Patents by Inventor William Nicholas

William Nicholas 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: 12290816
    Abstract: A system and method facilitates transfers of specimen containers (e.g., vials with caps) between storage cassettes and carrier cassettes. The storage cassettes are designed to be stored in cryogenic refrigerators while the carrier cassettes are designed to be temporarily stored in a portable carrier. Identification information is read from wireless transponders carried by the specimen containers. Visual mappings of the positions of the specimen container in the cassettes is provided. Presence and position of the specimen containers in the cassettes is verified, and alerts of inconsistencies provided along with corrective commands. Inventories of specimen container and even specific specimen holders are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: TMRW Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: William Alan Blair, Timothy Alan Sharp, Amit Gupta, Kathryn Josephine Go, William Nicholas Garbarini, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12226125
    Abstract: A method of artificial-intelligence-based robotic vitrification includes placing at least one oocyte in a buffer or CPA solution. The method includes processing an image object produced by an imaging system, using an AI/ML system, to determine a location of a retrievable target oocyte. The method includes positioning a robotic pipettor at a target physical orientation relative to the retrievable target oocyte. The method includes confirming the robotic pipettor's location at the target physical orientation, using the AI/ML system. The method includes instructing the robotic pipettor to initiate contact with the retrievable target oocyte and apply negative pressure to secure the oocyte to the robotic pipettor. The method includes using a robotic microtool holder to lower a vitrification assembly or cryo-device of any other make into a buffer or CPA solution dish to a position in proximity to the target physical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Conceivable Life Sciences Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo Mendizabal-Ruiz, Alejandro Chavez-Badiola, Alan Murray, Jacques Cohen, Adolfo Flores-Saiffe Farias, Cesar Millan, Roberto Valencia-Murillo, Vladimir C. Ocegueda Hernandez, Giuseppe Silvestri, Nuno Costa-Borges, José Gregorio Espinoza Figueroa, Johann Aguayo, William Nicholas Garbarini, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240423673
    Abstract: A method for automated ICSI includes receiving at least one droplet containing an egg in a dish placed on a stage. The method includes using an artificial intelligence/machine learning system (AI/ML system) and an imaging system to detect a zona pellucida. The imaging system includes a microscopy system, a camera system, and a lighting system. The method includes holding the egg using a robotic microtool and lowering a robotic pipettor into the droplet. The method includes using the AI/ML system and imaging system to determine an area at which to hold the egg and positioning the robotic microtool to that area. The method includes using the AI/ML system and imaging system to instruct the robotic microtool to apply negative pressure to hold the egg to the robotic pipettor. The method includes using the AI/ML system and imaging system to determine a target location where zona ablation should be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Gerardo Mendizabal-Ruiz, Joshua Abram, Roberto Valencia-Murillo, Vladimir C. Ocegueda Hernandez, Nuno Costa-Borges, Estefania Hernandez, Johann Aguayo, William Nicholas Garbarini, JR., Alejandro Chavez-Badiola, Alan Murray, Jacques Cohen, Adolfo Flores-Saiffe Farias
  • Publication number: 20240423672
    Abstract: A method of artificial-intelligence-based robotic vitrification includes placing at least one oocyte in a buffer or CPA solution. The method includes processing an image object produced by an imaging system, using an AI/ML system, to determine a location of a retrievable target oocyte. The method includes positioning a robotic pipettor at a target physical orientation relative to the retrievable target oocyte. The method includes confirming the robotic pipettor's location at the target physical orientation, using the AI/ML system. The method includes instructing the robotic pipettor to initiate contact with the retrievable target oocyte and apply negative pressure to secure the oocyte to the robotic pipettor. The method includes using a robotic microtool holder to lower a vitrification assembly or cryo-device of any other make into a buffer or CPA solution dish to a position in proximity to the target physical orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Gerardo Mendizabal-Ruiz, Alejandro Chavez-Badiola, Alan Murray, Jacques Cohen, Adolfo Flores-Saiffe Farias, Cesar Millan, Roberto Valencia-Murillo, Vladimir C. Ocegueda Hernandez, Giuseppe Silvestri, Nuno Costa-Borges, José Gregorio Espinoza Figueroa, Johann Aguayo, William Nicholas Garbarini, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240425783
