Patents Assigned to Fluidigm Corp.
  • Publication number: 20050201901
    Abstract: The present invention provides for microfluidic devices and methods for their use. The invention further provides for apparatus and systems for using the microfluidic devices, analyze reactions carried out in the microfluidic devices, and systems to generate, store, organize, and analyze data generated from using the microfluidic devices. The invention further provides methods of using and making microfluidic systems and devices which, in some embodiments, are useful for crystal formation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a platen having a platen face with one or more fluid ports therein. The fluid ports spatially correspond to one or more wells on a surface of the microfluidic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Grossman, Marc Unger, Phillip Lam, Hou-Pu Chou, Jake Kimball, Martin Pieprzyk
  • Publication number: 20040224380
    Abstract: The invention provides systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for the microfluidic manipulation and/or detection of particles, such as cells and/or beads. The invention provides systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for the microfluidic manipulation and/or analysis of particles, such as cells, viruses, organelles, beads, and/or vesicles. The invention also provides microfluidic mechanisms for carrying out these manipulations and analyses. These mechanisms may enable controlled input, movement/positioning, retention/localization, treatment, measurement, release, and/or output of particles. Furthermore, these mechanisms may be combined in any suitable order and/or employed for any suitable number of times within a system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corp.
    Inventors: Hou-Pu Chou, Antoine Daridon, Kevin Farrell, Brian Fowler, Yish-Hann Liau, Ian D. Manger, Hany Ramez Nassef, William Throndset
  • Publication number: 20030138829
    Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corp.
    Inventors: Marc Unger, Ian D. Manger, Michael Lucero, Yong Yi, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Anja Weinecke, Geoffrey Facer
  • Publication number: 20030080442
    Abstract: A valve structure comprises an elastomeric block formed with first and second microfabricated recesses separated by a membrane portion of the elastomeric block. The valve is actuated by positioning a compliant electrode on a first side of the first recess proximate to and in physical communication with the membrane. Where the valve is to be electrostatically actuated, a second electrode is positioned on a second side of the first recess opposite the first side. Application of a potential difference across the electrodes causes the compliant electrode and the membrane to be attracted into the flow channel. Where the valve is to be electrostrictively actuated, a second electrode is positioned on the same side of the recess as the compliant electrode. Application of a potential difference across the electrodes causes the electrodes to be attracted such that elastomer membrane portion material between them is compressed and bows into the flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Unger