Patents by Inventor John R. Gilbert
John R. Gilbert 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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Publication number: 20150233813Abstract: An optical system for acquiring fast spectra from spatially channel arrays includes a light source for producing a light beam that passes through the microfluidic chip or the channel to be monitored, one or more lenses or optical fibers for capturing the light from the light source after interaction with the particles or chemicals in the microfluidic channels, and one or more detectors. The detectors, which may include light amplifying elements, detect each light signal and transducer the light signal into an electronic signal. The electronic signals, each representing the intensity of an optical signal, pass from each detector to an electronic data acquisition system for analysis. The light amplifying element or elements may comprise an array of phototubes, a multianode phototube, or a multichannel plate based image intensifier coupled to an array of photodiode detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Edward Sinofsky, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 9109993Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Sebastian Böhm, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20150140545Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Andrew Johnson, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Hugh Lewis, Bernard Bunner
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Patent number: 9011797Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Sebastian Böhm, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 8964184Abstract: An optical system for acquiring fast spectra from spatially channel arrays includes a light source for producing a light beam that passes through the microfluidic chip or the channel to be monitored, one or more lenses or optical fibers for capturing the light from the light source after interaction with the particles or chemicals in the microfluidic channels, and one or more detectors. The detectors, which may include light amplifying elements, detect each light signal and transducer the light signal into an electronic signal. The electronic signals, each representing the intensity of an optical signal, pass from each detector to an electronic data acquisition system for analysis. The light amplifying element or elements may comprise an array of phototubes, a multianode phototube, or a multichannel plate based image intensifier coupled to an array of photodiode detectors.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Edward Sinofsky, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 8863962Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Cytonome/St, LLCInventors: Andrew Johnson, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Hugh Lewis, Bernard Bunner
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Publication number: 20140251879Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Manish Deshpande, John R. Gilbert
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Publication number: 20140170673Abstract: A single disposable cartridge for performing a process on a particle, such as particle sorting, encapsulates all fluid contact surfaces in the cartridge for use with microfluidic particle processing technology. The cartridge interfaces with an operating system for effecting particle processing. The encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The cartridge may employ any suitable technique for processing particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Hugh Lewis, Derek Beaupre, Jaishree Trikha, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 8727131Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Cytonome/St, LLCInventors: Manish Desphande, John R. Gilbert
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Patent number: 8679422Abstract: A single disposable cartridge for performing a process on a particle, such as particle sorting, encapsulates all fluid contact surfaces in the cartridge for use with microfluidic particle processing technology. The cartridge interfaces with an operating system for effecting particle processing. The encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The cartridge may employ any suitable technique for processing particles.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Hugh Lewis, Derek Beaupre, Jaishree Trikha, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20140050540Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Bernard Bunner
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Patent number: 8529161Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Bernard Bunner
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Patent number: 8458864Abstract: A multi-purpose utility strap featuring an elongated strap component having an identical first end and second end. A first attachment component is disposed on the top surface of the strap component at the first end, a second attachment component is disposed on the top surface of the strap component next to the first attachment component, a third attachment component is disposed on the bottom surface of the strap component at the second end, and a fourth attachment component is disposed on the top surface of the strap component a distance from the second end. The first attachment component is adapted to engage the second attachment component to form a loop, and the third attachment component is adapted to engage the fourth attachment component to form a loop.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Inventors: Renata Patton, John R. Gilbert
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Patent number: 8408399Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Inventors: Sebastian Böhm, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 8277764Abstract: A single disposable cartridge for performing a process on a particle, such as particle sorting, encapsulates all fluid contact surfaces in the cartridge for use with microfluidic particle processing technology. The cartridge interfaces with an operating system for effecting particle processing. The encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The cartridge may employ any suitable technique for processing particles.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Hugh Lewis, Derek Beaupre, Jaishree Trikha, Manish Deshpande
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Patent number: 8210209Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Sebastian Böhm, Manish Deshpande
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Publication number: 20120138513Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Andrew Johnson, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Hugh Lewis, Bernard Bunner
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Patent number: 8123044Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: Andrew Johnson, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Hugh Lewis, Bernard Bunner
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Publication number: 20120015382Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fluidic droplets, and techniques for screening or sorting such fluidic droplets. In some embodiments, the fluidic droplets may contain cells (e.g., hybridoma cells) that can secrete various species, such as antibodies, for example. In one aspect, a plurality of fluidic droplets containing cells is screened to determine proteins, antibodies, polypeptides, peptides, nucleic acids, or the like. For example, cells able to secrete species such as antibodies may be selected according to certain embodiments of the invention. Examples of such cells include, for instance, immortal cells such as hybridomas, or non-immortal cells such as B-cells. For instance, blood cells may be encapsulated within a plurality of fluidic droplets, and the cells able to produce antibodies may be determined. In some cases, expression or secretion levels may be determined using signaling entities, for example, determinable microparticles present within the fluidic droplet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General HospitalInventors: David A. Weitz, Andrew Griffiths, Sarah Koester, Vamsi K. Mootha, Honey Duan, Jeremy Agresti, Christoph Merten, John Heyman, John R. Gilbert
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Patent number: D659057Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Inventors: Renata Patton, John R. Gilbert