Patents Assigned to Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.
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Patent number: 7727723Abstract: The present invention relates to a droplet microactuator and to systems, apparatuses and methods employing the droplet microactuator for executing various protocols using droplets. The invention includes a droplet microactuator or droplet microactuator system having one or more input reservoirs loaded with reagents for conducting sequencing protocols, such as the reagents for conducting a pyrosequencing protocol. The invention also includes a droplet microactuator or droplet microactuator system, having one or more input reservoirs loaded with a sample for conducting a pyrosequencing protocol.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignees: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc., Duke University, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Dwayne J. Allen, Richard B. Fair, Peter Griffin
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Publication number: 20100130369Abstract: Various methods, such as a method of detecting SNPs, involving (a) introducing onto a droplet actuator a solution comprising genomic DNA, extension oligos and suspension array beads; (b) dispensing on the droplet actuator one bead per droplet; (c) cleaving DNA from the bead in each droplet; (d) amplifying the cleaved DNA; (e) detecting SNP signals and barcode signals from the amplified DNA.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Alexander Shenderov, Richard Kouri, Varvara Grichko
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Publication number: 20100126860Abstract: Alternative approaches to fabricating printed circuit boards for use in droplet actuator operations are provided. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a droplet actuator for conducting droplet operations includes positioning a dielectric material between a first metal layer configured to include an electrode and a second metal layer configured to include an interconnect pad. The method additionally includes forming a connection between the first and second metal layers. Droplet actuators and methods of fabricating and supporting printed circuit boards of droplet actuators are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack
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Publication number: 20100120130Abstract: The present invention is directed to droplet actuators with droplet retention structures, and methods related thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a droplet actuator with one or more substrates arranged to form a droplet operations gap comprising gap-facing surfaces; droplet operations electrodes configured to conduct droplet operations in the droplet operations gap; at least one barrier included on at least one of the substrate surfaces and having dimensions selected to: permit droplet transport from atop a first droplet operations electrode to a second droplet operations electrode when the second droplet operations electrode is activated; and prevent movement of a droplet from atop a first droplet operations electrode when the first and second droplet operations electrodes are inactive.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Vamsee K. Pamula, Ramakrishna Sista, Prasanna Thwar
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Publication number: 20100116640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicants: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC., DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan, Allen E. Eckhardt, Michael G. Pollack, Richard B. Fair
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Publication number: 20100118307Abstract: Devices, configurations and methods for improving absorbance detection are provided. For example, methods and devices are provided for determining the absorbance of a droplet, e.g., a droplet on a droplet actuator, by providing an elongated light path through the droplet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Tih-Hong Wang
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Publication number: 20100087012Abstract: An aerosol sample collector with an air flow path comprising: (i) at a first segment thereof, a particle charging device, and (i) at a second segment thereof, deflection plates configured to focus particles of a desired charge into a preselected cross-section of the air flow path. The air flow path also includes charged substrates arranged at an outflow portion of the air flow path to collect charged particles on a collection surface of the charged substrates; and an exit path for flowing particles not in the preselected cross-section of the air flow path away from the charged substrates. Related methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventor: Alexander Shenderov
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Publication number: 20100068764Abstract: A method of providing a droplet in contact with a magnetically responsive bead and having a reduced quantity of a substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Ramakrishna Sista, Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Vijay Srinivasan, Allen E. Eckhardt
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Publication number: 20100062508Abstract: A droplet actuator and method of providing a droplet comprising an target substance on the droplet actuator, and including discrete flow and continuous flow functionality. Discrete flow function is controlled by electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations on a substrate surface. The continuous flow function includes a fluid path arranged for flowing a fluid therethrough. The discrete flow and continuous flow functions may be by a barrier, including a second fluid path through the barrier. The continuous flow function may include a capture surface comprising a component having an affinity for the target substance. Methods of the invention may include flowing a fluid comprising the target substance through the fluid path; capturing the target substance on the capture surface; and forming a droplet in the discrete flow region via the second fluid path and the electrodes comprising the captured target substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Vijay Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20100048410Abstract: A method of sorting beads on a droplet actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Alexander D. Shenderov, Vamsee K. Pamula, Allen E. Eckhardt
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Publication number: 20100041086Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic platform and methods of using the platform for conducting enzyme assays using a droplet actuator. The enzyme assays of the invention are useful for, among other things, identifying and/or characterizing disorders resulting from conditions in which enzymes are defective or are produced in inappropriate amounts. Enzyme assays of the invention may, for example, be used to detect altered activity of a particular enzyme in a sample, which may serve as an indicator of a particular disease. Altered activity may, for example, be caused by conditions which result in the increased or reduced production of a certain enzyme or its substrate and/or conditions which result in defective enzymes and/or substrates exhibiting increased or decreased effectiveness relative to corresponding normal enzymes and/or substrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Allen E. Eckhardt, Jeremy Rouse, Vijay Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20100032293Abstract: 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: April 10, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20100028920Abstract: The present invention relates to providing improved hydrogen peroxide assays, as well as droplet actuators for conducting such assays. The droplet actuators of the invention may be used to conduct droplet-based hydrogen peroxide assays. They may also be associated with detectors for analyzing the results of the hydrogen peroxide assays of the invention. They may be provided as components of systems which control droplet operations and/or detection for conducting the hydrogen peroxide assays. Measurement by the detector may be used to quantify the presence of an analyte in a sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventor: Allen E. Eckhardt
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Publication number: 20100025250Abstract: The objective of this research is to model and design a microfluidic system that uses electrostatic fields to induce movement of discrete droplets of solution. Of particular interest is movement of droplets of H2O for use in biological testing with lab-on a-chip and ?TAS systems. Using computer modeling, the electric-fields for planar electrode configurations positioned on an insulating substrate are calculated for a hemispherical drop of H2O on the substrate at various positions. From these electric-fields the force on the drop is calculated. These models show that electrostatic actuation of droplets of H2O is possible. However, as the complexity of the model increases the properties of the system become less desirable and actuation may not be possible. Using microfabrication techniques, the modeled microfluidic systems have been built for testing using a Kapton substrate with copper electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Vijay Srinivasan, Philip Paik
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Publication number: 20090311713Abstract: The invention relates to certain novel approaches to reducing or eliminating the movement of contaminants from one droplet to another on a droplet actuator via liquid filler fluid. In one application, a method of detecting an analyte is provided and includes providing in a detection window a droplet including a signal-producing substance indicative of the presence and/or quantity of an analyte and one or more magnetically responsive beads which may interfere with signal produced by the signal producing substance. The method further includes using a magnetic field for magnetically removing the magnetically responsive beads from the detection window and/or magnetically restricting the magnetically responsive beads from entering the detection window while transporting and/or retaining the droplet in the detection window. The method additionally includes detecting a signal produced by the signal-producing substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Zhishan Hua, Allen E. Eckhardt, Prasanna Thwar, Vijay Srinivasan, Vamsee K. Pamula
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Publication number: 20090304944Abstract: The present invention relates to surface assisted fluid loading and droplet dispensing on a droplet micro actuator. A droplet actuator is provided and includes one or more electrodes configured for conducting one or more droplet operations on a droplet operations surface of the substrate. The droplet actuator further includes a wettable surface defining a path from a fluid reservoir into a locus which is sufficiently near to one or more of the electrodes that activation of the one or more electrodes results in a droplet operation. Methods and systems are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Arjun Sudarsan, Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20090263834Abstract: Droplet actuator devices and methods for immunoassays and washing are provided. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a droplet in contact with a surface of a super paramagnetic bead with a reduced concentration of a substance is provided and includes: (a) providing a super paramagnetic bead in contact with a droplet comprising a starting concentration and starting quantity of the substance and having a starting volume; (b) conducting one or more droplet operations to merge a wash droplet with the droplet provided in step (a) to yield a combined droplet; and (c) conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the combined droplet to yield a set of droplets. The set of droplets includes: (i) a droplet in contact with the super paramagnetic bead having a decreased concentration of the substance relative to the starting concentration; and (ii) a droplet which is separated from the super paramagnetic bead.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Ramakrishna Sista, Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan
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Patent number: 7569129Abstract: Methods are provided for manipulating droplets. The methods include providing the droplet on a surface comprising an array of electrodes and a substantially co-planer array of reference elements, wherein the droplet is disposed on a first one of the electrodes, and the droplet at least partially overlaps a second one of the electrodes and an intervening one of the reference elements disposed between the first and second electrodes. The methods further include activating the first and second electrodes to spread at least a portion of the droplet across the second electrode and deactivating the first electrode to move the droplet from the first electrode to the second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Philip Y. Paik, Hong Ren, Richard B. Fair
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Publication number: 20090155902Abstract: A method of inoculating a culture medium including providing a droplet including a single cell type on a droplet actuator and inoculating a culture medium with the droplet. A method of providing a metabolically useful substance to a cell culture, including providing a droplet actuator including a cell culture droplet loaded thereon, the sample droplet including cells and a cell culture medium, and a second droplet comprising a metabolically useful substance. The method also includes conducting one or more droplet operations to combine the cell culture droplet with the second droplet on the droplet actuator. Related methods, droplet actuators, and systems are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Allen E. Eckhardt
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Patent number: D599832Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: David Schoch Chapin, Daniel M. Stipe