    Abstract: A method of artificial-intelligence-based robotic pipetting for spermatozoa preparation includes positioning a vessel containing a semen sample within a staging mechanism. The method includes using a robotic pipettor to make at least two droplets within a dish on the staging mechanism. The method includes using the robotic pipettor to connect the at least two droplets with a medium channel according to a programmable design commanded by an artificial intelligence/machine learning system (AI/ML system). The method includes using the robotic pipettor to deposit a quantity of sperm from the semen sample into one of the droplets. The method includes using the AI/ML system to optically scan the quantity of sperm to produce first and second image objects using an imaging system that includes a microscopy system, a camera system, and a lighting system. Creation of the image objects is separated by a specified time duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Jacques Cohen, Alejandro Chavez-Badiola, Gerardo Mendizabal-Ruiz, Cesar Millan, Roberto Valencia-Murillo, Vladimir C. Ocegueda Hernandez, Nuno Costa-Borges, Victor Manuel Medina Perez, Victor Manuel Rico Botero, William Nicholas Garbarini, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240425596
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions of anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof with less than or equal to about 3.0% oxidation of Met105 in the CDRH3 heavy chain region, and methods of obtaining the purified compositions. The invention also provides compositions comprising anti-PD-1 antibody main species and acidic species thereof, wherein the amount of acidic species is about 1.0-12.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Brower, Chung-Jr Huang, Brian Wai Kwan, William Nicholas Napoli, Bhumit A. Patel, Nuno J. Dos Santos Pinto, Douglas Dennis Richardson, II, Sen Xu
  • Patent number: 12110330
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions of anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof with less than or equal to about 3.0% oxidation of Met105 in the CDRH3 heavy chain region, and methods of obtaining the purified compositions. The invention also provides compositions comprising anti-PD-1 antibody main species and acidic species thereof, wherein the amount of acidic species is about 1.0-12.0%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Brower, Chung-Jr Huang, Brian Wai Kwan, William Nicholas Napoli, Bhumit A. Patel, Nuno J. Dos Santos Pinto, Douglas Dennis Richardson, II, Sen Xu
  • Publication number: 20240311438
    Abstract: Techniques for enabling users logged-out of a social networking system to access content associated with the social networking system are described. For example, based at least in part on determining a user is unassociated with a social networking system, the social networking system may present content to the user. In some examples, the amount of content available to the user may be limited, in which the user may be prompted to create an account. In some examples, logged-out users may be prompted to pick topics associated with their interests, allowing the social networking system to curate content for logged-out users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: Conan Steven Cai, William Nicholas Camp, II, Po Lung Chen, Nicole Cheng, Nathan Christopher Cooper, Rafael Dahis, Alex Li, Katsiaryna Mashokha, Bokyoung Park, Sona Rathod, Vivian Reed, Harshavardhan Jayesh Shah, Rachel Sinon, Angelina Tjhung, Tyler Viet Truong, Jay Wadhwani, Marvin Williams, Qiuchen Zhai, Qianyun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240299780
