Patents by Inventor Shou-Kuan TSAI
Shou-Kuan TSAI 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: 20230330680Abstract: A thermal control module for a bioseparation system, comprising: a thermal platform thermally coupled to the thermoelectric module, wherein the thermal platform comprises: a base, and at least a thermal block thermal conductively supported on the base, wherein the thermal block is structured to receive a receptacle containing at least a sample, and wherein the thermal block comprises a body comprising a split longitudinal block having two longitudinal sides defining a valley, wherein the facing walls of the sides each has a scalloped concave profile conforming to convex conical tube shaped profile of bottom surfaces of the wells of the receptacle tray; a heat sink; and a thermoelectric module thermal conductively coupled between the base of the thermal platform and the heat sink, heating/cooling the thermal platform in accordance with desired heating/cooling temperature profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Shou-Kuan TSAI, Hsien-Liang CHI, Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN
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Patent number: 11531004Abstract: A multi-channel bio-separation system configured to utilize a cartridge that has a individual, separate integrated reagent (i.e., a separation buffer) reservoir dedicated for each separation channel. The multiple channels may have different characteristics, such as different separation medium of different chemistries, different separation length, different channel sizes and internal coatings. In one embodiment, the cartridge does not include integrated detection optics. Not all channels need to be operative. One or more of the channels in the cartridge may be “dummy channels” that are not operative (e.g., not provided with a capillary tube). A capillary tube may be routed between the reservoir/electrode (anode) of one channel to an electrode (cathode) in another channel, thus allowing a longer length of capillary tube to be used to define a longer separation channel to improve resolution.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: BIOPTIC, INC.Inventors: Shou-Kuan Tsai, Varouj D. Amirkhanian
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Publication number: 20220236219Abstract: A method for glycan profiling by capillary electrophoresis (CE), and a CE system for glycan analysis (N-Glycan). The CE system uses integrated dual optical fibers for both radiation excitation and emission detection. The CE system is configured for performing a two-color detection for data analysis. A single radiation excitation source is used to excite two emission fluorophores or dyes in the sample solution to be analyzed. One emission dye is to tag the sample and the other dye is used to provide a reference marker (e.g., a Dextran Ladder) for the sample run. Two detectors (e.g., photomultipler tubes (PMTs)) are applied to simultaneously detect the fluorescent emissions from the dyes. The data collected by both detectors are correlated (e.g., synchronized, and/or super-positioned for analysis) for accurate data peak identification.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Shou-Kuan Tsai, Ming-Jhy Hseu, Varouj D. Amirkhanian
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Patent number: 10981169Abstract: A micro-vial for handling micro-volume of sample fluids. The interior wall defined in the vial has a cylindrical sample section, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a tapered or conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section, arranged in sequence in that order along the center axis of the vial. The sample section holds a small volume of a sample fluid and receives the tip end of a capillary tube. The alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, receiving a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the relatively fragile capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube dips into the micro-volume of sample fluid held in the sample section. The conical section guides the capillary tube and the support tube into the alignment section and the tip of the capillary tube into the sample section.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: BIOPTIC, INC.Inventors: Shou-Kuan Tsai, Varouj D. Amirkhanian
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Publication number: 20200368751Abstract: Used for running a polymerase chain reaction, a thermal cycler includes a main body having a chamber, and inside of the chamber is provided with a protocol running device port and a sample block for placing reaction tubes. When a protocol running device is put into the protocol running device port, the main body may execute a thermal cycle onto the reaction tubes according to a protocol stored in the protocol running device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventor: Shou-Kuan Tsai
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Publication number: 20200329344Abstract: A multi-point communication system includes movable node devices that communicate with each other via first communication paths to result in a mesh network, the node device requiring no positioning receiver; and mobile communication devices that communicate with corresponding node devices via second communication paths. The node device includes a first communication protocol and a different second communication protocol. The node devices share data by transferring the data to and from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventor: Shou-Kuan Tsai
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Publication number: 20200096479Abstract: A multi-channel bio-separation system configured to utilize a cartridge that has a individual, separate integrated reagent (i.e., a separation buffer) reservoir dedicated for each separation channel. The multiple channels may have different characteristics, such as different separation medium of different chemistries, different separation length, different channel sizes and internal coatings. In one embodiment, the cartridge does not include integrated detection optics. Not all channels need to be operative. One or more of the channels in the cartridge may be “dummy channels” that are not operative (e.g., not provided with a capillary tube). A capillary tube may be routed between the reservoir/electrode (anode) of one channel to an electrode (cathode) in another channel, thus allowing a longer length of capillary tube to be used to define a longer separation channel to improve resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Shou-Kuan TSAI, Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN
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Publication number: 20190224669Abstract: A simple, low cost, efficient and stable micro-vial configuration for handling micro-volume of sample fluids. The interior wall geometry of the inventive vial is designed to include several axial sections of various interior diameters to provide a range of functionalities to address various design considerations. The interior wall defined in the vial has a cylindrical sample section, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a tapered or conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section, arranged in sequence in that order along the center axis of the vial. The sample section is designed to hold a small volume of a sample fluid, and to receive the tip end of a capillary tube. The alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, designed to receive a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the relatively fragile capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube dips into the micro-volume of sample fluid held in the sample section.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Shou-Kuan TSAI, Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN
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Publication number: 20190227031Abstract: A method for glycan profiling by capillary electrophoresis (CE), and a CE system for glycan analysis (N-Glycan). The CE system uses integrated dual optical fibers for both radiation excitation and emission detection. The CE system is configured for performing a two-color detection for data analysis. A single radiation excitation source is used to excite two emission fluorophores or dyes in the sample solution to be analyzed. One emission dye is to tag the sample and the other dye is used to provide a reference marker (e.g., a Dextran Ladder) for the sample run. Two detectors (e.g., photomultipler tubes (PMTs)) are applied to simultaneously detect the fluorescent emissions from the dyes. The data collected by both detectors are correlated (e.g., synchronized, and/or super-positioned for analysis) for accurate data peak identification.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Shou-Kuan TSAI, Ming-Jhy HSEU, Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN
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Publication number: 20170227493Abstract: A multi-channel bio-separation system configured to utilize a cartridge that has a individual, separate integrated reagent (i.e., a separation buffer) reservoir dedicated for each separation channel. The multiple channels may have different characteristics, such as different separation medium of different chemistries, different separation length, different channel sizes and internal coatings. In one embodiment, the cartridge does not include integrated detection optics. Not all channels need to be operative. One or more of the channels in the cartridge may be “dummy channels” that are not operative (e.g., not provided with a capillary tube). A capillary tube may be routed between the reservoir/electrode (anode) of one channel to an electrode (cathode) in another channel, thus allowing a longer length of capillary tube to be used to define a longer separation channel to improve resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Shou-Kuan TSAI, Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN
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Publication number: 20150338347Abstract: A method for glycan profiling by capillary electrophoresis (CE), and a CE system for glycan analysis (N-Glycan). The CE system uses integrated dual optical fibers for both radiation excitation and emission detection. The CE system is configured for performing a two-color detection for data analysis. A single radiation excitation source is used to excite two emission fluorophores or dyes in the sample solution to be analyzed. One emission dye is to tag the sample and the other dye is used to provide a reference marker (e.g., a Dextran Ladder) for the sample run. Two detectors (e.g., photomultipler tubes (PMTs)) are applied to simultaneously detect the fluorescent emissions from the dyes. The data collected by both detectors are correlated (e.g., synchronized, and/or super-positioned for analysis) for accurate data peak identification.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Shou-Kuan TSAI, Ming-Jhy HSEU, Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN
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Publication number: 20140374299Abstract: A simple, low cost, efficient and stable micro-vial configuration for handling micro-volume of sample fluids. The interior wall geometry of the inventive vial is designed to include several axial sections of various interior diameters to provide a range of functionalities to address various design considerations. The interior wall defined in the vial has a cylindrical sample section, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a tapered or conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section, arranged in sequence in that order along the center axis of the vial. The sample section is designed to hold a small volume of a sample fluid, and to receive the tip end of a capillary tube. The alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, designed to receive a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the relatively fragile capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube dips into the micro-volume of sample fluid held in the sample section.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Shou-Kuan TSAI, Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN
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Patent number: 8784626Abstract: A detection optics configuration for bio-analysis, in which the direction of incident radiation, the axis of the separation channel, and the direction of collection of the output radiation are coplanar at the detection zone. The detection configuration incorporates ball-end optical fibers to direct incident radiation at and collection of output radiation from the detection zone. The detection optics configuration may be implemented in an improved bio-separation instrument, in particular a capillary electrophoresis instrument.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Bioptic, Inc.Inventors: Varouj D. Amirkhanian, Shou-Kuan Tsai
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Patent number: 8778155Abstract: A cartridge-based bio-separation system configured to utilize a pen shaped bio-separation cartridge that is easy to assemble and use with no moving parts and that has an integrated reagent (separation buffer) reservoir. The cartridge includes a body, defining an opening as a detection window for receiving external detection optics, at least one capillary column supported in the body, having a first end extending beyond a first end of the body, wherein the detection window exposes a section along the capillary column, to which the external optics are aligned through the detection window, and a reservoir attached to a second end of the body in fluid flow communication with a second end of the capillary column. The reservoir is structured to be coupled to an air pressure pump that pressurizes the gel reservoir to purge and fill the capillaries with buffer as the separation support medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Bioptic, Inc.Inventors: Shou-Kuan Tsai, Varouj D. Amirkhanian
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Publication number: 20120168312Abstract: A cartridge-based bio-separation system configured to utilize a pen shaped bio-separation cartridge that is easy to assemble and use with no moving parts and that has an integrated reagent (separation buffer) reservoir. The cartridge includes a body, defining an opening as a detection window for receiving external detection optics, at least one capillary column supported in the body, having a first end extending beyond a first end of the body, wherein the detection window exposes a section along the capillary column, to which the external optics are aligned through the detection window, and a reservoir attached to a second end of the body in fluid flow communication with a second end of the capillary column. The reservoir is structured to be coupled to an air pressure pump that pressurizes the gel reservoir to purge and fill the capillaries with buffer as the separation support medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: BIOPTIC, INC.Inventors: Shou-Kuan Tsai, Varouj D. Amirkhanian
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Publication number: 20110253540Abstract: A detection optics configuration for bio-analysis, in which the direction of incident radiation, the axis of the separation channel, and the direction of collection of the output radiation are coplanar at the detection zone. The detection configuration incorporates ball-end optical fibers to direct incident radiation at and collection of output radiation from the detection zone. The detection optics configuration may be implemented in an improved bio-separation instrument, in particular a capillary electrophoresis instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: BIOPTIC, INC.Inventors: Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN, Shou-Kuan TSAI
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Patent number: D698458Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Bioptic, Inc.Inventors: Shou-Kuan Tsai, Varouj D. Amirkhanian
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Patent number: D717468Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Bioptic, Inc.Inventor: Shou-Kuan Tsai
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Patent number: D859685Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: BIOPTIC, INC.Inventors: Shou-Kuan Tsai, Varouj D. Amirkhanian