Patents by Inventor Wim DE MALSCHE

Wim DE MALSCHE 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).

  • Patent number: 11933710
    Abstract: A system for imaging particles in a fluid includes a substrate holder for holding a substrate comprising a channel or reservoir for containing the fluid in the substrate, a radiation source for providing irradiation in the substrate and a radiation detection unit for detecting particles in the fluid in the substrate. At least one of the radiation source and the radiation detection unit) are configured to obtain detection in one or more distinct detection sheets in the substrate. The system further comprises an actuator configured for imparting an oscillating mechanical movement of the substrate holder regarding the radiation detection unit and the radiation source, the oscillating mechanical movement being a movement comprising a movement component in a direction perpendicular to the plane wherein the one or more detection sheets are extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL
    Inventors: Wim De Malsche, Ozlem Sardan Sukas, Manly Callewaert, Pierre Gelin
  • Publication number: 20230330674
    Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor. The chemical reactor comprises one or more effective channels which comprise pillar structures, an input connected to one of the effective channels to allow fluid/gas into the effective channels and an output connected to one of the effective channels to remove at least one component of the liquid/gas. The method comprises obtaining an initial design of the reactor, further introducing into the initial design at least a structured area positioned adjacent to an effective channel of the one or more effective channels located at the edge of the initial design, the structured area not being fluidly connected to one of the effective channels, to obtain a further design and the production of the reactor according to the further design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Jeff OP DE BEECK, Paul JACOBS, Wim DE MALSCHE
  • Patent number: 11724259
    Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor, wherein the chemical reactor comprises one or more effective channels which comprise pillar structures, an input connected to one of the effective channels to allow fluid/gas into the effective channels and an output connected to one of the effective channels to remove at least one component of the liquid/gas. The method comprises obtaining an initial design of the reactor, further introducing into the initial design at least a structured area positioned adjacent to an effective channel of the one or more effective channels located at the edge of the initial design, the structured area not being fluidly connected to one of the effective channels, to obtain a further design and the production of the reactor according to the further design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: PHARMAFLUIDICS nv
    Inventors: Jeff Op De Beeck, Paul Jacobs, Wim De Malsche
  • Patent number: 11619587
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises a microfluidic channel having at least an inlet for receiving a fluid plug or an outlet for removing a fluid plug and a pillar based flow distributor for reorienting the fluid plug in such a way that the long axis of the fluid plug essentially is oriented perpendicular to the walls of the microfluidic channel, as opposed to its original orientation, in which the longer axis is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the narrower inlet channel. The width W of the microfluidic channel is substantially larger than the width w of the inlet or outlet channel. The microfluidic device is adapted for detecting a physical or chemical property of the fluid, the microfluidic device being configured for detecting the property in a detection area positioned across the microfluidic channel in a width direction of the microfluidic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: PHARMAFLUIDICS NV
    Inventors: Paul Jacobs, Wim De Malsche
  • Publication number: 20230056762
    Abstract: A fluidic device for processing a fluid or species therein is described. The device comprises a 3D channel including an inlet for receiving a sample fluid and an outlet for outputting the sample fluid. The channel is adapted for guiding flow of the sample fluid in an axial direction from the inlet to the outlet. The channel includes at least two side walls. The device also has a controllable flow inducer having electrodes for inducing, when the sample fluid is flowing through the channel, a motion of the sample fluid in the channel in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axial direction. Along at least one of the side walls at least part of the electrodes are formed by alternatingly at least an electrically conducting portion, an electrically insulating portion and a further electrically conducting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Wim DE MALSCHE, Eiko WESTERBEEK, Jan EIJKEL, Wouter OLTHUIS
  • Patent number: 11491458
    Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor device based on a fluid flow comprises obtaining a substrate with a fluid channel defined by a channel wall, in which an ordered set of silicon pillar structures is positioned in the fluid channel and electrochemically anodising at least the silicon pillar structures to make the silicon pillar structures porous at least to a certain depth. After the anodising, the substrate and pillar structures are thermally treated, the treatment being carried out at a temperature, with a duration and in an atmosphere such that any silicon oxide layer formed has a thickness of less than 20 nm. The substrate and the pillar structures are further functionalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: PHARMAFLUIDICS NV
    Inventors: Wim De Malsche, Jeff Op De Beeck, Paul Jacobs, Bo Claerebout
  • Publication number: 20220048005
    Abstract: A chemical reactor is implemented on a substrate. The chemical reactor has multiple ducts for transporting a fluid and/or gas during use of the chemical reactor, in which the ducts optionally include pillar structures and at least one connection duct connected between two of the multiple ducts for transporting the fluid and/or gas from one duct to another. In the connection duct, a series of individual pillar structures are positioned behind each other in the longitudinal direction of the connection duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jeff OP DE BEECK, Bo CLAEREBOUT, Wim DE MALSCHE, Paul JACOBS
  • Publication number: 20210140869
    Abstract: A system for imaging particles in a fluid includes a substrate holder for holding a substrate comprising a channel or reservoir for containing the fluid in the substrate, a radiation source for providing irradiation in the substrate and a radiation detection unit for detecting particles in the fluid in the substrate. At least one of the radiation source and the radiation detection unit) are configured to obtain detection in one or more distinct detection sheets in the substrate. The system further comprises an actuator configured for imparting an oscillating mechanical movement of the substrate holder regarding the radiation detection unit and the radiation source, the oscillating mechanical movement being a movement comprising a movement component in a direction perpendicular to the plane wherein the one or more detection sheets are extending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Wim DE MALSCHE, Ozlem Sardan SUKAS, Manly CALLEWAERT, Pierre GELIN
  • Publication number: 20210072154
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises a microfluidic channel having at least an inlet for receiving a fluid plug or an outlet for removing a fluid plug and a pillar based flow distributor for reorienting the fluid plug in such a way that the long axis of the fluid plug essentially is oriented perpendicular to the walls of the microfluidic channel, as opposed to its original orientation, in which the longer axis is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the narrower inlet channel. The width W of the microfluidic channel is substantially larger than the width w of the inlet or outlet channel. The microfluidic device is adapted for detecting a physical or chemical property of the fluid, the microfluidic device being configured for detecting the property in a detection area positioned across the microfluidic channel in a width direction of the microfluidic channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Paul JACOBS, Wim DE MALSCHE
  • Publication number: 20210023527
    Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor device based on a fluid flow comprises obtaining a substrate with a fluid channel defined by a channel wall, in which an ordered set of silicon pillar structures is positioned in the fluid channel and electrochemically anodising at least the silicon pillar structures to make the silicon pillar structures porous at least to a certain depth. After the anodising, the substrate and pillar structures are thermally treated, the treatment being carried out at a temperature, with a duration and in an atmosphere such that any silicon oxide layer formed has a thickness of less than 20 nm. The substrate and the pillar structures are further functionalized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Wim DE MALSCHE, Jeff OP DE BEECK, Paul JACOBS, Bo CLAEREBOUT
  • Publication number: 20200333299
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysing a specimen comprises a loading area for loading the specimen of interest and an analytical column. The loading area is connected on two sides to a first duct and a second duct respectively, both integrated in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a first integrated input connected to the first duct to take the specimen into the loading area, a first integrated output connected to the second duct to discharge the rest of the specimen, once it has flown through the loading area, and a second integrated output downstream the analytical column. The first integrated output is arranged for during a first loading period of time being in circuit connected to the first integrated input so as to load the sample into the loading zone of the device while preventing loss of specimen during loading of the sample into the analytical column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Jeff OP DE BEECK, Paul JACOBS, Wim DE MALSCHE
