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Bacterial Expression Systems

Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Auto Induction and Bacterial Growth Media

 

Summary Describes a method for promoting auto-induction of transcription of cloned DNA in bacterial cultures.  The cloned DNA is under the control of a T7 promoter whose activity can be induced by an exogenous inducer.  The induction ability of the exogenous inducer is dependent on the metabolic activity of the bacterial cells in the culture.
Competitive Advantage Defines the parameters of a T7 bacterial expression system that allows the production of toxic target proteins.
Applications The method can be used to produce substantial amounts of toxic and non-toxic proteins. 
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Patent Publication/Serial Number US-2004-0180423 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 02-29 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Non-inducing Media for T7 Expression Strains

 

Summary Describes a method for suppressing the auto-induction of transcription of the cloned genes in T7 expression bacterial strains.
Competitive Advantage The non-inducing media can be used to clone and propagate bacteria strains obtained for some target proteins that are too toxic to be obtained in typical commercial media.
Applications Non-inducing media can be used to produce cultures for long-term maintenance of cultures for expression screening.  Agar plates made with the non-inducing media  allow the expression of strains cloned with DNA fragments that encode toxic target proteins.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number US-2007-0224682 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA #s 07-25 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

T7 Expression Strains with Auto-Induction Option

 

Summary Describes a method for promoting auto-induction in bacterial cells with cloned gene 1 (T7 RNA polymerase).  The method provides a culture media in which one or more ingredients prevent induction of the T7 RNA polymerase gene until the bacterial cells in the culture medium deplete the concentration of the ingredients to a level that allows the induction of the T7 RNA polymerase. 
Competitive Advantage The method eliminates the problems associated with basal unwanted induction of the T7 bacterial expression system and also eliminates the need of adding an inducer for expression during the growth period.
Applications The method can be used to produce substantial amounts of both non-toxic and toxic target recombinant proteins. 
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

US-2007-0212782

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BSA # 07-26 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Expression System for Bacteriophage T7 RNA Polymerase

 

Summary Describes the bacterial T7 expression system for production of recombinant proteins under the control of the T7 RNA polymerase promoter.  This enzyme can synthesize large amount of RNA transcripts in vivo and in vitro from DNA fragment cloned downstream of a T7 promoter.
Competitive Advantage The method allows in vivo expression of a variety of genes cloned in T7 expression systems.
Applications The system is used  in vivo for production of recombinant proteins. 
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 4,952,496
5,693,489
5,869,320
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BSA # 86-02 Contact C. Brakel

Protein Engineering

Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Peptide Extensions to Facilitate Protein Folding and Solubility

 

Summary Describes expression vectors that encode peptide extensions in-frame with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein or polypeptide of interest.
Competitive Advantage The method ameliorates problems associated with solubility and folding in high-yielding protein expression systems.
Applications The method can be used to produce large quantities of recombinant proteins which would otherwise be insoluble and/or are incapable of adopting to the native conformation.  
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Patent Publication/Serial Number

US-2003-0134352

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BSA # 01-22 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Generation of Phosphorylated Immunological Reagents

 

Summary Describes a method for generating antibodies which specifically react to polypeptides phosphorylated at a specific amino acid.   
Competitive Advantage Circumvents the problem of rapid dephosphorylation upon immunization with the phosphopeptide antigen, thereby increasing the titer of the phospho-specific antibodies being generated.
Applications The method can be used to generate both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies with high titer. 
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Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,309,863

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BSA # 98-16 Contact C. Brakel

Agricultural Biotechnology

Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Mutant Fatty Acid Desaturase and Method for Directed Mutagenesis

 

Summary Describes fatty acid desaturase mutants obtained by site directed mutagenesis which have significantly higher enzymatic activity towards substrates with fewer than 18 carbon atom chains.
Competitive Advantage The method can be used to alter the function of a protein by producing a library of mutants of the protein using directed mutagenesis and selecting for mutants which exhibit the desired alteration of function.  In particular, provides a method to change the chain length specificity of the desaturase to produce commercially useful products such as vegetable oils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.
Applications The cDNA fragments encoding these mutant desaturases can be introduced via expression vectors into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and can be used in the production of transgenic plants.  These mutant forms of the fatty acid desaturase enzyme offer a way to manipulate the content, physical properties and commercial uses of plant-produced oils.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,686,186
7,323,335
 

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BSA #s  02-01, 04-11 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Isoform of Castor Oleate Hydroxylase

