Patents by Inventor Vamsee K. Pamula
Vamsee K. Pamula 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: 20150238975Abstract: The invention provides a method of redistributing magnetically responsive beads in a droplet. The method may include conducting on a droplet operations surface one or more droplet operations using the droplet without removing the magnetically responsive beads from the region of the magnetic field. The droplet operations may in some cases be electrode-mediated. The droplet operations may redistribute and/or circulate the magnetically responsive beads within the droplet. In some cases, the droplet may include a sample droplet may include a target analyte. The redistributing of the magnetically responsive beads may cause target analyte to bind to the magnetically responsive beads. In some cases, the droplet may include unbound substances in a wash buffer. The redistributing of the magnetically responsive beads causes unbound substances to be freed from interstices of an aggregated set or subset of the magnetically responsive beads.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: VAMSEE K. PAMULA, ARJUN SUDARSAN, RAMAKRISHNA SISTA
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Patent number: 9110017Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for manipulating droplets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for manipulating droplets is provided, the apparatus including a substrate, multiple arrays of electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein corresponding electrodes in each array are connected to a common electrical signal, and a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate first side surface and patterned to cover the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Richard B. Fair
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Patent number: 9097662Abstract: The present invention relates to droplet-based particle sorting. According to one embodiment, a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a suspension of particles; and (b) electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations using droplets comprising particles. A method of transporting a particle is also provided, wherein the method includes providing a droplet comprising the particle and transporting the droplet on a droplet microactuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9086345Abstract: The invention provides a method of dispersing or circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with a plurality of droplet operations electrodes configured to transport the droplet, and a magnetic field present at a portion of the plurality of droplet operations electrodes. A bead-containing droplet is provided on the droplet actuator in the presence of the uniform magnetic field. Beads are circulated in the droplet during incubation by conducting droplet operations on the droplet within a uniform region of the magnate field. Other embodiments are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Ramakrishna Sista, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Allen Eckhardt
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Patent number: 9081007Abstract: The present invention relates to bead incubating and washing on a droplet actuator. Methods for incubating magnetically responsive beads that are labeled with primary antibody, a sample (i.e., analyte), and secondary reporter antibodies on a magnet, on and off a magnet, and completely off a magnet are provided. Also provided are methods for washing magnetically responsive beads using shape-assisted merging of droplets. Also provided are methods for shape-mediated splitting, transporting, and dispensing of a sample droplet that contains magnetically responsive beads. The apparatuses and methods of the invention provide for rapid time to result and optimum detection of an analyte in an immunoassay.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Ramakrishna Sista, Arjun Sudarsan
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Publication number: 20150184219Abstract: The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The invention includes assay methods of conducting an assay comprising combining a sample with an umbelliferyl derivative, wherein the sample potentially comprises an enzyme capable of cleaving the umbelliferyl derivative and where the umbelliferyl derivative comprises an umbelliferyl core modified with one or more modifying moieties.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Allen E Eckhardt, Carrie Graham, Ramakrishna Sista, Vamsee K. Pamula, Theodore Winger, Tong Wang, Yalin Xiong, Ning Wu, Sanjay Saha, Gajendrasinh Raolji, Raveendra Dayam
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Publication number: 20150174578Abstract: A droplet actuator with a droplet formation electrode configuration associated with a droplet operations surface, wherein the electrode configuration comprises one or more electrodes configured to control volume of a droplet during formation of a sub-droplet on the droplet operations surface. Methods of making and using the droplet actuator are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Zishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan, Philip Y. Paik
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Publication number: 20150174577Abstract: The present invention relates to filler fluids for droplet operations. According to one embodiment of this aspect, a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a first substrate comprising electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations on a surface of the substrate; (b) a second substrate spaced from the surface of the substrate by a distance sufficient to define an interior volume between the first substrate and second substrate, wherein the distance is sufficient to contain a droplet disposed in the space on the first substrate; and (c) a droplet arranged in the interior volume and arranged with respect to the electrodes in a manner which permits droplet operations to be effected on the droplet using the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicants: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc., Duke UniversityInventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Philip Y. Paik, Vamsee K. Pamula, Richard B. Fair
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Patent number: 9050606Abstract: The invention provides a method of redistributing magnetically responsive beads in a droplet. The method may include conducting on a droplet operations surface one or more droplet operations using the droplet without removing the magnetically responsive beads from the region of the magnetic field. The droplet operations may in some cases be electrode-mediated. The droplet operations may redistribute and/or circulate the magnetically responsive beads within the droplet. In some cases, the droplet may include a sample droplet may include a target analyte. The redistributing of the magnetically responsive beads may cause target analyte to bind to the magnetically responsive beads. In some cases, the droplet may include unbound substances in a wash buffer. The redistributing of the magnetically responsive beads causes unbound substances to be freed from interstices of an aggregated set or subset of the magnetically responsive beads.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Arjun Sudarsan, Ramakrishna Sista
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Patent number: 9046514Abstract: A method of providing a droplet in contact with a magnetically responsive bead and having a reduced quantity of a substance.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignees: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC., DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Ramakrishna Sista, Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Vijay Srinivasan, Allen E. Eckhardt, Richard B. Fair
