Patents by Inventor Bernhard H. Weigl
Bernhard H. Weigl 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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Publication number: 20140370581Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 8697009Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Publication number: 20140010736Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 8557198Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 8318109Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Publication number: 20120064612Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Publication number: 20110117668Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for immobilizing a diagnostic target (e.g., indicative of a disease) from a solution (e.g., a biological fluid). The diagnostic target is first bound to a capture conjugate that includes a reversibly-associative polymer moieties attached to a first binding moiety that binds to the diagnostic target. Once the diagnostic target is bound to the capture conjugate, the solution is subjected to a change in heat and/or pH to cause the reversibly-associative polymer moieties to aggregate. The aggregates are then immobilized (e.g., via filtration).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: University of Washington Through its Center for CommercializationInventors: Patrick S. Stayton, Gonzalo Jose Domingo-Villegas, Allison Golden, Jriuan Lai, Michael A. Nash, Bernhard H. Weigl, Nuvala Tofig Gana Fomban, Paul Labarre
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Publication number: 20100173395Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 7648835Abstract: An integrated heat exchange system on a microfluidic card. According to one aspect of the invention, the portable microfluidic card has a heating, cooling and heat cycling system on-board such that the card can be used portably. The microfluidic card includes one or more reservoirs containing exothermic or endothermic material. Once the chemical process of the reservoir material is activated, the reservoir provides heat or cooling to specific locations of the microfluidic card. Multiple reservoirs may be included on a single card to provide varying temperatures. The assay chemicals can be moved to the various reservoirs to create a thermal cycle useful in many biological reactions, for example, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or rtPCR.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Wayne L. Breidford, Christy A. Lancaster, Jon W. Hayenga, Ronald L. Bardell, Jeffrey F. Tonn, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 7544506Abstract: An integrated heat exchange system on a microfluidic card. According to one aspect of the invention, the portable microfluidic card has a heating, cooling and heat cycling system on-board such that the card can be used portably. The microfluidic card includes one or more reservoirs containing exothermic or endothermic material. Once the chemical process of the reservoir material is activated, the reservoir provides heat or cooling to specific locations of the microfluidic card. Multiple reservoirs may be included on a single card to provide varying temperatures. The assay chemicals can be moved to the various reservoirs to create a thermal cycle useful in many biological reactions, for example, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or rtPCR.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Wayne Breidford, Christy A Lancaster, Jon Wallace Hayenga, Ronald L Bardell, Jeffrey F Tonn, Bernhard H Weigl
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Publication number: 20090081771Abstract: An integrated heat exchange system on a microfluidic card. According to one aspect of the invention, the portable microfluidic card has a heating, cooling and heat cycling system on-board such that the card can be used portably. The microfluidic card includes one or more reservoirs containing exothermic or endothermic material. Once the chemical process of the reservoir material is activated, the reservoir provides heat or cooling to specific locations of the microfluidic card. Multiple reservoirs may be included on a single card to provide varying temperatures. The assay chemicals can be moved to the various reservoirs to create a thermal cycle useful in many biological reactions, for example, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or rtPCR.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Wayne L. Breidford, Christy A. Lancaster, Jon W. Hayenga, Ronald L. Bardell, Jeffrey F. Tonn, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Publication number: 20090029867Abstract: A microfluidic device for isolating genomic DNA from human leukocytes, simultaneously capturing and measuring the DNA for simplifying genetic analysis. The device contains a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, and a DNA binding channel in contact with the fluid inlet port wherein at least a portion of at least one surface within the DNA binding channel is modified with a binding reagent such that DNA is preferentially bound to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Michael W. Reed, Bernhard H. Weigl, Ronald L. Bardell
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Publication number: 20090022624Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H. Weigl
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Patent number: 7419638Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Saltsman, Mingchao Shen, Jeffrey M Houkal, Christy A Lancaster, C. Frederick Battrell, Bernhard H Weigl
