Volumetric Liquid Transfer Patents (Class 436/180)
-
Patent number: 10894973Abstract: An array device including a base having wells, a cover positioned over the base with a gap from the base such that openings of the wells are covered by the cover with the gap in between, an injection port communicating with the gap, a discharge port communicating with the gap and positioned apart from the injection port, and a waste liquid vessel which collects liquid that flows from the gap via the discharge port and is positioned at a level different from the gap forming a channel. The discharge port is placed to discharge a surplus aqueous solution outside the wells from the discharge port by an oleaginous sealing liquid to be delivered from the injection port.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoichi Makino, Tomoyuki Ozawa, Shuichi Akashi, Tomoko Kunitomi
-
Patent number: 10890514Abstract: A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Optofluidics Inc.Inventors: Thomas Castner, Robert Hart, Colby Ashcroft, Brian DiPaolo, Nathan Wall
-
Patent number: 10871430Abstract: A method and system are provided for extracting a target analyte from a sample using acoustic ejection technology. The method involves applying focused acoustic energy to a fluid reservoir housing a fluid composition that contains a target analyte and comprises an upper region and a lower region, where the concentration of the target analyte in the upper region differs from that in the lower region. The focused acoustic energy is applied in a manner that is effective to result in the ejection of a fluid droplet from from the fluid composition into a droplet receiver, wherein the concentration of the analyte in the droplet corresponds to either the concentration of the analyte in the upper region or the concentration of the analyte in the lower region, and wherein the concentration of the analyte is substantially uniform throughout the droplet. The fluid composition may comprise an ionic liquid, used in the extraction of ionic target analytes.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Joseph D. Olechno, Richard N. Ellson
-
Patent number: 10852223Abstract: A flow cell has: a flow path in which a specimen fluid and a sheath fluid flow; a specimen flow path that introduces the specimen fluid into the flow path; a first sheath flow path and a second sheath flow path that introduce the sheath fluid into the flow path; and a merging portion at which the specimen flow path, the first sheath flow path and the second sheath flow path merge together. The specimen flow path is provided on a central flow line of the flow path. At the merging portion, the first sheath flow path and the second sheath flow path face directions intersecting the central flow line of the flow path, and are disposed at positions that are offset in a depth direction of the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.Inventor: Shigeki Masuda
-
Patent number: 10852311Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for preventing, reducing, controlling or delaying adhesion, adsorption, surface-mediated clot formation, or coagulation in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, blood (or other fluid with blood components) that contains anticoagulant is introduced into a microfluidic device comprising one or more additive channels containing one or more reagents that will re-activate the native coagulation cascade in the blood that makes contact with it “on-chip” before moving into the experimental region of the chip.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Emulate, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Jacob Fraser, Justin Nguyen, Riccardo Barrile, Geraldine Hamilton, Catherine Karalis, Hyoungshin Park, Antonio Varone, Andries Van der Meer, Monicah Otieno, David Conegliano
-
Patent number: 10836918Abstract: A smart ink, comprising microparticles, with each microparticle comprising: a) an exterior shell; b) a liquid encapsulated within the shell; and c) a Janus microparticle suspended in the liquid, wherein the Janus microparticle either comprises: i) two or more distinct assemblies of particles; or ii) a core loaded with particles, the core having a first surface portion and a second surface portion that is functionally distinct from the first surface portion. An apparatus and method for production of the microparticles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: National Research Council of CanadaInventors: Lidija Malic, Xuefeng Zhang, Teodor Veres
-
Patent number: 10746734Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for testing for the presence of a material such as one or more analyte types within a sample and more particularly, for improved single enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (sELISA) testing as well as other variants of single-enzyme linked molecular analysis (SELMA). The invention involves flow systems for digital counting of analytes with at least one opening (inlet/outlet). A support with hydrophilic and hydrophobic patches preferably harbours capture probes immobilised on the hydrophilic features. Nano-to-attoliter droplets are formed on the hydrophilic features. A gas phase (called gas phase seal) is applied to prevent/reduce evaporation from the droplets.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: SELMA DIAGNOSTICS APSInventor: Andreas Hjarne Kunding
-
Patent number: 10738601Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for developing a subterranean formation, in which at least one fluid is injected. In accordance with the invention, the fluid comprises at least one additive, the additive being labelled with at least one luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal (fluorescent or phosphorescent). In this manner, and by optical analysis of the presence of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal in the fluid recovered from the subterranean formation, the presence and/or quantity of additive in the recovered fluid can be determined. Given that the semiconductor nanocrystal is either phosphorescent or fluorescent, the additive is rendered readily detectable and quantitatively determinable in the fluids recovered from the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Eric Lecolier, Patrick Gateau
-
Patent number: 10710078Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of microfluidics and in particular to methods for detecting microfluidic droplets and particles within droplets, as well as sorting the droplets. These methods allow for quantifying properties and activities of the particles within the droplets. For this purpose, the invention provides microfluidic droplets comprising suitably labelled particles. The invention also provides microfluidic devices and systems having properties which make them particularly suitable for use in the methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORYInventors: Christoph A. Merten, Hongxing Hu, David Eustace
-
Patent number: 10677811Abstract: A sample receptacle including one or more receptacle cavities each having an opening dimensioned such that a liquid within the cavity is retained when the cavity opening is oriented downwardly and/or a gas vent in the base of each cavity sized and positioned to allow gases contained within the cavity to egress whilst preventing the egress of liquid at atmospheric pressure. A sample liquid may be poured into the sample receptacle so that the level of the sample liquid is above each cavity opening and the sample receptacle inverted so as to remove liquid above each cavity whilst retaining sample liquid in each sample receptacle when inverted. This may be used for sample separation or to provide relatively uniform sample volumes to sample wells of a sample container when mated. In another embodiment plungers may be used to eject liquid from receptacle wells via an aperture in the base of each receptacle well.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Mastaplex Ltd.Inventor: Olaf Bork
-
Patent number: 10632463Abstract: In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides an inflatable bladder lid that configures with a cartridge configured for assay testing. The inflatable bladder provides substantially uniform pressure to the cartridge. The pressure is substantially distributed across the one or more regions of the cartridge to extend pressure over a wide cartridge surface. At least a portion of the bladder lid may comprise a flexible membrane material that inflates and stretches over at least a portion of the cartridge to conformally contact its first/top surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: ANCERA, LLCInventor: Hur Koser
-
Patent number: 10486155Abstract: A microfluidic chip that can have a body defining a microfluidic network including a test volume, one or more ports, and one or more channels in fluid communication between the port(s) and the test volume is described. Gas can be removed from the test volume before a sample liquid is introduced therein by reducing pressure at a first one of the port(s), optionally while the liquid is disposed in the port. Liquid in the first port can be introduced into the test volume by increasing pressure at the first port. The microfluidic network can define one or more droplet-generating regions in which at least one of the channel(s) defines a constriction and/or two or more of the channels connect at a junction. Liquid flowing from the first port can pass through at least one of the droplet-generating region(s) and to the test volume.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: KLARIS CORPORATIONInventors: Nicolas Arab, Ross Johnson, David Bussian, Jon Isom
-
Patent number: 10371664Abstract: A nanopore cell includes a titanium nitride (TiN) counter electrode configured to be at a first electric potential. The nanopore cell also include a working electrode configured to be at a second electric potential and an insulating wall. The insulating wall and the working electrode form at least a portion of a well configured to contain an electrolyte at a voltage that is at least a portion of an electric potential difference between the first electric potential of the titanium nitride counter electrode and the second electric potential of the working electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Markus Wallgren, Janusz B. Wójtowicz, Robert A. Yuan, John Foster, Jason Komadina
-
Patent number: 10307760Abstract: One example of systems and methods for inertio-elastic focusing of particles in microchannels includes a substrate including a channel having an inlet and an outlet. A viscoelastic fluid, i.e., a fluid having a dynamic viscosity that varies with shear rate, and that carries suspended particles is driven through the channel. The volumetric flow rate at which the fluid is driven results in the formation of a localized pathline in the fluid at or near a center of the channel. The localized pathline defines a width that is equal to or slightly greater than a hydraulic diameter of the particle. The particles in the fluid are focused into the localized pathline.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mehmet Toner, Gareth McKinley, Eugene Lim, Thomas Ober
-
