Patents by Inventor Bart Lipkens

Bart Lipkens 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).

  • SYSTEM FOR GENERATING HIGH CONCENTRATION FACTORS FOR LOW CELL DENSITY SUSPENSIONS
    Publication number: 20180016570
    Abstract: Acoustophoretic devices and methods for concentrating targeted biological cells in a reduced volume using multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves are disclosed. The methods include flowing a mixture of a host fluid and the biological cells through an acoustophoretic device. The acoustophoretic devices include an inlet, an outlet, and a flow chamber having an ultrasonic transducer-reflector pair. Biological cells, such as T cells, are separated from a host fluid for utilization in allergenic or autologous cell therapies. The disclosed devices and methods are capable of concentrating biological cells to at least 100 times their original cell concentration. The disclosed methods and devices are further capable of decreasing an original feed volume to a final concentrated volume that is less than one percent of the original feed volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Goutam Ghoshal
  • ACOUSTIC PERFUSION DEVICES
    Publication number: 20180010085
    Abstract: Acoustic perfusion devices for separating biological cells from other material in a fluid mixture are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid mixture is being drawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Erik Miller, Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud, Walter M. Presz, Kedar Chitale, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Lauren Winiarski
  • Acoustically-Enhanced Separators for Aircraft Engines
    Publication number: 20180003110
    Abstract: Engine inlets are disclosed that include an intake opening for the ingress of incoming air and acoustic filtration means for generating an acoustic wave that separates or clarifies material from the incoming air. The acoustic filtration means can include at least one ultrasonic transducer with a piezoelectric material configured to be driven to create an acoustic wave, such as a multi-dimensional acoustic wave or angled acoustic wave. Physical filtration means, such as an inertial or vortical separator, can be provided. Other engine inlets are also disclosed in which the acoustic filtration means are located within the physical filtration means. Further disclosed are methods for separating material from air employing acoustic separation means and physical filtration means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Walter M. Presz, JR., Wayne A. Thresher, Brian Kennedy, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • ACOUSTOPHORESIS DEVICE WITH DUAL ACOUSTOPHORETIC CHAMBER
    Publication number: 20170369865
    Abstract: An acoustophoresis device includes an acoustic chamber with a piezoelectric element located within its volume. The piezoelectric element vibrates and generates acoustic standing waves from both sides, so that particles can be separated from fluid passing through the acoustic chamber. This permits the element to be cooled more efficiently, reducing transient heat loads in the fluid traveling through the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Brian McCarthy, Ben Ross-Johnsrud, Jason Barnes, Dane Mealey, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Acoustophoretic Enhanced System for Use in Bioreactors
    Publication number: 20170355623
    Abstract: A system for enhancing the separation of particles or fluids from water is disclosed. A tank or bioreactor is provided with an open submersible acoustophoretic separator. The separator captures and holds fluid droplets or particles such as cells, permitting them to coalesce or agglomerate until they are large enough and have sufficient buoyant or weight force to float/sink to the top/bottom of the tank or bioreactor. In a tank or bioreactor, the separator captures and holds particles until they are large enough that their weight causes them to settle out of the host fluid. The acoustophoretic device thus speeds up separation of the particles or droplets from the host fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Acoustophoretic device with uniform fluid flow
    Patent number: 9827511
    Abstract: An acoustophoresis device which includes a substantially vertical flow path of the fluid mixture in order to improve separation of particles/secondary fluid from a primary fluid is disclosed. The vertical flow path reduces velocity non-uniformities in the acoustic chamber resulting from gravity forces. The device includes an acoustic chamber in which multidimensional acoustic standing waves are generated. The fluid can be introduced into the acoustic chamber using a dump diffuser in which a plurality of inlets enter near the bottom of the acoustic chamber such that flow symmetry reduces both, gravity driven flow non-uniformities, and any flow interference effects between inlet mixture flow into the acoustic chamber and the continuous gravity driven particle cluster drop out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: FLODESIGN SONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Brian McCarthy, Jason Barnes, Dane Mealey, Ben Ross-Johnsrud, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Kedar Chitale
  • Acoustic perfusion devices
    Patent number: 9822333
    Abstract: Acoustic perfusion devices for separating biological cells from other material in a fluid medium are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid medium is being drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Erik Miller, Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Kedar Chitale, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • THERAPEUTIC CELL WASHING, CONCENTRATION, AND SEPARATION UTILIZING ACOUSTOPHORESIS
    Publication number: 20170321208
    Abstract: Multi-stage acoustophoretic devices for continuously separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid are disclosed. Methods of operating the multi-stage acoustophoretic devices are also disclosed. The systems may include multiple acoustophoretic devices fluidly connected to one another in series, each acoustophoretic device comprising a flow chamber, an ultrasonic transducer capable of creating a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave, and a reflector. The systems can further include pumps and flowmeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Walter M. Presz, JR., Brian Dutra, Rudolf Gilmanshin, Jason Dionne, Chris Leidel, Louis Masi, Goutam Ghoshal
  • PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER FOR GENERATION OF AN ACOUSTIC STANDING WAVE
    Publication number: 20170304746
    Abstract: Transducer assemblies that can be used in acoustophoretic systems are disclosed. The acoustophoretic systems including the transducer assemblies and methods of operating the acoustophoretic systems are also disclosed. The transducer assemblies include a housing, a polymeric film attached to the housing, and a piezoelectric material attached to the polymeric film. The piezoelectric material is not attached to, and does not come in direct contact with, the housing. The piezoelectric material is configured to be driven by a drive signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. The piezoelectric material can be attached to the polymer film by an adhesive coating on the polymer film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jeffrey King, Jack Saloio, Brian McCarthy
  • Multi-stage acoustophoresis device
    Patent number: 9796956
    Abstract: An acoustophoresis device made up of modular components is disclosed. Several modules are disclosed herein, including ultrasonic transducer modules, input/output modules, collection well modules, and various connector modules. These permit different systems to be constructed that have appropriate fluid dynamics for separation of particles, such as biological cells, from a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Jeffrey King, Jason Barnes, Brian McCarthy, Dane Mealey, Erik Miller, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud, John Rozembersky
  • Phononic crystal desalination system and methods of use
    Patent number: 9796607
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for desalination of salt water based on an engineered acoustic field that causes constructive and destructive interference at precomputed spatial positions. The engineered acoustic field can cause high-pressure and low-pressure regions where desalination membranes are located. The induced pressure from the acoustic field can force pure water through the membranes leaving ionic and dissolved molecular species behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Rietman, Bart Lipkens
  • ACOUSTIC BIOREACTOR PROCESSES
    Publication number: 20170298316
    Abstract: A series of multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves is set up inside a growth volume of a bioreactor. The acoustic standing waves are used to hold a cell culture in place as a nutrient fluid stream flows through the cell culture. The nutrient fluid stream dislodges some cells from the cell culture, which can then be recovered for cell therapy applications. The cell culture continues to expand and reproduce, permitting continuous recovery of cells from the bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Bart Lipkens, Stanley J. Kowalski, III, Anthony E. English
  • ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION AND CONTROL FOR ACOUSTIC STANDING WAVE GENERATION
    Publication number: 20170291122
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus for separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid. That apparatus comprises a flow chamber with at least one inlet and at least one outlet. A drive circuit configured to provide a drive signal to a filter circuit configured to receive the drive signal and provide a translated drive signal. An ultrasonic transducer is cooperatively arranged with the flow chamber, and transducer includes at least one piezoelectric element configured to be driven by the current drive signal to create an acoustic standing wave in the flow chamber. At least one reflector opposing the ultrasonic transducer to reflect acoustic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Ronald Musiak, Dane Mealey, Ali Shajii
  • Bioreactor using acoustic standing waves
    Patent number: 9783775
    Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor includes at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, III, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Jason Dionne, Brian Dutra, Ari Mercado, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Arthur Martin
  • SEPARATION OF MULTI-COMPONENT FLUID THROUGH ULTRASONIC ACOUSTOPHORESIS
    Publication number: 20170282097
    Abstract: An acoustic standing wave is utilized to separate components from a multi-component fluid, such as oil from an oil-water mixture, in a fluid flow scheme with an acoustophoresis device. For example, the flow scheme and device allows for trapping of the oil as the oil coalesces, agglomerates, and becomes more buoyant than the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Ari Mercado, Brian Dutra, Walter M. Presz, JR., Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Louis Masi
  • Acoustophoretic Device for Angled Wave Particle Deflection
    Publication number: 20170267992
    Abstract: Devices for separating materials from a host fluid are disclosed. The devices include a flow chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The ultrasonic transducer and reflector create an angled acoustic standing wave oriented at an angle relative to the direction of mean flow through the flow chamber. The angled acoustic standing wave results in an acoustic radiation force having an axial force component that deflects the materials, so that the materials and the host fluid can thus be separated. The angled acoustic standing wave can be oriented at an angle of about 20° to about 70° relative to the direction of mean flow through the flow chamber to deflect, collect, differentiate, or fractionate the materials from the fluid flowing through the device at flow rates of about 400 mL/min up to about 700 mL/min.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Walter M. Presz, JR., Kedar Chitale, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Ben Ross-Johnsrud
  • ACOUSTOPHORETIC CLARIFICATION OF PARTICLE-LADEN NON-FLOWING FLUIDS
    Publication number: 20170267991
    Abstract: Acoustophoretic devices for separating particles from a non-flowing host fluid are disclosed. The devices include a substantially acoustically transparent container and a separation unit, with the container being placed within the separation unit. An ultrasonic transducer in the separation unit creates a planar or multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave within the container, trapping particles disposed within the non-flowing fluid and causing them to coalesce or agglomerate, then separate due to buoyancy or gravity forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Walter M. Presz, JR., Kedar Chitale, Daniel Hatten, Nathaniel Bodnar, Goutam Ghoshal
  • ACOUSTIC SEPARATION OF CELLULAR SUPPORTING MATERIALS FROM CULTURED CELLS
    Publication number: 20170260493
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for acoustic separation of cellular supporting materials such as microcarriers or microbubbles from cell culture are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Rudolf Gilmanshin, Ben Ross-Johnsrud, Kedar Chitale
  • Acoustic perfusion devices
    Patent number: 9752113
    Abstract: Acoustic perfusion devices for separating biological cells from other material in a fluid mixture are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid mixture is being drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Erik Miller, Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Kedar Chitale, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Lauren Winiarski
  • Acoustic separation device
    Patent number: D797887
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Jason Barnes, Dane Mealey, Jeffrey King, Brian McCarthy, Jack Saloio, Kedar Chitale, Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud