Patents by Inventor Aye-Aye Khine
Aye-Aye Khine 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).
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Patent number: 11866762Abstract: Methods are provided for performing antibiotic susceptibility testing based on the detection of RNA, such as tmRNA, from microbial cells after exposure to antibiotics. In some embodiments, aliquots are obtained from a sample, one of which contains a selected antibiotic. The aliquots, which include growth media, are incubated under conditions suitable for microbial growth, and the microbial cells in each aliquot are removed and lysed, and the lysate is subjected to reverse transcription and amplification in infer the effect of the selected antibiotic on the microbial cells. In one embodiment, a sample containing microbial cells is incubated in the presence of a selected antibiotic and a stimulus is provided to induce the production of m RNA within the microbial cells. The microbial cells are subsequently lysed without substantial degradation of the m RNA within the lysate, and the m RNA is detected to determine the effect of the antibiotic on the microbial cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Tino Alavie, Stephen Wesley Leonard
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Publication number: 20230416722Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for pretreatment of a sample containing microbial cells. In some embodiments, the pretreatment of the sample is performed via the initial selective lysis, within a sample pretreatment vessel, of non-microbial cells (such as blood cells) and the subsequent centrifugal separation of the sample to remove the resulting debris and concentrate the microbial cells. An immiscible and dense cushioning liquid may be included for collecting the microbial cells adjacent to the liquid interface formed by the cushioning liquid upon centrifugation of the pretreatment vessel. After removal of a substantial quantity of the supernatant, resuspension of the collected microbial cells, and re-establishment of the cushioning liquid interface, at least a portion of the remaining suspension may be removed without substantially removing the cushioning liquid. One or more intermediate wash cycles may be performed prior to extraction of the remaining suspension, which provides a “pretreated” sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Samad TALEBPOUR, Aye Aye KHINE, Robert MAASKANT, Tino ALAVIE
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Patent number: 11788114Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for electrically lysing cells and releasing macromolecules from the cells. A microfluidic device is provided that includes a planar channel having a thickness on a submillimeter scale, and including electrodes on its upper and lower inner surfaces. After filling the channel with a liquid, such that the channel contains cells within the liquid, a series of voltage pulses of alternating polarity are applied between the channel electrodes, where the amplitude of the voltage pulses and a pulse width of the voltage pulses are effective for causing irreversible electroporation of the cells. The channel is configured to possess thermal properties such that the application of the voltage produces a rapid temperature rise as a result of Joule heating for releasing the macromolecules from the electroplated cells. The channel may also include an internal filter for capturing and concentrating the cells prior to electrical processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Robert Maaskant, Tino Alavie
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Patent number: 11702647Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for pretreatment of a sample containing microbial cells. In some embodiments, the pretreatment of the sample is performed via the initial selective lysis, within a sample pretreatment vessel, of non-microbial cells (such as blood cells) and the subsequent centrifugal separation of the sample to remove the resulting debris and concentrate the microbial cells. An immiscible and dense cushioning liquid may be included for collecting the microbial cells adjacent to the liquid interface formed by the cushioning liquid upon centrifugation of the pretreatment vessel. After removal of a substantial quantity of the supernatant, resuspension of the collected microbial cells, and re-establishment of the cushioning liquid interface, at least a portion of the remaining suspension may be removed without substantially removing the cushioning liquid. One or more intermediate wash cycles may be performed prior to extraction of the remaining suspension, which provides a “pretreated” sample.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Robert Maaskant, Tino Alavie
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Publication number: 20220333061Abstract: Methods are provided for the stabilization and separation of nucleic acids from a sample via contact of the sample with a lysis and stabilization reagent that includes a cationic detergent. The cationic detergent lyses cells in the sample and stabilizes the released nucleic acids via the formation of nucleic acid-surfactant (NAS) complexes. The NAS complexes are centrifugally precipitated, washed, the resuspended in an aqueous resuspension liquid, forming a NAS complex suspension. The suspension is thermally processed to disintegrate the NAS complexes, thereby releasing the nucleic acids and forming a nucleic acid solution. In some example embodiments, the aqueous resuspension liquid is selected to be suitable for performing molecular amplification assays, such that the nucleic acid solution may be employed for performing a molecular amplification assay in the absence of further nucleic acid extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: SAMAD TALEBPOUR, AYE AYE KHINE
