Patents by Inventor Axel Scherer

Axel Scherer 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).

  • Patent number: 10376146
    Abstract: An implantable device having a communication system, a sensor, and a monolithic substrate is described. The monolithic substrate has an integrated sensor circuit configured to process input from the sensor into a form conveyable by the communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Muhammad Mujeeb-U-Rahman, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 10368788
    Abstract: A fully integrated small size implantable sensing device is described, which can include a sensor and an electronic circuit to interface with the sensor and communicate with an external device. Various fabrication methods for the sensing device are described, including provision of wells, created using same fabrication technology as the electronic circuit, to contain electrodes of the sensor and corresponding functionalization chemicals. Such implantable sensing device can be used for a variety of electrochemical measuring applications within a living body as well as actuation by injecting a current into the living body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Meisam Honarvar Nazari, Muhammad Mujeeb-U-Rahman, Mehmet Sencan, Arti Gaur
  • Patent number: 10366856
    Abstract: Nanoscale field-emission devices are presented, wherein the devices include at least a pair of electrodes separated by a gap through which field emission of electrons from one electrode to the other occurs. The gap is dimensioned such that only a low voltage is required to induce field emission. As a result, the emitted electrons energy that is below the ionization potential of the gas or gasses that reside within the gap. In some embodiments, the gap is small enough that the distance between the electrodes is shorter than the mean-free path of electrons in air at atmospheric pressure. As a result, the field-emission devices do not require a vacuum environment for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, William M. Jones, Danil M. Lukin, Sameer Walavalkar, Chieh-feng Chang
  • Publication number: 20190195872
    Abstract: An implantable diagnostic device in accordance with the present disclosure provides various benefits such as a compact size thereby allowing implanting of the device inside animate objects; low cost due to incorporation of inexpensive detection circuitry and the use of conventional IC fabrication techniques; re-usability by heating thereby allowing multiple diagnostic tests to be performed without discarding the device; and a configuration that allows performing of simultaneous and/or sequential diagnostic tests for detecting one or more similar or dissimilar target molecules concurrently or at different times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Axel SCHERER, Samuel NJOROGE, Jingqing HUANG
  • Publication number: 20190170637
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a measurement system capable of rapid spectroscopic and calorimetric analysis of the chemical makeup of a test sample. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure include a low-thermal-mass sample holder having a substrate whose surface has been engineered to create a large-area sample-collection surface. The sample holder includes an integrated temperature controller that can rapidly heat or cool the test sample. As a result, the sample holder enables differential scanning calorimetry Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (DSC-FTIR) that can be performed in minutes rather than hours, as required in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Amirhossein Nateghi, Taeyoon Jeon
  • Publication number: 20190170633
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a cuvette for holding a test sample during optical interrogation with a light signal. The transmissivity of the cuvette is increased by a geometric anti-reflection layer disposed on at least one surface of the cuvette, where the geometric anti-reflection layer includes a plurality of geometric features that collectively reduce the reflectivity of the interface between the surface and another medium. As a result, more of the interrogation signal passes through the interface. In some embodiments, every surface through which the interrogation signal passes includes a geometric anti-reflection layer. Due to the increased transmissivity of the cuvette, light detected after passing through it can have an improved signal-to-noise ratio and/or the light signal used to interrogate the sample can have lower intensity. In addition, the reduction of the reflectivity of each surface enables the use of low-cost, high-refractive-index materials, such as conventional silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Amirhossein Nateghi, Taeyoon Jeon, Frank T. Hartley
  • Publication number: 20190153548
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, compositions and kits for the detection of a plurality of analytes in a sample. In some examples, this disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for detecting analytes, genetic variations, monitoring reaction process, and monitoring analyte-analyte interactions by measuring signals. In some examples, the presence of signals or changes in signals may be used to construct signal profiles which can be used to detect analytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: ADITYA RAJAGOPAL, MARK D. GOLDBERG, ERIKA F. GARCIA, XIOMARA L. MADERO, THOMAS A. TOMBRELLO, AXEL SCHERER
  • Publication number: 20190126228
    Abstract: Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Sameer WALAVALKAR, Axel SCHERER
  • Publication number: 20190127799
    Abstract: FRET-based analytes detection and related methods and systems are described where a pair of FRET labeled primers and/or oligonucleotides are used that are specific for target sequences located at a distance up to four time the Förster distance of the FRET chromophores presented on the FRET labeled primers and/or oligonucleotides one with respect to the other in one or more polynucleotide analyte; in particular the pair of FRET labeled primers and/or oligonucleotides is combined with a sample and subjected to one or more polynucleotide amplification reactions before measuring FRET signals from at least one FRET chromophore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Emil P. KARTALOV, Aditya RAJAGOPAL, Axel SCHERER, Mark D. GOLDBERG
  • Publication number: 20190117071
