Patents Examined by Brian J. Sines
  • Patent number: 11577246
    Abstract: A microfluidic device and a detection method for the microfluidic device are provided. The microfluidic device includes a driving substrate configured to drive a movement of a droplet; and a position detector configured to detect a position of the droplet on the driving substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Sensor Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Le Gu, Peizhi Cai, Fengchun Pang, Yue Geng, Yingying Zhao, Haochen Cui, Yuelei Xiao, Hui Liao, Wenliang Yao, Nan Zhao
  • Patent number: 11579124
    Abstract: Disclosed sensors can include at least one resonator (in some embodiments, at least two resonators) and various other structures that may be formed in association with the resonators. The at least one resonator in embodiments can include a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a top electrode, wherein the piezoelectric layer is positioned between the bottom electrode and the top electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Qorvo Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Webster, Peter J. Schiller, Richard Allan Van Deusen, Ian Robert Harmon
  • Patent number: 11579143
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating whole cells from a mixture, e.g., including liquid, other cell types, nucleic acid material, or other components. Focused acoustic energy may be used to move whole cells in a chamber so that the cells exit the chamber via a first outlet rather than a second outlet. A filter may, or need not, be used to assist in separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Covaris, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Laugharn, Jr., Carl Beckett, Srikanth Kakumanu
  • Patent number: 11571693
    Abstract: The application relates to microfluidic apparatus and methods of use thereof. Provided in one example is a microfluidic device comprising: a first fluidic input and a second fluidic input; and a fluidic intersection channel to receive fluid from the first fluidic input and the second fluidic input, wherein the fluidic intersection channel opens into a first mixing chamber on an upper region of a first side of the first mixing chamber, wherein the first mixing chamber has a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the depth is greater than about 1.5 times a depth of the fluidic intersection channel; an outlet channel on an upper region of a second side of the first mixing chamber, wherein the outlet channel has a depth that is less than the depth of the first mixing chamber, and wherein an opening of the outlet channel is offset along a width of the second side of the first mixing chamber relative to the fluidic intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: NUTCRACKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Eldridge, Ximiao Wen
  • Patent number: 11571694
    Abstract: Modular active surface devices for microfluidic systems and methods of making same is disclosed. In one example, the modular active surface device includes an active surface layer mounted atop an active surface substrate, a mask mounted atop the active surface layer wherein the mask defines the area, height, and volume of the reaction chamber, and a substrate mounted atop the mask wherein the substrate provides the facing surface to the active surface layer. In other examples, both facing surfaces of the reaction chamber include active surface layers. Further, the modular active surface device can include other layers, such as, but not limited to, adhesive layers, stiffening layers for facilitating handling, and peel-off sealing layers. Further, a large-scale manufacturing method is provided of mass-producing the modular active surface devices. Further, a method is provided of using a plasma bonding process to bond the active surface layer to the active surface substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: REDBUD LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Chasen Spero, Jay Kenneth Fisher, Laura Lee Tormey
  • Patent number: 11565252
    Abstract: A circuit with electrical interconnect for external electronic connection and sensor(s) on a die are combined with a laminated manifold to deliver a liquid reagent over an active surface of the sensor(s). The laminated manifold includes fluidic channel(s), an interface between the die and the fluidic channel(s) being sealed. Also disclosed is a method, the method including assembling a laminated manifold including fluidic channel(s), attaching sensor(s) on a die to a circuit, the circuit including an electrical interconnect, and attaching a planarization layer to the circuit, the planarization layer including a cut out for the die. The method further includes placing sealing adhesive at sides of the die, attaching the laminated manifold to the circuit, and sealing an interface between the die and fluidic channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Darren Segale, Hai Tran, Paul Crivelli
  • Patent number: 11565260
    Abstract: Accordingly, in some embodiments of the disclosure, a multi-chambered assay device is provided, which is configured for arrangement on a disc, as well as configured to process an individual sample. A plurality of such assay devices can be arranged along a periphery of the disc at a distance/radius from the center, such that a plurality of individual samples can be processed, e.g., one per assay device. In addition, in an arrangement that a plurality of assay devices are used, they can be spaced apart such that they balance the disc during rotation (which can be with samples contained in one or more of the assay devices, a plurality, a majority, or all of the assay devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Orbis Diagnostics Limited
    Inventors: Miriam Cather Simpson, Matheus Jose Teixeira Vargas, Mithileshwari Chandrasekhar, David Edward Williams
  • Patent number: 11559808
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a lower casing and an upper casing covering the lower casing. The lower casing includes a lower base wall having a top surface and a plurality of spaced-apart columns that protrude upwards from the top surface. The upper casing includes an upper base wall. A first gap between the upper base wall and a column top surface of each of the columns is large enough to permit passage of large biological particles of a liquid sample, and a second gap between any two adjacent ones of the columns is not large enough to permit passage of the large biological particles and is large enough to permit passage of small biological particles of the liquid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventors: Chung-Er Huang, Hsin-Cheng Ho, Sheng-Wen Chen, Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11554370
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for analyzing biological samples. Including a method for processing an analyte, comprising providing a fluidic device comprising the analyte and one or more polymer precursors; selecting a discrete area within said fluidic device; providing an energy source in optical communication with fluidic device; and selectively supplying a unit of energy generated from the energy source to the fluidic device to generate a polymer matrix within the fluidic device, wherein the polymer matrix is within the discrete area or adjacent to the discrete area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cellanome, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarun Kumar Khurana, Ali Agah, Yir-Shyuan Wu, Filiz Gorpe Yasar
