Patents by Inventor Keunho Ahn
Keunho Ahn 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: 20140305799Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Darren Roy Link, David A. Weitz, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate, Zhengdong Cheng, Keunho Ahn
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Patent number: 8765485Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relates to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction. In still another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for sorting droplets, e.g., by causing droplets to move to certain regions within a fluidic system. Examples include using electrical interactions (e.g., charges, dipoles, etc.) or mechanical systems (e.g., fluid displacement) to sort the droplets.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Darren Roy Link, David A. Weitz, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate, Zhengdong Cheng, Keunho Ahn
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Patent number: 8691164Abstract: Apparatus and Methods are provided for a microfabricated fluorescence activated cell sorter based on a switch for rapid, active control of cell routing through a microfluidic channel network. This sorter enables low-stress, highly efficient sorting of populations of small numbers of cells (i.e., 1000-100,000 cells). The invention includes packaging of the microfluidic channel network in a self-contained plastic cartridge that enables microfluidic channel network to macro-scale instrument interconnect, in a sterile, disposable format. Optical and/or fluidic switching forces are used alone or in combination to effect switching.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Celula, Inc.Inventors: William Frank Butler, Haichuan Zhang, Philippe Marchand, Keunho Ahn, Yi Zhang, John Francis, Benjamin Lai, Eugene Tu
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Publication number: 20130217601Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20130178368Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20130157872Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 7968287Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Medical Research Council Harvard UniversityInventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Keunho Ahn, Darren R. Link, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20100105112Abstract: Surfactants (e.g., fluorosurfactants) for stabilizing aqueous or hydrocarbon droplets in a fluorophilic continuous phase are presented. In some embodiments, fluorosurfactants include a fluorophilic tail soluble in a fluorophilic (e.g., fluorocarbon) continuous phase, and a headgroup soluble in either an aqueous phase or a lipophilic (e.g., hydrocarbon) phase. The combination of a fluorophilic tail and a headgroup may be chosen so as to create a surfactant with a suitable geometry for forming stabilized reverse emulsion droplets having a disperse aqueous or lipophilic phase in a continuous, fluorophilic phase. In some embodiments, the headgroup is preferably non-ionic and can prevent or limit the adsorption of molecules at the interface between the surfactant and the discontinuous phase. This configuration can allow the droplet to serve, for example, as a reaction site for certain chemical and/or biological reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Christian Holtze, Jeremy Jon Agresti, David A. Weitz, Keunho Ahn, John Brian Hutchison, Andrew Gifiths, Abdesiam El Harrak, Olive John Miller, Jean-Christophe Barat, Valorie Taly, Michael Ryckelynck, Christoph Merton
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Publication number: 20090197248Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2005Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20090197772Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2005Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20090042737Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for analysis and correlation of phenotypic and genotypic information for a high throughput sample on a cell by cell basis. Cells are isolated and sequentially analyzed for phenotypic information and genotypic information which is then correlated. Methods for correlating the phenotype-genotype information of a sample population can be performed on a continuous flow sample within a microfluidic channel network or alternatively on a sample preloaded into a nano-well array chip. The methods for performing the phenotype-genotype analysis and correlation are scalable for samples numbering in the hundreds of cells to thousands of cells up to the tens and hundreds of thousand cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Andrew S. Katz, Haichuan Zhang, Keunho Ahn, Yi Zhang
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Publication number: 20090005254Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a bio-chemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalising the compounds into micro-capsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2005Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20080261295Abstract: Apparatus and Methods are provided for a microfabricated fluorescence activated cell sorter based on a switch for rapid, active control of cell routing through a microfluidic channel network. This sorter enables low-stress, highly efficient sorting of populations of small numbers of cells (i.e., 1000-100,000 cells). The invention includes packaging of the microfluidic channel network in a self-contained plastic cartridge that enables microfluidic channel network to macro-scale instrument interconnect, in a sterile, disposable format. Optical and/or fluidic switching forces are used alone or in combination to effect switching.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: William Frank Butler, Haichuan Zhang, Philippe Marchand, Keunho Ahn, Yi Zhang, John Francis, Benjamin Lai, Eugene Tu
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Publication number: 20070195127Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluidic species and, in particular, to the coalescence of fluidic droplets. In certain instances, the systems and methods are microfluidic. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for causing two or more fluidic droplets within a channel to coalescence. The fluidic droplets may be of unequal size in certain cases. In some embodiments, a first fluidic droplet may be caused to move at a first velocity, and a second fluidic droplet may be caused to move at a second velocity different from the first velocity, for instance, substantially greater than the first velocity. The droplets may then coalesce, for example, upon application of an electric field. In the absence of an electric field, in some cases, the droplets may be unable to coalesce. In some cases, two series of fluidic droplets may coalesce, one or both series being substantially uniform.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Keunho Ahn, Henry Chong, Jeremy Agresti, David Weitz, Darren Link
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Publication number: 20070184489Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2006Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20070092914Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalising the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2006Publication date: April 26, 2007Inventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20070003442Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Darren Link, David Weitz, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate, Zhengdong Cheng, Keunho Ahn
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Publication number: 20060078888Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2004Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20060078893Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2004Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20050221339Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalising the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2004Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette