Patents Assigned to Stokes Bio Limited
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Patent number: 8741660Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including an outer sheath; a plurality of tubes within the sheath, in which at least one of the tubes acquires a sample, and at least one of the tubes expels a fluid that is immiscible with the sample, in which the at least one tube that acquires the sample is extendable beyond a distal end of the sheath and retractable to within the sheath; and a valve connected to a distal portion of the sheath, in which the valve opens when the tube extends beyond the distal end and closes when the tube retracts to within the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton, Michael Sayers, Brian Chawke
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Patent number: 8735169Abstract: The present invention generally relates methods for analyzing agricultural and/or environmental samples using liquid bridges. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method for analyzing an agricultural sample for a desired trait including obtaining a gene or gene product from an agricultural sample, in which the gene or gene product is in a first fluid; providing a liquid bridge for mixing the gene or gene product with at least one reagent to form a mixed droplet that is wrapped in an immiscible second fluid; and analyzing the mixed droplet to detect a desired trait of the agricultural sample.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton
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Publication number: 20140127701Abstract: Systems and methods are used to detect spectral and spatial information in a continuous flow PCR system. An incident beam of electromagnetic radiation is emitted using a laser. The incident beam is received from the laser and incident beam is transformed into an incident line of electromagnetic radiation using a line generator. The incident line is received from the line generator using a tube array that includes one or more transparent tubes in fluid communication with one or more micro-channels. Reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the tube array and the reflected electromagnetic radiation is focused using an imaging lens. The focused reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the imaging lens and a spectral intensity is detected from the focused reflected electromagnetic radiation using a spectrograph. The focused reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the imaging lens and a location of the spectral intensity is detected using an imager.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: STOKES BIO LIMITEDInventors: Mauro Aguanno, Damian Curtin, Damien King
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Publication number: 20140120604Abstract: Provided herein is a biological detection system and method of use wherein the biological detection system comprises at least one mixer or liquid bridge for combining at least two liquid droplets and an error correction system for detecting whether or not proper mixing or combining of the two component droplets have occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: STOKES BIO LIMITEDInventors: Mauro Aguanno, Brian Barrett, Brian Chawke, Kieran Curran, Damian Curtin, Tara Dalton, Mark Davies, Xiaona Hou, David Kinahan, Damien King, Mark Korenke, Conor McCarthy, David McGuire, Michael Sayers, Noel Sirr, Ryan J. Talbot
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Publication number: 20140111901Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for charging fluids are disclosed. The charging of fluids improves the mixing of fluids in microfluidic systems. The charging is performed by producing an ion field (50) between an ionizing electrode (20) and an opposed ground electrode (30). A fluid-containing vessel (40) is positioned between the opposed electrodes and the ion field charges the fluid (41) in the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: STOKES BIO LIMITEDInventors: Brian Chawke, Kieran Curran, David McGuire, Michael Sayers, Noel Sirr
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Patent number: 8697011Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including: a sampling member for acquiring or dispensing a sample; and a supply of a fluid that is immiscible with the sample; in which the device is configured to provide a continuous flow of immiscible fluid enveloping the sampling member.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: David McGuire, Kieran Curran, Julie Garvey, Damian Curtain
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Publication number: 20140096833Abstract: A microfluidic connector comprises an enclosure, a fluidic inlet port and a fluidic outlet port, in the enclosure, in which the inlet and outlet ports are movable with respect to each other, for example, mutual spacing between the inlet and outlet ports is variable. A port is in a fixed part of the enclosure, and another port is in a part of the enclosure which slides with respect to the fixed part. There may be multiple inlet ports and/or multiple outlet ports. Also, there may be an auxiliary port for introduction of fluid into the enclosure or removal of fluid from the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: STOKES BIO LIMITEDInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton
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Publication number: 20140051604Abstract: A multi-port liquid bridge (1) adds aqueous phase droplets (10) in an enveloping oil phase carrier liquid (11) to a draft channel (4, 6). A chamber (3) links four ports, and it is permanently full of oil (11) when in use. Oil phase is fed in a draft flow from an inlet port (4) and exits through a draft exit port (6) and a compensating flow port (7). The oil carrier and the sample droplets (3) (“aqueous phase”) flow through the inlet port (5) with an equivalent fluid flow subtracted through the compensating port (7). The ports of the bridge (1) are formed by the ends of capillaries held in position in plastics housings. The phases are density matched to create an environment where gravitational forces are negligible. This results in droplets (10) adopting spherical forms when suspended from capillary tube tips. Furthermore, the equality of mass flow is equal to the equality of volume flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: STOKES BIO LIMITEDInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton, Julie Garvey, Kieran Curran, Damian Curtin
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Publication number: 20140045185Abstract: Measurement of gene expression relative to an endogenous control gene is prone to excessive variability between samples and even replicates. The disclosure provides methods for normalizing expression levels of a gene by scaling gene expression levels to that of the most highly expressed gene in the set of genes whose expression levels are measured, rather than a house-keeping gene.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark DAVIES, Tara DALTON
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Publication number: 20140038196Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of constructing liquid bridges and methods of forming predetermined combinations of samples using liquid bridges.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton
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Patent number: 8563244Abstract: A multi-port liquid bridge (1) adds aqueous phase droplets (10) in an enveloping oil phase carrier liquid (11) to a draft channel (4, 6). A chamber (3) links four ports, and it is permanently full of oil (11) when in use. Oil phase is fed in a draft flow from an inlet port (4) and exits through a draft exit port (6) and a compensating flow port (7). The oil carrier and the sample droplets (3) (“aqueous phase”) flow through the inlet port (5) with an equivalent fluid flow subtracted through the compensating port (7). The ports of the bridge (1) are formed by the ends of capillaries held in position in plastics housings. The phases are density matched to create an environment where gravitational forces are negligible. This results in droplets (10) adopting spherical forms when suspended from capillary tube tips. Furthermore, the equality of mass flow is equal to the equality of volume flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton, Julie Garvey, Kieran Curran, Damian Curtin
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Patent number: 8501497Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of constructing liquid bridges and methods of forming predetermined combinations of samples using liquid bridges.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton
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Publication number: 20130112300Abstract: A bridge comprises a first inlet port, a second inlet port, an outlet port, and a chamber for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber. The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber. The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port, and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge. In another embodiment, a droplet segments into smaller droplets which bridge the gap between the inlet and outlet ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: STOKES BIO LIMITEDInventor: Stokes BIO Limited
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Patent number: 8298833Abstract: A bridge (30) comprises a first inlet port (31) at the end of a capillary, a narrower second inlet port (32) which is an end of a capillary, an outlet port (33) which is an end of a capillary, and a chamber (34) for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber (34). The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber (34). The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port (32) causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port (32), and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge (30).Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton, Kieran Curran
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Publication number: 20120003658Abstract: A multi-port liquid bridge (1) adds aqueous phase droplets (10) in an enveloping oil phase carrier liquid (11) to a draft channel (4, 6). A chamber (3) links four ports, and it is permanently full of oil (11) when in use. Oil phase is fed in a draft flow from an inlet port (4) and exits through a draft exit port (6) and a compensating flow port (7). The oil carrier and the sample droplets (3) (“aqueous phase”) flow through the inlet port (5) with an equivalent fluid flow subtracted through the compensating port (7). The ports of the bridge (1) are formed by the ends of capillaries held in position in plastics housings. The phases are density matched to create an environment where gravitational forces are negligible. This results in droplets (10) adopting spherical forms when suspended from capillary tube tips. Furthermore, the equality of mass flow is equal to the equality of volume flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: STOKES BIO LIMITEDInventors: Mark DAVIES, Tara Dalton, Julie Garvey, Kieran Curran, Damian Curtin
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Patent number: 7993911Abstract: A multi-port liquid bridge (1) adds aqueous phase droplets (10) in an enveloping oil phase carrier liquid (11) to a draft channel (4, 6). A chamber (3) links four ports, and it is permanently full of oil (11) when in use. Oil phase is fed in a draft flow from an inlet port (4) and exits through a draft exit port (6) and a compensating flow port (7). The oil carrier and the sample droplets (3) (“aqueous phase”) flow through the inlet port (5) with an equivalent fluid flow subtracted through the compensating port (7). The ports of the bridge (1) are formed by the ends of capillaries held in position in plastics housings. The phases are density matched to create an environment where gravitational forces are negligible. This results in droplets (10) adopting spherical forms when suspended from capillary tube tips. Furthermore, the equality of mass flow is equal to the equality of volume flow.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton, Julie Garvey, Kieran Curran, Damian Curtin
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Publication number: 20100304443Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including an outer sheath; a plurality of tubes within the sheath, in which at least one of the tubes acquires a sample, and at least one of the tubes expels a fluid that is immiscible with the sample, in which the at least one tube that acquires the sample is extendable beyond a distal end of the sheath and retractable to within the sheath; and a valve connected to a distal portion of the sheath, in which the valve opens when the tube extends beyond the distal end and closes when the tube retracts to within the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton, Michael Sayers, Brian Chawke
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Publication number: 20100304446Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a devices, systems, and methods for amplifying nucleic acids in flowing droplets. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a device for amplifying nucleic acids including at least one channel through which sample droplets including nucleic acids flow, in which the nucleic acids in the droplets are optically detectable while the droplets are flowing through the channel, and a plurality of temperature zones in thermal contact with the channel, in which the zones are located at different locations along the channel and the zones are separated from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton
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Publication number: 20100297748Abstract: The invention generally relates to an integrated fluidic circuit. In certain embodiments, the circuit includes a main chamber having a withdrawal port, a carrier fluid occupying a volume in the chamber, in which the carrier fluid is immiscible with a sample fluid, and a plurality of liquid bridges disposed within the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton
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Publication number: 20100297685Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for culturing and analyzing cells using liquid bridges.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Stokes Bio LimitedInventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton