Patents Assigned to Micronics, Inc.
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Patent number: 8697009Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Publication number: 20140010736Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 8557198Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 8480891Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for making and using a filter cloth assembly are described. A filter cloth assembly can have a liquid permeable filtering media attached to a connector ring. The liquid permeable filtering media separates at least one solid from at least one liquid in a slurry. The filtering media has a feed hole formed therein to allows passage of a slurry through the filtering media. The connector ring includes a flange having an upper flange section and a lower flange section. The lower flange section receives an edge of the feed hole to connect the filtering media to the connector ring such that the face of the filtering media is substantially flush with the upper flange section.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventor: Barry F. Hibble
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Publication number: 20130142708Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2012Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: MICRONICS, INC.Inventor: Micronics, Inc.
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Patent number: 8431389Abstract: An instrument for fluorometric assays in liquid samples is disclosed. The instrument may include multiple optical channels for monitoring a first fluorophore associated with a target analyte and a second fluorophore associated with a control. The disclosed instrument finds utility in any number of applications, including microfluidic molecular biological assays based on PCR amplification of target nucleic acids and fluorometric assays in general.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Troy D. Daiber
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Publication number: 20130011912Abstract: An instrument for fluorometric assays in liquid samples is disclosed. The instrument may include multiple optical channels for monitoring a first fluorophore associated with a target analyte and a second fluorophore associated with a control. The disclosed instrument finds utility in any number of applications, including microfluidic molecular biological assays based on PCR amplification of target nucleic acids and fluorometric assays in general.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Troy D. Daiber, William Samuel Hunter
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Publication number: 20120329142Abstract: Integrated microfluidic cartridges for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection from clinical samples are disclosed. The devices are single-entry, sanitary, and disposable. The devices enable simplex or multiplex nucleic acid target detection, as for example: assay panels for multiple infectious agents, or assay panels for cancerous cell types. Methods for use of microfluidic cartridges in a fully automated, pneumatically controlled apparatus are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: MICRONICS, INC.Inventors: C. Frederick BATTRELL, John GERDES, John R. WILLIFORD, Denise Maxine HOEKSTRA, Wayne L. BREIDFORD, Stephen MORDUE, John CLEMMENS, Melud NABAVI, Mark KOKORIS
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Patent number: 8329453Abstract: Disclosed is a compact, microprocessor-controlled instrument for fluorometric assays in liquid samples, the instrument having a floating stage with docking bay for receiving a microfluidic cartridge and a scanning detector head with on-board embedded microprocessor for controlling source LEDs, emission signal amplification and filtering in an isolated, low noise, high gain environment within the detector head. Multiple optical channels may be incorporated in the scanning head. In a preferred configuration, the assay is validated using dual channel optics for monitoring a first fluorophore associated with a target analyte and a second fluorophore associated with a control. Applications include molecular biological assays based on PCR amplification of target nucleic acids and fluorometric assays in general, many of which require temperature control during detection.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Troy D. Daiber, William Samuel Hunter
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Patent number: 8318109Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 8318439Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Diane Wierzbicki, John Clemmens, Jason Capodanno, John R. Williford, Carolina Elmufdi, Isaac Sprague
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Publication number: 20120271127Abstract: Biohazard specimen collection containers are provided with an external disposable skin, that is stripped away and discarded after the biohazardous specimen is collected, thus reducing or eliminating objectionable or dangerous residues on the outside surfaces of the container. Further, we teach that the sample collection container with external disposable skin may also serve as an integrated microfluidic biosample processing and analytical device, thereby providing a single entry, disposable assay unit, kit and system for “world-to-result” clinical diagnostic testing. These integrated assay devices are provided with synergic, multiple safe-handling features for protecting healthcare workers who handle them. The modified collection containers and analytical devices find application, for example, in PCR detection of infectious organisms or pathogenic markers collected on a swab.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Jason Capodanno, John Clemmens, Joan Haab, John Gerdes
