Patents Assigned to Fluidigm
  • Publication number: 20210268508
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, kits and systems for sample enrichment, multi-step library preparation, sample normalization, detection of sample biomolecules and combinations thereof. Enrichment and multi-step library preparation is described in the context of microfluidic workflows. Sample barcoding methods and kits are described for increasing sample throughput while reducing background in negative samples. Integrated microfluidic devices comprising sample processing unit cells coupled to an array of reaction sites are provided for integrated workflows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Phelan, Christopher J. Kubu, Brian Fowler, Gang Sun, Nikita Patel, Naveen Ramalingam
  • Patent number: 11099116
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for analysis of samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The invention provides methods and devices in which individual ablation plumes are distinctively captured and transferred to the ICP, followed by analysis by mass cytometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Alexandre Loboda
  • Publication number: 20210254044
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for capturing and encoding nucleic acid from a plurality of single cells. A plurality of solid supports is randomly placed into a plurality of compartments, such that the average number of solid supports per compartment, ?1, is less than 1, wherein each solid support carries (a) a unique identification sequence and (b) a capture moiety. A plurality of single cells is randomly placing into the plurality of compartments, such that the average number of cells per compartment, ?2, is less than 1. These random placement steps may be performed in any order. Nucleic acid is then released from each single cell and captured via the capture moiety, such that nucleic acid from each single cell is tagged with a unique identification sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Sten Linnarsson, Gioele Le Manno, Amit Zeisel
  • Publication number: 20210239707
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to reagents and their use for elemental imaging mass spectrometry of biological samples. The embodiments comprising methods for quantifying one or more analytes within a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the sample, wherein the one or more analytes are immobilized to a sample carrier, wherein the sample has been labelled with one or more mass tags comprising one or more labelling atoms, (b) performing mass cytometry on the sample to determine the level of the one or more labelling atoms, wherein the level of the one or more labelling atoms corresponds to the copy number of the one or more analytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander V. Loboda, Olga Ornatsky, Vladimir Baranov, Nikita Zabinyakov, Anastasia Mavropoulos, Daniel Majonis, Bedilu Allo, Taunia Closson
  • Patent number: 11078476
    Abstract: This invention provides a technology for isolating nucleic acids from wax-embedded samples that is superior to the current state of the art. Standard protocols with this objective typically comprise dissolving the wax-embedded sample in an organic solvent, extracting nucleic acids from the organic solvent into an aqueous buffer, and isolating the nucleic acids from the aqueous buffer. The technology described here includes using hexadecane as the solvent to dissolve the sample, precipitating and washing the extracted nucleic acids, and dissolving the nucleic acids in a lysis buffer that includes NP40 and SDS. By implementing the reagents and techniques described in this disclosure, the user can obtain a product that has better yield, less degradation, and contains more unique mRNA transcripts for subsequent sequencing and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Peilin Chen, Ramesh Ramakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20210181186
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reagents and their use for elemental imaging mass spectrometry of biological samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Olga Ornatsky, Qing Chang, Bedilu Allo, Xudong Lou, Alexander Bouzekri
  • Publication number: 20210118661
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the high resolution imaging of samples using imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) and to the imaging of biological samples by imaging mass cytometry (IMCTM) in which labelling atoms are detected by IMS. LA-ICP-MS (a form of IMS in which the sample is ablated by a laser, the ablated material is then ionised in an inductively coupled plasma before the ions are detected by mass spectrometry) has been used for analysis of various substances, such as mineral analysis of geological samples, analysis of archaeological samples, and imaging of biological substances. However, traditional LA-ICP-MS systems and methods may not provide high resolution. Described herein are methods and systems for high resolution IMS and IMC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Corkum, Alexander V. Loboda
  • Patent number: 10954560
    Abstract: Described herein are cell-based analytic methods, including a method of incorporating nucleic acid sequences into reaction products from a cell population, wherein the nucleic acid sequences are incorporated into the reaction products of each cell individually or in small groups of cells individually. Also described herein is a matrix-type microfluidic device that permits at least two reagents to be delivered separately to each cell or group of cells, as well as primer combinations useful in the method and device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carolyn G. Conant, Tze Howe Charn, Jason A. A. West, Xiaohui Wang
  • Patent number: 10871436
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new type of element encoded particles suitable for the attachment of bio molecules to enable massively multiplex bio-analytical methods, and to calibrate and tune the elemental flow cytometer mass spectrometer (FC-MS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Winnik, Cedric Van-Caeyzeele, Vladimir I. Baranov
  • Patent number: 10847357
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering biological samples to an ICP source of a mass cytometer are disclosed. Biological material is disposed on a plurality of discrete sites on a carrier. The plurality of discrete sites are configured to retain biological material and to release the biological material upon application of energy. The carrier is positioned in proximity to a gas conduit and upon release from the discrete sites, the biological material becomes entrained in a gas flow, which delivers discrete portions of biological material through the conduit to the ICP source for analysis by mass cytometry. The apparatus and methods can provide a continuous stream of discrete portions of biological material to a mass cytometer or mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Alexander V. Loboda
  • Patent number: 10752707
