Patents by Inventor Brian T. Cunningham

Brian T. Cunningham 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).

  • Patent number: 8101423
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Jane Pepper, Bo Lin, Peter Li
  • Publication number: 20120007000
    Abstract: A photonic crystal substrate exhibiting resonant enhancement of multiple fluorophores has been demonstrated. The device, which can be fabricated uniformly from plastic materials over a ˜3×5 in2 surface area by nanoreplica molding, features a 1-D periodic grating structure which utilizes two distinct resonant modes to enhance electric field stimulation of a first dye excited by a first laser (e.g., ?=632.8 nm laser exciting cyanine-5) and a second dye excited by a second laser (e.g., ?=532 nm laser exciting cyanine-3). The first and second lasers could be replaced by a single variable wavelength (tunable) laser. Resonant coupling of the laser excitation to the photonic crystal surface is obtained for each wavelength at a distinct incident angle ?. The photonic crystal is capable of amplifying the output of any fluorescent dye with an excitation wavelength in a given wavelength range (e.g., the range 532 nm <?<660 nm) by selection of an appropriate incident angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Meng Lu, Stephen C. Schulz, Brian T. Cunningham, Anusha Pokhriyal
  • Publication number: 20110237464
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Peter Li, Jean Qiu, Homer Pien
  • Publication number: 20110201132
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Jane Pepper, Bo Lin, Peter Li, Homer Pien, Jean Qiu
  • Patent number: 7968836
    Abstract: Photonic crystal (PC) sensors, and sensor arrays and sensing systems incorporating PC sensors are described which have integrated fluid containment and/or fluid handling structures. The PC sensors are further integrated into a sample handling device such as a microwell plate. Sensors and sensing systems of the present disclosure are capable of high throughput sensing of analytes in fluid samples, bulk refractive index detection, and label-free detection of a range of molecules, including biomolecules and therapeutic candidates. The present disclosure also provides a commercially attractive fabrication platform for making photonic crystal sensors and systems wherein an integrated fluid containment structure and a photonic crystal structure are fabricated in a single molding or imprinting processing step amendable to high throughput processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, SRU Brosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Charles Choi
  • Patent number: 7961315
    Abstract: Enhancement of fluorescence emission from fluorophores bound to a sample and present on the surface of two-dimensional photonic crystals is described. The enhancement of fluorescence is achieved by the combination of high intensity near-fields and strong coherent scattering effects, attributed to leaky photonic crystal eigenmodes (resonance modes). The photonic crystal simultaneously exhibits resonance modes which overlap both the absorption and emission wavelengths of the fluorophore. A significant enhancement in fluorescence intensity from the fluorophores on the photonic crystal surface is demonstrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Nikhil Ganesh, Patrick C. Mathias, Ian D. Block
  • Patent number: 7960170
    Abstract: A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. Some embodiments are disclosed which are optimized for ER detection in an air mode, in which the sample is dry. Other embodiments are optimized for ER detection in liquid mode, in which the sample is suspended in liquid medium such as water. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. One embodiment includes a first light source optimized for collecting label-free detection data, a second light source optimized for collecting ER fluorescence amplification data, and at least one detector. In one embodiment, the detector is an imaging system and includes a CCD camera for collecting both ER and label-free data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Schulz, Brian T. Cunningham, Lance G. Laing, Peter Y. Li, Brant Binder, Gangadhar Jogikalmath, Alex Borsody
  • Patent number: 7935520
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Jane Pepper, Bo Lin, Peter Li, Homer Pien, Jean Qiu
  • Patent number: 7927789
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting biomolecular interactions. The detection can occur without the use of labels and can be done in a high-throughput manner. The invention further relates to self-referencing colorimetric resonant optical biosensors and optical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Baird, Brian T. Cunningham, Peter Li
  • Patent number: 7923239
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Peter Li, Jean Qiu, Homer Pien
  • Publication number: 20110080581
    Abstract: Described herein are spectrometers comprising one or more wavelength-selective filters, such as guided mode resonance filters. Some of the spectrometers described herein are configured for obtaining absorbance spectra in a discrete fashion by measuring absorbances of a sample at multiple discrete wavelengths or wavelength bands. In another aspect, methods are also provided for obtaining spectra, images and chemical maps of samples in a discrete fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Rohit Bhargava, Brian T. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7875434
    Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions and methods for determining cell interactions that are faster than conventional methods and that require the use of fewer reagents than conventional methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Lin, Brian T. Cunningham, Peter Li
  • Patent number: 7869032
