (12) formed on a single RF integrated circuit chip (16), where the multiplexer (14) is positioned before the amplifier (12). The differential signals in the primary channel (20) and the diversity channel (22) are applied to an amplified path (72, 78) and a non-amplified path (76, 82) in the multiplexer (14). A control signal selects one of the amplified primary channel signal, the non-amplified primary channel signal, the amplified diversity channel signal or the non-amplified diversity channel signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Harry S. Harberts, David L. Gannon, Robert E. Johnston, William R. Goyette, Colin S. Phan
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Patent number: 6982087Abstract: Provided herein are alphavirus vectors derived from South African Arbovirus No. 86 (S.A.AR86) comprising attenuating mutations and methods of making the same. Also provided are improved viral vectors and helper constructs comprising a S.A.AR86 capsid enhancer sequence. The present invention also provides S.A.AR86 replicon and helper constructs comprising an alphavirus capsid enhancer sequence. Further provided are methods of administering an alphavirus vector comprising a heterologous nucleotide sequence (preferably encoding an immunogen or a therapeutic polypeptide) according to the invention to a cell or subject. In preferred embodiments, the alphavirus vector delivers the heterologous nucleotide sequence to the cells of the bone, bone marrow, and/or bone-associated connective tissue.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Mark T. Heise, Dennis Simpson
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Patent number: 6844188Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preventing and/or treating cancers (including tumors). In one preferred embodiment, the invention is practiced to induce regression of an existing cancer or tumor and/or to prevent metastasis and/or to prevent growth of metastatic nodules. In other preferred embodiments, the invention may be used as a prophylaxis to prevent the development of primary cancers through a childhood or adult vaccination program against specific tumor antigens for cancers with high incidences. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the present invention provides methods of establishing an immune response against a universal artificial tumor antigen through a childhood or adult vaccine program, thus providing a long-term immune response that can be utilized at any point to treat any cancer which develops later in life. The present invention also provides cancer and tumor cells stably expressing an artificial antigen, preferably an artificial cell-surface antigen.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1999Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: University of North Carolina at CHapel HillInventors: Gene H. MacDonald, Brian K. Martin, Robert E. Johnston, Jenny P.-Y. Ting
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Publication number: 20040121466Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least one alphavirus structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA. Preferably, the helper cell is co-transfected with a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging segment and an inserted heterogeneous RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell, with said replicon RNA packaged therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig