Rakhi Gibbons
Asst. Director, Life Sciences (520) 626-6695New technologies delivered to your inbox Subscribe
Acoustoelectric Image-Guided Ultrasound Therapy
ua14-130 – Background: Existing ultrasound therapies suffer from a need to separately image the tissue being treated, in order to ensure correct spatial resolution and localization, to minimize the risk of erroneous ablations. Current mapping techniques, such as Electro Anatomical Mapping (EAM) suffer from a long procedure time and cannot update their map during the ultrasound therapy. Thus, there... Read More
Method, Device and System for Appendage Protection Therapy (Smart Offloading Boot)
ua15-080 – Smart Insole Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers require a lot of monitoring for the wound healing process. Patients are asked to perform self-evaluations in between physician visits in order to keep an eye on high risk factors during the healing process. If high risk factors are found patients must then get into the doctor for treatment. This process leaves a lot of room for complications... Read More
Health Buddy
ua15-187 – Title: Mobile Platform for Tracking and Understanding Health Invention: Inventors at the University of Arizona have developed a mobile platform designed to help patients improve the understanding of their health data, as well as communicate more effectively with medical professionals. Envisioned as an application that improves the efficiency of the relationship between patients and... Read More
Systems, Methods, Devices and Materiel for Definition, Monitoring and Modulation of Organism Strength
ua16-024 – Title: Health Behavior Change Training Program (Reach) Invention: An in-person workshop and website that provides information and training for “helpers” and/or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners aid individuals in changing harmful health behaviors, including tobacco cessation. The training, associated with CAM, focuses on “helping conversations” that avoid... Read More
Systems, Methods, Devices and Materiel for Definition, Monitoring and Modulation of Organism Flexibility
ua16-025 – Title: Health Behavior Change Training Program (Reach) Invention: An in-person workshop and website that provides information and training for “helpers” and/or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners aid individuals in changing harmful health behaviors, including tobacco cessation. The training, associated with CAM, focuses on “helping conversations” that avoid... Read More
Preparation of Imidazole Pyrimidine Analogues as NEK2 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cancer
ua16-229 – Title: Preparation of Imidazole Pyrimidine Analogues as NEK2 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cancer Invention: The invention is new kinds of imidazole pyrimidine analogues that inhibit NEK2 protein kinase and their use in cancer treatment. Initial results have demonstrated their efficacy in inhibiting proliferation of brain tumor stem cells and pancreatic cell lines. Background: The... Read More
Methods, Systems and Devices for Codification, Analysis and Monitoring of Motion or Motion Description and Analysis System
ua16-241 – Title: Methods, Systems and Devices for Codification, Analysis and Monitoring and Motion or Motion Description and Analysis System Invention: The technology consists of wearable, thin, stretchable electronic systems. These wearable trackers have accelerometers and gyroscopes to capture coordinates, dimension, velocity, and acceleration data. Background: In order for a motion tracking... Read More
Nampt Mediates Age-Associated Pro-Fibrotic Myofibroblast Phenotypes and Persistent Fibrosis
ua17-154 – Title: Nampt Mediates Age-Associated Pro-Fibrotic Myofibroblast Phenotypes and Persistent Fibrosis Invention: The invention is the targeting of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) to protect from fibrosis, specifically as a new treatment target for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Background: In addition, an estimated 45% of deaths are attributed to disorders relating to... Read More
Point of Care Microfluidic Aggrogometer
ua17-170 – Title: Point of Care Microfluidic Aggrogometer Invention: The invention is a device to assess platelet aggregation for diagnosis of thrombotic diseases and continual monitoring with anti-platelet therapy. Background: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and, with over 50% of those deaths due to clot formation from myocardial ischemia and infarction.... Read More
Modification of hTERT Expression for the Treatment of Solid Tumors
ua17-199 – Title: Modification of hTERT Expression for the Treatment of Solid Tumors Invention: This invention is a synthetic compound intended to selectively kill hTERT prostate cancer cells through targeting the G-quadruplex, leaving normal prostate cells intact. Background: Studies predict that a total of 27,000 Americans will die from Metastatic Prostate Cancer (PCa). PCa is commonly treated... Read More
