Patents Assigned to Fluidigm Canada Inc.
  • Patent number: 9465036
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new type of element encoded particles suitable for the attachment of bio molecules to enable massively multiplex bio-analytical methods, and to calibrate and tune the elemental flow cytometer mass spectrometer (FC-MS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Winnik, Cedric Vancaeyzeele, Vladimir I. Baranov
  • Patent number: 9435787
    Abstract: A combination of mutually exclusive cell-based analytical techniques can be applied to the same group of cells for analysis. The same group of cells can be prepared for analysis by each technique resulting with candidate cells targeted for mass cytometry analysis. This configuration allows for the correlation of the information between each technique to produce a matrix of multi dimension of cellular information with the same group of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Baranov
  • Patent number: 9431227
    Abstract: In a mass cytometer or mass spectrometer, a sample of elemental tagged particles is transferred from a dispersion to a gas flow through a carrier aerosol spray for atomization and ionization by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source. The configuration of the sample transfer apparatus allow for total consumption of the sample by passing the sample spray through a deceleration stage to decelerate the spray of particles from its high velocity expansion. Following the deceleration stage, the decelerated sample of particles can be accelerated and focused through an acceleration stage for transferring into the ICP. This effectively improves the particle transfer between the sample spray and the ICP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Jong
  • Patent number: 9296838
    Abstract: Element tags based on novel metal-polymer conjugates are provided for elemental analysis of analytes, including ICP-MS. A polymer backbone is functionalized to irreversibly bind metals that are selected prior to use by the user. The polymer is further functionalized to attach a linker which allows for attachment to antibodies or other affinity reagents. The polymer format allows attachment of many copies of a given isotope, which linearly improves sensitivity. The metal-polymer conjugate tags enable multiplexed assay in two formats: bulk assay, where the average biomarker distribution in the sample is diagnostic, and single cell format to distinguish a rare (for example a diseased) cell in a complex sample (for example, blood).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Winnik, Mark Nitz, Vladimir Baranov, Xudong Lou
  • Patent number: 9284597
    Abstract: Methods and kits for enzymes involved in post-translational modifications are provided. The methods employ elemental analysis, including ICP-MS. The methods allow for the convenient and accurate analysis of post-translation modifications of substrates by enzymes involved in post-translational modifications, including kinase and phosphatase enyzmes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Olga Ornatsky
  • Patent number: 9284598
    Abstract: Methods and kits for enzymes involved in post-translational modifications are provided. The methods employ elemental analysis, including ICP-MS. The methods allow for the convenient and accurate analysis of post-translation modifications of substrates by enzymes involved in post-translational modifications, including kinase and phosphatase enyzmes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Olga Ornatsky
  • Patent number: 9261503
    Abstract: A combination of mutually exclusive cell-based analytical techniques can be applied to the same group of cells for analysis. The same group of cells can be prepared for analysis by each technique resulting with candidate cells targeted for mass cytometry analysis. This configuration allows for the correlation of the information between each technique to produce a matrix of multi dimension of cellular information with the same group of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Baranov
  • Patent number: 9218949
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer of the type useful in mass cytometry includes an ion detector. A digitizing system for converting analog signals from the ion detector includes two analog-to-digital converters. The analog-to-digital converters are configured to provide an increased dynamic range for a targeted period while limiting the amount of data generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Tanner
  • Patent number: 9177767
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer has a particle introduction system and a vaporizer, atomizer, and ionizer configured to produce ions from elements associated with the particle. An ion mass-to-charge ratio analyzer is configured to separate ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio. A detector is positioned to detect at least some of the separated ions. A digital processor is configured to: (a) acquire data from the detector including at least first data in a primary detection group defined to comprise one or more mass-to-charge ratio channels of the mass spectrometer; (b) determine whether or not ions detected during at least one sampling cycle meet at least one selection criterion indicating a presence of a particle in the mass spectrometer; and (c) determine whether or not to use data in a secondary detection group based on whether or not the at least one selection criterion is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Antonov, Dmitry Roman Bandura
  • Patent number: 9169335
    Abstract: Element tags based on novel metal-polymer conjugates are provided for elemental analysis of analytes, including ICP-MS. A polymer backbone is functionalized to irreversibly bind metals that are selected prior to use by the user. The polymer is further functionalized to attach a linker which allows for attachment to antibodies or other affinity reagents. The polymer format allows attachment of many copies of a given isotope, which linearly improves sensitivity. The metal-polymer conjugate tags enable multiplexed assay in two formats: bulk assay, where the average biomarker distribution in the sample is diagnostic, and single cell format to distinguish a rare (for example a diseased) cell in a complex sample (for example, blood).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Winnik, Mark Nitz, Vladimir Baranov, Xudong Lou
  • Patent number: 9012239
    Abstract: Element tags based on novel metal-polymer conjugates are provided for elemental analysis of analytes, including ICP-MS. A polymer backbone is functionalized to irreversibly bind metals that are selected prior to use by the user. The polymer is further functionalized to attach a linker which allows for attachment to antibodies or other affinity reagents. The polymer format allows attachment of many copies of a given isotope, which linearly improves sensitivity. The metal-polymer conjugate tags enable multiplexed assay in two formats: bulk assay, where the average biomarker distribution in the sample is diagnostic, and single cell format to distinguish a rare (for example a diseased) cell in a complex sample (for example, blood).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Winnik, Mark Nitz, Vladimir Baranov, Xudong Lou
  • Patent number: 8963076
    Abstract: In a mass cytometer or mass spectrometer, a sample of elemental tagged particles is transferred from a dispersion to a gas flow through a carrier aerosol spray for atomization and ionization by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source. The configuration of the sample transfer apparatus allow for total consumption of the sample by passing the sample spray through a deceleration stage to decelerate the spray of particles from its high velocity expansion. Following the deceleration stage, the decelerated sample of particles can be accelerated and focused through an acceleration stage for transferring into the ICP. This effectively improves the particle transfer between the sample spray and the ICP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Jong
  • Publication number: 20150011422
    Abstract: Methods and kits for enzymes involved in post-translational modifications are provided. The methods employ elemental analysis, including ICP-MS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Olga Ornatsky
  • Publication number: 20140323339
    Abstract: Methods and kits for enzymes involved in post-translational modifications are provided. The methods employ elemental analysis, including ICP-MS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Olga Ornatsky
  • Patent number: 8803079
    Abstract: An apparatus for elemental analysis of particles such as single cells or single beads by mass spectrometry is described. The apparatus includes means for particle introduction; means to vaporize, atomize and ionize elements associated with a particle; means to separate the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio; means to detect the separated ions, means to digitize the output of the means to detect the ions; means to transfer and/or to process and/or record the data output of the means to digitize, having means to detect the presence of a particle in a mass spectrometer; and means to synchronize one of the means for ion detection, data digitization, transfer, processing and recording with the means to detect the presence of a particle. Methods and computer readable code implementing aspects of the apparatus, and for reducing the rates of data generation, digitization, transfer, processing and recording are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Antonov, Dmitry Roman Bandura
  • Patent number: 8790886
    Abstract: Methods to assay kinase activity are provided herein. The methods employ elemental analysis, including inductively charged plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The methods allow for the convenient and accurate analysis of post-translation modifications of substrates by kinase enzymes involved in post-translational modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Olga Ornatsky