Patent number: 10302668Abstract: In a case where a sample container 15 has a rubber-made lid 35, if a sample nozzle descends and comes into contact with the lid, the sample nozzle is relatively moved inside an arm as far as a lid detection distance, and a detector detects a detection plate. A fact that the sample nozzle comes into contact with the lid is stored together with position information of the sample nozzle, into an operation commanding unit. The sample nozzle further continues to descend, and a suction operation of a sample is performed at a predetermined position. In a case where the sample nozzle collides with a frame portion of the lid and external force is applied thereto, the detector detects that the detection plate is relatively moved as far as the detection distance.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Akihiro Yasui, Yoshihiro Suzuki, Kazuhiro Nakamura, Hitoshi Tokieda
-
Patent number: 10239055Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipette comprising a tip removal mechanism adapted for lifting an inner mechanism of the pipette with regard to a body of the pipette when the user presses the tip removal button. The present invention further relates to a method for disengaging a disposable tip attached to a tip cone of a pipette of the present invention, and to a method for pipetting with a pipette according to the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: SARTORIUS BIOHIT LIQUID HANDLING OYInventor: Ville Juhani Hintikka
-
Patent number: 10234446Abstract: A nanopore based sequencing system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of nanopore sensors, each nanopore sensor having a top portion for receiving a fluid. The system further includes an inlet delivering the fluid into the nanopore based sequencing system and an outlet delivering the fluid out of the nanopore based sequencing system. The system includes a fluid chamber that comprises one or more fluid flow channels above top portions of the nanopore sensors; wherein the fluid chamber includes at least one divider that limits the width of the one or more fluid flow channels. In some embodiments, the at least one divider limits the width of the one or more fluid flow channel based on whether the surface tension and adhesive forces between the fluid and the fluid flow channel surfaces are sufficient to prevent the fluid from collapsing within the fluid flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Genia Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Yuan
-
Patent number: 10228381Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for preventing, reducing, controlling or delaying adhesion, adsorption, surface-mediated clot formation, or coagulation in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, blood (or other fluid with blood components) that contains anticoagulant is introduced into a microfluidic device comprising one or more additive channels containing one or more reagents that will re-activate the native coagulation cascade in the blood that makes contact with it “on-chip” before moving into the experimental region of the chip.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: EMULATE, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Jacob Fraser, Justin Nguyen, Riccardo Barrile, Geraldine Hamilton, Catherine Karalis, Hyoungshin Park, Antonio Varone, Andries Van der Meer, Monicah Otieno, David Conegliano
-
Patent number: 10166544Abstract: A unit for making available a fluid for a biochemical analysis device includes a lid element and a bottom element with a bottom recess lying opposite the lid element. A film is arranged between the lid element and the bottom element. A fluid bag with a force introduction surface for introducing a force into the fluid bag is folded and/or arranged in the bottom recess such that, without pressure acting on the film, the force introduction surface and a main plane of the film are oriented in different directions. The film is pressed against the force introduction surface when pressure acts on the film in the direction of the bottom recess to thereby introduce the force into the fluid bag. The fluid bag has at least one closure seam that opens when the force is introduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Yvonne Beyl, Daniel Czurratis, Sven Zinober
-
Patent number: 10160944Abstract: Fluid circulation and leveling systems and methods of using the same are described. A fluid circulation system includes a fluid mixing chamber and open fluid chambers in fluid communication with the fluid mixing chamber. Each open fluid chamber includes a microfluidic fluid leveling conduit with an orifice disposed in the open fluid chamber at a minimum fluid level associated with a corresponding minimum fluid volume. A controller causes a first pump to generate a first direction of fluid flow during a first time period between the open fluid chambers, and causes the first pump to generate a second direction of fluid flow during a second time period between the first and second open fluid chambers. The controller also causes a second pump to generate a flow of fluid during a third time period from one of the first and second open fluid chambers into the fluid mixing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Coppeta, Brett Isenberg, Mark Mescher
-
Patent number: 10010884Abstract: A droplet-based microfluidic device having a first confining plate, a second confining plate, and an actuator. Each confining plate includes a respective substrate and hydrophobic layer having a planar major surface. The first confining plate additionally includes a common electrode between its hydrophobic layer and substrate. The second confining plate includes an electrode array between its hydrophobic layer and substrate. The confining plates are disposed opposite one another with their major surfaces separated from one another by a gap. The actuator is to impart oscillatory sliding motion between the confining plates in a direction principally parallel to the major surfaces. The oscillatory sliding motion effectively allows voltages applied between the common electrode and the electrodes of the electrode array to move a microfluidic droplet located in the gap across the major surfaces without sticking.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Curt A. Flory, Arthur Schleifer, Gershon Perelman
-
Patent number: 9945761Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may function to transfer samples in a controlled environment. The system may include a sample container configured to convey a sample from a first device to a second device. The first device may be under pressure and the second device may be under vacuum. The second device may include a load chamber which functions to accept the sample from the sample container and a pump chamber coupled to the load chamber. The second device may include a high vacuum pump coupled to the pump chamber and a vacuum pump coupled to the pump chamber through the high vacuum pump in sequence. The second device may include an orifice sized to significantly restrict the flow of fluids through the conduit coupling the pump chamber to the load chamber, wherein the orifice is configured to allow for a transition from a viscous into a molecular flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas SystemInventor: Hugo Celio
-
Patent number: 9937494Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a reagent solution includes an enclosure and a container disposed within the enclosure. The container defines an internal cavity having a compressible volume and defines a passage providing fluidic communication between the internal cavity and the exterior of the container. Optionally, a compressible member is disposed within the internal cavity. A reagent is disposed within the internal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan Schultz, Todd Roswech
-
Patent number: 9878325Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate, Zhengdong Cheng, Keunho Ahn
-
Patent number: 9850460Abstract: An apparatus is described which includes at least one reactor, at least one linear piston pump, the or each piston pump including a tube, a piston and an arm coupled to the piston, the or each piston pump arranged to inject feedstock to a respective reactor, a beam or plate coupled to the arm(s) of the piston pump(s) configured to linearly drive the piston(s) and a linear actuator for driving the beam or plate. The piston pump has a volume of at least 50 milliliters and an output port having a diameter of at least 5 mm.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: ANAERO TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: Ray Middleton, Edgar Blanco, Robin Proctor
-
Patent number: 9846136Abstract: Biosensor systems including a measurement device and test sensors including at least three independently addressable electrodes, with at least two of the electrodes being substantially chemically isolated are disclosed. One or more working electrodes may be combined with two or more counter electrodes. The two or more counter electrodes may operate at different potentials to provide for multi-analyte electrochemical analysis. Analysis methods are provided to perform multi-analyte electrochemical analysis and test sensors are provided having resistance to chemical mixing between secondary analysis regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AGInventors: Huan-Ping Wu, Weiping Zhong, Joseph E. Perry, Eric Maurer, Sung-Kwon Jung
-
Patent number: 9808798Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidic devices for preparing, processing, storing, preserving, and/or analyzing samples. In particular, the devices and related systems and methods allow for preservation or storage of samples (e.g., biospecimen samples) by using one or more of a bridge, a membrane, and/or a desiccant.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Qichao Pan, Stefano Begolo
-
Patent number: 9782769Abstract: A light beam guided liquid delivery device, including: a liquid delivery device; a light beam generator; and a bracket coupling the light beam generator to the liquid delivery device such that a beam of light is selectively delivered approximate to a tip of the liquid delivery device. The bracket couples the light beam generator to the liquid delivery device at a first attachment point. The bracket includes one or more hinges at the first attachment point for varying the orientation of the light beam generator. Optionally, the bracket also couples the light beam generator to the liquid delivery device at a second contact point. The bracket includes a support member at the second contact point for varying the orientation of the light beam generator. Optionally, the support member is translatable with respect to the one or more hinges along a length of the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: The University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: David A. Carr, Jennifer W. Weller
-
Patent number: 9757726Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various features are incorporated into the system for aligning and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, for determining sperm orientation and measuring relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Inguran, LLCInventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Kris Buchanan, Blair Morad, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr., Erin Koksal
-
