Patents by Inventor Robert H. Chow

Robert H. Chow 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: 20200363399
    Abstract: A method of determining invasion potential of a tumor cell includes exposing a tumor cell to an activity sensor; after exposing the tumor cell to the activity sensor, stimulating the tumor cell to cause a response in the cell that is reported by the activity sensor; detecting the level of response after stimulation of the tumor cell; and determining the invasion potential of the tumor cell based on the response. A system for determining the invasion potential of a tumor cell includes a sample stage that supports the tumor cell; a stimulator that focuses energy on the tumor cell to stimulate the tumor cell; and an imaging apparatus that observes an effect of the beam on the tumor cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Robert H. Chow, Jae Youn Hwang, Nan Sook Lee, K. Kirk Shung, Andrew C. Weitz
  • Patent number: 10406227
    Abstract: Methods and compositions modulate the activity of electrically excitable cells. Photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells. These supplement and/or replace of vision based on the conversion of light energy to electrical energy within certain cells of the visual system. A “patch” or bridge to circumvent one or more defective, damaged, or diseased cells in the visual system. Additionally, in several embodiments, subjects with normal vision can benefit from the methods, compositions, systems, and/or devices disclosed herein as normal visual acuity can be heightened. The exposure induces an energy (e.g., a receipt of light energy, conversion to electrical energy, and passage of that electrical energy) from the photovoltaic compound to the cell, thereby altering the transmembrane potential of the cell and/or the opening of one or more ion channels, thereby modulating the activity of the electrically excitable cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Robert H. Chow, Mark S. Humayun, Harry B. Gray, Robert H. Grubbs, Dennis A. Dougherty, Mark E. Thompson, Lionel E. Cheruzel, Melanie A. Yen
  • Patent number: 10232043
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the modulation of the activity of electrically excitable cells. In particular, several embodiments relate to the use of photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Melanie A. Yen, Dennis A. Dougherty, Robert H. Grubbs, Harry B. Gray, Robert H. Chow, Mark S. Humayun, Mark E. Thompson, Lionel E. Cheruzel
  • Publication number: 20180148789
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods, such as diagnostic methods, for evaluating a tissue sample, such as a biopsy or cytology specimen of a subject to determine a likelihood of metastasis, a risk of tumor or cancer occurrence, or combinations thereof and provided herein are methods, such as a screening method, for determining the efficacy of a drug in reducing cell invasiveness. Also provided are methods of treatment, drugs, primers, and kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew C. WEITZ, Nan Sook LEE, Robert H. CHOW
  • Publication number: 20180143180
    Abstract: A method of determining invasion potential of a tumor cell includes exposing a tumor cell to an activity sensor; after exposing the tumor cell to the activity sensor, stimulating the tumor cell to cause a response in the cell that is reported by the activity sensor; detecting the level of response after stimulation of the tumor cell; and determining the invasion potential of the tumor cell based on the response. A system for determining the invasion potential of a tumor cell includes a sample stage that supports the tumor cell; a stimulator that focuses energy on the tumor cell to stimulate the tumor cell; and an imaging apparatus that observes an effect of the beam on the tumor cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Robert H. CHOW, Jae Youn HWANG, Nan Sook LEE, K. Kirk SHUNG, Andrew C. WEITZ
  • Publication number: 20170189530
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the modulation of the activity of electrically excitable cells. In particular, several embodiments relate to the use of photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Melanie A. Yen, Dennis A. Dougherty, Robert H. Grubbs, Harry B. Gray, Robert H. Chow, Mark S. Humayun, Mark Thompson, Oliver Shafaat, Erin Lamb
  • Publication number: 20150328313
    Abstract: Methods and compositions modulate the activity of electrically excitable cells. Photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells. These supplement and/or replace of vision based on the conversion of light energy to electrical energy within certain cells of the visual system. A “patch” or bridge to circumvent one or more defective, damaged, or diseased cells in the visual system. Additionally, in several embodiments, subjects with normal vision can benefit from the methods, compositions, systems, and/or devices disclosed herein as normal visual acuity can be heightened. The exposure induces an energy (e.g., a receipt of light energy, conversion to electrical energy, and passage of that electrical energy) from the photovoltaic compound to the cell, thereby altering the transmembrane potential of the cell and/or the opening of one or more ion channels, thereby modulating the activity of the electrically excitable cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Robert H. Chow, Mark S. Humayun, Harry B. Gray, Robert H. Grubbs, Dennis Dougherty, Mark Thompson, Oliver Shafaat, Erin Lamb
  • Publication number: 20140087411
    Abstract: A method of determining invasion potential of a tumor cell includes exposing a tumor cell to an activity sensor; after exposing the tumor cell to the activity sensor, stimulating the tumor cell to cause a response in the cell that is reported by the activity sensor; detecting the level of response after stimulation of the tumor cell; and determining the invasion potential of the tumor cell based on the response. A system for determining the invasion potential of a tumor cell includes a sample stage that supports the tumor cell; a stimulator that focuses energy on the tumor cell to stimulate the tumor cell; and an imaging apparatus that observes an effect of the beam on the tumor cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Andrew C. Weitz, Nan Sook Lee, Jae Youn Hwang, Robert H. Chow, K. Kirk Shung