[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27095-27097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13011]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, DHHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by agencies of the U.S.
Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance
with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results
of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent
applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage
for companies and may also be available for licensing.
ADDRESSES: Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent
applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated
licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National
Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville,
Maryland 20852-3804; telephone 301/496-7057; fax: 301/402-0220. A
signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive
copies of the patent applications.
Molecular Computing Elements: Gates and Flip-Flops
TD Schneider, PN Hengen (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-170-97/0 filed Feb. 20, 1998
Licensing Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, 301/496-7735 ext. 270
The present invention is a method and apparatus for molecular
computing which provides for molecular logic devices analogous to those
of electronic computers, such as flip-flops, AND gates, etc. Coupling
of the gates allows for molecular computing. The method allows data
storage, the transformation of binary information and signal readout.
Possible applications include encoding ``read only'' memory for
microscopic identifiers, digital control of gene expression, and
quantification of analytes. The computing elements also provide means
for complex regulation of gene expression.
Lipooligosaccharide-Based Vaccine for the Prevention of Moraxella
(Branhamella) Catarrhalis Infections In Humans
X-X Gu, JB Robbins (NIDCD)
Serial No. 60/071,483 filed Jan 13, 1998
Licensing Contact: Robert Benson, 301/496-7056 ext. 267
This invention is a vaccine for the prevention of disease caused by
M. catarrhalis, which is the third most common causative agent of
otitis media (middle ear infection) and sinusitis in children. The
emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria has caused concern that
treatment of otitis media will become more problematic. This invention
offers a new approach to managing otitis media. The vaccine is composed
of lipooligosaccharide (LOS), isolated from the surface of strains of
M. catarrhalis and detoxified by removing esterified fatty acids to
produce detoxified LOS (dLOS), which is then conjugated to an
immunogenic protein carrier such as tetanus toxiod. The conjugates have
been shown to be nontoxic by the limulus amebocyte
[[Page 27096]]
assay. Antisera raised in rabbits immunized with the conjugate is
bacteriocidal in vitro against homologous and many heterologous strains
of M. catarrhalis.
Conjugate Vaccine for Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae
X-X Gu, C-M Tsao, DJ Lim, JB Robbins (NIDCD)
Serial No. 08/842,409 filed April 23, 1997
Licensing Contact: Robert Benson, 301/496-7056 ext. 267
This invention is a vaccine for the prevention of disease caused by
nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi), which causes 25%-40% of otitis media
cases (middle ear infections) in children. The emergence of antibiotic
resistant bacteria has caused concern that treatment of otitis media
will become more problematic. This invention offers a new approach to
managing otitis media. The vaccine is composed of lipooligosaccharide,
isolated from the surface of strains of NTHi and treated with hydrazine
to remove esterified fatty acids, covalently conjugated to an
immunogenic carrier, such as tetanus toxoid. The conjugates have been
shown to be nontoxic by the limulus amebocyte assay, rabbit pyrogen
test and in an mouse lethal toxicity test. Antisera raised in rabbits
immunized with the conjugate is bacteriocidal in vitro against
homologous and many heterologous strains of NTHi. A blind controlled
trial in chinchillas, an animal model for otitis media, showed that the
vaccines are protective against challenge by NTHi.
Calorimeter and Method for Simultaneous Measurement of Thermal
Conductivity and Specific Heat of Fluids
NL Gershfeld, CP Mudd, AJ Jin, K Fukada (NIAMS)
Serial No. 08/994,230 filed December 19, 1997
Licensing Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, 301/496-7735 ext. 270
The present invention is a novel calorimeter and calorimetry
apparatus and method for the ultrasensitive simultaneous measurement of
heat capacity and thermal conductivity of fluids. The unique
simultaneous measurement of the two parameters avoids sources of error
in other methods. The calorimeter shows excellent accuracy of 1 part in
10,000 and run-to-run variability of 1 part in 100,000, as well as
excellent long-term reproducibility. The invention is well suited for
the study of biomaterials, such as lipids and proteins and other
colloidal systems, which are not easily analyzed using conventional
commercial instruments.
A Multi-Slice PET Scanner Constructed From Side-Looking Phoswich
Scintillators Coupled to Miniature Position-Sensitive
Photomultiplier Tubes: Application in Small Animal Imaging
MV Green (CC)
DHHS Reference No. E-288-97/0 filed Nov 12, 1997
Licensing Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, 301/496-7735 ext. 270
The present application describes a new positron emission
tomography (PET) scanner. The design of this scanner allows reduction
of the detector ring size relative to conventional scanners (thereby
reducing cost) while increasing resolution, resolution uniformity and
sensitivity. This combination of features makes the invention
particularly well-suited for small animal imaging in biomedical
research, e.g. evaluating changes in organ function due to genetic
manipulations.
Chimeric Vaccine Against Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus
A Pletenev, R Men, RM Chanock, C-J Lai (NIAID)
Serial No. 60/061, 441 filed Oct 08, 1997
Licensing Contact: Carol Salata, 301/496-7735 ext. 232
The present invention relates to a chimeric virus vaccine against
tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). The preM and E structural genes
of the tick-borne encephalitis Langat virus and the non-structural
genes of the mosquito-borne dengue virus form a live, attenuated
chimeric virus vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis virus. The live
chimeric vaccine was administered intraperitoneally and exhibited
complete attenuation in mice while at the same time providing
protection against subsequent challenge with the virulent parental
Langat virus which is virulent for mice.
