Patents by Inventor Kwong Joo Leck

Kwong Joo Leck 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).

  • Publication number: 20170307486
    Abstract: A device for processing a sample in a liquid droplet containing a hydrophilic liquid is described. The device includes: a circumferential wall and a base including an immobilisation member. The circumferential wall and the base define a reservoir adapted to accommodate a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the liquid droplet. The medium is of a lower surface energy than a liquid of the liquid droplet. The immobilisation member includes a surface with a plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas and a hydrophobic area. The plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas is: (a) of a higher surface energy than the medium, (b) of a higher surface energy than the hydrophobic area, and (c) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width to allow, in the medium, immobilisation of liquid droplets on the hydrophilic immobilisation areas via interfacial interactions. Methods of using and rinsing the device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Kwong Joo LECK, Namyong KIM, Li LI, Yong Yeow LEE
  • Patent number: 9581527
    Abstract: A device for processing a sample in a liquid droplet containing a hydrophilic liquid is described. The device includes: a circumferential wall and a base including an immobilisation member. The circumferential wall and the base define a reservoir adapted to accommodate a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the liquid droplet. The medium is of a lower surface energy than a liquid of the liquid droplet. The immobilisation member includes a surface with a plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas and a hydrophobic area. The plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas is: (a) of a higher surface energy than the medium, (b) of a higher surface energy than the hydrophobic area, and (c) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width to allow, in the medium, immobilisation of liquid droplets on the hydrophilic immobilisation areas via interfacial interactions. Methods of using and rinsing the device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Agency For Science, Technology And Research
    Inventors: Kwong Joo Leck, Namyong Kim, Li Li, Yong Yeow Lee
  • Publication number: 20140234873
    Abstract: A device for processing a sample in a liquid droplet containing a hydrophilic liquid is described. The device includes: a circumferential wall and a base including an immobilisation member. The circumferential wall and the base define a reservoir adapted to accommodate a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the liquid droplet. The medium is of a lower surface energy than a liquid of the liquid droplet. The immobilisation member includes a surface with a plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas and a hydrophobic area. The plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas is: (a) of a higher surface energy than the medium, (b) of a higher surface energy than the hydrophobic area, and (c) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width to allow, in the medium, immobilisation of liquid droplets on the hydrophilic immobilisation areas via interfacial interactions. Methods of using and rinsing the device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: KWONG JOO LECK, NAMYONG KIM, Li LI, YONG YEOW LEE
  • Patent number: 8691147
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet. The apparatus comprises a processing compartment, which is defined by a reservoir and an immobilization member. The processing compartment is further adapted to accommodate a medium, which is immiscible with the liquid droplet, and of a lower surface energy than the liquid of the liquid droplet. The reservoir is defined by a circumferential wall and a base. The immobilization member is arranged within the reservoir and comprises a surface that is patterned in such a way that it comprises at least one predefined immobilization area. The predefined immobilization area within the patterned surface is of a higher surface energy than the medium. The liquid droplet is disposed onto the predefined immobilization area, whereby the liquid droplet is immobilized thereon via hydrophilic-hydrophilic or hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Kwong Joo Leck, Nam Yong Kim, Jackie Y. Ying, Li Li, Yong Yeow Lee
  • Publication number: 20130236377
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet is provided. The apparatus includes a processing compartment, a base and at least one circumferential wall. The processing compartment is defined by at least a part of the base, at least a part of the circumferential wall and an inlet member. The inlet member is located on top of the processing compartment, and includes at least one droplet inlet channel, which extends through the inlet member and includes a contraction between the inlet opening of the droplet inlet channel to the environment and the outlet opening to the processing compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Nam Yong Kim, Jackie Yi Ru YING, Yong Yeow LEE, Kwong Joo LECK
  • Patent number: 8261598
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (1) is provided. The apparatus includes a processing compartment (20), a base (21) and at least one circumferential wall (25). The processing compartment (20) is defined by at least a part of the base (21), at least a part of the circumferential wall (25) and an inlet member (4). The inlet member (4) is located on top of the processing compartment (20), and includes at least one droplet inlet channel (3), which extends through the inlet member (4) and includes a contraction (2) between the inlet opening (28) of the droplet inlet channel (3) to the environment and the outlet opening (27) to the processing compartment (20). There is furthermore provided a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Nam Yong Kim, Jackie Yi Ru Ying, Yong Yeow Lee, Kwong Joo Leck
  • Publication number: 20100285573
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet. The apparatus comprises a processing compartment, which is defined by a reservoir and an immobilisation member. The processing compartment is further adapted to accommodate a medium, which is immiscible with the liquid droplet, and of a lower surface energy than the liquid of the liquid droplet. The reservoir is defined by a circumferential wall and a base. The immobilisation member is arranged within the reservoir and comprises a surface that is patterned in such a way that it comprises at least one predefined immobilisation area. The predefined immobilisation area within the patterned surface is of a higher surface energy than the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Kwong Joo Leck, Nam Yong Kim, Jackie Y. Ying, Li Li, Yong Yeow Lee
  • Publication number: 20100000304
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (1) is provided. The apparatus includes a processing compartment (20), a base (21) and at least one circumferential wall (25). The processing compartment (20) is defined by at least a part of the base (21), at least a part of the circumferential wall (25) and an inlet member (4). The inlet member (4) is located on top of the processing compartment (20), and includes at least one droplet inlet channel (3), which extends through the inlet member (4) and includes a contraction (2) between the inlet opening (28) of the droplet inlet channel (3) to the environment and the outlet opening (27) to the processing compartment (20). There is furthermore provided a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Nam Yong Kim, Y. Jackie Ying, Yong Yeow Lee, Kwong Joo Leck
  • Publication number: 20090035855
    Abstract: A biomaterial scaffold comprising: a) reconstituted extracellular matrix; and b) polyelectrolyte complex fibers; wherein the matrix and the fibers are functionally associated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jackie Y. Ying, Kwong Joo Leck, Andrew C.A. Wan