Patents Assigned to Picoliter INC
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Publication number: 20130224731Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices that use focused radiation to handle and/or monitor pathogenic fluids. In particular, a method is provided for dispensing one or more droplets of a fluid containing a pathogen. The method involves providing the pathogen-containing fluid in a reservoir and applying focused radiation to the pathogen-containing fluid in the reservoir in a manner effective to eject a droplet of the fluid therefrom. Often, a pathogen-impermeable enclosure is used.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: PICOLITER INC.Inventor: PICOLITER INC.
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Patent number: 7901039Abstract: The present invention relates to arrays of peptidic molecules and the preparation of peptide arrays using focused acoustic energy. The arrays are prepared by acoustically ejecting peptide-containing fluid droplets from individual reservoirs towards designated sites on a substrate for attachment thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Patent number: 7481511Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing the uncontrolled electrostatic charges that can alter the volume and/or trajectory of a droplet, which is typically ejected through the application of focused acoustic radiation. Also provided are reservoirs and substrates, e.g., well plates formed from a material that is at least partially nonmetallic or polymeric and either has an electrical resistivity of no more than about 1011 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 1012 ohm/sq, or both.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, David Soon-Hua Lee, George McLendon
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Publication number: 20080274538Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices that use focused radiation to handle and/or monitor pathogenic fluids. In particular, a method is provided for dispensing one or more droplets of a fluid containing a pathogen. The method involves providing the pathogen-containing fluid in a reservoir and applying focused radiation to the pathogen-containing fluid in the reservoir in a manner effective to eject a droplet of the fluid therefrom. Often, a pathogen-impermeable enclosure is used.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Patent number: 7439048Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of focused energy, particularly focused acoustic energy, in the spatially directed ejection of circumscribed volumes of a fluid which differ in acoustic impedance from the surrounding fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Picoliter, Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Patent number: 7405395Abstract: Provided is a method of transporting fluid which involves acoustic ejection into a small opening. The opening may be, for example, the inlet opening of a sample vessel. Alternatively, it may be an opening in a microfluidic device. The ejection is typically, but not necessarily carried out through the application of focused acoustic energy. The fluid being transported typically comprises a moiety of interest for analysis or further processing, which may be a biomolecule. The volumes of transported fluid may be in the nanoliter or picoliter range. Ejection may occur from very small volumes and the ejected droplet may carry away a significant fraction of the volume from which ejection occurs.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Picoliter, Inc.Inventors: Richard N. Ellson, Mitchell W. Mutz
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Patent number: 7405072Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices that use focused radiation to handle and/or monitor pathogenic fluids. In particular, a method is provided for dispensing one or more droplets of a fluid containing a pathogen. The method involves providing the pathogen-containing fluid in a reservoir and applying focused radiation to the pathogen-containing fluid in the reservoir in a manner effective to eject a droplet of the fluid therefrom. Often, a pathogen-impermeable enclosure is used.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Patent number: 7270986Abstract: A method is provided for acoustically ejecting from a channel or other container a plurality of fluid droplets, each of which contains one or more particles or other localized volumes. The localized volumes, which can be living cells, are ejected towards sites on a substrate surface, a container, or a channel. An integrated cell sorting and arraying system is also provided that is capable of sorting based upon cellular properties by the selective ejection of cells from a carrier fluid. The cells can be ejected with adjustable velocity and trajectory. The ejected cells can be directed to form an array, wherein each site of the array can contain a single cell. Additionally provided is a method of forming arrays of single live cells more efficiently, rapidly, flexibly, and economically than by other cell array approaches.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson, David Soong-Hua Lee
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Publication number: 20070153049Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing the uncontrolled electrostatic charges that can alter the volume and/or trajectory of a droplet, which is typically ejected through the application of focused acoustic radiation. Also provided are reservoirs and substrates, e.g., well plates formed from a material that is at least partially nonmetallic or polymeric and either has an electrical resistivity of no more than about 1011 ohm-cm, has a surface electrical resistivity of no more than about 1012 ohm/sq, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell Mutz, David Lee, George McLendon
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Publication number: 20070015213Abstract: The present invention relates to arrays of peptidic molecules and the preparation of peptide arrays using focused acoustic energy. The arrays are prepared by acoustically ejecting peptide-containing fluid droplets from individual reservoirs towards designated sites on a substrate for attachment thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Applicant: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell Mutz, Richard Ellson
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Patent number: 7090333Abstract: The present invention relates to arrays of peptidic molecules and the preparation of peptide arrays using focused acoustic energy. The arrays are prepared by acoustically ejecting peptide-containing fluid droplets from individual reservoirs towards designated sites on a substrate for attachment thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Publication number: 20060127883Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of focused energy, particularly focused acoustic energy, in the spatially directed ejection of cells suspended in a carrier fluid, e.g., for providing a pattern of cells on a substrate surface, such as a cellular array.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell Mutz, Richard Ellson