    Abstract: A canine respirator comprising a hood comprising: a viewing window, an air entry port for receiving fresh air; and an intake air manifold for distributing the fresh air into one or more channels, an air supply unit comprising: a controller, at least one filter for drawing in and filtering air from an environment, an air tube for delivering fresh air to the hood; and a mounting assembly, wherein the air supply unit is attached to a portion of a canine away from a body of the canine via the mounting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Geoffrey Alexander Kibble, Delbert Anthony Harnish, Courtney Sue Cooper Cumberland, Sebastian MacNamara, Christopher Scott Church, Graham Wilson, Simon Matthew Pougher, William Nicholas Brown
  • Patent number: 11788014
    Abstract: A high temperature paraffinic froth treatment (HTPFT) process utilizes an unheated flash vessel as a first stage of solvent recovery in a paraffinic solvent recovery unit (PSRU) to minimize asphaltene precipitation and fouling in subsequent stages of solvent recovery. The HTPFT may utilize a heat pump circuit for heat integration in the PSRU where a first stage of solvent recovery is at a lower temperature than a second stage of solvent recovery. Froth entering froth separation vessels can be heated using heat in a tailings stream using a heat pump. Froth separation vessels used to separate froth for collecting a bitumen-containing overflow utilize a collector pot and conventional feedwell combination, or a combination of a collection ring and nozzle arrangement for reducing disturbance in the vessel and improving collection of the overflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
    Inventors: William Nicholas Garner, Alvaro Blanco, Guillaume Viguie, Randy Paine, Jiangying Wu, Julio Gomez, Eduardo Fernandez, Matthew Armour
  • Publication number: 20230191415
    Abstract: A system and method facilitates transfers of specimen containers (e.g., vials with caps) between storage cassettes and carrier cassettes. The storage cassettes are designed to be stored in cryogenic refrigerators while the carrier cassettes are designed to be temporarily stored in a portable carrier. Identification information is read from wireless transponders carried by the specimen containers. Visual mappings of the positions of the specimen container in the cassettes is provided. Presence and position of the specimen containers in the cassettes is verified, and alerts of inconsistencies provided along with corrective commands. Inventories of specimen container and even specific specimen holders are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: William Alan Blair, Timothy Alan Sharp, Amit Gupta, Kathryn Josephine Go, William Nicholas Garbarini, JR.
  • Patent number: 11607691
    Abstract: A system and method facilitates transfers of specimen containers (e.g., vials with caps) between storage cassettes and carrier cassettes. The storage cassettes are designed to be stored in cryogenic refrigerators while the carrier cassettes are designed to be temporarily stored in a portable carrier. Identification information is read from wireless transponders carried by the specimen containers. Visual mappings of the positions of the specimen container in the cassettes is provided. Presence and position of the specimen containers in the cassettes is verified, and alerts of inconsistencies provided along with corrective commands. Inventories of specimen container and even specific specimen holders are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TMRW LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
    Inventors: William Alan Blair, Timothy Alan Sharp, Amit Gupta, Kathryn Josephine Go, William Nicholas Garbarini, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11509672
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting an unauthorized access, phish attempt, or ransomware attempt based on limiting network transmission of data packets within an authorized device range. The method includes establishing a router hop limit value to predetermine an authorized device range for data packets to be exchanged between communicating pair devices and limiting transmission of data packets to within the predetermined authorized device range by discarding data packets after reaching the predetermined authorized device range as a function of the established hop limit value, to exclude devices beyond the predetermined authorized device range. Analyzer, Explorer, Setter, Modifier and Monitor Modules interoperate to suppress spurious communications from remote intruders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hopzero, Inc.
    Inventor: William Nicholas Alderson
  • Publication number: 20220251205
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions of anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof with less than or equal to about 3.0% oxidation of Met105 in the CDRH3 heavy chain region, and methods of obtaining the purified compositions. The invention also provides compositions comprising anti-PD-1 antibody main species and acidic species thereof, wherein the amount of acidic species is about 1.0-12.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Mark A. Brower, Chung-Jr Huang, Brian Wai Kwan, William Nicholas Napoli, Bhumit A. Patel, Nuno J. Dos Santos Pinto, Douglas Dennis Richardson, II, Sen Xu
  • Publication number: 20220017921
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides vectors, methods and kits for for delivery and stable expression of CRISPR/Cas components capable of inducing genetic modification of cells, followed by recombinase-mediated excision of some or all of these components after the cells have been successfully genetically modified. The disclosed vectors and methods provide for reduced immunogenic effects arising from one or more CRISPR/Cas components. The disclosed vectors comprise coding sequences that encode a Cas protein, detectable markers and a guide RNA. The disclosed vectors provide for the subsequent genomic excision of the CRISPR/Cas components after successful genetic modification, as mediated by recombinase recognition of recombination sites flanking one or more of the disclosed coding sequences. The present disclosure further provides methods of generating a population of genetically modified tumor cells for screening a candidate target gene for cancer immunotherapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicants: The Broad Institute, Inc., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nicholas Haining, Juan Dubrot, Robert Manguso, Kathleen Yates, John Doench
  • Publication number: 20210163826
    Abstract: A high temperature paraffinic froth treatment (HTPFT) process utilizes an unheated flash vessel as a first stage of solvent recovery in a paraffinic solvent recovery unit (PSRU) to minimize asphaltene precipitation and fouling in subsequent stages of solvent recovery. The HTPFT may utilize a heat pump circuit for heat integration in the PSRU where a first stage of solvent recovery is at a lower temperature than a second stage of solvent recovery. Froth entering froth separation vessels can be heated using heat in a tailings stream using a heat pump. Froth separation vessels used to separate froth for collecting a bitumen-containing overflow utilize a collector pot and conventional feedwell combination, or a combination of a collection ring and nozzle arrangement for reducing disturbance in the vessel and improving collection of the overflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: William Nicholas GARNER, Alvaro BLANCO, Guillaume VIGUIE, Randy PAINE, Jiangying WU, Julio GOMEZ, Eduardo FERNANDEZ, Matthew ARMOUR
  • Publication number: 20210121876
    Abstract: A system and method facilitates transfers of specimen containers (e.g., vials with caps) between storage cassettes and carrier cassettes. The storage cassettes are designed to be stored in cryogenic refrigerators while the carrier cassettes are designed to be temporarily stored in a portable carrier. Identification information is read from wireless transponders carried by the specimen containers. Visual mappings of the positions of the specimen container in the cassettes is provided. Presence and position of the specimen containers in the cassettes is verified, and alerts of inconsistencies provided along with corrective commands. Inventories of specimen container and even specific specimen holders are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: William Alan Blair, Timothy Alan Sharp, Amit Gupta, Kathryn Josephine Go, William Nicholas Garbarini, JR.
  • Patent number: 10954448
    Abstract: A high temperature paraffinic froth treatment (HTPFT) process utilizes an unheated flash vessel as a first stage of solvent recovery in a paraffinic solvent recovery unit (PSRU) to minimize asphaltene precipitation and fouling in subsequent stages of solvent recovery. The HTPFT may utilize a heat pump circuit for heat integration in the PSRU where a first stage of solvent recovery is at a lower temperature than a second stage of solvent recovery. Froth entering froth separation vessels can be heated using heat in a tailings stream using a heat pump. Froth separation vessels used to separate froth for collecting a bitumen-containing overflow utilize a collector pot and conventional feedwell combination, or a combination of a collection ring and nozzle arrangement for reducing disturbance in the vessel and improving collection of the overflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
    Inventors: William Nicholas Garner, Alvaro Blanco, Guillaume Viguie, Randy Paine, Jiangying Wu, Julio Gomez, Eduardo Fernandez, Matthew Armour
  • Publication number: 20200296125
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting an unauthorized access, phish attempt, or ransomware attempt based on limiting network transmission of data packets within an authorized device range. The method includes establishing a router hop limit value to predetermine an authorized device range for data packets to be exchanged between communicating pair devices and limiting transmission of data packets to within the predetermined authorized device range by discarding data packets after reaching the predetermined authorized device range as a function of the established hop limit value, to exclude devices beyond the predetermined authorized device range. Analyzer, Explorer, Setter, Modifier and Monitor Modules interoperate to suppress spurious communications from remote intruders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Hopzero, Inc.
    Inventor: William Nicholas Alderson
  • Patent number: D1027934
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Inventor: William Nicholas Donato