Patents by Inventor Tanya S. Kanigan
Tanya S. Kanigan 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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Patent number: 8105554Abstract: An interface is provided for storing microfluidic samples in a nanoliter sample chip. A fluid access structure provides a fluid access region to a selected subset of sample wells from an array of sample wells. A fluid introduction mechanism introduces a sample fluid to the fluid access region so that the sample wells in the selected subset are populated with the sample fluid without the unselected sample wells being populated with the sample fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Life Technologies CorporationInventors: Tanya S. Kanigan, Steve Smith, John Linton, Robert Hess, Karl Yoder, Colin Brennan
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Publication number: 20120021951Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
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Publication number: 20110319300Abstract: A method and an array filling system for loading a plurality of disparate sample containers, the sample containers comprising an integral structure. Each receptacle is characterized by a hydrophilic surface, and the receptacles are separated by a hydrophobic surface. The system has a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid and adapted for motion to cause sequential communication of liquid held in the liquid transfer device with successive receptacles of the array by dragging the liquid across the hydrophobic surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ian Hunter, Colin J.H. Brenan, Tanya S. Kanigan
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Patent number: 8029745Abstract: Systems for filling sample array by droplet dragging are provided. One aspect of the invention provides an array filling system for filling a platen having a platen surface and an array of receptacles, the receptacles having an internal surface and the receptacles separated by the platen surface, the system comprising: a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid; and a controller configured to position the liquid transfer device in proximity to the platen surface and to move the liquid transfer device across the surface and over the receptacles to be filled so as to cause sequential communication of liquid in the liquid transfer device with the interior surface of each receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ian Hunter, Colin J. H. Brenan, Tanya S. Kanigan
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Publication number: 20110152108Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a conductive member for heating the interior volume. Another aspect of the invention provides container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a plurality of conductive members for heating an interior volume. Another aspect of the invention provides a container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a first conductive member located in the interior volume and adapted to contact a first end of the microfluidic array.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Colin J.H. Brenan, Thomas B. Morrison, Tanya S. Kanigan
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Publication number: 20100261159Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2006Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Robert Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
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Patent number: 7682565Abstract: A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis. The system includes a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom. A frame is disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume. The frame and the covers are associated with one another to form a case, the case being substantially tight to liquids. A microfluidic array is disposed in the interior volume. The array includes a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of sample and reagent.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: BioTrove, Inc.Inventors: John Linton, Karl Yoder, Robert Hess, Leila Hasan, Robert Ellis, Tanya S. Kanigan, Kristine Friesen, Arrin Katz, Colin Brenan, Tom Morrison, Javier Garcia
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Publication number: 20090258797Abstract: Systems for filling sample array by droplet dragging are provided. One aspect of the invention provides an array filling system for filling a platen having a platen surface and an array of receptacles, the receptacles having an internal surface and the receptacles separated by the platen surface, the system comprising: a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid; and a controller configured to position the liquid transfer device in proximity to the platen surface and to move the liquid transfer device across the surface and over the receptacles to be filled so as to cause sequential communication of liquid in the liquid transfer device with the interior surface of each receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Ian Hunter, Colin J.H. Brenan, Tanya S. Kanigan
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Patent number: 7547556Abstract: A method and an array filling system for loading a plurality of disparate sample containers, the sample containers comprising an integral structure. Each receptacle is characterized by a hydrophilic surface, and the receptacles are separated by a hydrophobic surface. The system has a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid and adapted for motion to cause sequential communication of liquid held in the liquid transfer device with successive receptacles of the array by dragging the liquid across the hydrophobic surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ian Hunter, Colin J. H. Brenan, Tanya S. Kanigan
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Publication number: 20090062152Abstract: A thermal cycling device and a method of thermal cycling are provided. A thermal cycling device includes a fluid device system, a case, and a cycling head. The fluid delivery system develops a flow of controlled-temperature fluid. The case has a fluid-tight cavity for holding a microfluidic array. The array includes a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces. The cycling head holds the case and delivers the flow of fluid over the case.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: BIOTROVE, INC.Inventors: John Linton, Karl Yoder, Robert Hess, Leila Hasan, Robert Ellis, Tanya S. Kanigan, Kristine Friesen, Arrin Katz, Colin Brenan, Tom Morrison, Javier Garcia
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Publication number: 20090062134Abstract: A method of conducting an assay on a plurality of samples is provided. The method includes the steps of performing an assay at each sample site in a sample array having greater than 100 sample sites simultaneously illuminating each sample site using one or more LEDs, and simultaneously imaging each of the sample sites to produce imaging data pertinent to the optical effect of each site. Each assay provides an optical effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: BIOTROVE, INC.Inventors: John Linton, Karl Yoder, Robert Hess, Leila Hasan, Robert Ellis, Tanya S. Kanigan, Kristine Friesen, Arrin Katz, Colin Brenan, Tom Morrison, Javier Garcia
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Patent number: 6893877Abstract: Methods for manufacturing and using an apparatus for manipulating and analyzing a large number of microscopic samples of a liquid or materials, including cells, in liquid suspension. Parallel through-holes are formed in a platen and loaded with a liquid. Loading may be performed in such a way as to create a gradient, with respect to the position of the through-holes, of the concentration of a particular substance or of another quantity. Mixing of the contents of through-holes may be obtained by bringing filled microwell arrays into contact with each other with registration of individual through-holes.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ian Hunter, Colin J. H. Brenan, Tanya S. Kanigan
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Publication number: 20040208792Abstract: A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis. The system includes a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom. A frame is disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume. The frame and the covers are associated with one another to form a case, the case being substantially tight to liquids. A microfluidic array is disposed in the interior volume. The array includes a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of sample and reagent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: John Linton, Karl Yoder, Robert Hess, Leila Hasan, Robert Ellis, Tanya S. Kanigan, Kristine Friesen, Arrin Katz, Colin Brenan, Tom Morrison, Javier Garcia
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Publication number: 20040191924Abstract: Methods for loading a plurality of liquid samples into a through-hole array. Each transfer member of an array of transfer members is positioned for drawing a liquid sample from a distinct well of a microtiter plate. Liquid samples are drawn from wells of the microtiter plate and the array of transfer members is registered with a subset of through-holes of a through-hole array. The liquid samples are then dispensed from the transfer members into through-holes of the through-hole array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ian Hunter, Colin J.H. Brenan, Tanya S. Kanigan
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Patent number: 6716629Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: BioTrove, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
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Publication number: 20030180807Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: Biotrove, Inc., a Delaware CorporationInventors: Robert A. Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
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Publication number: 20030124716Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: Biotrove, Inc., a Delaware corporationInventors: Robert A. Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
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Publication number: 20020094533Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Robert A. Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
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Publication number: 20020001546Abstract: Methods for manufacturing and using an apparatus for manipulating and analyzing a large number of microscopic samples of a liquid or materials, including cells, in liquid suspension. Parallel through-holes are formed in a platen and loaded with a liquid. Loading may be performed in such a way as to create a gradient, with respect to the position of the through-holes, of the concentration of a particular substance or of another quantity. Mixing of the contents of through-holes may be obtained by bringing filled microwell arrays into contact with each other with registration of individual through-holes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ian Hunter, Colin J.H. Brenan, Tanya S. Kanigan
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Patent number: 6249076Abstract: Embodiments of actuators having an active member including a polymer having a surface, an electrolyte coupled to the surface, and an electrolyte are provided. Actuators which, when an electrical potential is applied across the electrolyte between the active member and the counter electrode, exert force per unit area of at least 10 MPa are described. Particular designs utilizing stretch aligned conducting polymers as active members are discussed.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: John D. Madden, Tanya S. Kanigan, Serge Lafontaine, Ian W. Hunter