Patents by Inventor Anne R. Kopf-Sill
Anne R. Kopf-Sill 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: 11543383Abstract: A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Travis Lee, Michael Benjamin Franklin, Kailiang Wang, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Patent number: 10428377Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting low copy nucleic acids of interest in a sample. In one method, a sample comprising a nucleic acid of interest is aliquotted into a plurality of reaction mixtures, at least two of which are single-copy reaction mixtures. The reaction mixtures are subjected to one or more amplification reactions while flowing through a channel of a microfluidic device. At least one of the reaction mixtures is formulated in an aqueous phase of an emulsion comprising aqueous droplets suspended in an immiscible liquid. The nucleic acid of interest is present as a single copy in at least one aqueous droplet of the aqueous phase prior to performing the amplification reaction(s). Amplification is performed on the reaction mixture when it is formulated in the emulsion. The nucleic acid is continuously flowed during a plurality of steps of the method.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: CALIPER LIFE SCIENCES, INC.Inventors: Michael R. Knapp, Jill M. Baker, Andrea W. Chow, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Michael Spaid
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Patent number: 10138517Abstract: An array of transportable particle sets is used in a microfluidic device for performing chemical reactions in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and intersecting side channels, the main channel and side channels forming a plurality of intersections. The array of particle sets is disposed in the main channel, and the side channels are coupled to reagents. As the particle sets are transported through the intersections of the main channel and the side channels, reagents are flowed through the side channels into contact with each array member (or selected array members), thereby providing a plurality of chemical reactions in the microfluidic system.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: CALIPER LIFE SCIENCES, INC.Inventors: Tammy Burd Mehta, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, J. Wallace Parce, Andrea W. Chow, Luc J. Bousse, Michael R. Knapp, Theo T. Nikiforov, Steve Gallagher
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Patent number: 10137450Abstract: A disposable cartridge configured as a digital microfluidics system for manipulating samples in liquid portions having a cartridge accommodation site and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of an electrode array located at the site and for providing plural electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid portions by electrowetting. The cartridge has a hydrophobic working surface and a rigid cover with a second hydrophobic surface, the hydrophobic surfaces facing each other and being separated in parallel planes by a gap. The cartridge has plural pipetting guides for safe entering/withdrawing liquids into/from the gap with a pipette tip. At least one of the pipetting guides provides an abutting surface sealingly admittable by a counter surface of a pipette tip, located at a pipetting orifice that reaches through the rigid cover, and configured to prevent a pipette tip from touching the hydrophobic working surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Tiffany Lay, Daniel Hoffmeyer, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Publication number: 20180282811Abstract: Described herein are methods for diagnosing, prognosing, or theranosing a condition using rare cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: GPB Scientific, LLCInventors: Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Lena Wu, Roland Stoughton
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Publication number: 20180074013Abstract: A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicant: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: TRAVIS LEE, Michael Benjamin Franklin, Kailiang Wang, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Patent number: 9857332Abstract: A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Travis Lee, Michael Benjamin Franklin, Kailiang Wang, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Publication number: 20170356040Abstract: An array of transportable particle sets is used in a microfluidic device for performing chemical reactions in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and intersecting side channels, the main channel and side channels forming a plurality of intersections. The array of particle sets is disposed in the main channel, and the side channels are coupled to reagents. As the particle sets are transported through the intersections of the main channel and the side channels, reagents are flowed through the side channels into contact with each array member (or selected array members), thereby providing a plurality of chemical reactions in the microfluidic system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Tammy Burd Mehta, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, J. Wallace Parce, Andrea W. Chow, Luc J. Bousse, Michael R. Knapp, Theo T. Nikiforov, Steve Gallagher
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Patent number: 9784711Abstract: A disposable cartridge used in a digital microfluidics system has a bottom layer with first hydrophobic surface, a rigid cover plate with second hydrophobic surface, and a gap there-between. The bottom layer is a flexible film on an uppermost surface of a cartridge accommodation site of a system, attracted to and spread over the uppermost surface by an underpressure. A lower surface of the plate and the flexible bottom layer are sealed to each other. The assembled cartridge is removed from the cartridge accommodation site in one piece and potentially includes samples and processing fluids. The system has a base unit and a cartridge accommodation site with an electrode array of individual electrodes and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes and for providing these electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets within the gap by electrowetting.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Daniel Hoffmeyer, Tiffany Lay, Travis Lee, Marc N. Feiglin, Werner Halg, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Patent number: 9670541Abstract: An array of transportable particle sets is used in a microfluidic device for performing chemical reactions in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and intersecting side channels, the main channel and side channels forming a plurality of intersections. The array of particle sets is disposed in the main channel, and the side channels are coupled to reagents. As the particle sets are transported through the intersections of the main channel and the side channels, reagents are flowed through the side channels into contact with each array member (or selected array members), thereby providing a plurality of chemical reactions in the microfluidic system.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: CALIPER LIFE SCIENCES, INC.Inventors: Tammy Burd Mehta, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, J. Wallace Parce, Andrea W. Chow, Luc J. Bousse, Michael R. Knapp, Theo T. Nikiforov, Steve Gallagher
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Patent number: 9630176Abstract: Digital microfluidics system manipulates samples in liquid droplets within a gap of at least one disposable cartridge. It is also provides additional space for collecting and/or storing waste fluids in this digital microfluidics system. It includes at least one waste hollow which is fluidly connected with a gap of a disposable cartridge that includes a bottom layer with a first hydrophobic surface and a top layer with a second hydrophobic surface. The waste hollow is located next to at least one individual waste electrode that is positioned next to at least one individual electrode of an electrode array. Each individual waste electrode is operatively connected to a central control unit and covers in each case a waste electrode area.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Tiffany Lay, Thomas D. Perroud, Michael Benjamin Franklin, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Publication number: 20170101680Abstract: Described herein are methods for diagnosing, prognosing, or theranosing a condition using rare cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Lena Wu, Roland Stoughton