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Patent number: 8222023Abstract: Integrated microfluidic cartridges for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection from clinical samples are disclosed. The devices are single-entry, sanitary, and disposable. The devices enable simplex or multiplex nucleic acid target detection, as for example: assay panels for multiple infectious agents, or assay panels for cancerous cell types. Methods for use of microfluidic cartridges in a fully automated, pneumatically controlled apparatus are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, John R. Williford, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Wayne L. Breidford, Stephen Mordue, John Clemmens, Melud Nabavi, Mark Kokoris
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Publication number: 20120177543Abstract: A compact device for operatively coupling a solid planar substrate, for example a glass slide, to a microfluidic circuit and performing a reaction or reactions on organic matter bound to the face of the planar substrate. Typical reactions include binding, staining and/or labeling reactions. In use, a sealed reaction chamber is formed, the chamber enclosing the organic matter and at least a part of the solid substrate. Headspace in the sealed chamber between the solid substrate is generally of microfluidic dimensions, and diaphragm pump members are used to inject, exchange and/or mix the fluids in the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Clemmens, Isaac Sprague
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Patent number: 8216832Abstract: Biohazard specimen collection containers are provided with an external disposable skin, that is stripped away and discarded after the biohazardous specimen is collected, thus reducing or eliminating objectionable or dangerous residues on the outside surfaces of the container. Further, we teach that the sample collection container with external disposable skin may also serve as an integrated microfluidic biosample processing and analytical device, thereby providing a single entry, disposable assay unit, kit and system for “world-to-result” clinical diagnostic testing. These integrated assay devices are provided with synergic, multiple safe-handling features for protecting healthcare workers who handle them. The modified collection containers and analytical devices find application, for example, in PCR detection of infectious organisms or pathogenic markers collected on a swab.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Jason Capodanno, John Clemmens, Joan Haab, John Gerdes
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Publication number: 20120164627Abstract: Microfluidic methods and devices for heterogeneous binding and agglutination assays are disclosed, with improvements relating to mixing and to reagent and sample manipulation in systems designed for safe handling of clinical test samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, Stephen Mordue, Jason Capodanno, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, John R. Williford, John Clemmens
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Publication number: 20120156750Abstract: Manufacturing methods and compositions are described for production of self-contained microfluidic cartridge devices with on-board reagents for molecular biological testing. Sensitive reagents are stored in dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and reconstituted at the point of use with either a biological sample or a sample eluate at the point of use. Manufacturing methods include sheet and roll fabrication processes where the reagents are printed in place and sealed within individual microfluidic cartridges before gel vitrification.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Joan Haab, John R. Williford, Sabrina N. Gates, Elizabeth R. Leber, Isaac Sprague
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Publication number: 20120156112Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge including on-board dry reagents and microfluidic circuitry for determining a clinical analyte or analytes from a few microliters of liquid sample; with docking interface for use in a host workstation, the workstation including a pneumatic fluid controller and spectrophotometer for monitoring analytical reactions in the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Isaac Sprague, John E. Emswiler, C. Frederick Battrell, Joan Haab, Sean M. Pennell, Justin L. Kay, Zane B. Miller, Troy D. Daiber
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Publication number: 20120142070Abstract: Formulations for dry storage of PCR reagents are described. These formulations find use in manufacture of self-contained microfluidic card devices for PCR clinical testing in which the reagents are reconstituted at the point of testing. In these cards, TAQ polymerase is stored “on-board” in vitrified dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and is reconstituted by either the sample or a sample eluate during the assay.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Joan Haab, John R. Williford
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Publication number: 20120135511Abstract: Disclosed is a compact, microprocessor-controlled instrument for fluorometric assays in liquid samples, the instrument having a floating stage with docking bay for receiving a microfluidic cartridge and a scanning detector head with on-board embedded microprocessor for controlling source LEDs, emission signal amplification and filtering in an isolated, low noise, high gain environment within the detector head. Multiple optical channels may be incorporated in the scanning head. In a preferred configuration, the assay is validated using dual channel optics for monitoring a first fluorophore associated with a target analyte and a second fluorophore associated with a control. Applications include molecular biological assays based on PCR amplification of target nucleic acids and fluorometric assays in general, many of which require temperature control during detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Troy D. Daiber, William Samuel Hunter