  • Patent number: 10807054
    Abstract: A micro-reactor system for contacting fluids is described. The system comprises a first microfluidic channel structure for guiding a first fluid to at least one output nozzle thus generating a first sub-flow, a second microfluidic channel structure for guiding a second fluid to at least a second output nozzle thus generating a second sub-flow, said first output nozzle being aligned with said second output nozzle and arranged for contacting the first sub-flow and the second sub-flow. The micro-reactor comprises at least a third microfluidic channel structure for at least a third, inert, fluid generating at least a third sub-flow arranged to be positioned adjacent at least the first and/or the second sub-flows so as to act as a wall between said first and/or second sub-flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: VRUE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL
    Inventors: Wim De Malsche, Tobias Vandermeersch
  • Patent number: 10794876
    Abstract: A chromatographic column assembly is described, comprising a channel and a flow inducer. The channel comprises an inlet for receiving a sample liquid and an outlet, and is adapted for separating the sample liquid into components when the sample liquid flows through the channel in an axial direction from the inlet to the outlet. The flow inducer is adapted for controllably inducing, when the sample fluid is flowing through the channel, a motion of the sample liquid in the channel in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL
    Inventor: Wim De Malsche
  • Patent number: 10697942
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating a phase in a specimen has been described. This is based on a microfluidic trapping area, channels connected to it and integrated inputs and outputs connected onto the channels. An additional integrated input is provided which allows the flow in the device to be controlled and which may prevent leaking of the specimen and the phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: PHARMAFLUIDICS NV
    Inventors: Jeff Op De Beeck, Paul Jacobs, Wim De Malsche
  • Publication number: 20190314817
    Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor, wherein the chemical reactor comprises one or more effective channels which comprise pillar structures, an input connected to one of the effective channels to allow fluid/gas into the effective channels and an output connected to one of the effective channels to remove at least one component of the liquid/gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Jeff OP DE BEECK, Paul JACOBS, Wim DE MALSCHE
  • Publication number: 20180202979
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating a phase in a specimen has been described. This is based on a microfluidic trapping area, channels connected to it and integrated inputs and outputs connected onto the channels. An additional integrated input is provided which allows the flow in the device to be controlled and which may prevent leaking of the specimen and the phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Jeff OP DE BEECK, Paul JACOBS, Wim DE MALSCHE
  • Publication number: 20180202981
    Abstract: A chromatographic column assembly is described, comprising a channel and a flow inducer. The channel comprises an inlet for receiving a sample liquid and an outlet, and is adapted for separating the sample liquid into components when the sample liquid flows through the channel in an axial direction from the inlet to the outlet. The flow inducer is adapted for controllably inducing, when the sample fluid is flowing through the channel, a motion of the sample liquid in the channel in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventor: Wim DE MALSCHE
  • Publication number: 20170151537
    Abstract: A micro-reactor system for contacting fluids is described. The system comprises a first microfluidic channel structure for guiding a first fluid to at least one output nozzle thus generating a first sub-flow, a second microfluidic channel structure for guiding a second fluid to at least a second output nozzle thus generating a second sub-flow, said first output nozzle being aligned with said second output nozzle and arranged for contacting the first sub-flow and the second sub-flow. The micro-reactor comprises at least a third microfluidic channel structure for at least a third, inert, fluid generating at least a third sub-flow arranged to be positioned adjacent at least the first and/or the second sub-flows so as to act as a wall between said first and/or second sub-flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Wim DE MALSCHE, Tobias VANDERMEERSCH
  • Publication number: 20160001199
    Abstract: A chemical reactor is described comprising a substrate with a fluid channel and a set of organized pillar structures positioned in the channel. The individual pillar structures have a length in the longitudinal direction of the channel and a width in the width direction of the channel whereby their width-to-length aspect ratio is at least 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: PHARMAFLUIDICS NV
    Inventors: Wim DE MALSCHE, Gert DESMET, Jeff OP DE BEECK, Paul JACOBS