Patents by Inventor Marc Unger
Marc Unger 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: 20220395829Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an input source characterized by a source pressure, an input channel in fluid communication with the input source, and an output channel. The microfluidic device also includes a normally closed valve having a closed state and an open state. The normally closed valve is disposed between the input channel and the output channel. The microfluidic device further includes one or more release chambers coupled to a pressure source. Activation of the pressure source deforms the one or more release chambers, placing the normally closed valve in the open state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicant: Standard BioTools CorporationInventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
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Patent number: 11400450Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a substrate, a set of input ports coupled to the substrate, and a set of output ports coupled to the substrate. The microfluidic system also includes a microfluidic processing system coupled to the substrate and including a plurality of processing sites. The microfluidic processing system is coupled to the set of input ports and the set of output ports. The microfluidic system further includes one or more microfluidic logic devices coupled to the substrate and operable to control at least a portion of the microfluidic processing system.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Standard BioTools CorporationInventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
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Publication number: 20220126298Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions useful for routing and tracking multiple mobile units within a microfluidic device. Mobile units may be routed through a plurality of chemical environments, and the mobile units may be tracked to determine the path and/or environments that the mobile units have routed through. Mobile units may be routed in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. Mobile units may be routed through microfluidic devices in ordered flow. Mobile units routed through the microfluidic device can be used to perform various chemical reactions uniquely associated to the units, including without limitation peptide synthesis, enzymatic gene synthesis and gene assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Matthew HILL, Marc UNGER, Alex SUGARBAKER
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Publication number: 20220090183Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and compositions useful for routing and tracking multiple mobile units within a microfluidic device. Mobile units may be routed through a plurality of chemical environments, and the mobile units may be tracked to determine the path and/or environments that the mobile units have routed through. Mobile units may be routed in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. Mobile units may be routed through microfluidic devices in ordered flow. Mobile units routed through the microfluidic device can be used to perform various chemical reactions uniquely associated to the units, including without limitation peptide synthesis, enzymatic gene synthesis and gene assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Matthew HILL, Marc UNGER, Ashraf WAHBA, Ouriel E. CAEN
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Patent number: 10745748Abstract: In some embodiments, a variety of devices and methods for conducting microfluidic analyses are utilized herein, including devices that can be utilized to conduct thermal cycling reactions such as nucleic acid amplification reactions. The devices include elastomeric components; in some instances, much or all of the device is composed of elastomeric material. Amplification products (amplicons) can be detected and distinguished (whether isolated in a reaction chamber or at any subsequent time) using routine methods for detecting nucleic acids. An example of a detection method includes hybridization to arrays of immobilized oligo or polynucleotides.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: FLUIDIGM CORPORATIONInventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
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Patent number: 10526601Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a way of “digitally” marking different the alleles of different chromosomes by using a transposase to insert differently barcoded transposons into genomic DNA before further analysis. According to this method, each allele becomes marked with a unique pattern of transposon barcodes. Because each unique pattern of transposon barcodes identifies a particular allele, the method facilitates determinations of ploidy and copy number variation, improves the ability to discriminate among homozygotes, heterozygotes, and patterns arising from sequencing errors, and allows loci separated by uninformative stretches of DNA to be identified as linked loci, thereby facilitating haplotype determinations. Also provided is a novel artificial transposon end that includes a barcode sequence in two or more positions that are not essential for transposition.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Digenomix CorporationInventors: Lei Xi, Xiaohui Wang, Marc Unger, David Ruff
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Patent number: 10509018Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Stephen R. Quake, Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer
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Publication number: 20190329253Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a substrate, a set of input ports coupled to the substrate, and a set of output ports coupled to the substrate. The microfluidic system also includes a microfluidic processing system coupled to the substrate and including a plurality of processing sites. The microfluidic processing system is coupled to the set of input ports and the set of output ports. The microfluidic system further includes one or more microfluidic logic devices coupled to the substrate and operable to control at least a portion of the microfluidic processing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
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Publication number: 20190249238Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of forming tagged nucleic acid sequences. A target polynucleotide is immobilized on a solid support; a recognition-oligonucleotide is hybridized thereto; the recognition-oligonucleotide-target polynucleotide hybrid is cleaved; and an adapter nucleic acid is ligated to the cleaved target polynucleotide, thereby forming a tagged nucleic acid sequence. Also provided is a method of forming a tagged single stranded cDNA; a method of forming a plurality of tagged heterogeneous nucleic acid sequences; a library of recognition-oligonucleotides; and methods for amplifying a cDNA sequence immobilized on a solid support. These methods and products can be used alone or in combination for integrated single cell sequencing, and can be adapted for use in a microfluidic apparatus or device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Jason A.A. West, Brian Fowler, Tze-Howe Charn, Christian F. Johnson, Marc A. Unger
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Patent number: 10322411Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a substrate, a set of input ports coupled to the substrate, and a set of output ports coupled to the substrate. The microfluidic system also includes a microfluidic processing system coupled to the substrate and including a plurality of processing sites. The microfluidic processing system is coupled to the set of input ports and the set of output ports. The microfluidic system further includes one or more microfluidic logic devices coupled to the substrate and operable to control at least a portion of the microfluidic processing system.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
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Publication number: 20190169676Abstract: A method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification reactions using a microfluidic device is described. Amplification primers and other amplification reagents are deposited at a plurality of reaction sites in the device, a sample solution containing amplifiable polynucleotides is introduced into the reaction sites, and amplification is carried out.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Marc Unger, Ian D. Manger, Michael Lucero, Yong Yi, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Anja Wienecke, Geoffrey Facer
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Publication number: 20190153511Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
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Patent number: 10131934Abstract: A method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification reactions using a microfluidic device is described. Amplification primers and other amplification reagents are deposited at a plurality of reaction sites in the device, a sample solution containing amplifiable polynucleotides is introduced into the reaction sites, and amplification is carried out.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Marc Unger, Ian D. Manger, Michael Lucero, Yong Yi, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Anja Wienecke, Geoffrey Facer
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METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR MULTIPLE SINGLE-CELL CAPTURING AND PROCESSING USING MICRO FLUIDICS
Publication number: 20180306683Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Brian Fowler, Jake Kimball, Myo Thu Maung, Andrew May, Michael C. Norris, Dominique G. Toppani, Marc A. Unger, Jing Wang, Jason A.A. West -
Patent number: 10106846Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
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Publication number: 20180243741Abstract: Devices and methods for performing the relative concentration of a target in a sample, the sample containing both target and non-target components, the method performed by partitioning the sample into a large number of reaction volumes such that the target is concentrated relative to the non-target, and performing a detection assay upon each reaction volume to detect the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Lincoln McBride, Geoffrey Facer
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Patent number: 9952126Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Brian Fowler, Jake Kimball, Myo Thu Maung, Andrew May, Michael C Norris, Dominique Toppani, Marc A. Unger, Jing Wang, Jason A. A. West
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Publication number: 20180073051Abstract: A method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification reactions using a microfluidic device is described. Amplification primers and other amplification reagents are deposited at a plurality of reaction sites in the device, a sample solution containing amplifiable polynucleotides is introduced into the reaction sites, and amplification is carried out.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Marc Unger, Ian D. Manger, Michael Lucero, Yong Yi, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Anja Wienecke, Geoffrey Facer
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Publication number: 20170321249Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
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Patent number: 9663821Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz