Harvard faculty Clifford Woolf, Brian Wainger, Kevin Eggan, David Weitz, Mikhail Lukin, Hongkun Park, Gu-Yeon Wei, David Brooks, Andy Myers, Matt Shair, Gordon Freeman, Arlene Sharpe, Don Ingber, David Liu, George Church, Uli von Andrian, Omid Farokhzad, Jinjun Shi, Chad Cowan, Evelyn Hu, Gary King, and Eric Mazur are among the inventors issued U.S. patents in February 2019.

The innovations recognized are as follows:

Methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases
U.S. Patent 10,195,173 (February 5, 2019)

Clifford J. Woolf, Brian Wainger, Evangelos Kiskinis, and Kevin Eggan

Abstract: The specification provides compositions and methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Multiple emulsions and techniques for the formation of multiple emulsions
U.S. Patent 10,195,571 (February 5, 2019)

David A. Weitz, Shin-Hyn Kim, and Alireza Abbaspourrad

Abstract: Multiple emulsions and techniques for the formation of multiple emulsions are generally described. A multiple emulsion, as used herein, describes larger droplets that contain one or more smaller droplets therein. In some embodiments, the larger droplet or droplets may be suspended in a carrying fluid containing the larger droplets that, in turn, contain the smaller droplets. As described below, multiple emulsions can be formed in one step in certain embodiments, with generally precise repeatability, and can be tailored in some embodiments to include a relatively thin layer of fluid separating two other fluids.

Sensor for measurements using Johnson noise in materials
U.S. Patent 10,197,497 (February 5, 2019)

Shimon Jacob Kolkowitz, Arthur Safira, Alexander A. High, Robert C. Devlin, Soonwon Choi, Quirin P. Unterreithmeier, David Patterson, Alexander S. Zibrov, Vladimir E. Manucharyan, Mikhail D. Lukin, and Hongkun Park

Abstract: A method of making measurements includes providing a sensor with at least one solid state electronic spin; irradiating the sensor with radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source that manipulates the solid state electronic spins to produce spin-dependent fluorescence, wherein the spin-dependent fluorescence decays as a function of relaxation time; providing a target material in the proximity of the sensor, wherein, thermally induced currents (Johnson noise) present in the target material alters the fluorescence decay of the solid state electronic spins as a function of relaxation time; and determining a difference in the solid state spins spin-dependent fluorescence decay in the presence and absence of the target material and correlating the difference with a property of the sensor and/or target material.

Driver for a high voltage capacitive actuator
U.S. Patent 10,199,555 (February 5, 2019)

Simon Chaput

Abstract: A driver for a circuit with a capacitive load, is disclosed, including an input stage, a bi-directional power converter, and a controller to control the driver. The power converter includes an inductive device and two switches configured to receive a DC input voltage v_in from the input stage and generate an analog output waveform having an amplitude greater than v_in providing an output distortion below 5% without an output low-pass filter.

Device and method for hybrid feedback control of a switch-capacitor multi-unit voltage regulator
U.S. Patent 10,199,931 (February 5, 2019)

Gu-Yeon Wei, Tao Tong, David Brooks, and Saekyu Lee

Abstract: A device and method for hybrid feedback control of a switch-capacitor multi-unit voltage regulator are presented. A multi-unit switched-capacitor (SC) core includes a plurality of SC converter units, each unit with a capacitor and a plurality of switches controllable by a plurality of switching signals. Power switch drivers provide a switching signal to each SC converter unit. A secondary proactive loop circuit includes a feedback control circuit configured to control one or more of the plurality of switches. A comparator is configured to compare the regulator output voltage with a reference voltage and provide a comparator trigger signal. Ripple reduction logic is configured to receive the comparator trigger signal and provide an SC unit allocation signal. A multiplexer is configured to receive a first clock signal, a second clock signal, and the SC unit allocation signal and provide a signal to the power switch drivers.

Cortistatin analogues and syntheses thereof
U.S. Patent 10,202,400 (February 12, 2019)

Alex Nathanson Flyer, Hong Myung Lee, Andrew G. Myers, Cristina Montserrat Nieto-Oberhuber, Matthew D. Shair, and Chong Si

Abstract: The present invention relates to analogs of cortistatin A, J, K, and L, having the general formula:

and salts thereof, wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, n, and m are as defined herein; processes for preparing such compounds and intermediates thereto; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods for treating a proliferative disease; methods for treating a disease associated with aberrant angiogenesis; methods for inhibiting angiogenesis; and processes for preparing cortistatin A, J, K, and L, and analogs thereof.

Anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof
U.S. Patent 10,202,454 (February 12, 2019)

Gordon J. Freeman and Arlene H. Sharpe

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the cytoplasmic domain of PD-L1 antibodies useful for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications, as well as immunoglobulins polypeptides, and nucleic acids thereof.

