Patents by Inventor Amy E. Herr

Amy E. Herr has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160258901
    Abstract: Provided are methods for producing a separation medium, where the method includes exposing a separation medium precursor solution to light from a light source through a photomask that includes a region with varied light transmittance to produce the separation medium. Systems that find use in performing the methods, microfluidic devices that include the separation medium, as well as methods of using the microfluidic devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Chi-Chih KANG, Amy E. HERR, Todd A. DUNCOMBE
  • Publication number: 20160238595
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample are provided. The microfluidic devices include a polymeric medium that includes a first analyte detection domain having a first covalently bound capture member that specifically binds to a first analyte, and a second analyte detection domain having a second covalently bound capture member that specifically binds to a second analyte. Also provided are methods of using the subject microfluidic device, systems and kits that use the subject microfluidic devices, as well as methods of producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Robert Lin
  • Publication number: 20160011190
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium having functional groups which covalently bond to one or more analytes of interest, e.g., proteins, in a sample upon application of an applied stimulus, e.g., light. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Alex James Hughes
  • Publication number: 20150316547
    Abstract: Electrophoretic separation devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the devices include a polymeric separation medium that includes a plurality of microwells. Also provided are methods, systems and kits in which the subject devices find use. The devices and methods find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Alex James Hughes, Elly Sinkala, Todd A. Duncombe, Kevin A. Yamauchi, Julea Vlassakis, Chi-Chih Kang, Zhuchen Xu, Robert Lin
  • Publication number: 20150293089
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample is provided. The microfluidic device includes an elongated flow path having a polymeric medium, where the polymeric medium includes a first analyte detection domain having a first immobilized capture member that specifically binds to a first analyte and a second analyte detection domain having a second immobilized capture member that specifically binds to a second analyte. Also provided are methods, systems and kits in which the subject microfluidic devices find use, as well as methods of producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: M. Kursad Araz, Akwasi A. Apori, Amy E. Herr
  • Patent number: 9110057
    Abstract: Multi-directional microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the invention include microfluidic devices that are configured to subject a sample to two or more directionally distinct flow fields, and include a separation medium and a binding medium, where the binding medium is in fluid communication with the separation medium. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Mei He, Chenlu Hou
  • Patent number: 9108195
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium having functional groups which covalently bond to one or more analytes of interest, e.g., proteins, in a sample upon application of an applied stimulus, e.g., light. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Alex James Hughes
  • Patent number: 9029169
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a protein renaturation component and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium with a first flow path and a protein renaturation component in fluid communication with the separation medium and having a second flow path. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mei He, Amy E. Herr
  • Publication number: 20150099660
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the invention include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium and a pan-capture binding medium. The microfluidic devices are configured to subject a sample to two or more directionally distinct electric fields. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Dohyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9002654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of measuring biomarkers to determine the probability of a periodontal and/or peri-implant disease. More specifically, the invention provides a panel of biomarkers that, when used in combination, can allow determination of the probability of a periodontal and/or peri-implant disease state with extremely high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of Michigan, Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: Thomas Braun, William V. Giannobile, Amy E. Herr, Anup K. Singh, Charlie Shelburne
  • Patent number: 8961766
    Abstract: A micro-analytical platform for performing electrophoresis-based immunoassays was developed by integrating photopolymerized cross-linked polyacrylamide gels within a microfluidic device. The microfluidic immunoassays are performed by gel electrophoretic separation and quantifying analyte concentration based upon conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). To retain biological activity of proteins and maintain intact immune complexes, native PAGE conditions were employed. Both direct (non-competitive) and competitive immunoassay formats are demonstrated in microchips for detecting toxins and biomarkers (cytokines, c-reactive protein) in bodily fluids (serum, saliva, oral fluids). Further, a description of gradient gels fabrication is included, in an effort to describe methods we have developed for further optimization of on-chip PAGE immunoassays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Anup K. Singh, Daniel J. Throckmorton
  • Publication number: 20150001080
