Patents by Inventor John Scott Mellors

John Scott Mellors 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: 11635407
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, Erin Anne Redman, John Michael Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20210210325
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, Erin Anne Redman, John Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10861689
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, John Michael Ramsey, Nicholas George Batz
  • Patent number: 10734216
    Abstract: A pneumatic method, and associated apparatus, for injecting a discrete sample plug into the separation channel of an electrophoresis microchip (100) is disclosed. In a first step, pressurized gas (90) is applied to the sample (30) and background electrolyte (20) reservoirs such that the pressure is higher there than at the sample waste reservoir (35) to create a focused sample stream at the junction between the sample and separation channels. In a second step, the pressure at the sample reservoir (30) is reduced in order to pneumatically inject the sample plug into the separation channel. The waste reservoir (35) may be connected to a pressure reducing device (91). The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer (200i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, Erin Anne Redman, John Michael Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20200126778
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, John Michael Ramsey, Nicholas George Batz
  • Patent number: 10403488
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide fluid devices with at least one SPE bed adjacent (upstream of) a separation channel which may be in communication with an inlet of a Mass Spectrometer. The fluid device can be configured to operate using independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer but optical or other electronic detectors may also be used with the fluidic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, William A. Black, John Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10393698
    Abstract: Methods that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, Erin Anne Redman, John Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10312070
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, John Michael Ramsey, Nicholas George Batz
  • Publication number: 20190108992
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide fluid devices with at least one SPE bed adjacent (upstream of) a separation channel which may be in communication with an inlet of a Mass Spectrometer. The fluid device can be configured to operate using independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer but optical or other electronic detectors may also be used with the fluidic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, William A. Black, John Michael Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20190066995
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, John Michael Ramsey, Nicholas George Batz
  • Patent number: 10181396
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide fluid devices with at least one SPE bed adjacent (upstream of) a separation channel which may be in communication with an inlet of a Mass Spectrometer. The fluid device can be configured to operate using independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer but optical or other electronic detectors may also be used with the fluidic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, William A. Black, John Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10134576
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, John Michael Ramsey, Nicholas George Batz
  • Publication number: 20180158662
    Abstract: A pneumatic method, and associated apparatus, for injecting a discrete sample plug into the separation channel of an electrophoresis microchip (100) is disclosed. In a first step, pressurized gas (90) is applied to the sample (30) and background electrolyte (20) reservoirs such that the pressure is higher there than at the sample waste reservoir (35) to create a focused sample stream at the junction between the sample and separation channels. In a second step, the pressure at the sample reservoir (30) is reduced in order to pneumatically inject the sample plug into the separation channel. The waste reservoir (35) may be connected to a pressure reducing device (91). The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer (200i).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, Erin Anne Redman, John Michael Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20180130650
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, John Michael Ramsey, Nicholas George Batz
  • Patent number: 9818594
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, John Michael Ramsey, Nicholas George Batz
  • Publication number: 20170322180
    Abstract: Methods that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, Erin Anne Redman, John Michael Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20170301527
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide fluid devices with at least one SPE bed adjacent (upstream of) a separation channel which may be in communication with an inlet of a Mass Spectrometer. The fluid device can be configured to operate using independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer but optical or other electronic detectors may also be used with the fluidic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, William A. Black, John Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 9728387
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide fluid devices with at least one SPE bed adjacent (upstream of) a separation channel which may be in communication with an inlet of a Mass Spectrometer. The fluid device can be configured to operate using independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer but optical or other electronic detectors may also be used with the fluidic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, William A. Black, John Michael Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20170110307
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide fluid devices with at least one SPE bed adjacent (upstream of) a separation channel which may be in communication with an inlet of a Mass Spectrometer. The fluid device can be configured to operate using independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer but optical or other electronic detectors may also be used with the fluidic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, William A. Black, John Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 9606082
    Abstract: Methods that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Scott Mellors, Erin Anne Redman, John Michael Ramsey