Patents by Inventor Seth Fraden
Seth Fraden 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: 20240042445Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Seth Fraden, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate
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Patent number: 11819849Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Brandeis UniversityInventors: Seth Fraden, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate
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Publication number: 20230234061Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
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Patent number: 11618024Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Brandeis UniversityInventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
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Publication number: 20220382036Abstract: A device for imaging sensitive biological samples is provided. The device can include a plastic frame and a glass coverslip, each can be comprised of a biologically compatible material. The device can then be configured such that a biological sample placed therein can only be in contact with biologically compatible materials and, when imaged, provide optimal imaging characteristics by allowing imaging through the glass coverslip.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: S. Ali Aghvami, Tim Sanchez, Seth Fraden, Dan Needleman, Marta Venturas Pedro
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Patent number: 11366042Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for investigating crystallization and/or for controlling a reaction or a phase transition are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a reservoir layer; a membrane disposed on the reservoir layer; a wetting control layer disposed on the membrane; and a storage layer disposed on the wetting control layer, wherein the wetting control layer and the storage layer define a microfluidic channel comprising an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a first fluid path in communication with the upstream and the downstream portions, and a storage well positioned within the first fluid path, wherein the wetting control layer includes a fluid passageway in communication with the storage well and the membrane, and wherein the wetting control layer wets a first fluid introduced into the microfluidic channel, the first fluid comprising a hydrophilic, lipophilic, fluorophilic or gas phase as the continuous phase in the microfluidic channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Brandeis UniversityInventors: Seth Fraden, Michael Heymann, Markus Ludwig
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Patent number: 11224876Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignees: Brandeis University, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
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Publication number: 20210394186Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing isolated microfluidic droplets. In one aspect, a microfluidic system comprises a droplet isolation device and an injection system. The droplet isolation device includes at least one isolation unit and at least one capillary valve. The isolation unit has at least one chamber configured to receive at least two different aqueous solutions without mixing prior to entering the at least one chamber based at least in part on pressure levels of the at least two different aqueous solutions. The injection system includes an aqueous inlet, a non-aqueous inlet, a bypass outlet, a working fluid outlet, and a loading chamber. The injection system is configured to allow for a predetermined amount of each of the at least two different aqueous solutions to be delivered to the droplet isolation device sequentially.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2019Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: S. Ali Aghvami, Seth Fraden
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Patent number: 11148140Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising at least one isolation unit and at least one capillary valve. The at least one isolation unit has at least one chamber. The at least one chamber configured to receive at least two different aqueous solutions. The at least one capillary valve is configured to allow for the at least two different aqueous solutions to be introduced into the at least one chamber without mixing prior to entering the at least one chamber based at least in part on pressure levels of the at least two different aqueous solutions.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: BRANDEIS UNIVERSITYInventor: Seth Fraden
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Publication number: 20210178395Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
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Publication number: 20210164870Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for investigating crystallization and/or for controlling a reaction or a phase transition are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a reservoir layer; a membrane disposed on the reservoir layer; a wetting control layer disposed on the membrane; and a storage layer disposed on the wetting control layer, wherein the wetting control layer and the storage layer define a microfluidic channel comprising an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a first fluid path in communication with the upstream and the downstream portions, and a storage well positioned within the first fluid path, wherein the wetting control layer includes a fluid passageway in communication with the storage well and the membrane, and wherein the wetting control layer wets a first fluid introduced into the microfluidic channel, the first fluid comprising a hydrophilic, lipophilic, fluorophilic or gas phase as the continuous phase in the microfluidic channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Seth Fraden, Michael Heymann, Markus Ludwig
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Patent number: 10960397Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Brandeis UniversityInventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
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Patent number: 10942095Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for investigating crystallization and/or for controlling a reaction or a phase transition are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a reservoir layer; a membrane disposed on the reservoir layer; a wetting control layer disposed on the membrane; and a storage layer disposed on the wetting control layer, wherein the wetting control layer and the storage layer define a microfluidic channel comprising an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a first fluid path in communication with the upstream and the downstream portions, and a storage well positioned within the first fluid path, wherein the wetting control layer includes a fluid passageway in communication with the storage well and the membrane, and wherein the wetting control layer wets a first fluid introduced into the microfluidic channel, the first fluid comprising a hydrophilic, lipophilic, fluorophilic or gas phase as the continuous phase in the microfluidic channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Brandeis UniversityInventors: Seth Fraden, Michael Heymann, Markus Ludwig
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Publication number: 20200330993Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
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Publication number: 20200269248Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Seth Fraden, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate
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Publication number: 20200238278Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising at least one isolation unit and at least one capillary valve. The at least one isolation unit has at least one chamber. The at least one chamber configured to receive at least two different aqueous solutions. The at least one capillary valve is configured to allow for the at least two different aqueous solutions to be introduced into the at least one chamber without mixing prior to entering the at least one chamber based at least in part on pressure levels of the at least two different aqueous solutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Seth FRADEN
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Patent number: 10675626Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Brandeis UniversityInventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
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Patent number: 10603662Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Brandeis UniversityInventors: Seth Fraden, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate
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Publication number: 20200009570Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
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Publication number: 20190346347Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for investigating crystallization and/or for controlling a reaction or a phase transition are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a reservoir layer; a membrane disposed on the reservoir layer; a wetting control layer disposed on the membrane; and a storage layer disposed on the wetting control layer, wherein the wetting control layer and the storage layer define a microfluidic channel comprising an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a first fluid path in communication with the upstream and the downstream portions, and a storage well positioned within the first fluid path, wherein the wetting control layer includes a fluid passageway in communication with the storage well and the membrane, and wherein the wetting control layer wets a first fluid introduced into the microfluidic channel, the first fluid comprising a hydrophilic, lipophilic, fluorophilic or gas phase as the continuous phase in the microfluidic channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Seth Fraden, Michael Heymann, Markus Ludwig