Patents by Inventor Chao Chung Shih

Chao Chung Shih 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).

  • Method and device for tracking and manipulation of droplets
    Patent number: 11369962
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods useful for confined-channel digital microfluidics that combine high-throughput droplet generators with digital microfluidic for droplet manipulation. The present disclosure also provides an off-chip sensing system for droplet tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Jess M. Sustarich, Chao Chung Shih, Anup Kumar Singh, Philip Gach
  • METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRACKING AND MANIPULATION OF DROPLETS
    Publication number: 20170354973
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods useful for confined-channel digital microfluidics that combine high-throughput droplet generators with digital microfluidic for droplet manipulation. The present disclosure also provides an off-chip sensing system for droplet tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jess M. Sustarich, Chao Chung Shih, Anup Kumar Singh, Philip Gach
  • Impedance-based sensing of adherent cells on a digital microfluidic device
    Patent number: 9448223
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for measuring, on a digital microfluidic platform, electrical signals associated with the impedance of adherent cells. In one embodiment, a sub-droplet of cell culture media containing adherent cells is passively dispensed at a pre-selected electrode location where a local hydrophilic surface region is provided, and adherent cells are attached to the local hydrophilic surface region. The cell culture media sub-droplet is replaced with a sub-droplet of a low-conductivity medium in a passive dispensing step, retaining the attached adherent cells. An AC voltage with a suitable frequency is applied between electrodes of the device and a signal associated with the impedance of the adherent cells is obtained. One of the electrodes to which the AC voltage is applied may be a dedicated sensing electrode. The local thickness of a dielectric layer coating the pre-selected electrode may be reduced to increase the detection sensitivity of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Governing Council of the University of Toronto
    Inventors: Steve Chao-Chung Shih, Irena Barbulovic-Nad, Aaron Wheeler
  • Impedance-Based Sensing of Adherent Cells on A Digital Microfluidic Device
    Publication number: 20140199719
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for measuring, on a digital microfluidic platform, electrical signals associated with the impedance of adherent cells. In one embodiment, a sub-droplet of cell culture media containing adherent cells is passively dispensed at a pre-selected electrode location where a local hydrophilic surface region is provided, and adherent cells are attached to the local hydrophilic surface region. The cell culture media sub-droplet is replaced with a sub-droplet of a low-conductivity medium in a passive dispensing step, retaining the attached adherent cells. An AC voltage with a suitable frequency is applied between electrodes of the device and a signal associated with the impedance of the adherent cells is obtained. One of the electrodes to which the AC voltage is applied may be a dedicated sensing electrode. The local thickness of a dielectric layer coating the pre-selected electrode may be reduced to increase the detection sensitivity of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
    Inventors: Steven Chao-Chung Shih, Irena Barbulovic-Nad, Aaron Wheeler