[Federal Register: July 23, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 141)]
[Notices]
[Page 48195-48196]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23jy02-761]
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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.
RF Ablation Needle Tracked With Magnetic Position Sensing
Bradford J. Wood (CC), Filip Banovac, Kevin Cleary
DHHS Reference No. E-348-01/0 filed 01 Mar 2002
Licensing Contact: Dale Berkley; 301/496-7735 ext. 223; e-mail:
berkleyd@od.nih.gov
The invention is a method for using a newly developed position
sensing device to determine the three-dimensional position of a needle
for precision placement in interventional procedures. The method can be
applied to accurate placement of a radiofrequency ablation probe for
percutaneous treatment of neoplasms in the liver, kidney, or other
solid organs, nodules or lymph nodes. The method incorporates a
magnetic field based position sensing device that can track coils of
only 0.9 mm diameter by 8 mm in length. These coils can be embedded in
needles and other instruments to directly track the tip of these
instruments. Based on a pre-operative CT scan, the position of these
instruments relative to the anatomy can be displayed on a graphical
user interface along with targeting assistance for the physician.
Direct Cell Target Analysis
Michael R. Emmert-Buck (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-100-01/0 filed 26 Apr 2002
Licensing Contact: Dale Berkley; 301/496-7735 ext. 223; e-mail:
berkleyd@od.nih.gov
The invention is a novel, non-mechanical method for studying the
molecular content of specific normal and/or diseased cell populations
in a heterogeneous biological tissue section. Since the procedure is
based on biomolecular targeting, it requires minimal effort on the part
of the investigator, and can be easily and rapidly applied to a large
number of cells. The invention can be applied in one of two ways. In
the first scenario, a biological probe (i.e., antibody or
oligonucleotide) is allowed to bind to a unique protein or mRNA
expressed in the targeted cells. The probe is linked to an enzyme (such
as reverse transcriptase or lactoperoxidase) that will specifically
label the biomolecules in the targeted cell population. For example, if
lactoperoxidase is utilized, the proteins in the targeted cells will
subsequently be labeled with I-125, whereas, the proteins in the non-
targeted cells will not be labeled and will be ``invisible'' in
[[Page 48196]]
the subsequent analysis step. The entire tissue section(s) is then
quickly scraped into a tube containing lysis buffer and the sample is
ready for analysis. As an example, the protein lysate could be applied
to a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel (2D-PAGE) to examine the
proteomic profile of the targeted cells. In the second scenario, the
biological probe is attached to a ``moiety'' that will activate an LCM
(Laser Capture Microdissection) film, either by generating heat in the
presence of an enzyme or absorbing laser light at the correct
wavelength by virtue of an appropriate dye. In this approach, the probe
is hybridized to the targeted cells in the tissue section, which is
then covered by the LCM film. The entire tissue section is then exposed
to the laser, thereby activating the moiety such that the LCM film is
focally melted only above the targeted cell types. The LCM film is then
removed and all of the targeted cells are procured on the film for
subsequent molecular analysis. Overall, the invention is an alternative
to the classical mechanical methods of microdissection, and offers
several advantages with respect to specificity, selectivity, speed, and
ease of use.
Cloning and Mutational Analysis of the Hyperparathyroidism-Jaw Tumor
Syndrome (HPT-JT) Gene
Carpten et al. (NHGRI)
DHHS Reference No. E-004-02/0 filed 13 May 2002
Licensing Contact: Richard Rodriguez; 301/496-7056 ext. 287; e-mail:
rodrigur@od.nih.gov
Hyperparathyroidism is a key feature of some hereditary endocrine
neoplasias and the autosomal dominant disorder HPT-JT, all of which are
characterized by the presence of tumors in endocrine tissues. The
current invention identifies a series of mutations in chromosome 1 open
reading frame 28 (C10RF28)--the HPT-JT gene. Linkage analysis and
physical mapping studies of clinical samples from multiple families
with HPT-JT syndrome were used to identify these mutations. These
genomic changes are predicted to result in truncated gene products.
This new technology might be useful for: (1) Diagnosis of HPT-JT
and/or a predisposition to HPT-JT; (2) development of a treatment for
HPT-JT; and (3) determination of the effectiveness of various potential
HPT-JT therapies.
Methods of Diagnosing Potential for Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma
or Metastasis and of Identifying Therapeutic Agents
Xin Wei Wang et al. (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-125-02/0 filed 05 Apr 2002
Licensing Contact: Richard Rodriguez; 301/496-7056 ext. 287; e-mail:
rodrigur@od.nih.gov
Expression of nearly 10,000 genes was analyzed in hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC) tumors, and a molecular signature was identified that
targets genes that are most likely relevant to the prediction outcome
of metastases, including patient survival. A specific therapeutic
target protein was also identified, and antibodies against this protein
prevent invasion of metastatic HCC cells in vitro. These data identify
this target protein both as a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic
target for metastatic HCC.
This invention may be useful in diagnosing HCC and HCC metastatic
tumors, evaluating risk for development of HCC and HCC metastatic
tumors, and identifying HCC therapeutic targets. This invention also
identifies a specific therapeutic target protein, and identifies
methods of identifying antagonists to this protein, which might be
useful in developing a variety of HCC therapeutics.
Dated: July 11, 2002.
Jack Spiegel,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 02-18512 Filed 7-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P