Patents Assigned to Cytonome, Inc.
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Publication number: 20070148777Abstract: A fluid interface port in a microfluidic system and a method of forming the fluid interface port is provided. The fluid interface port comprises an opening formed in the side wall of a microchannel sized and dimensioned to form a virtual wall when the microchannel is filled with a first liquid. The fluid interface port is utilized to perform a labeling operation on a sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2007Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John Gilbert, Nghia Chiem
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Patent number: 7211442Abstract: A fluid interface port in a microfluidic system and a method of forming the fluid interface port is provided. The fluid interface port comprises an opening formed in the side wall of a microchannel sized and dimensioned to form a virtual wall when the microchannel is filled with a first liquid. The fluid interface port is utilized to perform a labeling operation on a sample.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Nghia Hung Chiem
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Publication number: 20070075010Abstract: A system and method for integrating microfluidic components in a microfluidic system enables the microfluidic system to perform a selected microfluidic function. A capping module includes a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate having microfluidic plumbing to incorporate the microfluidic function into the system. The microfluidic element may comprise a matrix having an affinity for selected molecules in a sample. The matrix binds, reacts with and/or retains the selected molecules without affecting other molecules in the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Jaishree Trikha
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Publication number: 20070065808Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2006Publication date: March 22, 2007Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: Sebastian Bohm, John Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20070054408Abstract: A two-pin liquid handling system for crystallizing biomolecules comprises a pair of interacting pins for holding a droplet of liquid therebetween. Each pin includes a tip spaced predetermined distance from the other pin to define a sample acquisition region. The two-pin liquid handling system includes a temperature and humidity control element for controlling the temperature of the sample acquisition region to cause transpiration of water to and from a droplet of biomolecule solution to promote crystallization of the biomolecule.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John Gilbert, Jaishree Trikha
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Publication number: 20070044851Abstract: A latching microregulator for regulating liquid flow on micro-scale levels comprises a substrate having an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve element defining a valve chamber for opening and closing the inlet port, and an actuator assembly for actuating the valve element. The valve chamber is configured to contain a volume of fluid, and the inlet port and the outlet port are in fluid communication with the valve chamber to provide a liquid flow path through the chamber. The actuator assembly comprises a cantilever beam for moving the valve element between an open position and a closed position, an actuator, such as a piezoelectric element, for moving the cantilever beam, and a latch, such as a permanent magnet, for securing the cantilever beam in the closed position. A flow regulation system comprises a plurality of fluid channels of varied flow conductance and a plurality of latching microregulators for selectively blocking or allowing flow through each of the fluid channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John Gilbert, Bernard Bunner, Sebastian Bohm, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 7179423Abstract: A fluid interface port in a microfluidic system and a method of forming the fluid interface port is provided. The fluid interface port comprises an opening formed in the side wall of a microchannel sized and dimensioned to form a virtual wall when the microchannel is filled with a first liquid. The fluid interface port is utilized to fill the microchannel with a first liquid, to introduce a second liquid into the first liquid and to eject fluid from the microchannel.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: Sebastian Böhm, John Gilbert
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Patent number: 7157274Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: Sebastian Böhm, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 7153699Abstract: A two-pin liquid handling system for crystallizing biomolecules comprises a pair of interacting pins for holding a droplet of liquid therebetween. Each pin includes a tip spaced predetermined distance from the other pin to define a sample acquisition region. The two-pin liquid handling system includes a temperature and humidity control element for controlling the temperature of the sample acquisition region to cause transpiration of water to and from a droplet of biomolecule solution to promote crystallization of the biomolecule.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John Gilbert, Jaishree Trikha
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Publication number: 20060285983Abstract: An electromagnetic micropump for pumping small volumes of liquids and gases comprises a magnetic actuator assembly, a flexible membrane and a housing defining a chamber and a plurality of valves. The magnetic actuator assembly comprises a coil and a permanent magnet for deflecting the membrane to effect pumping of the fluid. A plurality of micropumps may be stacked together to increase pumping capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: Bernard Bunner, Manish Deshpande, Sebastian Bohm, Richard Day, John Gilbert
