Patents by Inventor Michael W. Hunkapiller

Michael W. Hunkapiller 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: 4703913
    Abstract: Briefly, the present invention comprises the improvement in a valve arrangement for controlling the flow of a fluid including a valve block having at least one substantially flat valving site on a surface thereof, the valve block defining passages communicating with the valving site through openings, a resilient diaphragm covering the valving site and forming a fluid tight seal with the valve block along the periphery of the valving site and a closure element having a substantially flat closure surface, the closure element being actuable between an open condition wherein the closure surface is retracted a preselected distance from the valving site and diaphragm, and a closed condition wherein the closure surface forces the diaphragm against the valving site; whereby the diaphragm can be urged away from the valving site by fluid pressure in the passages and the closure element is in the open condition, establishing a valve chamber above the valving site for fluid flow between the passages, and if forced agains
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Michael W. Hunkapiller
  • Patent number: 4668476
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically constructing a polypeptide of high purity, up to 50 amino acids in length, using only single couplings. The apparatus includes an activation system for receiving protected amino acids, one kind at a time, having a common vessel (an activator vessel) in which to activate each of the amino acids. Also included is a reaction vessel for containing a resin used in solid-phase peptide synthesis for attaching a peptide chain thereto. A transfer system is also provided, which operates under control of a computer, to transfer the activated species from the activation system to the reaction vessel and to transfer amino acids, reagents, gases, and solvents from one part of the apparatus to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bridgham, Timothy G. Geiser, Michael W. Hunkapiller, Stephen B. H. Kent, Mark P. Marriott, Paul O. Ramstad, Eric S. Nordman
  • Patent number: 4610847
    Abstract: Conversion flask for use is an apparatus for the sequential performance of chemical processes on a sample of chemical material. The flask includes at least three capillary tubes and a large bore tube extending into the interior thereof for the introduction and withdrawal of various fluids. The capillary tubes are constructed to introduce a plurality of fine bubbles into a liquid within the flask to agitate the liquid and accelerate drying, to impinge chemicals on the walls of the flask, and to produce a spray onto the interior walls of the flask in proximity to its upper end to wash down the interior walls of the flask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Leroy E. Hood, Michael W. Hunkapiller, William J. Dreyer, Rodney M. Hewick, Anton W. Stark
  • Patent number: 4603114
    Abstract: An improved method for the sequential performance of chemical processes on a sample of chemical material wherein the sample is embedded in a solid matrix of fluid permeable material located within a reaction chamber and is sequentially subjected to a plurality of fluids passed through the chamber in a pressurized stream, causing chemical interaction between the sample and the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Leroy E. Hood, Michael W. Hunkapiller, William J. Dreyer, Rodney M. Hewick, Anton W. Stark
  • Patent number: 4558845
    Abstract: Briefly, the present invention comprises the improvement in a valve arrangement for controlling the flow of a fluid including a valve block having at least one substantially flat valving site on a surface thereof, the valve block defining passages communicating with the valving site through openings, a resilient diaphragm covering the valving site and forming a fluid tight seal with the valve block along the periphery of the valving site and a closure element having a substantially flat closure surface, the closure element being actuable between an open condition wherein the closure surface is retracted a preselected distance from the valving site and diaphragm, and a closed condition wherein the closure surface forces the diaphragm against the valving site; whereby the diaphragm can be urged away from the valving site by fluid pressure in the passages and the closure element is in the open condition, establishing a valve chamber above the valving site for fluid flow between the passages, and if forced agains
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Inventor: Michael W. Hunkapiller
  • Patent number: 4438030
    Abstract: Antibodies to the twenty-one acid peptide: (X-Ser-Tyr-Asn-Leu-Leu-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gln-Arg-Ser-Ser-Asn-Phe-Gln-Y-Gln-Lys-L eu-Leu).sub.n, where X is Met or Ser, Y is His or Cys and n is 1 to 12; peptide/protein conjugates and antibodies thereto; process for producing the antibodies; and processes for assaying human fibroblast interferon and for purifying it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David J. Ganfield, Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ernest Knight, Jr., Bruce D. Korant
  • Patent number: 4341761
    Abstract: Antibodies to the twenty-one acid peptide: (X-Ser-Tyr-Asn-Leu-Leu-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gln-Arg-Ser-Ser-Asn-Phe-Gln-Y-Gln-Lys-L eu-Leu).sub.n, where X is Met or Ser, Y is His or Cys and n is 1 to 12; peptide/protein conjugates and antibodies thereto; process for producing the antibodies; and processes for assaying human fibroblast interferon and for purifying it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David J. Ganfield, Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ernest Knight, Jr., Bruce D. Korant
  • Patent number: 4311639
    Abstract: The twenty-one amino acid peptides, (X-Ser-Tyr-Asn-Leu-Leu-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gln-Arg-Ser-Ser-Asn-Phe-Gln-Y-Gln-Lys-L eu-Leu).sub.n, where X is Met or Ser, Y is His or Cys and n is 1 to 12, useful for assaying human fibroblast interferon and for purifying it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David J. Ganfield, Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ernest Knight, Jr., Bruce D. Korant
  • Patent number: 4252769
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for the performance of chemical processes having a reaction chamber with an open end, a reaction cell mounted within the chamber and having a substantially cylindrical interior wall in which is formed an annular groove, and means for spinning the cell about its axis to distribute a chemical compound on the interior wall as a thin film, which includes a closure member mounted for rotation about an axis displaced from the axis of the cell, and a fluid conduit extending through the closure member and terminating at an inner end within the cell for the withdrawal of fluid therefrom. The inner end of the conduit is displaced from the axis of rotation of the closure member and is positioned substantially opposite the annular groove such that it is actuable for adjustment between a first location displaced radially from the annular groove and a second location substantially within the groove by rotation of the closure member through a preselected angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Leroy E. Hood, Michael W. Hunkapiller