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Patent number: 6991917Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of focused energy, particularly focused acoustic energy, in the spatially directed ejection of cells suspended in a carrier fluid, e.g., for providing a pattern of cells on a substrate surface, such as a cellular array.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Patent number: 6938987Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for the acoustic ejection of fluid droplets from each of a plurality of fluid-containing reservoirs. The droplets are ejected toward sites on a substrate surface for deposition thereon. The device is comprised of: a plurality of reservoirs each adapted to contain a fluid; an ejector comprising a means for generating acoustic radiation and a means for focusing the generated acoustic radiation so as to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir fluids; and a means for positioning the reservoirs in acoustically coupled relationship to the ejector. The invention is useful in a number of contexts, particularly in the preparation of biomolecular arrays.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Picoliter, Inc.Inventors: Richard N. Ellson, James K. Foote, Mitchell W. Mutz
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Patent number: 6938995Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically assessing the contents of a plurality of reservoirs that are typically provided as an array. An acoustic radiation generator is employed for generating acoustic radiation having an image field of a size sufficient to interrogate a plurality of selected reservoirs at one time. The generator is placed in acoustic coupling relationship via a fluid acoustic coupling medium to the selected reservoirs, and acoustic radiation generated by the generator is transmitted through the coupling medium, an exterior surface of the selected reservoirs, and the selected reservoirs. A characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation is analyzed so as to assess the contents of each of the selected reservoirs. Fluid may be ejected from the selected reservoirs according to the assessment. Optionally, a means is provided for removing fluid acoustic coupling medium from the exterior surface after acoustic assessment.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson, James K. Foote
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Patent number: 6932097Abstract: The invention provides a device for controlling the composition and/or volume of a fluid within a reservoir. The device includes a reservoir adapted to contain at least one fluid, a means for monitoring a characteristic of the fluid contained in the reservoir, and a means for introducing additional fluid into the reservoir according to the fluid characteristic monitored by the monitoring means. The device also includes an acoustic generator for generating acoustic radiation. A dispensing means may be provided as well. Other devices and methods that use acoustic radiation to control the composition and/or volume of a fluid within a reservoir are included.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Richard N. Ellson, Mitchell W. Mutz
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Publication number: 20050130257Abstract: A method is provided for acoustically ejecting from a channel or other container a plurality of fluid droplets, each of which contains one or more particles or other localized volumes. The localized volumes, which can be living cells, are ejected towards sites on a substrate surface, a container, or a channel. An integrated cell sorting and arraying system is also provided that is capable of sorting based upon cellular properties by the selective ejection of cells from a carrier fluid. The cells can be ejected with adjustable velocity and trajectory. The ejected cells can be directed to form an array, wherein each site of the array can contain a single cell. Additionally provided is a method of forming arrays of single live cells more efficiently, rapidly, flexibly, and economically than by other cell array approaches.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2005Publication date: June 16, 2005Applicant: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell Mutz, Richard Ellson, David Lee
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Patent number: 6893115Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for the acoustic ejection of fluid droplets having a constant drop size from fluid-containing reservoirs having varying fluid heights contained therein without the need for repositioning the acoustic ejector in the z direction by adjusting the RF frequency and amplitude. In one embodiment, the device is comprised of: a plurality of reservoirs each adapted to contain a fluid; an ejector comprising a means for generating acoustic radiation, means for controlling the RF frequency and amplitude used to generate the acoustic radiation, means for focusing the acoustic radiation at a focal point near the fluid surface in each of the reservoirs; and a means for positioning the ejector in acoustically coupled relationship to each of the reservoirs. The invention is useful in a number of contexts, particularly in the preparation of biomolecular arrays.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Babur Hadimioglu, Richard N. Ellson
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Patent number: 6893836Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of focused energy, particularly focused acoustic energy, in the spatially directed ejection of cells suspended in a carrier fluid, e.g., for providing a pattern of cells on a substrate surface, such as a cellular array.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: Mitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
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Patent number: 6869551Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed that use focused acoustic energy to generate solid particles containing at least one compound of interest. Focused acoustic radiation serves to eject droplets containing a compound of interest dissolved in a solvent. The droplets are subjected to a condition that allows for the compound of interest to precipitate out of solution, thereby generating solid particles. The particles are typically of controlled size, composition, and/or structure. Often, particles of substantially identical size are generated.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Picoliter Inc.Inventors: David Soong-Hua Lee, Richard N. Ellson, Theodore J. Williams