    Abstract: Embodiments of an electrophoresis device and methods for using the same in analyte separation applications are provided. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices having a single electrophoretic separation channel containing a separation medium. Systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to monitor analyte fronts moving through the electrophoretic separation channel in order to detect differentially migrating analytes, i.e., the systems are configured for moving boundary electrophoresis (MBE).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Todd Duncombe
  • Patent number: 8921123
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the invention include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium and a pan-capture binding medium. The microfluidic devices are configured to subject a sample to two or more directionally distinct electric fields. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Dohyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20140332382
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Embodiments include microfluidic devices that have a first separation region configured to separate a sample along a first directional axis based on a first property, and a second separation region in fluid communication with the first separation region and configured to separate the sample along a second directional axis based on a second property. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Augusto Tentori
  • Publication number: 20140332383
    Abstract: Provided are devices that include a support, a free-standing polymeric separation medium associated with the support and configured to separate a sample along a directional axis, and a sample-loading element associated with the polymeric separation medium. Systems that include the devices, as well as methods of using the devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Todd Duncombe
  • Publication number: 20140158537
    Abstract: Microfluidic methods of assaying molecule switching are provided. Aspects of the methods include microfluidically separating a sample containing the molecule of interest and then employing the resultant separation pattern to determine a switching characteristic of the molecule. Also provided are microfluidic devices, as well as systems and kits that include the devices, which find use in practicing embodiments of the methods. The methods, devices, systems and kits find use in a variety of different applications, such as analytical and diagnostic assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Augusto M. Tentori, Alex J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20130327633
    Abstract: A micro-analytical platform for performing electrophoresis-based immunoassays was developed by integrating photopolymerized cross-linked polyacrylamide gels within a microfluidic device. The microfluidic immunoassays are performed by gel electrophoretic separation and quantifying analyte concentration based upon conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). To retain biological activity of proteins and maintain intact immune complexes, native PAGE conditions were employed. Both direct (non-competitive) and competitive immunoassay formats are demonstrated in microchips for detecting toxins and biomarkers (cytokines, c-reactive protein) in bodily fluids (serum, saliva, oral fluids). Further, a description of gradient gels fabrication is included, in an effort to describe methods we have developed for further optimization of on-chip PAGE immunoassays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Anup K. Singh, Daniel J. Throckmorton
  • Publication number: 20130266956
    Abstract: Multi-directional microfluidic devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices that include a chamber having a separation medium, a first binding medium, and a second binding medium. In addition, the devices include a flow field element configured to subject the chamber to two or more directionally distinct flow fields. Methods of using the devices, as well as systems and kits that include the devices are also provided. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic, research and validation assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Samuel Tia, Amy E. Herr, Mei He, Dohyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8524060
    Abstract: A micro-analytical platform for performing electrophoresis-based immunoassays was developed by integrating photopolymerized cross-linked polyacrylamide gels within a microfluidic device. The microfluidic immunoassays are performed by gel electrophoretic separation and quantifying analyte concentration based upon conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). To retain biological activity of proteins and maintain intact immune complexes, native PAGE conditions were employed. Both direct (non-competitive) and competitive immunoassay formats are demonstrated in microchips for detecting toxins and biomarkers (cytokines, c-reactive protein) in bodily fluids (serum, saliva, oral fluids). Further, a description of gradient gels fabrication is included, in an effort to describe methods we have developed for further optimization of on-chip PAGE immunoassays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Anup K. Singh, Daniel J. Throckmorton
  • Publication number: 20130078663
    Abstract: Pore-limit electrophoresis (PLE) microchannel assay methods are provided. Aspects of the methods include sequentially introducing samples at least suspected of containing first and second assay members into a PLE microchannel and then evaluating the microchannel for interaction between the first and second assay members. Aspects of the invention further include devices, systems and kits configured for practicing methods of invention. The methods, devices, systems and kits of the invention find use in a variety of different applications, including enzyme activity assays and immunoassays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Amy E. Herr, Xiofang Chen