 

Summary Describes the nucleotide sequence of the gene that encodes for one of the isoforms of castor bean oleate-12-hydroxylase.
Competitive Advantage The method allows the biosynthesis of hydroxylated fatty acids, such as ricinoleic acid in castor seeds.
Applications The expression constructs that express this isoform of castor bean oleate-12-hydroxylase can be used to produce genetically modified plants that make oils, waxes and related compounds having altered hydroxylated fatty acid composition.
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,974,893

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BSA # 01-05 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Modified Acyl-ACP Desaturase

 

Summary Describes a method for modifying the chain length and double bond positional specificities of soluble plant fatty acid desaturase (acyl-ACP desaturase) by modifying amino acid residues in the substrate binding channel.
Competitive Advantage The method can be used to understand the catalytic mechanism of other enzymes involved in the synthesis of plant seed oil.
Applications Understanding of the catalytic mechanism of acyl-ACP desaturase will help in the manufacture of specialized plant seed oil.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number

5,705,391
5,888,790
6,100,091

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BSA # 96-19 Contact C. Brakel

Radiopharmaceuticals

Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Chiral Critical Clusters for Asymmetric Synthesis

 

Summary Describes making and using critical clusters for asymmetric synthesis using substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid.
Competitive Advantage The technology allows the formation of optically active chiral centers that would not form under ordinary reaction conditions.
Applications Include industries which make chiral compounds from non chiral reactants that can be used as an ingredient in a number of goods including personal care, pharmaceutical or cleaning products.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,486,355

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BSA # 00-12 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Synthesis of Macrocyclic Polyaminocarboxylates for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

 

Summary Provides the compound 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan N,N',N",N""-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) - NHS ester and the compound 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane N, N', N",N""-tetraacetic acid (TETA) - NHS ester which are readily conjugated to various ligands for labeling with chelated metals.
Competitive Advantage The claimed compounds are useful for preparation of diagnostic imaging and therapeutic radio-ligands.
Applications The synthetic macrocyclic polyaminocarboxylate chelating agents can be used for stable attachment of radiometals to biological molecules such as proteins and antibodies.  The conjugated chelates can be labeled with radiometals for imaging and radiotherapy.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number 5,639,879 View Patent
Licensing Non-exclusive use
BSA # 95-07 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Synthesis of Macrocyclic Polyaminocarboxylates for Therapy, SPECT and PET imaging

 

Summary A method for synthesis of 1,4,7 10-tetraazacyclododecane (DOTA) and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (TETA) and their N-hydroxysuccinimide esters (NHS esters) is provided.  In the method cynamethylated tetranitrile precursors are hydrolyzed to form the tetraacetic acid.  Reaction with N-hydroxysuccinimide forms the activated ester for use in conjunction of biological ligands. 
Competitive Advantage The method is simple and results in high yields of the DOTA and TETA chelator compounds as well as their NHS esters.  The activated esters are readily conjugated to biological molecules for use in imaging and therapeutic applications.
Applications The macrocyclic chelators are useful for imaging and therapy once complexed with paramagnetic of radioactive metals.  Conjugated to biological ligands, they can be specifically targeted to tissues, tumors or receptors.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number

5,428,156

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BSA # 93-10 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

A Simple, Rapid Method for the Preparation of Isotopically Labeled Formaldehyde

 

 

Summary The present invention provides a simple, efficient method for production of radiolabeled formaldehyde.  Methods for production of [11C]-formaldehyde (11CH2O) for use in positron emission tomography (PET) are provided as are methods for synthesis of 13C, 14C, deuterium and tritium labeled formaldehyde.
Competitive Advantage Due to its versatile oxidation state, [11C]-formaldehyde (11CH2O) provides a way to insert carbon-11 into compounds for use in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging through routes that are not possible using them more readily available [11C]-methyl iodide (11CH3I).  Lack of a simple synthetic route for its production has heretofore stymied its routine use.  The present invention makes use of commercially available reagents and mild conditions to convert [11C]-methyl iodide (11CH3I) to [11C]-formaldehyde (11CH2O) in a 2 minute reaction.  The synthesis is accomplished with little or no 11C isotopic dilution.  The reaction can be readily automated for incorporation into commercial PET tracer synthesis modules.
Applications A wide variety of synthetic routes are possible using 11CH2O, including reductive methylations, ring-closure reactions, electrophilic aromatic substitutions, Mannich-type condensations, and cyclization reactions.  Thus, readily available 11CH2O enables the development and use of many new radioliglands.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number 61/074,191 View Patent
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BSA # 08-25 Contact C. Brakel

Diagnostics

Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Genomic Signature Tags

 

Summary Describes a method of generating short genomic signature tags that can be sequenced to identify and quantify genomic DNAs.
Competitive Advantage The method provides a fast, simple and an economical approach of genome-wide finger printing of chromosomal and episomal DNAs
Applications Include assessing microbes in environmental and  biological samples such as biofilms and potential bioterror weapons.  Specific variants of the technology include analysis of methylation changes within CpG islands related to pathogenic conditions such as cancer and methods for sorting out regulatory networks.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number

7,323,306

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BSA #s 02-16, 08-01, 08-02, 08-03 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Method for Assaying Clustered DNA Damage

 

Summary Describes a method for detecting and quantifying clustered DNA damages induced by exposure of the biological organism to a DNA-damaging agent.
Competitive Advantage The technique provides a sensitive reliable method of detecting and quantifying clustered damages in genomic DNAs or mixtures of DNAs of unknown DNA sizes.  The method can be used to evaluate the biological impact of both low and high doses of radiation.
Applications The technology can be used for evaluating the biological impact of exposure to ionizing radiation and monitoring the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy protocols.  In addition, the assay provides a method for assessing radiation damage to humans, crops, livestock and wildlife following a nuclear mishap.
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,789,022

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BSA # 00-22 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

DNA - Activated Protein Kinase Assay

 

Summary Describes a method for detecting, monitoring and quantifying double-stranded DNA-activated protein kinase in biological samples.
Competitive Advantage Provides a simple, quantitative assay which allows one to draw meaningful correlation between the activity observed in vitro and the DNA-PK activity in vivo.
Applications Include the composition of a synthetic peptide which is a  specific substrate for DNA-PK and an assay to identify agents that alter the in vitro and in vivo activity of DNA-PK.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number 6,803,203 View Patent
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BSA # 01-02 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Generation of Novel Nano-Biosensors

 

Summary Describes the use of a phage single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein, to develop novel nanoparticle systems whose assembly and disassembly can be controlled without heat treatment.
Competitive Advantage The technology permits generation of nanoparticle systems which can assemble and disassemble without thermal treatment.  In addition, the method can be used to fabricate a wide array of nanoparticle systems with complex architectures and unique functional peptide domains.
Applications Our technology will find immediate use in the development of complex DNA based nanostructures and custom microarrays for molecular diagnostics and drug development.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number 60/986000 View Patent
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BSA # 08-22 Contact K. Elcess
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Glycosylated Carborane-Containing Metalloporphyrins

 

Summary The invention provides low toxicity boronated compounds and their use in the diagnosis, visualization and treatment of tumors.
Competitive Advantage The glycosylation of the carborane porphyrin compounds provides enhanced solubility and potential tumor targeting specificity while reducing lipophilic behavior for use of the compound in tumor treatment particularly in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Applications These compounds can be used in BNCT, a cancer treatment and PDT.  These porphyrin compounds can be complexed to any suitable metal ion for use in MRI, SPECT, and PET imaging.
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 11/746,957 View Patent
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BSA # 06-09 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Halogen-Containing Metallocarbonylporphyrins

 

Summary The invention provides low toxicity halogenated, carborane-containing 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin compounds and method of their use in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Competitive Advantage The halogenated carborane porphyrin compounds provide a potential tumor targeting specificity in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Applications The halogenated, carborane-containing tetraphenylporphyrin compounds in methods of tumor imaging and/or diagnosis such as MRI, SPECT, or PET.
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 11/689,678 View Patent
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BSA # 06-08 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description

Title

 

Structural Model of Zn Transporters

 

Summary Describes the structure of YiiP, a zinc transporter at 3.8 angstrom resolution.
Competitive Advantage The structure of YiiP provides an understanding of the molecular mechanism of zinc transport, and also provides an avenue for rational drug design targeting zinc homeostasis disorders.
Applications The structural data of YiiP can help in the development of human-bacterium chimera for structural analysis of human functional domains and to screen and design compounds useful for treating disorders mediated by zinc transporters.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number 12/136,962 View Patent
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BSA # 07-21 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Fiducial Marker for Correlating Images

 

