Patents by Inventor Nigel Beard

Nigel Beard 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: 20170066196
    Abstract: A system configured to facilitate formation of additive manufacturing objects is described. The system may obtain a virtual three-dimensional representation of an object, determine positions for a layered series of contour lines for the object based on the three-dimensional representation; and determine individual wave functions that correspond to a given contour line for a given layer. An individual wave function may indicate a three or more dimensional waveform pathway for an additive manufacturing platform to follow within a given layer when forming the given layer of the object. The system may control movement of the additive manufacturing platform to additively manufacture the object following waveform pathways. Controlling movement of the additive manufacturing platform based on the wave functions facilitates additively manufacturing objects without a need for support material for overhanging features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Nigel Beard, Walter Edmondson, John William Phillips, Francis Anthony Bitonti, Lucy Beard
  • Patent number: 8163150
    Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy Geiser, James Nurse, Nigel Beard
  • Publication number: 20070014695
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Min Yue, David Liu, Yuh-Min Chiang, Joon Mo Yang, Dennis Lehto, Charles Vann, Nigel Beard, Ian Harding, John Van Camp, Alexander Dromaretsky, Sergey Ermakov, Mark Oldham, Joy Roy, Maryam Shariati, Umberto Ulmanella
  • Publication number: 20070014694
    Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an assay input layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The assay input layer can comprise an assay input port extending from the first surface to the second surface and at least one pressure nodule extending from the second surface. An output layer can comprise a plurality of staging capillaries each having an inlet and an outlet. A intermediate layer can be disposed between the assay input layer and the output layer. The intermediate layer can be flexible and comprise a plurality of microfluidic channels and a flow aperture being in fluid communication with the assay input port and the plurality of microfluidic channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Nigel Beard, Albert Carrillo, Ian Harding, Mark Reed
  • Publication number: 20060272738
    Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an output layer having a plurality of capillaries. Each of the plurality of capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet. A funnel member can comprise a first assay chamber and a first outlet in fluid communication with the first assay chamber. A first porous member can be disposed at an the first outlet to deliver a first fluid bead of the assay along a top surface of the output layer and in fluid communication with at least some of the plurality of capillaries such that a portion of the fluid bead is drawn within at least some of the plurality of capillaries in response to capillary force. The funnel member and the output layer can be moveable relative to each other between a first position and a second position to draw the first fluid bead across the top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Gary Lim, Nigel Beard, Mark Reed
  • Publication number: 20060233671
    Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an assay input layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The assay input layer can comprise an assay input port extending from the first surface to the second surface and at least one pressure nodule extending from the second surface. An output layer can comprise a plurality of staging capillaries each having an inlet and an outlet. The output layer can further comprise a capillary plane disposed above the plurality of staging capillaries in fluid communication with the assay input port. The capillary plane can be sized to draw the assay from the assay input port to generally flood fill the plurality of staging capillaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Nigel Beard, Mark Reed
  • Publication number: 20060233673
    Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, a fluid interconnect system fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries, and an overflow retention system receiving and retaining excess assay from said fluid interconnect system. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Nigel Beard, Mark Reed
  • Publication number: 20060102477
    Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy Geiser, James Nurse, Nigel Beard