Patent number: 9730898Abstract: The present invention provides methods of on-demand, reversible generation of aqueous two-phase microdroplets core-shell microbeads, microparticle preparations comprising the core-shell microbeads, and drug delivery formulation comprising the microparticle preparations. Because these aqueous microdroplets have volumes comparable to those of cells, they provide an approach to mimicking the dynamic microcompartmentation of biomaterial that naturally occurs within the cytoplasm of cells. Hence, the present methods generate femtoliter aqueous two-phase droplets within a microfluidic oil channel using gated pressure pulses to generate individual, stationary two-phase microdroplets with a well-defined time zero for carrying out controlled and sequential phase transformations over time. Reversible phase transitions between single-phase, two-phase, and core-shell microbead states are obtained via evaporation-induced dehydration and water rehydration.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignees: UT-BATTELLE, LLC, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Charles Patrick Collier, Scott Thomas Retterer, Jonathan Barton Boreyko, Prachya Mruetusatorn
-
Patent number: 9675975Abstract: Gas-based microfluidic devices and operating methods of gas-based microfluidic devices are provided. The gas-based microfluidic devices comprise a drive module and a microfluidic platform, in which the microfluidic platform further comprises a microfluidic element having an injection chamber, a process chamber, an air chamber, an overflow channel, a barrier, and at least one detection chamber. Gases in the air chamber enable solutions to move toward the direction opposite to the centrifugal force applied by the drive module. Accordingly, the operating methods utilize the gases compressed in the air chamber to move solutions to difference components in the microfluidic element.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: SHAOXING PUSHKANG BIOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Chia-Hui Lin, Bo Yu, Yi-Feng Yang
-
Patent number: 9610584Abstract: Magnetic particles are distributed across a fluid flow by applied magnetic field to interact with a test substance in fluid. Alternatively or additionally, particles, which may be magnetic, are combined with cells and energy, e.g. ultrasonic energy, is applied to cause the particles to create a lysate. Alternatively or additionally, the size of a quantity of magnetic particles is assessed by its impact on the tuning mechanism of a controlled oscillator that is affected by the particles.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND, BRISTOLInventors: Richard William Luxton, Janice Helen Kiely, Patrick Wraith
-
Patent number: 9592503Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to a system for performing droplet inflation, and methods and kits comprising the same. The system comprises at least one microfluidic channel comprising one or more droplets flowing therein, one or more fluid reservoirs, one or more inflators, one or more inflator nozzles, and at least one mechanism for disrupting an interface between a droplet and a fluid. The present invention provides for the inflation of a relatively controlled volume of fluid into a droplet resulting in an increase in the volume of the droplet relative to its volume prior to inflation and, accordingly, dilution of the concentration of species, if any, previously present and emulsified in the droplet.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: GnuBio, Inc.Inventors: Tony Hung, Adnan Esmail, Sepehr Kiani
-
Patent number: 9535079Abstract: A sample processing system is disclosed that comprises: a transportation apparatus configured to convey a sample container; a first analyzer, arranged along the transportation apparatus, configured to measure a sample accommodated in a sample container conveyed by the transportation apparatus; a second analyzer, arranged along the transportation apparatus, configured to measure a sample accommodated in a sample container conveyed by the transportation apparatus; and a transportation controller configured to determine an analyzer to which a sample container is conveyed, and to control the transportation apparatus to convey the sample container to the determined analyzer, wherein: the first analyzer is configured to conduct primary measurement; and the second analyzer is configured to conduct both primary measurement and review measurement.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroyuki Tanaka
-
Patent number: 9517467Abstract: A specimen delivery cartridge is disclosed that includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a fluid dispenser, and a plunger. The plunger includes a plunger body having a first side and a second side. The second side faces away from the first side. The plunger further includes at least one post extending from the first side of the plunger body. The second side of the plunger body includes at least one actuator that is sized and configured to apply a compressive force onto the fluid dispenser when the plunger is depressed, and the plunger is thereby operable to actuate the fluid dispenser. When actuated, the fluid dispenser releases a reagent to a test specimen to facilitate testing for a target pathogen.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Paratus Diagnostics, LLCInventors: John Carrano, Roland Schneider, John Jacob Carrano
-