Summary Describes the utilization of a fiducial marker for imaging and correlation of organic components detected by fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIRM) with trace elements detected by x-ray fluorescence (XRF).
Competitive Advantage The advantageous correlation allows one to obtain a detailed picture of many states, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzhemeir's disease, and cancer, by directly integrating the organic and trace metal ion distribution in the sample of interest.  In addition, the fiducial marker can be used to correlate the light path of a microscope objective with an analytical instrument or modality in situations where the light path is not visible by the analytical instrument.
Applications This new fiducial marker is ideal fot those in the medical or research fields involved in imaging more than one aspect of a sample.  This technology correlates the images of x-ray fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy and therefore can used for diagnosis and study various disease pathologies.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number 60/956,522 View Patent
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BSA # 07-14 Contact D. Price

Therapies

Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Process for the Manufacture of Sn-117m (4+) DTPA

 

Summary Describes a method for the manufacture of 117m Sn (Sn4+) diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). 
Competitive Advantage The method is simple and does not require the additional step of removing excess DTPA.
Applications The compound can be used for treatment of bone tumors and pain associated with bone cancer.
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,541,514

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BSA # 01-13 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Therapeutic Tin-117m Compositions

 

Summary A method for inducing regression of osseous metastates in skeletal bone of a human in provided.  The method involves administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a Sn-117m (Sn4+) chelate complex.
Competitive Advantage The radiopharmaceutical composition defined produces minimal toxicity, but is highly effective in alleviating bone pain in cancer patients.
Applications The Sn-117m complexes can be used for the palliation of bone pain due to cancer and to treat osseous metastatic disease.
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,517,810

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Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 99-07 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Formulation of Tin-117m DTPA

 

Summary Formulations of 117m Sn(Sn4+) DTPA complexes for delivery of higher doses of radiotin are provided as a methods of treating bone pain from cancer metastases and for treatment of bone cancer.
Competitive Advantage The improved 117m Sn(Sn4+) DTPA formulations provide greater flexibility in manufacturing and dosage of the therapeutic agent.
Applications The 117m Sn(Sn4+) DTPA can be used to treat bone pain resulting from cancer metastases and for the treatment of primary bone cancer.
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Patent Publication/Serial Number 6,004,532 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 97-18 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Palliation of Bone Pain using Therapeutic Tin-117m Formulations

 

Summary Provides a method for alleviating bone pain due to cancer by administration of a unique pharmaceutically acceptable dosage of tin-117m(Sn-117m) stannic chelate complexes.
Competitive Advantage The treatment is reproducible, effective and produces minimal toxicity since it does not destroy non-cancerous tissues such as bone marrow.
Applications The tin-117m (Sn-117m) stannic chelate complexes can be used to lessen the bone pain due to cancer and to treat osseous metastatic disease. 
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

5,853,695

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Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 97-01 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

 

Human Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor - CAR

 

Summary Describes the adenoviral binding domain and the extracellular domains of the integral human coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor protein, CAR.  
Competitive Advantage The technology can not only be used to engineer viral tropism and to make re-directed adenovirus for delivery of therapeutic molecules such as radioisotopes for treatment and/or imaging of tumors.
Applications The various human CAR gene constructs and soluble gene products described can be used in several applications including diagnostic procedures, treatment and prevention of adenoviral infections and for engineering altered virus tropism.
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,395,875
6,737,234
7,157,266
US-2007-0167610

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Available individually or bundled
BSA #s  99-14, 98-07, 02-25, 07-03 Contact C. Brakel
Technology Description
 

Title

 

Carbon Nanotube - Based Drug Delivery Device Summary Describes tumor-targeted drug carrier system containing single walled carbon nanotubes which are simultaneously functionalized with tumor cell receptors and with a prodrug that is activated to its cytotoxic formulation within the tumor cell
Competitive Advantage The advantages of using a carbon nanotube-assisted drug delivery system include efficient targeting and amplification of tumor-targeting due to an enhanced permeability and retention effect of the carbon nanotube which can be efficiently loaded with the drug.  The use of a non-toxic prodrug which is activated to its cytotoxic form in the tumor cells helps preserve the non-targeted normal tissue of the patient, thereby potentially reducing the side effects resulting from the therapy.
Applications The method can be used to develop functionalized carbon nanotube delivery system for diagnostics and therapeutic purposes.
Technical Details Flyer
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 12/179,887 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 08-07 Contact K. Elcess

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Last Modified: September 24, 2008
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