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Patent number: 11371988Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic devices and methods of use thereof for the concentration and capture of cells. A pulsed non Faradaic electric field is applied relative to a sample under laminar flow, which results to the concentration and capture of charged analyte. Advantageously, pulse timing is selected to avoid problems associated with ionic screening within the channel. At least one of the electrodes within the channel is coated with an insulating layer to prevent a Faradaic current from flowing in the channel. Under pulsed application of a unipolar voltage to the electrodes, charged analyte within the sample is moved towards one of the electrodes via a transient electrophoretic force.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Stephen W Leonard, Robert Maaskant, Tino Alavie
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Patent number: 11339366Abstract: Methods are provided for the stabilization and separation of nucleic acids from a sample via contact of the sample with a lysis and stabilization reagent that includes a cationic detergent. The cationic detergent lyses cells in the sample and stabilizes the released nucleic acids via the formation of nucleic acid-surfactant (NAS) complexes. The NAS complexes are centrifugally precipitated, washed, the resuspended in an aqueous resuspension liquid, forming a NAS complex suspension. The suspension is thermally processed to disintegrate the NAS complexes, thereby releasing the nucleic acids and forming a nucleic acid solution. In some example embodiments, the aqueous resuspension liquid is selected to be suitable for performing molecular amplification assays, such that the nucleic acid solution may be employed for performing a molecular amplification assay in the absence of further nucleic acid extraction.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine
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Publication number: 20220042066Abstract: An integrated fluidic device is employed to perform microbial cell separation, in situ microcolony growth, and optional identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. While the integrated fluidic device is maintained in a closed state, microbial cell separation is performed to provide a microbial cell suspension that is contacted with a solid phase growth medium. A liquid component of the suspension is removed, thereby retaining microbial cells on the growth medium for incubation, growth, and subsequent harvesting and characterization. In some embodiments, antimicrobial susceptibility testing is performed by contacting growth media with a solid support having an antimicrobial agent provided thereon, such that the antimicrobial agent diffuses into a subregion of the growth medium that is accessible through an aperture surrounded, at least in part, by the solid support.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: SAMAD TALEBPOUR, ROBERT MAASKANT, AYE AYE KHINE, STEPHEN WESLEY LEONARD, VILCY PARMAR, ANNA KHIMCHENKO, MARYAM ASADISHEKARI, SUKHDEV MANKU, SANJESH YASOTHARAN, TINO ALAVIE, ALALEH SAMIEI
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Publication number: 20210246483Abstract: Methods are provided for performing antibiotic susceptibility testing based on the detection of RNA, such as tmRNA, from microbial cells after exposure to antibiotics. In some embodiments, aliquots are obtained from a sample, one of which contains a selected antibiotic. The aliquots, which include growth media, are incubated under conditions suitable for microbial growth, and the microbial cells in each aliquot are removed and lysed, and the lysate is subjected to reverse transcription and amplification in infer the effect of the selected antibiotic on the microbial cells. In one embodiment, a sample containing microbial cells is incubated in the presence of a selected antibiotic and a stimulus is provided to induce the production of m RNA within the microbial cells. The microbial cells are subsequently lysed without substantial degradation of the m RNA within the lysate, and the m RNA is detected to determine the effect of the antibiotic on the microbial cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Tino Alavie, Stephen Wesley Leonard
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Publication number: 20210208128Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the selective lysis of eukaryotic cells and the separation of microbial cells. Blood cells and/or other eukaryotic cells in a sample, may be selectively lysed by adding, to the sample, a blood lysis reagent including saponin and an alkaline buffer, and optionally sodium polyanethole sulfonate and a non-ionic surfactant, thereby forming a mixture, and agitating the mixture. Microbial cells in the mixture may then be separated, for example, using a separation method such as centrifugation or filtration, and optionally detected or cultured in growth media. Blood lysis reagent compositions are provided that are suitable for preserving the intactness of microbial cells upon mixing with the sample. In example embodiments in which the sample is a blood sample, the blood lysis reagent composition may be selected to avoid or reduce the presence of visible blood debris upon centrifugation or filtration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Samad TALEBPOUR, Aye Aye KHINE, Vilcy PARMAR, Sukhdev MANKU, Alaleh SAMIEI
