Patents by Inventor Niandong Liu

Niandong Liu 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: 11060140
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: APTON BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Niandong Liu, Manohar R. Furtado, Rixun Fang, Norman Burns, Windsor Owens
  • Patent number: 11047005
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: APTON BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Niandong Liu, Manohar R. Furtado, Rixun Fang, Norman Burns, Windsor Owens
  • Publication number: 20210087626
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bryan J. STAKER, Niandong LIU, Michael David MCLAUGHLIN, Bart Lee STAKER
  • Publication number: 20210087627
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bryan P. STAKER, Niandong LIU, Manohar R. FURTADO, Rixun FANG, Norman BURNS, Windsor OWENS
  • Publication number: 20210072233
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for small molecule analyte detection using digital signals, key encryption, and communications protocols. The methods provide detection of a large numbers of proteins, peptides, RNA molecules, and DNA molecules in a single optical or electrical detection assay within a large dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Bryan P. STAKER, Niandong LIU, Bart Lee STAKER, Michael David MCLAUGHLIN
  • Publication number: 20200372287
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for recognizing various sample containers carried in a rack. The systems and methods are performed to identify sample containers in the rack and detect various characteristics associated with the containers and/or the rack, which are evaluated to determine the validity and/or types of the containers in the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Amit SAWHNEY, Niandong LIU, Nobuyuki HAKIRL
  • Patent number: 10829816
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: APTON BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Niandong Liu, Michael David McLaughlin, Bart Lee Staker
  • Publication number: 20200217850
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting at least one target biomolecule in at least one single cell comprising lysing the single cell or cells and performing a cell identification assay and target identification assay. Also disclosed herein are methods for preparing a sample for undergoing single cell analysis, wherein the single cell analysis comprises performing a cell identification assay and a target identification assay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Niandong LIU, Norman BURNS, Manohar R. FURTADO, Bryan P. STAKER
  • Publication number: 20200140933
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleotide sequence variants, such as genetic polymorphisms, with decreased error and increased sensitivity, including single molecule detection. Detection of genetic polymorphisms, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), is highly useful for the study of physiology, disease, phylogeny and forensics. Current methods for the detection and identification of nucleic acid sequence variants, such as genetic polymorphisms, lack the sensitivity to accurately detect low incidence mutations sequence variants or alleles. Detection techniques for highly multiplexed single molecule identification and quantification of analytes using optical systems are disclosed. Analytes include, but are not limited to, nucleic acid, such as DNA and RNA molecules, with and without modifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Bryan P. STAKER, Niandong LIU, Manohar R. FURTADO, Rixun FANG
  • Publication number: 20200122149
    Abstract: A sample rack includes a housing that has multiple spaces or compartments each for receiving and retaining sample containers of various sizes. The sample rack includes dual hooks on the ends for engaging a sample rack handling system. Chamfers formed in the housing of the sample rack assist in placing and removing the sample rack from a sample rack handling system. The sample tube rack also includes a handle that extends upward from one end and includes gripping features. groove and bar, incorporated into each sample rack, are able to selectively interlock with adjacent racks to assist in lifting multiple sample racks together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Niandong Liu, Amit Sawhney, Daniel C. Massa
  • Publication number: 20200063200
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Bryan P. STAKER, Niandong LIU, Manohar R. FURTADO, Rixun FANG, Norman BURNS, Windsor OWENS
  • Publication number: 20190323080
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Niandong Liu, Manohar R. Furtado, Rixun Fang, Norman Burns, Windsor Owens
  • Patent number: 10378053
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Apton Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Niandong Liu, Manohar R. Furtado, Rixun Fang, Norman Burns, Windsor Owens
  • Publication number: 20180274028
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Niandong Liu, Manohar R. Furtado, Rixun Fang, Norman Burns, Windsor Owens
  • Publication number: 20160201119
    Abstract: Electrical detection methods are used to identify and further characterize single-molecule target analytes such as proteins and nucleic acids. A composition including a probe region and a tail region is contacted with a target analyte. The probe region specifically binds to the target analyte. The tail region is coupled to the probe region, and includes a nucleic acid template for polynucleotide synthesis. When conditions are such that polynucleotide synthesis occurs along the tail region, one hydrogen ion is released for every nucleotide that is incorporated into the tail region. A transistor such as an ISFET detects and measures changes in ion concentration, and these measurements can be used to identify the tail region and thus characterize the corresponding target analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Apton Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Staker, Niandong Liu, Bart Lee McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20150330974
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for small molecule analyte detection using digital signals, key encryption, and communications protocols. The methods provide detection of a large numbers of proteins, peptides, RNA molecules, and DNA molecules in a single optical or electrical detection assay within a large dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Niandong Liu, Bart Lee Staker, Michael David McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 8813350
    Abstract: A ball grid array presentment apparatus and associated method are provided. The apparatus has a stationary guard defining a first passage. A core is mounted adjacent to the stationary guard, the core being operably moveable between an unload position and a second position. The core defines a second passage and supports a workpiece fixture operably retaining the ball grid array. The unload position of the core operably aligns the second passage to the first passage, the aligned passages being sized to permit access to unload the ball grid array from the workpiece fixture. The second position of the core operably misaligns the second passage from the first passage whereat the core and the stationary guard cooperatively form an enclosure around the workpiece fixture containing a supply of balls that are not retained in the ball grid array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Niandong Liu, William A. Nelson, James O. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120304456
    Abstract: A ball grid array presentment apparatus and associated method are provided. The apparatus has a stationary guard defining a first passage. A core is mounted adjacent to the stationary guard, the core being operably moveable between an unload position and a second position. The core defines a second passage and supports a workpiece fixture operably retaining the ball grid array. The unload position of the core operably aligns the second passage to the first passage, the aligned passages being sized to permit access to unload the ball grid array from the workpiece fixture. The second position of the core operably misaligns the second passage from the first passage whereat the core and the stationary guard cooperatively form an enclosure around the workpiece fixture containing a supply of balls that are not retained in the ball grid array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Niandong Liu, William A. Nelson, James O. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6757136
    Abstract: An actuator assembly including one or more actuator arms, wherein each of the actuator arms defines a clasp hole and a clamp-opening hole and a slot running between the clasp hole and clamp-opening hole, and optionally, a second slot running from the clasp hole to a distal end of the actuator arm, thereby creating two clasp fingers. A flex suspension assembly is included with a protrusion, such as a boss and a head on a distal end. The flex suspension assembly is coupled to the actuator arm by resiliently increasing the diameter of the clasp hole so as to allow the boss on the flex suspension assembly to be inserted into the clasp hole. With the boss is inserted, the clasp hole is allowed to revert to its original diameter, thereby clamping the boss in the clasp hole. A method for assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Lon R. Buske, Rodney D. Dahlenburg, Aldeen R. Goehring, Niandong Liu, Kevin Lambert Mayer, William J. Raphael, Daniel Richard Smith, Mark A. Toffle, Brent M. Weichelt
  • Publication number: 20020181161
    Abstract: An actuator assembly including one or more actuator arms, wherein each of the actuator arms defines a clasp hole and a clamp-opening hole and a slot running between the clasp hole and clamp-opening hole, and optionally, a second slot running from the clasp hole to a distal end of the actuator arm, thereby creating two clasp fingers. A flex suspension assembly is included with a protrusion, such as a boss and a head on a distal end. The flex suspension assembly is coupled to the actuator arm by resiliently increasing the diameter of the clasp hole so as to allow the boss on the flex suspension assembly to be inserted into the clasp hole. With the boss is inserted, the clasp hole is allowed to revert to its original diameter, thereby clamping the boss in the clasp hole. A method for assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Lon R. Buske, Rodney D. Dahlenburg, Aldeen R. Goehring, Niandong Liu, Kevin Lambert Mayer, William J. Raphael, Daniel Richard Smith, Mark A. Toffle, Brent M. Weichelt