Radial microfluidic devices and methods of use
U.S. Patent 10,202,569 (February 12, 2019)

Richard Novak, David Conegliano, Liliana Teixeira, and Donald E. Ingber

Abstract: A microfluidic device for simulating a function or response of a tissue is disclosed. The device includes an inlet for receiving a fluid in the device, and an outlet for removing the fluid from the device. The device further includes a fluid channel in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet for flowing the fluid through the device. The fluid channel defines a chamber well that receives cells associated with the tissue. The device also includes an interface structure between the fluid channel and the chamber well for permitting migration of at least one of cells, particulates, chemicals, molecules, liquids, or gases between the fluid within the fluid channel and the chamber well.

Evolved sortases and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 10,202,593 (February 12, 2019)

David R. Liu and Brent M. Dorr

Abstract: Evolved sortases exhibiting enhanced reaction kinetics and/or altered substrate preferences are provided herein, for example evolved sortases that bind recognitions motifs comprising a LAXT or LPXS sequence. Also provided are methods (e.g., orthogonal transpeptidation and diagnostics methods) for using such sortases. Kits comprising materials, reagents, and cells for carrying out the methods described herein are also provided.

Assembly of nucleic acid sequences in emulsions
U.S. Patent 10,202,628 (February 12, 2019)

George M. Church, Richard C. Terry, Sriram Kosuri, and Di Zhang

Abstract: Methods and compositions for synthesizing nucleic acid sequences in an emulsion are provided.

Venule endothelial cell genes and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 10,206,941 (February 19, 2019)

Ulrich H. von Andrian, Aude Thiriot, Omid Farokhzad, and Jinjun Shi

Abstract: Disclosed herein are genes which are differentially expressed in venule endothelial cells (V-ECs) compared to non-venule endothelial cells (NV-ECs) and methods and compositions relating to those genes. Also disclosed herein are methods of modulating the venuleness of an endothelial cell or microvessel, methods of modulating leukocyte trafficking, methods of modulating inflammation, methods of targeting agents to tissues based on their ability to bind to surface markers expressed in a microvessel (e.g., venules and non-venules), methods of identifying the venuleness of endothelial cells or microvessels, methods of identifying agents that modulate the venuleness of endothelial cells or microvessels, methods of identifying agents that target microvessels, methods for treating diseases associated with leukocyte trafficking, methods for treating inflammatory diseases, and compositions and kits for use in the methods.

Therapeutic uses of genome editing with CRISPR/Cas systems
U.S. Patent 10,208,319 (February 19, 2019)

Kiran Musunuru, Chad A. Cowan, and Derrick J. Rossi

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, and kits for high efficiency, site-specific genomic editing of cells for treating or preventing genetic blood disorders.

Metal-based optical device enabling efficient light generation from emitters on a high-index absorbing substrate
U.S. Patent 10,211,428 (February 19, 2019)

Kasey Joe Russell, Tsung-Li Liu, and Evelyn L. Hu

Abstract: A light emitting device is described that may reduce the coupling of emitted light into silicon and may increase the efficiency with which light is emitted into the far field. Such a device may include a semiconductor layer, a metallic structure, and a light emission layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and the metallic structure. The light emission layer may be in physical contact with the metallic structure and the semiconductor layer. The light emission layer may include at least one fluorescent molecule that emits light upon excitation.

Acoustophoretic printing apparatus and method
U.S. Patent 10,214,013 (February 26, 2019)

Daniele Foresti, Dimos Poulikakos, and Manish Kumar Tiwari

Abstract: The present invention contains a printing apparatus and a method, e.g., for ejecting inks (i.e., pure liquids, mixtures, colloids, etc.) for a very broad range of physical properties (such as viscosity). Acoustic forces 3a may be generated by an emitter 1 and a reflector 2 to detach droplets 10 from a nozzle 6. The ink may be advanced through the nozzle 6 by a standard back pressure system 5. A reflectorless chamber 7 may enhance acoustic forces 8a and the droplets 10 may be ejected at a bottom 9 of said chamber 7, so that droplets 10 may be deposited on any substrate 11.

Participant grouping for enhanced interactive experience
U.S. Patent 10,216,827 (February 26, 2019)

Gary King, Eric Mazur, and Brian Lukoff

Abstract: Representative embodiments of a method for grouping participants in an activity include the steps of: (i) defining a grouping policy; (ii) storing, in a database, participant records that include a participant identifier, a characteristic associated with the participant, and/or an identifier for a participant's handheld device; (iii) defining groupings based on the policy and characteristics of the participants relating to the policy and to the activity; and (iv) communicating the groupings to the handheld devices to establish the groups.