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Patent number: 10988794Abstract: Methods are provided for performing antibiotic susceptibility testing based on the detection of RNA, such as tmRNA, from microbial cells after exposure to antibiotics. In some embodiments, aliquots are obtained from a sample, one of which contains a selected antibiotic. The aliquots, which include growth media, are incubated under conditions suitable for microbial growth, and the microbial cells in each aliquot are removed and lysed, and the lysate is subjected to reverse transcription and amplification in infer the effect of the selected antibiotic on the microbial cells. In one embodiment, a sample containing microbial cells is incubated in the presence of a selected antibiotic and a stimulus is provided to induce the production of m RNA within the microbial cells. The microbial cells are subsequently lysed without substantial degradation of the m RNA within the lysate, and the m RNA is detected to determine the effect of the antibiotic on the microbial cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Tino Alavie, Stephen Wesley Leonard
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Publication number: 20200291386Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for pretreatment of a sample containing microbial cells. In some embodiments, the pretreatment of the sample is performed via the initial selective lysis, within a sample pretreatment vessel, of non-microbial cells (such as blood cells) and the subsequent centrifugal separation of the sample to remove the resulting debris and concentrate the microbial cells. An immiscible and dense cushioning liquid may be included for collecting the microbial cells adjacent to the liquid interface formed by the cushioning liquid upon centrifugation of the pretreatment vessel. After removal of a substantial quantity of the supernatant, resuspension of the collected microbial cells, and re-establishment of the cushioning liquid interface, at least a portion of the remaining suspension may be removed without substantially removing the cushioning liquid. One or more intermediate wash cycles may be performed prior to extraction of the remaining suspension, which provides a “pretreated” sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Samad TALEBPOUR, Aye Aye KHINE, Robert MAASKANT, Tino ALAVIE
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Patent number: 10662420Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for pre-treatment of a sample containing microbial cells. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment of the sample is performed via the initial selective lysis, within a sample pre-treatment vessel, of non-microbial cells, such as blood cells, and the subsequent centrifugal separation of the sample to remove the resulting debris and concentrate the microbial cells. An immiscible and dense cushioning liquid may be included for collecting the microbial cells adjacent to the liquid interface formed by the cushioning liquid upon centrifugation of the pre-treatment vessel. After removal of a substantial quantity of the supernatant, resuspension of the collected microbial cells, and re-establishment of the cushioning liquid interface, at least a portion of the remaining suspension may be removed without substantially removing the cushioning liquid. One or more intermediate wash cycles may be performed prior to extraction of the remaining suspension, which provides a “pretreated” sample.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Robert Maaskant, Tino Alavie
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Publication number: 20200102596Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for electrically lysing cells and releasing macromolecules from the cells. A microfluidic device is provided that includes a planar channel having a thickness on a submillimeter scale, and including electrodes on its upper and lower inner surfaces. After filling the channel with a liquid, such that the channel contains cells within the liquid, a series of voltage pulses of alternating polarity are applied between the channel electrodes, where the amplitude of the voltage pulses and a pulse width of the voltage pulses are effective for causing irreversible electroporation of the cells. The channel is configured to possess thermal properties such that the application of the voltage produces a rapid temperature rise as a result of Joule heating for releasing the macromolecules from the electroplated cells. The channel may also include an internal filter for capturing and concentrating the cells prior to electrical processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Samad TALEBPOUR, Aye Aye KHINE, Robert MAASKANT, Tino ALAVIE
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Publication number: 20190270961Abstract: Methods are provided for the stabilization and separation of nucleic acids from a sample via contact of the sample with a lysis and stabilization reagent that includes a cationic detergent. The cationic detergent lyses cells in the sample and stabilizes the released nucleic acids via the formation of nucleic acid-surfactant (NAS) complexes. The NAS complexes are centrifugally precipitated, washed, the resuspended in an aqueous resuspension liquid, forming a NAS complex suspension. The suspension is thermally processed to disintegrate the NAS complexes, thereby releasing the nucleic acids and forming a nucleic acid solution. In some example embodiments, the aqueous resuspension liquid is selected to be suitable for performing molecular amplification assays, such that the nucleic acid solution may be employed for performing a molecular amplification assay in the absence of further nucleic acid extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2017Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: SAMAD TALEBPOUR, AYE AYE KHINE
