Patents by Inventor Benjamin A. Apker

Benjamin A. Apker 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: 11925931
    Abstract: Humidified sample preparation station for serial crystallography according to one embodiment is a humidified enclosure that delivers relative humidities above 95% and preferably above 97% in standard operation, and that can allow microscope observation of samples within. Humidified sample preparation station for serial crystallography can be used for preparation of protein crystal samples for examination using X-rays and for protein structure determination by X-ray crystallography, involving addition of liquid to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample using vacuum or suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MiTeGen, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jayne, David Closs, Benjamin A. Apker, Robert E. Thorne
  • Publication number: 20230255194
    Abstract: A system for cryocooling biological samples includes a first chamber that holds a first amount a cryogenic liquid. A container holder, which is positioned in thermal contact with the first chamber, holds a removable container positioned therein. The container holds a second amount of the cryogenic liquid and forms a second chamber. An elongated tube holder holds a hollow elongated tube into the container. A sample wand holds and transfers a sample holder with a biological sample into the elongated tube while the elongated tube is in the container with the second amount of the cryogenic liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: MiTeGen, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E Thorne, David Closs, Richard Jayne, Benjamin Apker
  • Patent number: 11653644
    Abstract: A system for cryocooling biological samples, including a first chamber configured to hold a first amount a cryogenic liquid; a container holder positioned in thermal contact with the first chamber and configured to hold at least one removable container positioned therein, wherein the container is configured to hold a second amount of the cryogenic liquid and forms a second chamber; an elongated tube holder configured to hold at least one hollow elongated tube into the container; and a sample wand configured to hold and transfer at least one sample holder with a biological sample into the elongated tube while the elongated tube is in the container with the second amount of the cryogenic liquid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MITeGen, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Thorne, David Closs, Richard Jayne, Benjamin Apker
  • Patent number: 11605524
    Abstract: A system for storing and shipping samples for cryo-electron microscopy. The system comprising a cassette puck and support platform that accepts commercial cryo-EM sample cassettes and is compatible to a substantial extent with tools used in cryocrystallography. The system can also work with existing Cryo-EM storage and transport puck and cane systems. The cassette puck comprising a receptacle for holding one or more cassettes and a plurality of holes and grooves. The holes and grooves being configured for use with other tools such as tongs, support platforms, and canes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: MiTeGen, LLC
    Inventors: David Closs, Jessica Benitez, Benjamin Apker, Mazdak Radjainia
  • Publication number: 20220412635
    Abstract: A cryogenic cooling manifold and methods incorporating a cryogenic cooling manifold for managing the gas layer(s) above a liquid cryogen to control cooling temperature-time profiles and ice formation for microliter and smaller samples that are plunged through the gas and into the liquid cryogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: MiTeGen, LLC
    Inventors: David Closs, Stephen Hollabaugh, Robert E. Thorne, Robert Newman, Benjamin A. Apker
  • Patent number: 11473826
    Abstract: A cryogenic cooling manifold and methods incorporating a cryogenic cooling manifold for managing the gas layer(s) above a liquid cryogen to control cooling temperature-time profiles and ice formation for microliter and smaller samples that are plunged through the gas and into the liquid cryogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: MiTeGen, LLC
    Inventors: David Closs, Stephen Hollabaugh, Robert E. Thorne, Robert Newman, Benjamin A. Apker
  • Publication number: 20220291098
    Abstract: Sample support design and sample cooling devices for single-particle cryo-electron microscopy that simplify sample preparation and handling, dramatically reduce errors and improve outcome reproducibility, and dramatically reduce overall costs. The system consisting of grid based sample support system, grid handling tools, grid blotting tools, a plunge cooling system, and jet cooling systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: MiTeGen, LLC
    Inventors: David Closs, Benjamin Apker, Robert E. Thorne
  • Publication number: 20220146441
    Abstract: A fixed target sample holder for serial synchrotron crystallography comprising a goniometer compatible base, a carrier, a sample holding insert which can be placed into the carrier. The sample holding insert comprising fiducials and windows, wherein each of the windows are respectively configured to accept a sample. The windows can also have holes and texture within each window. Additionally, a sample loading workstation for loading crystals into the sample holder and the removal of excess liquid from the sample, comprising a humidity-controlled chamber, a sample support within the chamber, a capture to place the goniometer-compatible base, and a channel in communication with the chamber that allows for the flow of humidified air into the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: MITEGEN, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Thorne, David Closs, Benjamin Apker
