Stephen P Wolfe

US Patent:

6979308, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Jun 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/586981

Inventors:

Jeffrey M. MacDonald - Chapel Hill NC, US
Stephen P. Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

A61M037/00
A61M031/00
C02F001/44
C12N005/08
C12M001/12

US Classification:

604 609, 604522, 21032189, 21032164, 210314, 4352971

Abstract:

A scaled-up multi-coaxial fiber bioreactor, and variations of this bioreactor. The device is characterized by a hollow housing and an array of from about 20 to about 400 modules of hollow fibers, where each module includes at least three coaxial semipermeable hollow fibers. The innermost fiber provides a boundary for an innermost compartment which is connected to inlet and outlet ports. Arranged coaxially around the central hollow fiber are several other hollow fibers with their respective compartments, each compartment defined by a respective annular space between adjacent fibers and each including inlet and outlet ports. An outermost compartment for permitting integral aeration is the space between the outer side of the outermost fibers and the inner side of the housing, and has inlet and outlet ports. The hollow housing has inlet and outlet manifolds and flow distributors for each of the compartments. In a preferred embodiment the bioreactor is used as an extracorporeal liver.

US Patent:

7089879, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Sep 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/934201

Inventors:

Stephen P. Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

Embrex, Inc. - Durham NC

International Classification:

A01K 45/00
A01K 29/00

US Classification:

119 68, 119174

Abstract:

An egg is accelerated such that the inner and outer shell membranes separate and allow the air cell to move within the egg when the egg is repositioned. By separating the outer and inner shell membranes of an egg, the air cell will reposition itself at the upper portion of the egg shell. An egg may be accelerated in various ways according to embodiments of the present invention including, but not limited to, agitation, “flicking” by hand, spinning, rotating, centrifuging, etc.

US Patent:

7165507, Jan 23, 2007

Filed:

Oct 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/254938

Inventors:

Stephen P. Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US
Dipak Mahato - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

Embrex, Inc. - Durham NC

International Classification:

A01K 43/00

US Classification:

119 68

Abstract:

Methods an apparatus for accurately and reliably positioning a device within an egg are provided. An opening is formed within a portion of the shell of an egg and a device is extended through the opening. The device includes a needle having a lumen containing a fluid under pressure. Fluid pressure is monitored and, in response to detecting a change in pressure of the fluid, movement of the device is stopped. Alternatively, fluid flow is monitored and, in response to detecting fluid flow from the needle, movement of the device is stopped. The device may be a substance delivery device that is configured to deliver a substance into the subgerminal cavity of the egg. The device may be a substance removal device that is configured remove a substance from an egg.

US Patent:

7249569, Jul 31, 2007

Filed:

Aug 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/216427

Inventors:

Nandini Mendu - Chapel Hill NC, US
Molly Bland - Cary NC, US
Stephen Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US
John Hebrank - Durham NC, US
Dipak Mahato - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

Embrex, Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

A01K 45/00

US Classification:

119 68, 435349, 800 21

Abstract:

The present invention provides improved methods of injecting an avian egg containing an embryo, preferably an early embryo (e. g. , a blastoderm). The methods of the invention may be used to deliver a substance to an egg, remove a sample from an egg, and/or to insert a detector device into an egg to collect information therefrom. In preferred embodiments, the invention is used to deliver a substance to the embryo in ovo. In other preferred embodiments, the invention is used to produce chimeric or transgenic avian embryos in ovo.

US Patent:

7418922, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Feb 5, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/702454

Inventors:

Stephen P. Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US
Sean Bryan - Raleigh NC, US
Mike Schnupper - Raleigh NC, US
Dan Rees - Zebulon NC, US
Jamie Sprenkel - Raleigh NC, US
Edward W. Gross - Raleigh NC, US
Brantley Angell - Garner NC, US
John H. Hebrank - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

Embrex, Inc. - Durham NC

International Classification:

A01K 45/00

US Classification:

119 68

Abstract:

An injection apparatus for injecting and/or removing substances from subjects, such as avian eggs, includes an injection needle having a body portion and a tapered portion that terminates at a tip. A tube is attached to and extends around the injection needle in substantially concentric relationship therewith. The tube has an end portion positioned a predetermined distance from the needle tip. The tube end portion acts as a stop to limit the distance the needle tip can be inserted into a subject, such as an egg, through a membrane of the subject. A detector may be utilized to measure force exerted on a membrane of an egg by a stop attached to a needle. Force exerted on a membrane by a needle and/or by a needle and a stop attached to the needle may also be measured.

US Patent:

7617795, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

Oct 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/243777

Inventors:

Stephen P. Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US
Sean Bryan - Raleigh NC, US
Mike Schnupper - Raleigh NC, US
Dan Rees - Zebulon NC, US
Jamie Sprenkel - Raleigh NC, US
Edward W. Gross - Raleigh NC, US
Brantley Angell - Garner NC, US
John H. Hebrank - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

Embrex, Inc. - Durham NC

International Classification:

A01K 45/00

US Classification:

119 68

Abstract:

An injection apparatus for injecting and/or removing substances from subjects, such as avian eggs, includes an injection needle having a body portion and a tapered portion that terminates at a tip. A tube is attached to and extends around the injection needle in substantially concentric relationship therewith. The tube has an end portion positioned a predetermined distance from the needle tip. The tube end portion acts as a stop to limit the distance the needle tip can be inserted into a subject, such as an egg, through a membrane of the subject. A detector may be utilized to measure force exerted on a membrane of an egg by a stop attached to a needle. Force exerted on a membrane by a needle and/or by a needle and a stop attached to the needle may also be measured.

US Patent:

20070238176, Oct 11, 2007

Filed:

Sep 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/226351

Inventors:

Jeffrey MacDonald - Chapel Hill NC, US
Stephen Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

C12N 5/00

US Classification:

435395000

Abstract:

A scaled-up multi-coaxial fiber bioreactor, and variations of this bioreactor. The device is characterized by a hollow housing and an array of from about 20 to about 400 modules of hollow fibers, where each module includes at least three coaxial semipermeable hollow fibers. The innermost fiber provides a boundary for an innermost compartment which is connected to inlet and outlet ports. Arranged coaxially around the central hollow fiber are several other hollow fibers with their respective compartments, each compartment defined by a respective annular space between adjacent fibers and each including inlet and outlet ports. An outermost compartment for permitting integral aeration is the space between the outer side of the outermost fibers and the inner side of the housing, and has inlet and outlet ports. The hollow housing has inlet and outlet manifolds and flow distributors for each of the compartments. In a preferred embodiment the bioreactor is used as an extracorporeal liver. Liver cells, are introduced into one or more annular compartments and media and aeration are provided in others. Plasma from an ailing patient is introduced into another compartment for biotransformation of blood-borne toxins and biosynthesis of proteins, lipids, and other metabolic products.

US Patent:

20080022931, Jan 31, 2008

Filed:

Jun 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/768046

Inventors:

Nandini Mendu - Chapel Hill NC, US
Molly Bland - Cary NC, US
Stephen Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US
John Hebrank - Durham NC, US
Dipak Mahato - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

A01K 45/00

US Classification:

119006800

Abstract:

The present invention provides improved methods of injecting an avian egg containing an embryo, preferably an early embryo (e.g., a blastoderm). The methods of the invention may be used to deliver a substance to an egg, remove a sample from an egg, and/or to insert a detector device into an egg to collect information therefrom. In preferred embodiments, the invention is used to deliver a substance to the embryo in ovo. In other preferred embodiments, the invention is used to produce chimeric or transgenic avian embryos in ovo.