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Patent number: 10378043Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for electrically lysing cells and releasing macromolecules from the cells. A microfluidic device is provided that includes a planar channel having a thickness on a submillimeter scale, and including electrodes on its upper and lower inner surfaces. After filling the channel with a liquid, such that the channel contains cells within the liquid, a series of voltage pulses of alternating polarity are applied between the channel electrodes, where the amplitude of the voltage pulses and a pulsewidth of the voltage pulses are effective for causing irreversible electroporation of the cells. The channel is configured to possess thermal properties such that the application of the voltage produces a rapid temperature rise as a result of Joule heating for releasing the macromolecules from the electroplated cells. The channel may also include an internal filter for capturing and concentrating the cells prior to electrical processing.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Robert Maaskant, Tino Alavie
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Publication number: 20190177766Abstract: Methods are provided for performing antibiotic susceptibility testing based on the detection of RNA, such as tmRNA, from microbial cells after exposure to antibiotics. In some embodiments, aliquots are obtained from a sample, one of which contains a selected antibiotic. The aliquots, which include growth media, are incubated under conditions suitable for microbial growth, and the microbial cells in each aliquot are removed and lysed, and the lysate is subjected to reverse transcription and amplification in infer the effect of the selected antibiotic on the microbial cells. In one embodiment, a sample containing microbial cells is incubated in the presence of a selected antibiotic and a stimulus is provided to induce the production of m RNA within the microbial cells. The microbial cells are subsequently lysed without substantial degradation of the m RNA within the lysate, and the m RNA is detected to determine the effect of the antibiotic on the microbial cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Tino Alavie, Stephen Wesley Leonard
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Patent number: 10233483Abstract: Methods are provided for performing antibiotic susceptibility testing based on the detection of RNA, such as tmRNA, from microbial cells after exposure to antibiotics. In some embodiments, aliquots are obtained from a sample, one of which contains a selected antibiotic. The aliquots, which include growth media, are incubated under conditions suitable for microbial growth, and the microbial cells in each aliquot are removed and lysed, and the lysate is subjected to reverse transcription and amplification in infer the effect of the selected antibiotic on the microbial cells. In one embodiment, a sample containing microbial cells is incubated in the presence of a selected antibiotic and a stimulus is provided to induce the production on m RNA within the microbial cells. The microbial cells are subsequently lysed without substantial degradation of the m RNA within the lysate, and the m RNA is detected to determine the effect of the antibiotic on the microbial cells.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: QVELLA CORPORATIONInventors: Samad Talebpour, Aye Aye Khine, Tino Alavie, Stephen Wesley Leonard
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Publication number: 20170275612Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for pre-treatment of a sample containing microbial cells. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment of the sample is performed via the initial selective lysis, within a sample pre-treatment vessel, of non-microbial cells, such as blood cells, and the subsequent centrifugal separation of the sample to remove the resulting debris and concentrate the microbial cells. An immiscible and dense cushioning liquid may be included for collecting the microbial cells adjacent to the liquid interface formed by the cushioning liquid upon centrifugation of the pre-treatment vessel. After removal of a substantial quantity of the supernatant, resuspension of the collected microbial cells, and re-establishment of the cushioning liquid interface, at least a portion of the remaining suspension may be removed without substantially removing the cushioning liquid. One or more intermediate wash cycles may be performed prior to extraction of the remaining suspension, which provides a “pretreated” sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Samad TALEBPOUR, Aye Aye KHINE, Robert MAASKANT, Tino ALAVIE
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Publication number: 20170211128Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for electrically lysing cells and releasing macromolecules from the cells. A microfluidic device is provided that includes a planar channel having a thickness on a submillimeter scale, and including electrodes on its upper and lower inner surfaces. After filling the channel with a liquid, such that the channel contains cells within the liquid, a series of voltage pulses of alternating polarity are applied between the channel electrodes, where the amplitude of the voltage pulses and a pulsewidth of the voltage pulses are effective for causing irreversible electroporation of the cells. The channel is configured to possess thermal properties such that the application of the voltage produces a rapid temperature rise as a result of Joule heating for releasing the macromolecules from the electroplated cells. The channel may also include an internal filter for capturing and concentrating the cells prior to electrical processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Samad TALEBPOUR, Aye Aye KHINE, Robert MAASKANT, Tino ALAVIE