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Patent number: 9435765Abstract: A cartridge manipulates samples in liquid droplets with an electrode array when a working film is placed on the array. The cartridge has a body with lower surface and wells to hold samples, each with a bottom opening to release liquid. A piercable bottom structure seals the bottom openings. A working film below the body has a hydrophobic upper surface. A peripheral spacer connects the working film to the body and forms a gap is between the body and surface. A top piercing system located in at least one of the wells has a piston and a piercing element, the piston being movable in the well and the piercing element piercing the piercable bottom structure for releasing a sample from a well into the gap.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Tecan Trading AGInventors: S. Nicholas Reimitz, Bruce Richardson, Marc N. Feiglin, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Publication number: 20160103044Abstract: The invention encompasses methods and devices for diagnosing, theranosing, or prognosing a condition in a patient by enriching a sample in rare cells. The devices can be a microfluidic device comprising an array of obstacles and one or more binding moieties. The devices and methods can allow for enrichment of cells based on size and affinity, recovery of cells in locations on the microfluidic device, release of cells from the microfluidic device, flow of sample through the microfluidic device, and retention of rare cells from a sample obtained from a patient having a condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventor: Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Publication number: 20160040226Abstract: An array of transportable particle sets is used in a microfluidic device for performing chemical reactions in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and intersecting side channels, the main channel and side channels forming a plurality of intersections. The array of particle sets is disposed in the main channel, and the side channels are coupled to reagents. As the particle sets are transported through the intersections of the main channel and the side channels, reagents are flowed through the side channels into contact with each array member (or selected array members), thereby providing a plurality of chemical reactions in the microfluidic system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Tammy Burd Mehta, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, J. Wallace Parce, Andrea W. Chow, Luc J. Bousse, Michael R. Knapp, Theo T. Nikiforov, Steve Gallagher
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Publication number: 20160016170Abstract: A disposable cartridge configured as a digital microfluidics system for manipulating samples in liquid portions having a cartridge accommodation site and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of an electrode array located at the site and for providing plural electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid portions by electrowetting. The cartridge has a hydrophobic working surface and a rigid cover with a second hydrophobic surface, the hydrophobic surfaces facing each other and being separated in parallel planes by a gap. The cartridge has plural pipetting guides for safe entering/withdrawing liquids into/from the gap with a pipette tip. At least one of the pipetting guides provides an abutting surface sealingly admittable by a counter surface of a pipette tip, located at a pipetting orifice that reaches through the rigid cover, and configured to prevent a pipette tip from touching the hydrophobic working surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: Tecan Trading AGInventors: Tiffany LAY, Daniel HOFFMEYER, Anne R. KOPF-SILL
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Publication number: 20150233931Abstract: The invention encompasses methods for diagnosing, theranosing, or prognosing a condition in a patient based on the results of one or more analysis methods. The methods can comprise enriching a sample obtained from the patient for one or more rare cells. The analysis methods can include performing enumeration of the one or more rare cells or cell subtypes, performing nucleic acid analysis, or detecting a serum marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Lena Wu, Roland Stoughton
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Patent number: 9101928Abstract: An array of transportable particle sets is used in a microfluidic device for performing chemical reactions in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and intersecting side channels, the main channel and side channels forming a plurality of intersections. The array of particle sets is disposed in the main channel, and the side channels are coupled to reagents. As the particle sets are transported through the intersections of the main channel and the side channels, reagents are flowed through the side channels into contact with each array member (or selected array members), thereby providing a plurality of chemical reactions in the microfluidic system.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Tammy Burd Mehta, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, J. Wallace Parce, Andrea W. Chow, Luc J. Bousse, Michael R. Knapp, Theo T. Nikiforov, Steve Gallagher
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Publication number: 20150144489Abstract: A disposable cartridge used in a digital microfluidics system has a bottom layer with first hydrophobic surface, a rigid cover plate with second hydrophobic surface, and a gap there-between. The bottom layer is a flexible film on an uppermost surface of a cartridge accommodation site of a system, attracted to and spread over the uppermost surface by an underpressure. A lower surface of the plate and the flexible bottom layer are sealed to each other. The assembled cartridge is removed from the cartridge accommodation site in one piece and potentially includes samples and processing fluids. The system has a base unit and a cartridge accommodation site with an electrode array of individual electrodes and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes and for providing these electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets within the gap by electrowetting.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Daniel Hoffmeyer, Tiffany Lay, Travis Lee, Marc N. Feiglin, Werner Halg, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
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Patent number: 8821705Abstract: A digital microfluidics system manipulates samples in liquid droplets within disposable cartridges and has disposable cartridges each with a bottom layer, a top layer and a gap therebetween. A base unit with cartridge accommodation sites and at least one electrode array with electrodes works with a cover plate at the sites and a control unit for controlling selection of the electrodes and for providing them with voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets within the cartridges by electrowetting. The cover plate has an electrically conductive material that extends parallel to the array. A selection of disposable cartridges and a method for manipulating samples in liquid droplets that adhere to a hydrophobic surface can be used with the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Tecan Trading AGInventors: Torleif Ove Bjornson, Marc Nathan Feiglin, Michael Benjamin Franklin, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Travis Lee, Kailiang Wang