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Publication number: 20060278288Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John Gilbert, Sebastian Bohm, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20060274313Abstract: An optical system for acquiring fast spectra from spatially channel arrays includes a light source for producing a light beam that passes through the microfluidic chip or the channel to be monitored, one or more lenses or optical fibers for capturing the light from the light source after interaction with the particles or chemicals in the microfluidic channels, and one or more detectors. The detectors, which may include light amplifying elements, detect each light signal and transducer the light signal into an electronic signal. The electronic signals, each representing the intensity of an optical signal, pass from each detector to an electronic data acquisition system for analysis. The light amplifying element or elements may comprise an array of phototubes, a multianode phototube, or a multichannel plate based image intensifier coupled to an array of photodiode detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2006Publication date: December 7, 2006Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John Gilbert, Edward Sinofsky, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20060269446Abstract: A single disposable cartridge for performing a process on a particle, such as particle sorting, encapsulates all fluid contact surfaces in the cartridge for use with microfluidic particle processing technology. The cartridge interfaces with an operating system for effecting particle processing. The encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The cartridge may employ any suitable technique for processing particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2005Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John Gilbert, Hugh Lewis, Derek Beaupre, Jaishree Trikha, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20060266679Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: Sebastian Bohm, John Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20060263264Abstract: A fluid interface port in a microfluidic system and a method of forming the fluid interface port is provided. The fluid interface port comprises an opening formed in the side wall of a microchannel sized and dimensioned to form a virtual wall when the microchannel is filled with a first liquid. The fluid interface port is utilized to fill the microchannel with a first liquid, to introduce a second liquid into the first liquid and to eject fluid from the microchannel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2006Publication date: November 23, 2006Applicant: Cytonome, IncInventors: Sebastian Bohm, John Gilbert
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Patent number: 7134639Abstract: A latching microregulator for regulating liquid flow on micro-scale levels comprises a substrate having an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve element defining a valve chamber for opening and closing the inlet port, and an actuator assembly for actuating the valve element. The valve chamber is configured to contain a volume of fluid, and the inlet port and the outlet port are in fluid communication with the valve chamber to provide a liquid flow path through the chamber. The actuator assembly comprises a cantilever beam for moving the valve element between an open position and a closed position, an actuator, such as a piezoelectric element, for moving the cantilever beam, and a latch, such as a permanent magnet, for securing the cantilever beam in the closed position. A flow regulation system comprises a plurality of fluid channels of varied flow conductance and a plurality of latching microregulators for selectively blocking or allowing flow through each of the fluid channels.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2005Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Bernard Bunner, Sebastian Böhm, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 7104405Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: Sebastian Böhm, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 7094345Abstract: A system and method for integrating microfluidic components in a microfluidic system enables the microfluidic system to perform a selected microfluidic function. A capping module includes a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate having microfluidic plumbing to incorporate the microfluidic function into the system. The microfluidic element may comprise a matrix having an affinity for selected molecules in a sample. The matrix binds, reacts with and/or retains the selected molecules without affecting other molecules in the sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Jaishree Trikha
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Patent number: 7069943Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Sebastian Böhm, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20060134696Abstract: The invention relates to a method of high throughput chemical analysis comprising the steps of combining one test compound with a solution comprising m enzyme(s) and n substrate(s), wherein m is an integer equal to one or greater, n is an integer equal to one or greater, and m+n?3, incubating for a period of time said test compound within said solution, separating the chemical species in said combined solution by a chromatography step after said incubating step, and measuring the relative amounts of substrates and separately identifiable products produced therefrom by a chemical reaction catalyzed by said enzymes. The present SMSBEA assays are particularly well suited to enzyme-substrate systems in which both the substrate(s) and product(s) have mobilities such that they can be separated on short chromatography columns. The method of the invention is also particularly well suited to HTS applications in which an enzyme agonist or antagonist is sought.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2005Publication date: June 22, 2006Applicant: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: Nghia Chiem, John Gilbert