  • Publication number: 20220040685
    Abstract: Humidified sample preparation station for serial crystallography according to one embodiment is a humidified enclosure that delivers relative humidities above 95% and preferably above 97% in standard operation, and that can allow microscope observation of samples within. Humidified sample preparation station for serial crystallography can be used for preparation of protein crystal samples for examination using X-rays and for protein structure determination by X-ray crystallography, involving addition of liquid to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample using vacuum or suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Mitegen, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jayne, David Closs, Benjamin A. Apker, Robert E. Thorne
  • Publication number: 20210195889
    Abstract: A system for cryocooling biological samples, including a first chamber configured to hold a first amount a cryogenic liquid; a container holder positioned in thermal contact with the first chamber and configured to hold at least one removable container positioned therein, wherein the container is configured to hold a second amount of the cryogenic liquid and forms a second chamber; an elongated tube holder configured to hold at least one hollow elongated tube into the container; and a sample wand configured to hold and transfer at least one sample holder with a biological sample into the elongated tube while the elongated tube is in the container with the second amount of the cryogenic liquid therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Mitegen, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Thorne, David Closs, Richard Jayne, Benjamin Apker
  • Publication number: 20210098226
    Abstract: A system for storing and shipping samples for cryo-electron microscopy. The system comprising a cassette puck and support platform that accepts commercial cryo-EM sample cassettes and is compatible to a substantial extent with tools used in cryocrystallography. The system can also work with existing Cryo-EM storage and transport puck and cane systems. The cassette puck comprising a receptacle for holding one or more cassettes and a plurality of holes and grooves. The holes and grooves being configured for use with other tools such as tongs, support platforms, and canes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Mitegen, LLC
    Inventors: David Closs, Jessica Benitez, Benjamin Apker, Mazdak Radjainia
  • Patent number: 9855557
    Abstract: Devices and methods for manual and high-throughput protein crystal growth and growth of other biological and organic crystals. A microplate includes a plurality of cells and a frame that defines the cells in the microplate. In each cell there is at least one well open at top. Each well in a cell may be enclosed at bottom, or it may be open at bottom, in which case the well bottom may be sealed by a separate part, which may be, e.g., a separate film or plate (e.g., of plastic, glass or metal) or a molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MITEGEN, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Thorne, Benjamin Apker, Robert Newman
  • Publication number: 20170030626
    Abstract: A cryogenic cooling manifold and methods incorporating a cryogenic cooling manifold for managing the gas layer(s) above a liquid cryogen to control cooling temperature-time profiles and ice formation for microliter and smaller samples that are plunged through the gas and into the liquid cryogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Mitegen, LLC
    Inventors: David Closs, Stephen Hollabaugh, Robert E. Thorne, Robert Newman, Benjamin A. Apker, Tian Xia, David Moreau
  • Publication number: 20150093306
    Abstract: Devices and methods for manual and high-throughput protein crystal growth and growth of other biological and organic crystals. A microplate includes a plurality of cells and a frame that defines the cells in the microplate. In each cell there is at least one well open at top. Each well in a cell may be enclosed at bottom, or it may be open at bottom, in which case the well bottom may be sealed by a separate part, which may be, e.g., a separate film or plate (e.g., of plastic, glass or metal) or a molded part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: MITEGEN, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Thorne, Benjamin Apker, Robert Newman
  • Patent number: 8571177
    Abstract: A goniometer base for X-ray crystallography comprises a magnetic steel part with a cylindrical hole, a compliant cylindrical part that is inserted into this hole, and a cylindrical tube that is press-fit into the hole and holds the compliant part in place, such that when a crystal mounting tool is inserted through the concentric holes in each part, it is positively gripped and held in place at both T=300 K and T=100 K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert E. Thorne, Benjamin Apker, Eric Hunt
  • Publication number: 20110211674
    Abstract: A goniometer base for X-ray crystallography comprises a magnetic steel part with a cylindrical hole, a compliant cylindrical part that is inserted into this hole, and a cylindrical tube that is press-fit into the hole and holds the compliant part in place, such that when a crystal mounting tool is inserted through the concentric holes in each part, it is positively gripped and held in place at both T=300 K and T=100 K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert E. Thorne, Benjamin Apker, Eric Hunt