Methods and Apparatuses for Processing Synthesized Models of
Complex Medical Structures
RM Summers (CC)
Serial No. 60/056, 452 filed Aug 19, 1997
Licensing Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, 301/496-7735 ext. 270
The present invention provides a new algorithm for generating
computer models of complex anatomical structures from data such as CT.
This algorithm minimizes the problem of ``leakage'' found in existing
algorithms, which leads to incorrect assignment of voxels as belonging
to the feature of interest. This improvement greatly speeds computation
time, and anatomical features modeled with this algorithm may be
displayed in real time, allowing ``virtual endoscopy.'' The method has
been demonstrated in clinical ``virtual bronchoscopy.'' A method for
computer-assisted detection of lesions within body cavities is also
disclosed.
Simultaneous Multicolor Visualization of Chromogenic Dyes Using
Brightfield Microscopy and Spectral Imaging
T Ried, M MacVille (NHGRI)
Serial No. 60/055,439 filed Aug 8, 1997
Licensing Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, 301/496-7735 ext. 270
The present application describes a method and apparatus for
spectral imaging. This invention enables one to distinguish permanent
chromogenic dyes attached to DNA probes and hybridized to interphase
cells from cytological preparations. This technology has application in
areas such as analysis of Pap smears or cells from fine needle
aspirations. Color identification is based on the measurement of the
entire absorption spectrum of chromogenic dyes by means of spectral
imaging, which allows for the unambiguous identification of otherwise
not discernable dyes. This approach also allows for multi-parameter
analysis of immunocytochemical markers and RNA in situ hybridization.
The diagnosis, staging, and prognosis of human cancers could be greatly
improved by complementing morphology with genetic markers for tumor
progression using this method.
Methods For Treating Parasitic Infection Using Thiopeptides
MJ Rogers, TF McCutchan, GA McConkey, A Fairfield (NIAID) DHHS
Reference No. E-202-97/0; PCT/US97/11939 filed July 7, 1997.
Licensing Contact: Carol Salata, 301/496-7735 ext. 232
This invention provides a method for treating a parasitic infection
(when the parasite has a plastid-like organelle) with a thiopeptide.
The parasitic infection may be caused by parasites of the Apicomplexa
phylum, the Microspora phylum or the Ascetospora phylum. The
thiopeptide used to treat the parasitic infection can be any member of
the class of compounds characterized as sulfur-rich peptide antibiotics
with multiple thiazole rings which inhibit protein synthesis in the
plastid-like organelle of the parasites.
[[Page 27097]]
The disclosed thiopeptides can be, but are not limited to, thiostrepin,
micrococcin P. nosiheptide, siomycin, sporangiomycin, althiomycin, the
thiocillins and/or thiopeptin, as well as sulfur-rich peptide
antibiotic containing multiple thiazole rings, produced by
streptomycetes or other peptide antibiotic-producing organisms.
Image Registration Using Closest Corresponding Voxels With an
Iterative Registration Process
J Ostuni (LDRR)
Serial No. 08/847,733 filed Apr 28, 1997 (claiming priority date of Apr
29, 1996)
Licensing Contract: John Fahner-Vihtelic, 301/496-7735 ext. 270
The present invention provides a novel method of 3D medical image
registration, that is, the alignment of two or more related 3D images.
This method overcomes problems seen in conventional registration
techniques arising from mismatching of voxel intensities. This is of
particular importance when registering images derived from different
techniques, such as MRI and CT. The invention allows the registration
of images despite the lack of direct relationship between intensity
levels in the different techniques, varying patient placement, and
occlusion and noise in the image.
System for Synergistic Combination of Multiple Automatic Induction
Methods and Automatic Re-Representation of Data
L Hunter (NLM)
DH Reference No. E-118-96/0; PCT/US97/08951 filed May 23 1996
Licensing Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, 301/496--7735 ext. 270
The present application describes a unique prototype of an advanced
framework which relates to the field of multidimensional data mining,
machine learning, and analysis that has been named COEV (for
COEVolutional). COEV synergistically combines different methods of
statistical analysis, neural networks, decision trees and genetic
algorithms for the resolution of data queries. COEV automatically
determines the optimal methods and data representations to apply at
each step of inquiry and, as a result, can provide outcomes that are
significantly more accurate than can be achieved by use of any one
methodology alone. The invention uses an evolutionary learning
technology to improve predictive outcomes with continued use. COEV is
designed to advance the accuracy, flexibility, speed and ease of use of
advanced data analysis technologies.
Characteristics of problems that are appropriate for the
application of the COEV method are: (1) Appropriate for machine
learning, in that there is a well-defined set of input variables and a
clear prediction target; (2) difficult for traditional methods, and
where a modest improvement in accuracy over existing machine learning
methods (e.g., neural networks) would be significant; (3) there is a
large amount of training data, ideally thousands of cases.
Possible application areas of interest include the analysis of
high-throughput screening data for pharmaceutical discovery, detecting
patterns of fraud in insurance claims, or automating screening of
medical images.
This invention requires further R&D and testing to make it a
practical system for widespread use.
Dated: May 7, 1998.
Jack Spiegel,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of
Technology Transfer.
[FR Doc. 98-13011 Filed 5-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M
