Division of Research and Graduate Studies

   Office of Technology Transfer THE INTERSECTION OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

East Carolina University - Issued U.S. Patents 

 

U.S. Patent No. 8,287,462
Systems, methods and products for diagnostic hearing assessments distributed via the use of a computer network
Inventor(s): Gregg D.Givens, David C. Balch, Timothy Murphy, Adrian Blanarovich, and Patrick Keller
Issued: October 16, 2012
Abstract: The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administeredby an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests canbe performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.

U.S. Patent No. 8,257,243
Frequency altered feedback for treating non-stuttering pathologies
Inventor(s): Michael P. Rastatter, Joseph S. Kalinowski, and Andrew M. Stuart
Issued: September 4, 2012
Abstract: Methods and devices treat treating non-stuttering pathologies having impaired or decreased communication skills by administering a frequency altered auditory feedback signal to a subject having a non-stuttering pathology while the subject is speaking or talking to thereby improve the subject's communication skills.

U.S. Patent No. 7,358,039
Fixed-dried red blood cells
Inventor(s): Thomas Fischer, Marjorie Read, Arthur Bode, Timothy Nichols
Issued: April 15, 2008
Abstract: Fixed-dried red blood cells (RBCs), and processes for preparing the same are disclosed. The red blood cells, upon reconstitution with distilled water or appropriate buffer: bind oxygen with native affinities, have partial deformability, present minimal thrombogenicity to platelets, and have oblated blood group antigens. The RBCs are preferably fixed by means of cross-linkers with aldehyde functions such as paraformaldehyde or glutaraldehyde either alone or in combination. Native oxygen kinetics are achieved by preparing the red blood cells with 1,6-diphosphofructose. Blood group antigens and chemical functions that render the lyophilized RBCs thrombogenic are occluded by chemically attaching polyoxyethylene glycol polymers to the surface membrane of the red blood cells. The cross-linked red blood cells are preferably died by lyophilization.

U.S. Patent No. 7,349,523
Radiation isocenter measurement devices and methods and 3-D radiation isocenter visualization systems and related methods
Inventor(s): Todd Jenkins, Ron Allison, Claudio Sibata
Issued: March 25, 2008
Abstract: A three-dimensional phantom assembly for use with a radiation treatment device includes a three-dimensional support member having at least two, spaced apart opposed surfaces configured to hold at least one generally planar radiation sensitive dosimeter sheet such that the dosimeter sheet generally conforms to a shape defined by the two opposed surfaces. During irradiation, a radiation beam trajectory passes through the two opposed surfaces. Related systems methods for determining a radiation isocenter and/or generating a 3-D visualization of the radiation isocenter using radiation patterns obtained using a phantom are also described.

U.S. Patent No. 7,083,648
Tissue lockable connecting structures
Inventor(s): Chang Yu, Glenn Harris
Issued: August 1, 2006
Abstract: Percutaneous skin access devices include a plurality of locked connecting units mounted to the exterior surface of an implantable medical object which, in position, is configured to penetrate the skin of a subject. The locked connecting units may be mounted directly onto the desired surface of the exterior of the device or may be held on a substrate sheet, which is mounted to the exterior surface of the device. In position, the locked connecting units engage with soft tissue which can include the skin to form a bio-junction layer which includes mechanical and bio-sealing connection between the device body and the soft tissue. The configuration at the bio-junction layer secures the medical object in location in the subject even for long-term indwelling applications in a manner, which inhibits soft tissue infection.The locked connecting units may be rigid or semi-rigid for longer-term indwelling applications, and semi-rigid and/or resilient for shorter term indwelling applications. The locked connecting units may take on the form of rings, hooks, or loops having aperture or gap width/length sizes of from about 0.2 4 mm. The rings, loops, or hooks may connect with any soft tissue including skin as well subcutaneous tissue. The rings, hooks, or loops may be released from the skin/tissue without requiring surgical cutting procedures.The locked connecting units may be configured as a semi-rigid mesh collar arranged about the primary body providing access to the subject such that it resides in the subject and engages with the skin (epidermal/dermal layer). The mesh collar can be described as a particular type of ring or loop structure as the mesh defines the gap provided in individual loop configurations. The mesh collar may be used alone, or in combination with the loops, rings, or hooks. A skin stop collar having increased rigidity may be disposed under the mesh collar.

U.S.  Patent No. 7,078,528
Biimidazole diamide anion binding agents
Inventor(s): William Allen, Corey Causey
Issued: July 18, 2006
Abstract: Biimidazole diamide compounds that are useful for binding anions such as sulfate are described, along with the use thereof for purposes such as extracting anions from a waste stream and/or detecting anions.

U.S. Patent No. 7,034,007
Low adenosine anti-sense oligonucleotide, compositions, kit & method for treatment of airway disorders associated with bronchoconstriction, lung inflammation, allergy(ies) & surfactant depletion
Inventor(s): Jonathan Nyce, James Metzger
Issued: April 25, 2006
Abstract: An in vivo method of selectively delivering a nucleic acid to a target gene or mRNA, comprises the topical administration, e.g. to the respiratory system, of a subject of a therapeutic amount of an oligonucleotide (oligo) that is anti-sense to a mRNA complementary to the gene in an amount effective to reach the target polynucleotide and reducing or inhibiting expression. The composition and formulations are used for prophylactic, preventive and therapeutic treatment of ailments associated with impaired respiration, lung allergy(ies) and/or inflammation and depletion lung surfactant or surfactant hypoproduction, such as pulmonary vasoconstriction, inflammation, allergies, allergic rhinitis, asthma, impeded respiration, lung pain, cystic fibrosis, bronchoconstriction. The treatment of this invention may be administered directly into the respiratory system of a subject so that the agent has direct access to the lungs, in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit the symptoms of the ailment.

U.S. Patent No. 7,031,922
Methods and devices for enhancing fluency in persons who stutter employing visual speech gestures
Inventor(s): Joseph Kalinowski, Andrew Stuart, Michael Rastatter
Issued: April 18, 2006
Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products display visual choral speech to a patient who stutters or has a speech impediment or impairment as a visual stimulus for the patient to enhance the fluency of the patient. The visual choral speech is incongruous with the speech produced by the stutterer and is provided by a visual display of the articulatory movements of a person other than the patient (or a simulated representation thereof) of the person's lips and mouth as the person speaks. The visual speech gestures can be displayed to the patient in advance of a speaking event or speech production by the stutterer and/or concurrently with a speaking event (either intermittently or continuous during the speaking event). The visual choral speech gestures can be based on a string of coherent words to provide the visual speech gestures signal such that it is relayed to the user without the attendant auditory component allowing the user to speak at a substantially normal pace with enhanced fluency.

U.S. Patent No. 6,916,291
Systems, methods and products for diagnostic hearing assessments distributed via the use of a computer network
Inventor(s): Gregg Givens, David Balch, Timothy Murphy, Adrian Blanarovich, Patrick Keller
Issued: July 12, 2005
Abstract: The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.

 

U.S. Patent No. 6,897,950
Laser tweezers and Raman spectroscopy systems and methods for the study of microscopic particles
Inventor(s): Yong-Qing Li, Mumtaz Dinno
Issued: May 24, 2005Abstract: Methods and systems for studying microscopic particles are provided. An optical trap for a selected microscopic particle can be formed with a laser beam at a first power level. The laser beam can have a variable power level associated therewith. The variable power level can be increased to a second power level. The laser beam at the second power level can produce Raman scattering signals. The second power level can provide sufficient excitation energy to the selected microscopic particle to produce Raman scattering signals and the second power level is higher than the first power level. A Raman spectrum can be detected from the Raman scattering signals produced by the laser beam at the second power level.

U.S. Patent No. 6,884,573
Fixed dried red blood cells and method of use
Inventor(s): Thomas Fischer, Marjorie Read, Arthur Bode, Timothy Nichols
Issued: April 26, 2005
Abstract: Fixed-dried red blood cells (RBCs), and processes for preparing the same are disclosed. The red blood cells, upon reconstitution with distilled water or appropriate buffer: bind oxygen with native affinities, have partial deformability, present minimal thrombogenicity to platelets, and have oblated blood group antigens. The RBCs are preferably fixed by means of cross-linkers with aldehyde functions such as paraformaldehyde or glutaraldehyde either alone or in combination. Native oxygen kinetics are achieved by preparing the red blood cells with 1,6-diphosphofructose. Blood group antigens and chemical functions that render the lyophilized RBCs thrombogenic are occluded by chemically attaching polyoxyethylene glycol polymers to the surface membrane of the red blood cells. The cross-linked red blood cells are preferably died by lyophilization.

U.S. Patent No. 6,825,174
Composition, formulations & method for prevention & treatment of diseases and conditions associated with broncho constriction, allergy(ies) & inflammation
Inventor(s): Jonathan W. Nyce
Issued: November 30, 2004
Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition effective for preventing and alleviating bronchoconstriction, lung allergy(ies) and inflammation comprises a surfactant and an oligonucleotide anti-sense to an adenosine receptor gene, flanking regions or regions bridging the intro/exon borders, analogues which bind thymidine but have low adenosine content or exhibit lower or no adenosine receptor agonist activity, or antisense to the corresponding mRNA, combinations, sales or mixtures thereof, and a carrier, and optionally other therapeutic agents and formulation products. The composition is formulated for administration by a multiplicity of routes, and finds applications in the prevention and treatment of asthma, kidney damage or failure, ARDS, pulmonary vasoconstriction, inflammation, allergies, impeded respiration, respiratory distress syndrome, pain, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vasoconstriction, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer, to counter the renal damage and failure associated with ischemic conditions and the administration of certain drugs and radio active diagnostic and therapeutic agents, as well as a joint therapy with the administration of adenosine and adenosine-like agents in the treatment of arrhythmias such as SVT and in cardiovascular function tests (stress tests). The present agent(s) is (are) also suitable for administration before, during and after other treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, antibody therapy, phototherapy and cancer, and other types of surgery.

U.S. Patent No. 6,824,979
Catabolite repression control (Crc) gene and Pseudomonas virulence
Inventor(s): Paul V. Phibbs, David N. Collier, Paul W. Hager
Issued: November 30, 2004
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening for compounds that inhibit the virulence of Pseudomonas bacteria and comprises the steps of: providing a culture medium comprising Pseudomonas bacteria, administering a test compound to said bacteria, and then detecting the presence or absence of inhibition of the catabolite repression control (Crc) protein in the bacteria. The inhibition of the Crc protein indicates that the compound has antivirulence activity against Pseudomonas bacteria. Antisense oligonucleotides that inhibit expression of the Crc protein in a Pseudomonas bacteria and is nuclease resistant are also disclosed. Antivirulence compounds and the uses thereof in treating Pseudomonas infections are also disclosed.

U.S. Patent No. 6,754,632
Methods and devices for delivering exogenously generated speech signals to enhance fluency in persons who stutter
Inventor(s): Joseph Kalinowski, Andrew Stuart, Michael Rastatter
Issued: June 22, 2004
Abstract: Methods and devices generate an exogenous natural second speech signal as an auditory stimulus to a user to enhance the fluency of persons who stutter. The natural speech signal is independent of the contemporaneous speech production of the stutterer and is provided by a voice gesture and can be a prolonged or sustained voice gesture sound such as a simple vowel, or consonant, or vowel trains and the like. The second speech signal can be transmitted in advance of a speaking event or speech production of the stutterer and/or concurrently with a speaking event, either intermittently or continuous during the speaking event. The devices of the instant invention are configured to provide the voice based speech signal such that it is audible to the user and does not require feedback of the user's own speech allowing the user to speak at a substantially normal pace with enhanced fluency. The device and methods can relay the signal based on a manual activation or automatically based on a detection of speech or a stuttering event on the part of the user.

U.S. Patent No. 6,670,349
Composition & Method for altering levels of or sensitivity to adenosine with a dehydroepiandrosterone and /or a ubiquinone
Inventor(s): Jonathan W. Nyce
Issued: December 30, 2003
Abstract: A method of treating adenosine depletion in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject folinic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount effective to treat adenosine depletion. A method of treating asthma in a subject in need of such treatment is also disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject dehydroepiandrosterone, analogs thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in an amount effective to treat asthma.

 U.S. Patent No. 6,620,121
Pulse wave generator for cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporealoxygenation apparatus
Inventor(s): Craig J. McCotter
Issued: September 16, 2003
Abstract: The present invention is a cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal oxygenation apparatus that provides a pulsatile blood flow output. The apparatus comprises: a primary pump, which primary pump is preferably a continuous pump; an oxygenator in fluid communication with the primary pump; a pulse wave generator in fluid communication with the oxygenator and positioned downstream from the primary pump. The pulse wave generator comprises: (i) a collapsible chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening formed therein; (ii) a first one-way valve connected to the inlet opening and positioned to permit the flow of blood from the primary pump through the collapsible chamber. A compression assembly is operatively associated with the collapsible chamber and configured to alternately compress said collapsible chamber and permit the expansion of the collapsible chamber.

U.S. Patent No. 6,596,503
Monoclonal antibody DS6, tumor-associated antigen CA6, and methods of use thereof
Inventor(s): Anne Elizabeth Wennerberg, Diane A. Semer
Issued: July 22, 2003
Abstract: The present application describes a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of monoclonal antibody DS6, monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the antigen or epitope bound by monoclonal antibody DS6, and fragments of the foregoing that specifically bind to the antigen or epitope bound by monoclonal antibody DS6. Methods of use of such antibodies and the isolated antigen bound by such antibodies are also described.

U.S.  Patent No. 6,441,164
Wurster's crown ligands
Inventor(s): John W. Sibert
Issued: August 27, 2002
Abstract: Wurster's crown ligands comprise a macrocyclic ligand such as a crown ether in which a hetero atom is substituted with a 1,4-phenylenediamine group. The phenylenediamine group is covalently bound to the macrocyclic ligand by one or both of the amine nitrogens, the amine nitrogen thereby substituting for the hetero atom of the macrocyclic ligand. The resulting compounds are redox active. Methods of making and using the compounds are also disclosed.

U.S. Patent No. 6,432,924
Method of treating disorders characterized by overexpression of cytidine deaminase or deoxycytidine deaminase
Inventor(s): Jonathan W. Nyce
Issued: August 13, 2002
Abstract: A composition, device, kit and method for countering or diagnosing cytidine deaminase or deoxycytidine deaminase over-expression or a disorder associated with it, or an increase in number or toxicity of pro-inflammatory cells that over-express cytidine deaminase or deoxycytidine deaminase or a disorder associated with it, utilizing an agent of the formula C.sub.7 N.sub.3 H.sub.8 O.sub.2 R.sup.1 R.sup.2 XX.sup.1, wherein X and X.sup.1 are each independently C or N, R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl, halogen or haloalkyl, and R.sup.2 is H, --N.sub.3 --OH, amino or halogen; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.