Patents by Inventor Andrew F. McDowell
Andrew F. McDowell 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).
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Patent number: 11204405Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamically stabilizing the fields in a permanent magnet assembly, including a nuclear magnetic resonance machine. One or more magnetically active elements affect the fields of the magnet assembly. A mechanism controls and changes the position(s) of the magnetically active element(s) to affect and adjust the magnetic field strength in the working volume of the assembly. A sensor provides a control signal indicating the status of the magnetic field strength, and an algorithm is executed for determining, based on the signal, the manner in which the adjustment should be made. The adjustment may be continuous and dynamic, and stabilization of the field may occur during operation of the permanent magnet assembly. The adjustments of the position of the magnetically active element stabilize the field without unduly degrading the field homogeneity, even for high homogeneity magnets.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Inventor: Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 11073513Abstract: The invention generally relates to using magnetic particles and alternating magnet fields to separate a target analyte from a sample. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve contacting a sample with magnetic particles including first moieties specific for a target analyte, thereby forming target/particle complexes in the sample, flowing the sample through a channel including second moieties attached to at least one surface of the channel, applying alternating magnetic fields to the flowing sample to result in target/particle complexes being brought into proximity of the surface to bind the second moieties and unbound particles remaining free in the sample, binding the target/particle complexes to the second moieties, and washing away unbound particles and unbound analytes of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: DNAE Group Holdings LimitedInventors: Sergey A. Dryga, Victor C. Esch, Richard G. Saul, Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 10845441Abstract: Apparatus or system for homogenizing or modifying the magnetic fields of magnets, particularly the magnetic fields employed in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. The apparatus features passive structures for making magnetic field homogenizations or modifications, and specifically permits the production of desirable correction fields in which the correction field strength has a continuously adjustable value of field strength. Passive shim structures are provided and manipulated so to create correction fields that can have a continuously adjusted value of field strength, such that errors in the original field can be corrected with high fidelity. The passive structures may be physically modified or adjusted by rotation so that truly continuous adjustment of strength and orientation of the corrective fields may be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Inventor: Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 10739428Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for homogenizing or correcting the magnetic fields of magnets, particularly the magnetic fields employed in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. There are disclosed passive shims for making such homogenizations or corrections, methods for making such shims, and a method and apparatus for creating desirable correction fields in which the correction field strength has limited harmonic content, near continuous value of field strength, and occupies minimal space in the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Inventor: Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 9958516Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignees: ABQMR, Inc., Sandia Corporation, STC.UNMInventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
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Publication number: 20170299674Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for homogenizing or correcting the magnetic fields of magnets, particularly the magnetic fields employed in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. There are disclosed passive shims for making such homogenizations or corrections, methods for making such shims, and a method and apparatus for creating desirable correction fields in which the correction field strength has limited harmonic content, near continuous value of field strength, and occupies minimal space in the magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventor: Andrew F. McDowell
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Publication number: 20160327550Abstract: The invention generally relates to using magnetic particles and alternating magnet fields to separate a target analyte from a sample. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve contacting a sample with magnetic particles including first moieties specific for a target analyte, thereby forming target/particle complexes in the sample, flowing the sample through a channel including second moieties attached to at least one surface of the channel, applying alternating magnetic fields to the flowing sample to result in target/particle complexes being brought into proximity of the surface to bind the second moieties and unbound particles remaining free in the sample, binding the target/particle complexes to the second moieties, and washing away unbound particles and unbound analytes of the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Sergey A. Dryga, Victor C. Esch, Richard G. Saul, Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 9389225Abstract: The invention generally relates to using magnetic particles and alternating magnet fields to separate a target analyte from a sample. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve contacting a sample with magnetic particles including first moieties specific for a target analyte, thereby forming target/particle complexes in the sample, flowing the sample through a channel including second moieties attached to at least one surface of the channel, applying alternating magnetic fields to the flowing sample to result in target/particle complexes being brought into proximity of the surface to bind the second moieties and unbound particles remaining free in the sample, binding the target/particle complexes to the second moieties, and washing away unbound particles and unbound analytes of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: DNA Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Sergey A. Dryga, Victor C. Esch, Richard G. Saul, Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 9285441Abstract: A magnetic field correction system including apparatus and method for adjusting a magnetic field is provided, for example to enhance the uniformity of the field in a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) operation. The system is of an electronic “shimming” type. The layout of the wires of the shim coils is simplified to conserve working space inside a magnet, such as an NMR magnet. The complexity of the shimming system is removed from the coils and transferred to the current controlling electronics. The current paths do not require cross-over points, and groups of parallel wires are arranged such that the wire groups have axes with different directional orientations. By deploying such shim wire groups in differently oriented axial directions, a compact shimming apparatus is provided for generating a controllable corrective magnetic field for adjusting a main original field, such as to enhance the homogeneity of the main field.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: ABQMR, INC.Inventor: Andrew F McDowell
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Patent number: 9194921Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignees: STC.UNM, Sandia Corporation, ABQMR, Inc.Inventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
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Publication number: 20140295486Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: STC.UNMInventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 8698494Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: STC.UNMInventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 8384381Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: STC . UNMInventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
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Patent number: 8339135Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: STC.UNMInventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
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Publication number: 20120112744Abstract: The present invention provides microcoil magnetic resonance based modules, detection devices, and methods for their use.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Andrew F. McDowell, Eiichi Fukushima, Victor Esch, Meghan Norvell, Laurel Sillerud
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Patent number: 8143896Abstract: The present invention provides microcoil magnetic resonance based modules, detection devices, and methods for their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a module including a microcoil possessing an inner diameter of between 25 microns and 550 microns, a conduit disposed proximate to the microcoil, in which the conduit is in fluid communication with a sample reservoir, an affinity column in fluid communication with the conduit and the sample reservoir, and a connector for connecting the module to a magnetic resonance detector.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignees: ABQMR, Inc., NanoMR, Inc.Inventors: Andrew F McDowell, Eiichi Fukushima, Victor Esch, Meghan Norvell, Laurel Sillerud
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Patent number: 8067938Abstract: The present invention provides resonance circuits, detection devices incorporating such circuits, and methods for their design, construction, and use.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: ABQMR, Inc.Inventor: Andrew F. McDowell
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Publication number: 20110262893Abstract: The invention generally relates to using magnetic particles and alternating magnet fields to separate a target analyte from a sample. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve contacting a sample with magnetic particles including first moieties specific for a target analyte, thereby forming target/particle complexes in the sample, flowing the sample through a channel including second moieties attached to at least one surface of the channel, applying alternating magnetic fields to the flowing sample to result in target/particle complexes being brought into proximity of the surface to bind the second moieties and unbound particles remaining free in the sample, binding the target/particle complexes to the second moieties, and washing away unbound particles and unbound analytes of the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: NanoMR, Inc.Inventors: Sergey A. Dryga, Victor C. Esch, Richard G. Saul, Andrew F. McDowell
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Publication number: 20100219824Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: STC.UNMInventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
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Publication number: 20100207631Abstract: The present invention provides microcoil-based detectors for detection of an analyte in a fluid, and methods for their use. In particular, the detectors contain a permanent magnet (206) and a gradient magnetic field generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2008Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventor: Andrew F. McDowell