    Abstract: Element tags based on novel metal-polymer conjugates are provided for elemental analysis of analytes, including ICP-MS. A polymer backbone is functionalized to irreversibly bind metals that are selected prior to use by the user. The polymer is further functionalized to attach a linker which allows for attachment to antibodies or other affinity reagents. The polymer format allows attachment of many copies of a given isotope, which linearly improves sensitivity. The metal-polymer conjugate tags enable multiplexed assay in two formats: bulk assay, where the average biomarker distribution in the sample is diagnostic, and single cell format to distinguish a rare (for example a diseased) cell in a complex sample (for example, blood).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Winnik, Mark Nitz, Vladimir Baranov, Xudong Lou
  • Publication number: 20200264205
    Abstract: Methods for cell analysis are provided, comprising cell capturing, characterization, transport, and culture. In an exemplary method individual cells (and/or cellular units) are flowed into a microfluidic channel, the channel is partitioned into a plurality of contiguous segments, capturing at least one cell in at least one segment. A characteristic of one or more captured cells is determined and the cell(s) and combinations of cells are transported to specified cell holding chamber(s) based on the determined characteristic(s). Also provided are devices and systems for cell analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Jason A. A. West, Brian Fowler
  • Patent number: 10745743
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy for cellular sample analysis. In some embodiments a method of performing mass spectroscopy analysis using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy system is provided. The method may include introducing a cellular sample comprising one or more cells or cellular particles into an inductively coupled plasma of the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy system. The method may further include using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy system to assess the cellular sample by detecting and measuring one or more element tags in the cellular sample based on the element or isotopic compositions of the one or more element tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Olga Ornatsky
  • Patent number: 10745748
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a variety of devices and methods for conducting microfluidic analyses are utilized herein, including devices that can be utilized to conduct thermal cycling reactions such as nucleic acid amplification reactions. The devices include elastomeric components; in some instances, much or all of the device is composed of elastomeric material. Amplification products (amplicons) can be detected and distinguished (whether isolated in a reaction chamber or at any subsequent time) using routine methods for detecting nucleic acids. An example of a detection method includes hybridization to arrays of immobilized oligo or polynucleotides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
  • Publication number: 20200240895
    Abstract: An analytical instrument has a sample introduction system for generating a stream of particles from a sample. An ionization system atomizes and ionizes particles in the stream as they are received. The instrument has an ion pretreatment system and a mass analyzer. The ion pretreatment system is adapted to transport ions generated by the ionization system to the mass analyzer. The mass analyzer is adapted measure the amount of at least one element in individual particles from the stream by performing mass analysis on the ions from the atomized particles. The instrument can be adapted to measure the amount of many different tags, for example at least five different tags, at the same time to facilitate multi-parametric analysis of cells and other particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitry R. Bandura, Vladimir I. Baranov, Scott D. Tanner
  • Patent number: 10705006
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for analysis of samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The invention provides methods and devices in which individual ablation plumes are distinctively captured and transferred to the ICP, followed by analysis by mass cytometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Alexandre Loboda
  • Patent number: 10669358
    Abstract: Element tags based on novel metal-polymer conjugates are provided for elemental analysis of analytes, including ICP-MS. A polymer backbone is functionalized to irreversibly bind metals that are selected prior to use by the user. The polymer is further functionalized to attach a linker which allows for attachment to antibodies or other affinity reagents. The polymer format allows attachment of many copies of a given isotope, which linearly improves sensitivity. The metal-polymer conjugate tags enable multiplexed assay in two formats: bulk assay, where the average biomarker distribution in the sample is diagnostic, and single cell format to distinguish a rare (for example a diseased) cell in a complex sample (for example, blood).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Winnik, Mark Nitz, Vladimir Baranov, Xudong Lou
  • Publication number: 20200140800
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering biological samples to an ICP source of a mass cytometer are disclosed. Biological material is disposed on a plurality of discrete sites on a carrier. The plurality of discrete sites are configured to retain biological material and to release the biological material upon application of energy. The carrier is positioned in proximity to a gas conduit and upon release from the discrete sites, the biological material becomes entrained in a gas flow, which delivers discrete portions of biological material through the conduit to the ICP source for analysis by mass cytometry. The apparatus and methods can provide a continuous stream of discrete portions of biological material to a mass cytometer or mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Fluidigm Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander V. Loboda
  • Patent number: 10622199
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for analysis of samples using laser ablation imaging mass cytometry and mass spectrometry. The invention provides methods and devices in which individual ablation plumes are distinctively captured and rapidly transferred to the ionization system, followed by analysis by mass spectrometry. A transfer conduit can be used to convey ablation plumes to an ionization system. The transfer conduit can include an asymmetric cone. The transfer conduit can be tapered. A flow sacrificing system can be adapted to divert a part of the sheath flow out a sacrificial outlet while the core of the sheath flow containing ablation plumes enters the ionization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Alexander V. Loboda
  • Patent number: 10598584
    Abstract: The inventors have improved mass cytometer to facilitate its use for the analysis of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Alexander V. Loboda, Dmitry R. Bandura, Vladimir I. Baranov