Patents by Inventor Michael D. Ward

Michael D. Ward 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: 8227257
    Abstract: A method for acoustically reorienting a fluid in a channel includes introducing into a channel a first fluid having a first acoustic contrast, introducing into the channel a second fluid having a second acoustic contrast that is different from the first acoustic contrast, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the channel, and acoustically reorienting the second fluid based upon the difference between the first acoustic contrast and the second acoustic contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Carleton C. Stewart, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Publication number: 20120140205
    Abstract: A method of focusing particles is provided. The method includes transiting a fluid containing particles therein through a channel at a flow rate and adjusting the flow rate for a desired transit time through an interrogation zone through which a light from an excitation source passes. The method further includes optically exciting the particles with the excitation source, detecting an optical signal from the particles, and analyzing the optical signal. The particles may be droplets. Further, the particles may transit the interrogation zone in single file. A system of focusing particles is also provided. The system includes a channel having an inlet for accepting a fluid containing particles. The system further includes a flow adjuster configured to adjust the flow rate for a desired transit time through an interrogation zone, a light source configured to optically excite the particles, and a detector configured to detect optical signals from the particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory KADUCHAK, Carleton C. STEWART, MIchael D. WARD
  • Patent number: 8134705
    Abstract: A method for imaging acoustically manipulated particles includes introducing a fluid containing a population of particles therein to a flow cell; applying acoustic radiation pressure to the flow cell; acoustically focusing the population of particles within the flow cell to concentrate the population of particles; interrogating some of the concentrated population of particles with an interrogation source to obtain an optical signal from some of the population of particles to yield population statistical data; and constructing a sampling matrix of particles from subpopulations of the concentrated population of particles to produce a high content image representative of the population of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Kaduchak, Carleton C. Stewart, Michael D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20120055853
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Kaduchak, Michael D. Ward
  • Patent number: 8083068
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Kaduchak, Michael D. Ward
  • Patent number: 7986399
    Abstract: There is provided a method and device for remote sampling, preparation and optical interrogation of a sample using light scattering and light absorption methods. The portable device is a filtration-based device that removes interfering background particle material from the sample matrix by segregating or filtering the chosen analyte from the sample solution or matrix while allowing the interfering background particles to be pumped out of the device. The segregated analyte is then suspended in a diluent for analysis. The device is capable of calculating an initial concentration of the analyte, as well as diluting the analyte such that reliable optical measurements can be made. Suitable analytes include cells, microorganisms, bioparticles, pathogens and diseases. Sample matrixes include biological fluids such as blood and urine, as well as environmental samples including waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Peter C. Stark, Eduardo Zurek, Jeffrey V. Wheat, John M. Dunbar, Jose A. Olivares, Luis H. Garcia-Rubio, Michael D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20110177173
    Abstract: A method of preventing or inhibiting L-cystine crystallization using the compounds of formula I is disclosed. R1a—O-(-A-L-)m-A-O—R1b??I, wherein A, L, R1a, R1b, and m are as described herein. The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of conditions that are causally related to L-cystine crystallization, such as comprising (but not limited to) kidney stones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Jeffrey D. Rimer
  • Publication number: 20110024335
    Abstract: An apparatus for acoustic concentration of particles in a fluid flow includes a substantially acoustically transparent membrane and a vibration generator that define a fluid flow path therebetween. The fluid flow path is in fluid communication with a fluid source and a fluid outlet and the vibration generator is disposed adjacent the fluid flow path and is capable of producing an acoustic field in the fluid flow path. The acoustic field produces at least one pressure minima in the fluid flow path at a predetermined location within the fluid flow path and forces predetermined particles in the fluid flow path to the at least one pressure minima.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Patent number: 7837040
    Abstract: An apparatus for acoustic concentration of particles in a fluid flow includes a substantially acoustically transparent membrane and a vibration generator that define a fluid flow path therebetween. The fluid flow path is in fluid communication with a fluid source and a fluid outlet and the vibration generator is disposed adjacent the fluid flow path and is capable of producing an acoustic field in the fluid flow path. The acoustic field produces at least one pressure minima in the fluid flow path at a predetermined location within the fluid flow path and forces predetermined particles in the fluid flow path to the at least one pressure minima.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Patent number: 7811772
    Abstract: The present invention provides a protein-based biomarker, ApoA-II isoform, that is useful in determining prostate cancer status in a patient. In particular, the biomarker of this invention is useful to classify a biological sample as prostate cancer or non-prostate cancer. The ability of ApoA-II to detect disease in patients with a normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) makes the biomarker of this invention useful in identifying indolent disease. The biomarker can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry, HPLC, PAGE and Western blotting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eastern Virginia Medical School
    Inventors: O. John Semmes, Gunjan Malik, Michael D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20100092738
    Abstract: A system and method for taking orders for, and on-demand manufacturing of, personalized plastic event/party plates that may either be saved and reused or disposed of and recycled. In any given order, any number of plates may have a single unique high resolution photograph, or every plate may have a unique and different photograph. The images are preprinted on plastic film and are molded into the plate to become a permanent feature of the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Moncrieff, Michael D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20090178716
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for acoustic focusing hardware and implementations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: ACOUSTIC CYTOMETRY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Kaduchak, Michael D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20090158823
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for acoustically manipulating one or more particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Kaduchak, Michael D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20090162887
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for acoustically manipulating one or more particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Kaduchak, Michael D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20090103086
    Abstract: There is provided a method and device for remote sampling, preparation and optical interrogation of a sample using light scattering and light absorption methods. The portable device is a filtration-based device that removes interfering background particle material from the sample matrix by segregating or filtering the chosen analyte from the sample solution or matrix while allowing the interfering background particles to be pumped out of the device. The segregated analyte is then suspended in a diluent for analysis. The device is capable of calculating an initial concentration of the analyte, as well as diluting the analyte such that reliable optical measurements can be made. Suitable analytes include cells, microorganisms, bioparticles, pathogens and diseases. Sample matrixes include biological fluids such as blood and urine, as well as environmental samples including waste water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Peter C. STARK, Eduardo ZUREK, Jeffrey V. WHEAT, John M. DUNBAR, Jose A. OLIVARES, Luis H. GARCIA-RUBIO, Michael D. WARD
  • Publication number: 20090053686
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Carleton C. Stewart, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Publication number: 20090050573
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Carleton C. Stewart, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Publication number: 20090045107
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, John W. Elling, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Publication number: 20090048805
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Kaduchak, Carleton C. Stewart, Michael D. Ward
  • Patent number: RE40794
    Abstract: A process for preparing a crystalline, carbapenem monosodium salt of formula IIa: characterized by the steps a) adding about 10 to 30% of an organic solvent to an aqueous solution of the carbapenem, b) cooling the resulting solution to less than ?5° C., c) adjusting the pH using a solution containing an acid in an organic solvent to give the appropriate pH for crystallization, and d) crystallizing the compound by adding methanol, and a C2-5 alcohol at between ?5 and ?25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Karel M. J. Brands, Raymond Cvetovich, Louis S. Crocker, Michael D. Ward, Amar J. Mahajan, Robert M. Wenslow, John M. Williams, Daniel R. Sidler, Charles Orella, Elizabeth S. Fisher, Ronald Jobson