Patents by Inventor Richard G. Stearns
Richard G. Stearns 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: 20240003801Abstract: System and methods are described herein for detecting positions or trajectories and/or controlling directions of charged droplets during travel. The systems and methods are useful for determining the locations of the charged droplets in real-time based on signals induced in the electrodes of a sensor surrounding an aperture through which the charged droplet passes in flight from the source well to the target. The signals from the sensor electrodes can be measured and used to determine a position or trajectory of the droplet. The systems and methods are useful for modifying trajectories of the charged droplets in real-time, such as based on determined positions identified as having a trajectory deviating from the target. The trajectories can be modified by applying voltages to electrodes surrounding an aperture through which the charged droplet passes in flight from the source well to the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2022Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Lucien P. GHISLAIN, Wilfredo T. SAGUN, Eunchul CHOE, Richard G. STEARNS
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Publication number: 20230338942Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. The droplets generated are substantially smaller in scale than the focal spot size of the acoustic beam (e.g., the frequency at which the acoustic transducer operates). Further, the droplets have trajectories that are substantially in the direction of the acoustic beam propagation direction. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the protuberance has reached a certain state, a second toneburst is applied to the protuberance to break it into very small droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the protuberance at which the second toneburst is supplied is the time period shortly after the protuberance reaches its maximum height but before the protuberance recedes back into the volume of fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventor: Richard G. Stearns
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Patent number: 11717818Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. The droplets generated are substantially smaller in scale than the focal spot size of the acoustic beam (e.g., the frequency at which the acoustic transducer operates). Further, the droplets have trajectories that are substantially in the direction of the acoustic beam propagation direction. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the protuberance has reached a certain state, a second toneburst is applied to the protuberance to break it into very small droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the protuberance at which the second toneburst is supplied is the time period shortly after the protuberance reaches its maximum height but before the protuberance recedes back into the volume of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventor: Richard G. Stearns
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Patent number: 11688597Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound or protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the mound has reached a certain state, at least two additional toneburst can be applied to the protuberance to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the mound can be maintained by a sustained acoustic signal, during which time multiple additional tonebursts can be applied to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets from the mound.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventor: Richard G. Stearns
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Publication number: 20220088617Abstract: Systems and methods described herein employ focused acoustic energy applied to a reservoir containing a fluid to eject a fluid sample from the fluid sample reservoir, e.g. to an inlet of an analytical device. In many embodiments, the ejected fluid sample traverses an air gap separating the inlet of the analytical device from an upper surface of the fluid in the fluid sample reservoir. In many embodiments, the ejected fluid sample comprises one or more droplets ejected from the fluid sample reservoir, which can contain particles suspended in the fluid sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Applicant: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard N. Ellson, Richard G. Stearns, Babur Hadimioglu
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Publication number: 20220025382Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Jennifer M. Hardee, Richard N. Ellson, Richard G. Stearns, Babur Hadimioglu, Joseph D. Olechno, Marsha N. Blauwkamp
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Patent number: 11198878Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: LABCYTE INC.Inventors: Jennifer M. Hardee, Richard N. Ellson, Richard G. Stearns, Babur Hadimioglu, Joseph D. Olechno, Marsha N. Blauwkamp
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Publication number: 20210268490Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. The droplets generated are substantially smaller in scale than the focal spot size of the acoustic beam (e.g., the frequency at which the acoustic transducer operates). Further, the droplets have trajectories that are substantially in the direction of the acoustic beam propagation direction. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the protuberance has reached a certain state, a second toneburst is applied to the protuberance to break it into very small droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the protuberance at which the second toneburst is supplied is the time period shortly after the protuberance reaches its maximum height but before the protuberance recedes back into the volume of fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventor: Richard G. Stearns
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Patent number: 11033895Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. The droplets generated are substantially smaller in scale than the focal spot size of the acoustic beam (e.g., the frequency at which the acoustic transducer operates). Further, the droplets have trajectories that are substantially in the direction of the acoustic beam propagation direction. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the protuberance has reached a certain state, a second toneburst is applied to the protuberance to break it into very small droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the protuberance at which the second toneburst is supplied is the time period shortly after the protuberance reaches its maximum height but before the protuberance recedes back into the volume of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventor: Richard G. Stearns
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Publication number: 20200392515Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Jennifer M. Hardee, Richard N. Ellson, Richard G. Stearns, Babur Hadimioglu, Joseph D. Olechno, Marsha N. Blauwkamp
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Patent number: 10864535Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Patent number: 10840075Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound or protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the mound has reached a certain state, at least two additional toneburst can be applied to the protuberance to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the mound can be maintained by a sustained acoustic signal, during which time multiple additional tonebursts can be applied to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets from the mound.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventor: Richard G. Stearns
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Patent number: 10800170Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for ejecting a droplet from a reservoir using focused acoustic radiation having a plurality of nonsimultaneous and discrete frequency ranges. Such frequency ranges may be used to control droplet volume and/or velocity. Optionally, satellite fluid ejection from the reservoir is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Patent number: 10787670Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: LABCYTE INC.Inventors: Jennifer M. Hardee, Richard N. Ellson, Richard G. Stearns, Babur Hadimioglu, Joseph D. Olechno, Marsha N. Blauwkamp
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Patent number: 10325768Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound or protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the mound has reached a certain state, at least two additional toneburst can be applied to the protuberance to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the mound can be maintained by a sustained acoustic signal, during which time multiple additional tonebursts can be applied to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets from the mound.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: LABCYTE INC.Inventor: Richard G. Stearns
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Publication number: 20190160478Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Patent number: 10156499Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. The droplets generated are substantially smaller in scale than the focal spot size of the acoustic beam (e.g., the frequency at which the acoustic transducer operates). Further, the droplets have trajectories that are substantially in the direction of the acoustic beam propagation direction. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the protuberance has reached a certain state, a second toneburst is applied to the protuberance to break it into very small droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the protuberance at which the second toneburst is supplied is the time period shortly after the protuberance reaches its maximum height but before the protuberance recedes back into the volume of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventor: Richard G. Stearns
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Patent number: 10118186Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Patent number: 10112212Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for ejecting a droplet from a reservoir using focused acoustic radiation having a plurality of nonsimultaneous and discrete frequency ranges. Such frequency ranges may be used to control droplet volume and/or velocity. Optionally, satellite fluid ejection from the reservoir is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Publication number: 20180231442Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample. The method and system involve analysis of a volatilized, ionized fluid sample using a mass spectrometer or other ionic analyte detection device that provides a signal proportional in intensity to the quantity of ionized analyte detected. The improvement involves replacement of a necessary non-analyte component in the fluid sample with a substitute component that serves the same purpose as the original component but is either more volatile than the original component and/or the analyte or undergoes a reaction to provide lower molecular weight reaction products, and results in an increased intensity in signal and signal-to-noise ratio. Acoustic fluid ejection is a preferred method of generating nanoliter-sized droplets of fluid sample that are then volatilized, ionized, and analyzed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Richard N. Ellson, Richard G. Stearns, Joseph D. Olechno, Ian Sinclair, Jonathan Wingfield