Compositions and Methods for Detecting Complicated Sarcoidosis
ua17-208 – Title: Compositions and Methods for Detecting Complicated Sarcoidosis Invention: The invention is a novel biomarker capable of identifying complicated sarcoidosis, as well as patients at risk for increased morbidity due to sarcoidosis. Background: Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease involving abnormal collections of cells that form lumps and typically begins in the lungs. Genetic... Read More
Targeting Extracellular NAMPT and TLR4 as a Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
ua17-159 – Title: Targeting Extracellular NAMPT and TLR4 as a Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Invention: The invention is the targeting of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disease that leads to increased resistance and eventual right ventricular failure and... Read More
Image-Guided Microwave Therapy
ua15-176 – Title: Image-Guided Microwave Therapy Invention: This invention seeks to combine an improved method of treating T1 to T4 breast cancer through a tumor treatment system that both treats and monitors tumor cells with a combination of focused microwave therapy (FMT) and spectroscopic thermoacoustic imaging (STI). The goal is to employ heat to destroy or reduce tumors while minimizing... Read More
A Diagnostic Test for Schizophrenia
ua16-066 – Title: A Diagnostic Test for Schizophrenia Invention: A method by which schizophrenia can be diagnosed by providing patients with a single dose of antipsychotic medication and a questionnaire. The questionnaire serves to determine their degree of sleepiness/sedation in response to the medicine, which aids in dictating their diagnosis. In addition, a blood test for serotonin 2A receptors,... Read More
Toll-Like Receptor 2 Ligands and Methods of Making and Using Thereof
ua16-185 – Title: Toll-like receptor 2 ligands for cancer treatment, autoimmune diseases Invention: Inventors at the University of Arizona have developed a set of 13 high-affinity toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonists. In certain diseases, particularly pancreatic cancer, these receptors are overexpressed. TLR2 agonists are absorbed by these receptors. When the ligands are labeled with fluorescent... Read More
A Mechanism and Method for Synthesis of a 2-D Gamma-Ray Pinhole Projection Image From a Plurality of Slit Projection Images
ua16-089 – Title: A Mechanism and Method for Synthesis of a 2D Gamma-ray Pinhole Projection Image from a Plurality of Slit Projection Images Invention: This is a 3D medical imaging technique that incorporates single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to image radioisotope distributions, which are generally used to detect/monitor cancer, drug delivery, etc. This imaging technique uses SPECT... Read More
Interface
ua16-061 – Title: Sensor Interface for Preventing Tissue Damage Invention: Inventors at the University of Arizona have developed a sensor interface designed to detect and prevent tissue damage. The device is attached to the subject’s skin, senses and identifies regions within the skin-contact surface at risk for damage from these stressors, and then makes adjustments to those regions in order to... Read More
Systems and Signatures for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
ua17-136 – Title: Systems and Signatures for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Invention: The invention is a system and method to quantify optimal CPR through the Bio-Stamp. This system will monitor and provide feedback to the CPR provider if CPR is being performed correctly, allowing the CPR provider to make corrections and standardizing the way to individuals are trained in CPR. Background:... Read More
Novel Biomarker for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Lung Diseases
ua16-096 – Title: Novel Biomarker for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Lung Diseases Invention: This technology is the discovery and insight of Long Interspersed Element (LINE-1) biology and transcriptional control for detection and treatment of lung related diseases. The activation of LINE-1 mediates the coding of ORF-1 and ORF-2 proteins, which are involved in the early steps of the oncogenesis... Read More
Image Guided Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer
ua14-174 – Title: Image Guided Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer Invention: The technology is the combination of targeted microbubbles to cancer cells and a novel imaging device to accurately and rapidly assess the surgical margin for presence of unseen cancer in the operating room. The device is a portable combined multi-photon imaging (MPI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging device to... Read More
Apparatus for Reconfiguration of Components in a Micro-Physiological System