    Abstract: A sensing device allows detection of biological quantities in ways that are minimally invasive. Micrometer or nanometer sized needles allow sensing of bodily fluids in a minimally invasive method. The device comprises electronics and power harvesting. Antennas or coils allow communication and power harvesting from an external device, which can be attached to smartphones to allow operation of a camera and camera light for biosensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Muhammad Mujeeb-U-Rahman, Meisam Honavar Nazari, Muhammad Musab Jilani
  • Publication number: 20190090796
    Abstract: A sensor implanted in tissues and including a sensing layer is fabricated by mixing the signal transduction enzyme with non-reactive components including buffer salts and fillers, and spin coating the enzyme onto a substrate. The signal transduction enzyme is crosslinked by introducing the coated substrate in a vacuum chamber. In the chamber, a crosslinker evaporates and is deposited onto the enzyme, therefore crosslinking the enzyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Samson CHEN, Axel SCHERER
  • Publication number: 20190090797
    Abstract: A sensor implanted in tissues and including a sensing enzyme takes an electrical measurement and compares it to reference curves for the voltage current relationship. The sensor determines whether molecular compounds are present which interfere with the detection of the molecule of interest. If interfering species are found, the measurement voltage is set in a low range to reduce errors, while if the interfering species are not found, the measurement voltage is set in a high range to increase the detected signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Samson CHEN, Axel SCHERER
  • Publication number: 20190060218
    Abstract: An implantable device contains a drug or biosensing compound, protected from the external environment within a human body by several barriers which are broken upon activation of the device through electrothermal, chemical, and mechanical processes. The device allows accurate and repeated dosing within a human body, thus reducing the number of implantation procedures required. This device extends the lifetime of a biosensor, reducing the number of implantation procedures required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Samson CHEN, Axel SCHERER, Richard Daniel SMITH, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190034583
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, systems, compositions, and kits for the multiplexed detection of a plurality of analytes in a sample. In some examples, this disclosure provides methods, systems, compositions, and kits wherein multiple analytes may be detected in a single sample volume by acquiring a cumulative measurement or measurements of at least one quantifiable component of a signal. In some cases, additional components of a signal, or additional signals (or components thereof) are also quantified. Each signal or component of a signal may be used to construct a coding scheme which can then be used to determine the presence or absence of any analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Emil P. Kartalov, Aditya Rajagopal, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 10189001
    Abstract: Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sameer Walavalkar, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 10172520
    Abstract: A sensing device allows detection of biological quantities in ways that are minimally invasive. Micrometer or nanometer sized needles allow sensing of bodily fluids in a minimally invasive method. The device comprises electronics and power harvesting. Antennas or coils allow communication and power harvesting from an external device, which can be attached to smartphones to allow operation of a camera and camera light for biosensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Muhammad Mujeeb-U-Rahman, Meisam Honavar Nazari, Muhammad Musab Jilani
  • Patent number: 10175235
    Abstract: An implantable diagnostic device in accordance with the present disclosure provides various benefits such as a compact size thereby allowing implanting of the device inside animate objects; low cost due to incorporation of inexpensive detection circuitry and the use of conventional IC fabrication techniques; re-usability by heating thereby allowing multiple diagnostic tests to be performed without discarding the device; and a configuration that allows performing of simultaneous and/or sequential diagnostic tests for detecting one or more similar or dissimilar target molecules concurrently or at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Samuel Njoroge, Jingqing Huang
  • Publication number: 20180340826
    Abstract: A Fabry-Perot cavity-based spectral notch filter is disclosed, where the filter is operative for providing an output optical signal whose spectral content is spatially dispersed along at least one direction, while also controlling the spectral position and spectral range of the output light. In some embodiments, the spectral filter is integrated with a detector arrays to realize a compact, high-resolution spectrometer that can rapidly acquire the absorption spectrum of a sample with high sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Axel SCHERER, Taeyoon JEON
  • Publication number: 20180338681
    Abstract: A smart cage includes radiofrequency transceivers and tags attached to laboratory animals. The tags include sensors to detect monitorable conditions of the laboratory animals. The sensors include working electrodes, counter electrodes, reference electrodes, and potentiostats. The top surface of the electrodes is coated with ionophores or enzymes which detect the monitorable conditions of the laboratory animals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Axel SCHERER, Peter A. PETILLO, Samson CHEN, Azita EMAMI
  • Publication number: 20180277329
    Abstract: Nanoscale field-emission devices are presented, wherein the devices include at least a pair of electrodes separated by a gap through which field emission of electrons from one electrode to the other occurs. The gap is dimensioned such that only a low voltage is required to induce field emission. As a result, the emitted electrons energy that is below the ionization potential of the gas or gasses that reside within the gap. In some embodiments, the gap is small enough that the distance between the electrodes is shorter than the mean-free path of electrons in air at atmospheric pressure. As a result, the field-emission devices do not require a vacuum environment for operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Axel SCHERER, William M. JONES, Danil M. LUKIN, Sameer WALAVALKAR, Chieh-feng CHANG