Patent number: 9493614Abstract: The present invention is based on a polyimide precursor having unit structures represented by general formula (1) and unit structures represented by general formula (2), provides a polyimide precursor for which film whitening, cracking and bubbling do not occur regardless of film baking conditions, and provides a flexible TFT array, a flexible color filter, and a flexible substrate with a gas barrier layer using the polyimide precursor, and a flexible display device, etc. using same. (In general formulas (1) and (2), X1-X4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, C1 to C10 monovalent organic group or C1 to C10 monovalent alkylsilyl group. R1 is represented by general formula (3) and R2 is represented by general formula (4).) (In general formula (4), R3 and R4 each independently represents a C1 to C10 monovalent organic group.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Junji Wakita, Yukari Jo, Masao Tomikawa
-
Patent number: 9447925Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for extracting restrained liquid (e.g., surface tension-restrained liquid) from open wells in a chip, where the restrained liquid does not flow out of the wells due to gravity when the wells are held upside down. For example, the present invention provides extraction fixtures that may be attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip such that any restrained liquid that is forced out of the open wells is collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixtures. Also for example, the present invention provides assemblies composed of a extraction fixture attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip, and methods of subjecting such assemblies to a force such that at least a portion of the restrained liquid in the open wells is forced out and collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixture.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: WAFERGEN, INC.Inventors: Bradley L. Griswold, Syed A. Husain, Robert Moti, Wesley B. Dong, GoPaul Kotturi, Jude Dunne, Philip Lin
-
Patent number: 9415390Abstract: At least two microfluidic devices and at least one sensor chip are formed in a flat body. The at least one sensor chip is in direct contact with at least one first microfluidic device. A second microfluidic device in the manner of a pipette is integral with the flat body or connected thereto. The flat body may be used by docking an E-cup by way of a clamping device of the flat body to the flat body and exchanging fluid between the E-cup and the flat body by way of the second microfluidic device.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbHInventors: Walter Gumbrecht, Peter Paulicka, Jörn Ueberfeld
-
Patent number: 9366669Abstract: A substrate, which is useful for performing biological, chemical and diagnostic assays, and a method for preparing the substrate are provided. The substrate has an upper surface with a coating disposed thereon. The coating comprises a charged polymer, a non-ionic polyether, and a silicate compound. The substrate can increase capture phase binding and reduce non-specific binding of biomolecules for a biological microarray.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Pugia, Pratap Singh
-
Patent number: 9362095Abstract: A sample plate handling system for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a transport chamber and a mass spectrometer chamber that is mechanically coupled to transport chamber. A two-dimensional translation stage is positioned in the mass spectrometer chamber. A sample plate transporter is mounted on the two-dimensional translation stage. A first portion of the sample plate transporter is mechanically attached to the two-dimensional translation stage. A second portion of the sample plate transporter defines a sample plate receiver that is positioned in the transport chamber. A sealing surface located between the first and the second portions connects the transport chamber and the mass spectrometer chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Virgin Instruments CorporationInventors: Kevin Hayden, Marvin L. Vestal
-
Patent number: 9289737Abstract: A method of effectively mixing a gas with a liquid using an agitator. The agitator can be a component of a larger liquid analysis system. The method includes using the action of a reciprocating member to draw liquid from a sample liquid chamber through a liquid passageway into an agitation chamber. In the agitation chamber, a gas is added to the liquid and the mixture is then forced by the action of the reciprocating member through the liquid passageway into the sample liquid chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ANALYTICAL DEVELOPMENTS LIMITEDInventors: Martin Horan, Seamus O'Mahony
-
Patent number: 9267131Abstract: A method of growing cells on a droplet actuator is provided. The method may include providing a droplet actuator including a cell culture droplet including a cell culture medium and one or more cells; and maintaining the droplet at a temperature suitable for causing the cells to grow in the cell culture medium on the droplet actuator. Related methods, droplet actuators, and systems are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Allen E. Eckhardt
-
Patent number: 9254487Abstract: An integrated semiconductor device for manipulating and processing bio-entity samples is disclosed. The device includes a microfluidic channel that is coupled to fluidic control circuitry, a photosensor array coupled to sensor control circuitry, an optical component aligned with the photosensor array to manipulate a light signal before the light signal reaches the photosensor array, and a microfluidic grid coupled to the microfluidic channel and providing for transport of bio-entity sample droplets by electrowetting. The device further includes logic circuitry coupled to the fluidic control circuitry and the sensor control circuitry, with the fluidic control circuitry, the sensor control circuitry, and the logic circuitry being formed on a first substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yi-Hsien Chang, Chun-Ren Cheng, Alex Kalnitsky, Chun-Wen Cheng