ua17-076 – Title: Apparatus for Reconfiguration of Components in a Micro-Physiological System Invention: The invention is a novel apparatus utilizing modular assembly for the development of co-culture, monitoring, and study of functional interactions between different types of biological material under various environmental conditions. The buckle clamp stage-like apparatus mimics a microfluidic... Read More
Protease-Activated Receptor Type 2 Modulators and Inhibitors
ua14-181 – Invention: UA14-181 is a novel and highly potent PAR modulator. Because PAR activation plays a pivotal role in a variety of inflammatory diseases, high affinity and potent ligands of the PAR receptor like those found in UA14-181 represent a novel approach to the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases. Background: PAR is a well-known cell surface receptor that is involved in the... Read More
PAR3 Inhibitors as Therapeutic for Pain
ua16-176 – Title: PAR3 Inhibitors as Therapeutic for Pain Invention: The technology identifies protease activated receptor-3 (PAR3) and PAR3 inhibitors as a novel target for the treatment of pain. Background: Pain is one of the most common reasons in which individuals seek medical attention. Globally, pain affects at least 1.5 billion people, with the incidence rate increasing complementary to... Read More
Metabolomic Biomarker of Altered Hepatic Function
ua08-019 – Title: Metabolomic Biomarker of Altered Hepatic Function Invention: We have developed a metabolomic biomarker that clearly delineates patients with steatosis that have a normal metabolism rate from patients with steatohepatitis and the resulting decreased capacity to metabolize and eliminate drugs. We are in the process of determining whether the test can be conducted simply with urine... Read More
Therapeutic Modification of Deubiquitinases
ua16-200 – Title: Therapeutic Modification of Deubiquitinases Invention: The present invention identifies deubiquitinase inhibition as a novel therapeutic pathway against cancers and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which have overlapping pathology. Background: Deubitiquinases (DUBs) can serve as a valid target for drug discovery. The human genome encodes around 100 genes for DUBs, which... Read More
Sweat Biomarkers as an Indication of Physiological Conditions
ua14-146 – Title: Sweat Biomarkers as an Indication of Physiological and Psychological Conditions Invention: Inventors at the University of Arizona have devised a means by which cortisol isomer ratios in human sweat can be measured and used to evaluate the physiological or psychological state of the patient. Certain cortisol isomer ratios are associated with particular conditions or disorders (high... Read More
Cancer Treatment Through hTERT Inhibition
ua16-091 – Title: Cancer Treatment Through hTERT Inhibition Invention: The invention is a small molecule that reduces human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), which is highly activated in cancer cells. Background: In 2010, approximately 73,599 U.S. patients were diagnosed with melanoma with 8,700 of those incidences resulting in death. A hallmark of cancer, and melanoma specifically,... Read More
Sp-A2 Peptides in the Treatment of Lung Diseases
ua16-153 – Title: Peptides for the Treatment of Asthma, Lung Diseases Invention: This technology is the development of both a series of peptides related to surfactant protein-A (SP-A) and a treatment method for asthma and other lung diseases that utilizes said peptides. Background: Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that are prominently found in lung tissue and the circulatory system of... Read More
Precise, Accurate Bacterial Identification System
ua14-034 – Title: BugSeq - Bacterial Identification in Clinical Infections Invention: The technology is a rapid, whole genome sequence analysis tool to determine the type of bacteria, resistance, and virulence that lacks biases introduced by culture-based methods. Background: The lack of accurate and precise methods to identify bacteria forces clinicians to use broad based antibiotic regimens.... Read More
Novel Target for the Treatment of Glaucoma
ua11-125 – Title: Control of Intraocular Pressure by Modification of Soluable Adenylate Cyclase Activity Invention: The technology is the manipulation of anterior chamber drainage in the eye by targeting unique pathways. Bicarbonate sensitive soluble adenylyl cyclase regulates the secretion of substances into the aqueous humor and resulting pressure. Deficiency in bicarbonate channel bestrophin-2... Read More
Prostate Cancer Patient Blood Sample Collection and PSA Survey
ua10-061 – Blood samples collected from participants in the NIH-funded Watchful Waiting Study, a study of selenium supplementation in men with prostate cancer. Samples were processed to prepare plasma and tested for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level. Samples are available for licensing.
Smart Textile to Predict Diabetic Foot Ulcer
ua15-161 – Title: Smart Textile to Predict Diabetic Foot Ulcer Invention: The invention is a movable, washable smart textile that can measure abnormalities in pressure and temperature when a patient applies pressure while walking on it. The textile can analyze the data and send alerts to the patient when abnormalities suggest the presence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and/or the likelihood of falls... Read More
System and Methods to Automatically Recognize and Track Physical and Physiological Activities for Healthcare
ua16-020 – Title: System and Methods to Automatically Recognize and Track Physical and Physiological Activities for Healthcare (Smart Carpet) Invention: The technology is a carpet with various sensors embedded within it to monitor and track a patient’s movement. This carpet provides information regarding frailty, risk of falling, outcomes of rehabilitation, effects of plantar wound healing, and... Read More
Brief Health Behavior Change Intervention Training Program for Health Professionals
ua14-025 – Title: Health Behavior Change Training Program (Reach) Invention: An in-person workshop and website that provides information and training for “helpers” and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners to better help individuals to change harmful health behaviors, including tobacco cessation. Training focuses on “helping conversations” that avoid confrontation and emphasize... Read More
Brief Tobacco Cessation Intervention Training Program for "Health Influencers"
ua14-024 – Title: Health Behavior Change Training Program (Reach) Invention: An in-person workshop and website that provides information and training for “helpers” and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners to better help individuals to change harmful health behaviors, including tobacco cessation. Training focuses on “helping conversations” that avoid confrontation and emphasize... Read More
Method for Determining Cell Stiffness
ua15-179 – Title: Method for Determining Cell Stiffness Invention: The present invention is a minimal-contact method used to trap and measure the stiffness of platelets in relation to the whole cell. Background: Platelets, essential for hemostasis, are easily activated via biochemical and mechanical stimuli. In addition, cell stiffness is a vital parameter modulating the mechano-transduction of... Read More
Small Molecule Inhibitors of DYRK1A and Uses Thereof.
ua14-059 – Title: Small molecule inhibitors of DYRK1A and uses thereof Invention: The technology presented identifies a series of small molecule inhibitors of DYRK1A for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative and cognitive diseases. In particular, the present invention provides design and synthesis methods for a collection of benzimidazole analogs tested in vivo for... Read More
Real-Time Reflex Pupillometry Device for Neuro-Physiologic Monitoring
ua15-141 – This device provides for a solid state camera system and light source onto an extraocular lens for real-time monitoring of cranial nerve pathways on anesthetized patients. Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring provides the surgical team real-time feedback during surgeries that involve the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nervous system. This allows for prompt interventions... Read More
Treatment for Type II Diabetes
ua16-043 – Title: Biomarkers of metformin efficacy and methods related to Type II diabetes Invention: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and related uses for the interaction between metformin and methylglyoxal. In addition, this invention provides methods for detecting the efficacy of metformin therapy while exploring the metformin-MG reaction, unequivocally determining the... Read More
Virtual Reality Systems and Methods for Improving Clinical Outcomes
ua16-018 – Title: Virtual Reality Treatment System Invention: The invention provides a virtual reality (VR) experience, including VR goggles and haptic feedback devices, for patients to explain the benefits of a medical treatment or the consequences of non-compliance. The immersive experience seeks to have a greater impact on a patient’s behavior versus a discussion with a healthcare provider alone.... Read More
Smart Insole