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Publication number: 20150075985Abstract: The invention provides nonlimiting examples of structures for and methods of dispensing droplets in a droplet actuator. The droplet actuator structures and methods of the invention exhibit numerous advantages over droplet actuators of the prior art. In various embodiments, the structures and methods of the invention provide, among other things, improved efficiency, throughput, scalability, and/or droplet uniformity, as compared with existing droplet actuators. Further, in some embodiments, the droplet actuators provide configurations for improved methods of loading and/or unloading fluid and/or droplets. In yet other embodiments, the droplet actuators provide fluid loading configurations for loading numerous fluid reservoirs in a substantially simultaneous and/or substantially sequential manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan
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Patent number: 8980198Abstract: The present invention relates to filler fluids for droplet operations. According to one embodiment of this aspect, a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a first substrate comprising electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations on a surface of the substrate; (b) a second substrate spaced from the surface of the substrate by a distance sufficient to define an interior volume between the first substrate and second substrate, wherein the distance is sufficient to contain a droplet disposed in the space on the first substrate; and (c) a droplet arranged in the interior volume and arranged with respect to the electrodes in a manner which permits droplet operations to be effected on the droplet using the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignees: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc., Duke UniversityInventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Philip Y. Paik, Vamsee K. Pamula, Richard B. Fair
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Publication number: 20150068903Abstract: The invention provides droplet actuators with droplet operations surfaces for manipulating droplets, e.g., by conducting droplet operations. The droplet operations surfaces are typically exposed to a droplet operations gap. One or more regions of a droplet operation surface may include patterned topographic features. The invention also provides a droplet actuator in which one or both gap-facing droplet operations surfaces is formed using a removable film. The removable film may, in various embodiments, also include other components ordinarily associated with the droplet actuator substrate, such as the dielectric layer and the electrodes. Further, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and methods for coupling and/or sealing substrates of a droplet actuator, such as techniques for self-aligning assembly of droplet actuator substrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Arjun Sudarsan, Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Ramakrishna Sista, Raymond Kozikowski, Nicole Bell
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Publication number: 20150072900Abstract: Sample processing droplet actuators, systems and methods are provided. According to one embodiment, a stamping device including a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a first plate including a path or network of control electrodes for transporting droplets on a surface thereof; (b) a second plate mounted in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the first plate providing an interior volume between the plates, the second plate including one or more stamping ports for transporting some portion or all of a droplet from the interior volume to an exterior location; (c) a port for introducing fluid into the interior volume between the plates; and (d) a path or network of reference electrodes corresponding to the path or network of control electrodes. Associated systems and methods including the stamping device are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicants: DUKE UNIVERSITY, ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack
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Publication number: 20150060284Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for manipulating droplets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for manipulating droplets is provided, the apparatus including a substrate, multiple arrays of electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein corresponding electrodes in each array are connected to a common electrical signal, and a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate first side surface and patterned to cover the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Richard B. Fair
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Publication number: 20150053562Abstract: The present invention relates to droplet-based particle sorting. According to one embodiment, a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a suspension of particles; and (b) electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations using droplets comprising particles. A method of transporting a particle is also provided, wherein the method includes providing a droplet comprising the particle and transporting the droplet on a droplet microactuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan
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Patent number: 8951721Abstract: The present invention relates to droplet-based surface modification and washing. According to one embodiment, a method of splitting a droplet is provided, the method including providing a droplet microactuator including a droplet including one or more beads and immobilizing at least one of the one or more beads. The method further includes conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the droplet to yield a set of droplets including a droplet including the one or more immobilized beads and a droplet substantially lacking the one or more immobilized beads.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignees: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc., Duke UniversityInventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan, Richard B. Fair
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Patent number: 8951732Abstract: A method of amplifying a nucleic acid, the method comprising cycling an amplification-ready droplet through a temperature gradient to locations within the temperature gradient suitable for effecting steps in an amplification reaction.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Philip Paik, Allen Eckhardt
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Publication number: 20150034485Abstract: The present invention relates to bead incubating and washing on a droplet actuator. Methods for incubating magnetically responsive beads that are labeled with primary antibody, a sample (i.e., analyte), and secondary reporter antibodies on a magnet, on and off a magnet, and completely off a magnet are provided. Also provided are methods for washing magnetically responsive beads using shape-assisted merging of droplets. Also provided are methods for shape-mediated splitting, transporting, and dispensing of a sample droplet that contains magnetically responsive beads. The apparatuses and methods of the invention provide for rapid time to result and optimum detection of an analyte in an immunoassay.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Ramakrishna Sista, Arjun Sudarsan
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Publication number: 20150027889Abstract: The invention provides droplet actuators and droplet actuator cassettes including reagent storage capabilities, as well as methods of making and using the droplet actuators and cassettes. The invention also provides continuous flow channel elements and techniques for using electrodes to manipulate droplets in flowing streams. The invention also discloses methods of separating compounds on a droplet actuator. Various other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Prasanna Thwar, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan, Allen E. Eckhardt, Alexander Shenderov, Dwayne J. Allen