Patents by Inventor Donald Francis Perrault
Donald Francis Perrault 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: 11959847Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein advantageously provide extended dynamic range capabilities to detect low intensity and high intensity emitted or scattered light from particles at high speeds with high sensitivity. Independently controlled first and second optical detector elements that handle light intensities in different dynamic ranges, large overall dynamic range is created. Signals from the detector elements can be combined to create a single combined signal that has excellent sensitivity over a large dynamic range. The detector systems and methods taught herein are particularly advantageous in particle processing where the population of particles can emit or scatter light over a large range of intensity values.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr., Peter Kiesel
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Patent number: 11896973Abstract: A microfluidic chip assembly having a plurality of microfluidic flow channels is provided. Each channel has a switching region. The microfluidic chip may further include at least one bubble jet actuator configured to generate a pressure pulse in the switching regions of the channels to selectively deflect particles in the flow. The bubble jet actuator may be configured as a blind chamber, as an operative non-through flow chamber and/or as a self-replenishment chamber. The bubble jet actuator may include a trapped air bubble. The bubble jet actuator may include a plurality of heating elements individually controlled for pre-nucleation warmup and/or for triggering vapor bubble nucleation.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Donald Francis Perrault, Jr., Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Erin Koksal
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Publication number: 20230265385Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: INGURAN, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Blair Morad, Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
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Patent number: 11714044Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles).Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230211310Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction (i.e., 0°) and side detection (i.e., 90°). The location of the microfluidic channel as taught herein enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
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Patent number: 11617999Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction (i.e., 0°) and side detection (i.e., 90°). The location of the microfluidic channel as taught herein enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr.
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Patent number: 11591566Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Inguran, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Blair Morad, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr.
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Patent number: 11441999Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical crosstalk reduction in particle processing (e.g., cytometry including flow cytometry using microfluidic based sorters, drop formation based sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods in order to improve performance. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to assemblies, systems and methods for minimizing optical crosstalk during the analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching) of particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.). The exemplary systems and methods for crosstalk reduction in particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems) may be particularly useful in the area of cellular medicine or the like. The systems and methods may be modular and used singly or in combination to optimize cell purification based on the crosstalk environment and specific requirements of the operator and/or system.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr., Emanuel Tito Mendes Machado, Blair D. Morad
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Publication number: 20220187188Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
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Patent number: 11268893Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210205808Abstract: A microfluidic chip assembly having a plurality of microfluidic flow channels is provided. Each channel has a switching region. The microfluidic chip may further include at least one bubble jet actuator configured to generate a pressure pulse in the switching regions of the channels to selectively deflect particles in the flow. The bubble jet actuator may be configured as a blind chamber, as an operative non-through flow chamber and/or as a self-replenishment chamber. The bubble jet actuator may include a trapped air bubble. The bubble jet actuator may include a plurality of heating elements individually controlled for pre-nucleation warmup and/or for triggering vapor bubble nucleation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Donald Francis Perrault, JR., Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Erin Koksal
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Patent number: 10960396Abstract: A microfluidic chip assembly having a plurality of microfluidic flow channels is provided. Each channel has a switching region. The microfluidic chip may further include at least one bubble jet actuator configured to generate a pressure pulse in the switching regions of the channels to selectively deflect particles in the flow. The bubble jet actuator may be configured as a blind chamber, as an operative non-through flow chamber and/or as a self-replenishment chamber. The bubble jet actuator may include a trapped air bubble. The bubble jet actuator may include a plurality of heating elements individually controlled for pre-nucleation warmup and/or for triggering vapor bubble nucleation.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Donald Francis Perrault, Jr., Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Erin Koksal
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Publication number: 20210080368Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein advantageously provide extended dynamic range capabilities to detect low intensity and high intensity emitted or scattered light from particles at high speeds with high sensitivity. Independently controlled first and second optical detector elements that handle light intensities in different dynamic ranges, large overall dynamic range is created. Signals from the detector elements can be combined to create a single combined signal that has excellent sensitivity over a large dynamic range. The detector systems and methods taught herein are particularly advantageous in particle processing where the population of particles can emit or scatter light over a large range of intensity values.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, JR., Peter Kiesel
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Publication number: 20210077973Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction (i.e., 0°) and side detection (i.e., 90°). The location of the microfluidic channel as taught herein enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
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Patent number: 10871790Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved particle processing (e.g., cytometry and/or cell purification) systems and methods that can operate in an autonomous fashion. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for assemblies, systems and methods for analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting and/or enriching) particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) where human intervention is not required and/or is minimized. The systems, assemblies and methods of the present disclosure advantageously improve run performance of particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems, cytometers) by significantly reducing and/or substantially eliminating the burden of operation for human intervention by automating numerous functions, features and/or steps of the disclosed systems and methods.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Vladimir Shapiro, Stuart R. Ehrlich, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr., Blair D. Morad
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Patent number: 10662408Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Inguran, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Blair Morad, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr.
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Patent number: 10544391Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Inguran, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Blair Morad, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr.
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Publication number: 20200017826Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: INGURAN, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Blair Morad, Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
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Publication number: 20190360912Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical crosstalk reduction in particle processing (e.g., cytometry including flow cytometry using microfluidic based sorters, drop formation based sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods in order to improve performance. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to assemblies, systems and methods for minimizing optical crosstalk during the analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching) of particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.). The exemplary systems and methods for crosstalk reduction in particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems) may be particularly useful in the area of cellular medicine or the like. The systems and methods may be modular and used singly or in combination to optimize cell purification based on the crosstalk environment and specific requirements of the operator and/or system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, JR., Emanuel Tito Mendes Machado, Blair D. Morad
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Patent number: 10371621Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical crosstalk reduction in particle processing (e.g., cytometry including flow cytometry using microfluidic based sorters, drop formation based sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods in order to improve performance. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to assemblies, systems and methods for minimizing optical crosstalk during the analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching) of particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.). The exemplary systems and methods for crosstalk reduction in particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems) may be particularly useful in the area of cellular medicine or the like. The systems and methods may be modular and used singly or in combination to optimize cell purification based on the crosstalk environment and specific requirements of the operator and/or system.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr., Emanuel Tito Mendes Machado, Blair D. Morad