  • Patent number: 11554372
    Abstract: This present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for performing point-of-care analysis of a target analyte in a biological fluid via a binding assay. The present disclosure includes a cartridge for collecting the target analyte contained in a fluid sample and performing an assay. The cartridge includes an assay stack having a first separation layer, a second separation layer, and a detection membrane. The cartridge also includes a plurality of first complexes comprising a capture molecule and a magnetic bead and a plurality of second complexes comprising a detection molecule and a detection label. Further, the detection membrane includes a substrate that interacts with the detection label to elicit a quantifiable response in the presence of the target analyte. The quantifiable response corresponds to an amount of detection antibody present in the detection membrane, and the amount of detection antibody present corresponds to an amount of the target analyte present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: FITBIT LLC
    Inventors: Herschel Watkins, Kristy McKeating
  • Patent number: 11542539
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanoparticle transducers and methods of use thereof for the detection of analyte concentrations in a fluid. Nanoparticle transducers can comprise a nanoparticle, such as a Pdot, coupled to an enzyme that catalyzes a reaction with the analyte. The nanoparticle transducers further comprise chromophores that emit fluorescence that varies as a function of the concentration of one of the elements of the reaction. The nanoparticle transducer thus changes fluorescence as the analyte concentration changes, transforming analyte concentration values into fluorescence intensities. The measurement of these intensities provides a measurement of the analyte concentration. The nanoparticle transducers are biocompatible, allowing for use in vivo, for the monitoring of analyte blood concentrations such as blood glucose concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, LAMPROGEN, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Chiu, Jiangbo Yu, Changfeng Wu, Kai Sun
  • Patent number: 11542449
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, and systems for identifying marked hydrocarbon fluids. These compositions, methods, and systems utilize a gas chromatography marker including a non-pyrrolidinone nitrogen-containing compound. The methods and systems can identify the presence or absence of the gas chromatography marker and/or the non-pyrrolidinone nitrogen-containing compound. The compositions, methods, and systems can optionally utilize a spectroscopic marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED COLOR MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Hinton, Justin J. Frederico
  • Patent number: 11543358
    Abstract: A detector can detect an analyte including a carbon-carbon multiple bond moiety and capable of undergoing Diels-Alder reaction with a heteroaromatic compound having an extrudable group. The detector can detect, differentiate, and quantify ethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Joseph M. Azzarelli, Kathleen R. White
  • Patent number: 11536723
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems are provided. Methods for conducting immune assays with the devices and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Nicholas Chia, William A. Faubion, Yuguang Liu, Marina R. Walther-Antonio
  • Patent number: 11534756
    Abstract: Disclosed are cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods for isolating analytes from biological samples. In various aspects, the cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material from complex fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Biological Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Turner, James Madsen, Kai Yang, Juan Pablo Hinestrosa Salazar, Rajaram Krishnan, Pedro David Simon Herrera
  • Patent number: 11530378
    Abstract: Described herein are nanostraw well insert apparatuses (e.g., devices and systems) that include nanotubes extending through and out of a membrane so that a material can pass through the membrane from a fluid reservoir depot and into a cell grown onto the nanotubes when electrical energy (e.g., electroporation energy) is applied. In particular, the device, systems and methods described herein may be adapted for cell growth viability and transfection efficiency (e.g., >70%). These apparatuses may be readily integratable into cell culturing processes for improved transfection efficiency, intracellular transport, and cell viability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Ryan T. Swoboda, Yuhong Cao, Sergio Leal-Ortiz, Stefanie Rothkoetter, Nicholas A. Melosh
  • Patent number: 11525827
    Abstract: Methods are provided for separating magnetically responsive beads from a droplet in a droplet actuator. Droplet operations electrodes and a magnet are arranged in a droplet actuator to manipulate a bead-containing droplet and position it relative to a magnetic field region that attracts the magnetically responsive beads. The droplet operations electrodes are operated to control the droplet shape and transport it away from the magnetic field region to form a concentration of beads in the droplet. The continued transport of the droplet away from the magnetic field causes the concentration of beads to break away from the droplet to yield a small, concentrated bead-containing droplet immobilized by the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Ramakrishna Sista, Arjun Sudarsan
  • Patent number: 11524294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of microfluidics and in particular to devices and methods for sorting objects in microfluidic channels. These devices and methods allow for fast and robust sorting in two-way and multi-way setups. They also enable sorting over extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY
    Inventors: Christoph A. Merten, Daniel Frenzel
  • Patent number: 11517864
    Abstract: Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Mark Romanowsky, Adam R. Abate
  • Patent number: 11506610
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a substrate. The present disclosure provides a substrate for use in both surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and surface enhanced infrared spectroscopy. The substrate includes a flexible polymeric membrane, a plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles disposed on the polymeric membrane, and a plurality of metallic nanoparticles directly disposed on a portion of the plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles. The plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles are configured to work synergistically with metal nanoparticles upon exposure of the substrate surface to at least one of visible light or infrared radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Lili He, Chen Tan