Patents by Inventor Amy E. Herr

Amy E. Herr has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220146511
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample is provided. The microfluidic device includes an elongated flow path having a polymeric medium, where the polymeric medium includes a first analyte detection domain having a first immobilized capture member that specifically binds to a first analyte and a second analyte detection domain having a second immobilized capture member that specifically binds to a second analyte. Also provided are methods, systems and kits in which the subject microfluidic devices find use, as well as methods of producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: M. Kursad Araz, Akwasi A. Apori, Amy E. Herr
  • Publication number: 20210278367
    Abstract: Dual nucleic acid and protein isoform measurements are performed on low starting cell numbers (e.g. equivalent to the number of blastomeres composing early embryonic development stages (morula and blastocysts)), comprising integrating fractionation polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (fPAGE) of 10-100 cells with off-chip analysis of nucleic acids in the nuclei.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Lin He, Andrew J. Modzelewski, Elisabet Rosàs-Canyelles
  • Publication number: 20210048410
    Abstract: Electrophoretic separation methods and devices for detecting a distribution of analytes in a tissue sample are provided. The methods and devices find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications, such as tissue projection electrophoretic separation of proteins from a tissue sample, where analytes in a tissue sample can be detected to produce a map of the distribution of the analytes in the tissue sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Samantha Marie Grist, Chi-Chih Kang, Burcu Gumuscu Sefunc, Julea Vlassakis
  • Patent number: 10852272
    Abstract: Provided are devices that include a polymeric separation medium configured to immobilize one or more constituents of interest in the polymeric separation medium and have an increased pore size upon application of an applied stimulus. Systems including the devices, as well as methods of using the devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Todd A. Duncombe
  • Patent number: 10768141
    Abstract: Isoelectric focusing devices configured for multiplex separation of sample components of interest in a polymeric separation medium are provided. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University Of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Augusto M. Tentori, Kevin A. Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10761056
    Abstract: Provided are methods for producing a separation medium, where the method includes exposing a separation medium precursor solution to light from a light source through a photomask that includes a region with varied light transmittance to produce the separation medium. Systems that find use in performing the methods, microfluidic devices that include the separation medium, as well as methods of using the microfluidic devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Chi-Chih Kang, Amy E. Herr, Todd A. Duncombe
  • Patent number: 10634673
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample is provided. The microfluidic device includes an elongated flow path having a polymeric medium, where the polymeric medium includes a first analyte detection domain having a first immobilized capture member that specifically binds to a first analyte and a second analyte detection domain having a second immobilized capture member that specifically binds to a second analyte. Also provided are methods, systems and kits in which the subject microfluidic devices find use, as well as methods of producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: M. Kursad Araz, Akwasi A. Apori, Amy E. Herr
  • Patent number: 10408842
    Abstract: Electrophoretic separation methods and systems for performing the same are provided. The methods and systems find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications, such as sub-cellular Western blotting of single cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kevin A. Yamauchi, Amy E. Herr
  • Patent number: 10393701
    Abstract: Microfluidic methods of assaying molecule switching are provided. Aspects of the methods include microfluidically separating a sample containing the molecule of interest and then employing the resultant separation pattern to determine a switching characteristic of the molecule. Also provided are microfluidic devices, as well as systems and kits that include the devices, which find use in practicing embodiments of the methods. The methods, devices, systems and kits find use in a variety of different applications, such as analytical and diagnostic assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Augusto M. Tentori, Alex J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20190242883
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for protein-coated micro- or nano-particles that can be used as reference standards for assessing technical variations in microfluidic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Pui Yik Chan
  • Patent number: 10267795
    Abstract: Electrophoretic separation devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the devices include a polymeric separation medium that includes a plurality of microwells. Also provided are methods, systems and kits in which the subject devices find use. The devices and methods find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Alex James Hughes, Elly Sinkala, Todd A. Duncombe, Kevin A. Yamauchi, Julea Vlassakis, Chi-Chih Kang, Zhuchen Xu, Robert Lin
  • Patent number: 10088475
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample are provided. The microfluidic devices include a polymeric medium that includes a first analyte detection domain having a first covalently bound capture member that specifically binds to a first analyte, and a second analyte detection domain having a second covalently bound capture member that specifically binds to a second analyte. Also provided are methods of using the subject microfluidic device, systems and kits that use the subject microfluidic devices, as well as methods of producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Robert Lin
  • Publication number: 20180217094
    Abstract: Isoelectric focusing devices configured for multiplex separation of sample components of interest in a polymeric separation medium are provided. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Augusto M. Tentori, Kevin A. Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9976984
    Abstract: Provided are devices that include a support, a free-standing polymeric separation medium associated with the support and configured to separate a sample along a directional axis, and a sample-loading element associated with the polymeric separation medium. Systems that include the devices, as well as methods of using the devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Todd Duncombe
  • Patent number: 9841417
    Abstract: Multi-directional microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices that include a chamber having a separation medium, a first binding medium, and a second binding medium. In addition, the devices include a flow field element configured to subject the chamber to two or more directionally distinct flow fields. Methods of using the devices, as well as systems and kits that include the devices are also provided. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic, research and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Samuel Tia, Amy E. Herr, Mei He, Dohyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9744532
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the invention include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium and a pan-capture binding medium. The microfluidic devices are configured to subject a sample to two or more directionally distinct electric fields. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Dohyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20170242020
    Abstract: Electrophoretic separation methods and systems for performing the same are provided. The methods and systems find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications, such as sub-cellular Western blotting of single cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin A. Yamauchi, Amy E. Herr
  • Publication number: 20170241946
    Abstract: Provided are devices that include a polymeric separation medium configured to immobilize one or more constituents of interest in the polymeric separation medium and have an increased pore size upon application of an applied stimulus. Systems including the devices, as well as methods of using the devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Calfornia
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Todd A. Duncombe
  • Patent number: 9671368
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Embodiments include microfluidic devices that have a first separation region configured to separate a sample along a first directional axis based on a first property, and a second separation region in fluid communication with the first separation region and configured to separate the sample along a second directional axis based on a second property. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Augusto Tentori
  • Patent number: 9523684
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium having functional groups which covalently bond to one or more analytes of interest, e.g., proteins, in a sample upon application of an applied stimulus, e.g., light. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Alex James Hughes