-
Patent number: 9201069Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods including porous polymer monoliths are described. Polymerization techniques may be used to generate porous polymer monoliths having pores defined by a liquid component of a fluid mixture. The fluid mixture may contain iniferters and the resulting porous polymer monolith may include surfaces terminated with iniferter species. Capture molecules may then be grafted to the monolith pores.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Anson V. Hatch, Gregory J. Sommer, Anup K. Singh, Ying-Chih Wang, Vinay Abhyankar
-
Patent number: 9174182Abstract: A micro fluidics system includes a closed, expandable volume for mixing a fluid, and a flexible membrane for allowing mixing in the closed, expandable volume. The system further includes a surface having at least one channel for fluidically coupling a first side of the surface to the closed, expandable volume on a second side of the surface. The channel includes a first channel opening fluidically coupling the first side of the surface to the channel and a second channel opening fluidically coupling the channel to the closed, expandable volume. The expandable volume is defined by the flexible membrane closing the second channel opening when there is no fluid in the expandable volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Reinhold Wimberger-Friedl, Ronald Cornelis De Gier, Peter Hermanus Bouma
-
Patent number: 9170183Abstract: A device for detecting the concentration of biological materials, is formed in a body having a plurality of fluidic paths connectable to a multi-microbalance structure carrying a plurality of microbalances, each microbalance having a sensitive portion facing a reaction chamber. The body and the multi-microbalance structure are configured to be mechanically coupled together and each microbalance is configured to be coupled to a respective fluidic path. Each fluidic path includes an inlet, a duct and a liquid waste, each duct being configured to be coupled with a respective reaction chamber. The plurality of fluidic paths and microbalances form at least one first and one second reference cells and one first sample cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Ubaldo Mastromatteo, Gabriele Barlocchi, Flavio Francesco Villa
-
Patent number: 9146249Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling at least one receptacle (12) of gel card type initially sealed by a cap. The invention is characterized by the fact that the filling device comprises a piercing member (110) for perforating the cap, means (120) for eliminating the electrostatic charges capable of being borne by the receptacle, and filling means (130) for filling the receptacle after perforation of the cap and elimination of the electrostatic charges.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: BIO-RAD INNOVATIONSInventors: Frédéric Buffiere, Serge Petit, Jean-Michel Brisebrat
-
Patent number: 9144820Abstract: Provided is an ejection amount correction method and an applying apparatus, which can correctly measure the amount of an applied droplet and accurately correct the ejection amount. In an ejection amount correction method for measuring the amount of a liquid material ejected from a nozzle and correcting the ejection amount of the liquid material, a mirror is set near an application target surface at a predetermined angle with respect to the application target surface, an image of a droplet formed on the application target surface is picked up from a side through the mirror, the volume of the droplet is calculated based on the picked-up image of the droplet, and the ejection amount is corrected based on the calculated volume. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
-
Patent number: 9121551Abstract: In order to provide a method for collecting a droplet attached on an external surface of a needle into a capillary tube, the present invention is a method for collecting a droplet attached on an external surface of a needle into a capillary tube, the method comprising steps of: (a) preparing a substrate comprising a capillary tube; a flexible thin film; a liquid-repellent film; and a hole; (b) moving the needle in the Z-direction to move the droplet from the external surface of the needle to the surface of the liquid-repellent film; (c) allowing the droplet to arrive at an inlet of the capillary tube by moving the needle more in the Z-direction, so as to suck the droplet into the capillary tube by a capillary phenomenon.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshitsugu Uriu, Akio Hirata
-
Publication number: 20150147777Abstract: An integrated fluidic device comprising includes an input chamber that provides an input of a sample fluid, and a first overspill chamber in fluid communication with the input chamber. A metering conduit is in fluid communication with the fluid input chamber and the first overspill chamber. The metering conduit meters a first metered volume of fluid from the sample fluid, and the first overspill chamber receives fluid in excess of the first metered volume of fluid. A second overspill chamber is in fluid communication with the metering conduit. The metering conduit meters a second metered volume of fluid from the first metered volume of fluid, and the second overspill chamber receives fluid from the first metered volume of fluid in excess of the second metered volume of fluid. The second overspill chamber has a fluid actuated closable valve for controlling the metering of the second metered volume of fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Pamela Ann Dothie