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Patent number: 7416892Abstract: A microfluidic system for isolation and amplification of DNA or RNA from aqueous solutions and detection of the DNA or RNA on a lateral flow detection strip, including a disposable microfluidic card for use in analysis of bacteria in platelets and an analysis of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in urine. The card will include an embedded membrane that filters out cells and cellular debris. Any biological debris on the membrane will be lysed and the DNA or RNA amplified via PCR amplification protocol, including appropriate reagents and thermal cycling conditions. The amplified DNA or RNA are transferred to a lateral flow detection strip for a visual diagnostic read out. An alternate embodiment includes a microfluidic card for use in typing antiglobulin assays.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Mingchao Shen, Bernhard H. Weigl, Jeffrey M. Houkal, Christy A. Lancaster, Wayne Breidford
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Patent number: 7271007Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining presence and concentration of analytes by exploiting molecular binding reactions and differential diffusion rates. Analyte particles and binding particles are allowed to diffuse toward each other, and slowing of the diffusion front is detected when they meet. From the position of the diffusion front, presence and concentration of analyte particles can be determined. One embodiment provides a competitive immunoassay in a microfluidic format. This diffusion immunoassay (DIA) relies on measuring the concentration of labeled antigen along one dimension of a microchannel after allowing it to diffuse for a short time into a region containing specific antibodies. A simple microfluidic device, the T-Sensor, was used to implement a DIA to measure the concentration of phenytoin, a small drug molecule. Concentrations of analyte over the range of 50 to 1600 nM can be measured in less than a minute.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Bernhard H Weigl, Paul Yager, Andrew Kamholz, Anson Hatch
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Patent number: 7223371Abstract: Described herein is microfluidic device for joining fluids and a related method for doing the same. The device according to the present invention includes a microfluidic junction, an outlet channel, and a plurality of circuit units. A microfluidic junction is an area for converging multiple fluids. An outlet channel is capable of receiving fluid from the microfluidic junction. An outlet channel includes a first end connected with the microfluidic junction, a second end connected with a waste reservoir, and an analysis region positioned between the first end and the second end of the outlet channel. The device also includes a plurality of circuit units.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Jon W. Hayenga, Bernhard H. Weigl, Ronald L. Bardell, Christopher J. Morris
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Patent number: 7011791Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods are provided for enhancing detection of a diffusion pattern formed by particles diffusing between at least two fluid streams in parallel laminar flow such that an interface is formed between them by increasing the dimension of the streams in the diffusion direction. This may be accomplished by flowing the streams through a transforming turn, or by flowing the streams through a channel having diverging walls. Devices and methods are also provided for enhancing diffusion between two streams comprising changing the interface between said streams from a narrow interface to a broad interface.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Bernhard H. Weigl, Ronald L. Bardell, Andrew Kamholz, Matthew Munson, Eric Schilling, Kenneth Hawkins
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Publication number: 20040229378Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for performing a microfluidic process are presented. A microfluidic device conforms with a standard well plate format. The device includes a well plate comprising a plate and an array of wells formed on or in the plate, and a microfluidic structure connecting at least two of the wells. The device can rely exclusively on gravitational and capillary forces that exist in channels within the microfluidic structure when receiving fluid streams. Also disclosed is a microfluidic device having an array of microfluidic structures, each connecting at least two wells of a well plate, and connecting three or more wells in alternative embodiments. With the present invention, a large number of microfluidic processes or reactions can be performed simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Thomas H. Schulte, Bernhard H. Weigl, Christopher J. Morris, Natasa Kesler
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Patent number: 6743399Abstract: A microfluidic device which operates without the need for an external power source. The device includes a body structure, at least one microscale channel within the structure, a port for introducing fluid into the channel, and a power source internal to the structure for propelling the fluid through the channel. Various structures are described which embody the invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: Bernhard H. Weigl, Clinton L. Williams, Jon W. Hayenga, Ronald L. Bardell, Thomas E. Schulte