    Abstract: Biosensors are disclosed which include a surface for binding to sample molecule to the biosensor in the form of a porous, thin film of dielectric material, e.g., TiO2. In one example the porous, thin film is in the form of a multitude of sub-micron sized rod-like structures (“nanorods”) projecting therefrom. In one embodiment, the biosensor is in the form of a photonic crystal biosensor. The approach of depositing a thin film of dielectric nanorods may be applied to any enhanced fluorescence biosensor surface structure, including 1-dimensional photonic crystals, 2-dimensional photonic crystals, 3-dimensional photonic crystals, surface plasmon resonance surfaces, planar waveguides, and grating-coupled waveguides. The dielectric nanorod structures can be fabricated on the surface of a biosensor by the glancing angle deposition technique (GLAD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Brian T. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7863052
    Abstract: A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. Some embodiments are disclosed which are optimized for ER detection in an air mode, in which the sample is dry. Other embodiments are optimized for ER detection in liquid mode, in which the sample is suspended in liquid medium such as water. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. One embodiment includes a first light source optimized for collecting label-free detection data, a second light source optimized for collecting ER fluorescence amplification data, and at least one detector. In one embodiment, the detector is an imaging system and includes a CCD camera for collecting both ER and label-free data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Schulz, Brian T. Cunningham, Lance G. Laing, Peter Y. Li, Brant Binder, Gangadhar Jogikalmath, Alex Borsody
  • Publication number: 20100329933
    Abstract: A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. Some embodiments are disclosed which are optimized for ER detection in an air mode, in which the sample is dry. Other embodiments are optimized for ER detection in liquid mode, in which the sample is suspended in liquid medium such as water. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. One embodiment includes a first light source optimized for collecting label-free detection data, a second light source optimized for collecting ER fluorescence amplification data, and at least one detector. In one embodiment, the detector is in the form of an imaging system and includes a CCD camera for collecting both ER and label-free data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen C. Schulz, Brian T. Cunningham, Lance G. Laing, Peter Y. Li, Brant Binder, Gangadhar Jogikalmath, Alex Borsody
  • Patent number: 7854505
    Abstract: The present invention provides photonic crystal devices, device components and methods for preventing transmission of electromagnetic radiation from one or more laser sources or laser modes so as to provide an optical shield for protecting a users eyes or an optical sensor. The present invention also provides dynamic photonic crystals and devices incorporating dynamic photonic crystals for optically modulating the intensity of one or more beams of electromagnetic radiation and other optical switching applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Dennis W. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20100227769
    Abstract: A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. Some embodiments are disclosed which are optimized for ER detection in an air mode, in which the sample is dry. Other embodiments are optimized for ER detection in liquid mode, in which the sample is suspended in liquid medium such as water. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. One embodiment includes a first light source optimized for collecting label-free detection data, a second light source optimized for collecting ER fluorescence amplification data, and at least one detector. In one embodiment, the detector is an imaging system and includes a CCD camera for collecting both ER and label-free data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen C. Schulz, Brian T. Cunningham, Lance G. Laing, Peter Y. Li, Brant Binder, Gangadhar Jogikalmath, Alex Borsody
  • Patent number: 7790406
    Abstract: A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. Various applications for the biosensors are described, including cell-based assays for assessing the effect of drug compounds on cell function. A biosensor embodiment optimized for a luminescent response at two different wavelengths is also described. Such luminescent response could be produced by fluorescence (either native or from an attached fluorophore), phosphorescence, chemi-luminescence, or other luminescence technology. Two different luminescence technologies could be combined on the same biosensor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Peter Y. Li, Lance G. Laing, Gangadhar Jogikalmath
  • Publication number: 20100221847
    Abstract: Photonic crystal (PC) sensors, and sensor arrays and sensing systems incorporating PC sensors are described which have integrated fluid containment and/or fluid handling structures. The PC sensors are further integrated into a sample handling device such as a microwell plate. Sensors and sensing systems of the present disclosure are capable of high throughput sensing of analytes in fluid samples, bulk refractive index detection, and label-free detection of a range of molecules, including biomolecules and therapeutic candidates. The present disclosure also provides a commercially attractive fabrication platform for making photonic crystal sensors and systems wherein an integrated fluid containment structure and a photonic crystal structure are fabricated in a single molding or imprinting processing step amendable to high throughput processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Charles Choi
  • Publication number: 20100202923
    Abstract: A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. Various applications for the biosensors are described, including cell-based assays for assessing the effect of drug compounds on cell function. A biosensor embodiment optimized for a luminescent response at two different wavelengths is also described. Such luminescent response could be produced by fluorescence (either native or from an attached fluorophore), phosphorescence, chemi-luminescence, or other luminescence technology. Two different luminescence technologies could be combined on the same biosensor chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Peter Y. Li, Lance G. Laing, Gangadhar Jogikalmath