ua15-079 – Technology ID: UA15-079 Technology Background: Diabetic foot ulcers impact nearly 1 in 4 patients with diabetes. Over 50% of those who do develop foot ulcers requiring hospitalization at some point in their lives. Once infection sets in, amputation may be the only option for the patient’s survival. Approximately 1 in 5 foot ulcers will require amputation, and over 80% of lower limb,... Read More
Bed-Sled
ua16-094 – Title: Lower Extremity Training Device Invention: A resistance-training device with the purpose of strengthening the lower extremities, preventing muscle de-conditioning and overall weakness, and formation of blood clots. The device, which has a spring-loaded footpad to create resistance, is equipped with a sensor to record the amount of pressure applied and the number of depressions of... Read More
Novel microRNA Gene Expression Profiling for Sarcoidosis Diagnosis
ua15-193 – Title: Novel microRNA gene expression profiling for sarcoidosis diagnosis Invention: The invention is a microRNA (miRNA) regulated gene signature that can detect sarcoidosis in patients. The invention consists of 46 miRNAs and 1,559 genes that were differentially expressed with sarcoidosis severity. In addition, 17 genes were identified to form a diagnostic scale. A high score on the... Read More
Reactive Oxygen Species Gene Signature Predicts Survival in Sepsis
ua16-068 – Title: Reactive oxygen species gene signature predicts survival in sepsis Invention: The technology is a 21-gene reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated molecular signature that predicts survival in septic patients. Background: Sepsis syndrome’s mortality rate is 26% to 82% depending on whether septic shock occurs. Currently there are no reliable diagnostic biomarkers available to... Read More
Diabetic Wound Healing Through Pharmacological Activation of NRF2.
ua16-108 – Title: Diabetic Wound Healing Through Pharmacological Activation of NRF2 Invention: The technology presented identifies a series of lead compounds amenable to pharmaceutical development of NRF2 activation to enhance diabetic wound healing. In particular, the present invention demonstrates the potential for wound healing with both systemic and/or topical administration of the disclosed... Read More
Phase Change Nanodroplet - Liposome Conjugates for Enhanced Drug Delivery
ua15-034 – Technology ID: UA15-034 Technology Background: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) technology is a set of scientific techniques and practices that enables medicinal substances to pass through the previously impenetrable BBB. BBB technology combines technologies from the pharmaceutical/biotechnology with advanced drug delivery technologies, allowing therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier. ... Read More
Biostable Segmented Elastomers and Engineering Thermoplastics
ua14-016 – A continuing need exists for biostable, tough elastomers, particularly for use in long-term, dynamic medical implants (including, but not limited to: cardiac pacing lead insulation, cardiac assist device bladders, chronic indwelling catheters, and other medical implants subject to biodegradation). Existing elastomers used in these applications (e.g. polydimethylsiloxanes and segmented... Read More
Valve Method and Apparatus
ua15-138 – Title: Valve Method and Apparatus Invention: This technology provides a novel valve apparatus and method for manipulating a fluid using an air-pressure free elastomeric valve designed for integrated nucleic acid analysis by separation and preferably using capillary electrophoresis. Background: An effective valve is required for integrated analysis in a microfluidic cartridge,... Read More
Amuvatinib C-Kit Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
ua03-082 – Title: c-Kit Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Invention: Investigators at The University of Arizona have identified inhibitors of the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Background: GIST is a rare disease and although the specific mutation is known and detectable, the disease is often... Read More
Improvements to Bestrophin Inhibitors as a Therapy for Best Disease and Other Macular Dystrophies
ua06-049 – Title: Target for the Treatment of Best Disease Invention: Scientists at The University of Arizona have developed strategies that can be employed in high throughput screens for small molecule drugs targeted for the prevention of vision loss due to Best disease and other macular degenerative diseases. Background: Caused by a mutation in the VMD2 gene, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy is... Read More