Patents by Inventor Brian E. Root
Brian E. Root 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: 10563253Abstract: A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Inventors: Michael Edward Egan, Orion N. Scott, James Landers, Douglas J. South, Brian E. Root
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Publication number: 20200002745Abstract: A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicants: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION, ZYGEM CORPORATION LTD.Inventors: Michael Edward EGAN, Orion N. SCOTT, James LANDERS, Douglas J. SOUTH, Brian E. ROOT
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Patent number: 9067207Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provides a DNA analyzer to facilitate an integrated single-chip DNA analysis. The DNA analyzer includes an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer. The microfluidic chip includes a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, and a second domain fluidically coupled to the first domain to receive the DNA fragments and perform electrophoretic separation of the DNA fragments. The DNA fragments are tagged with fluorescent labels. The DNA analyzer includes a detection module to excite the fluorescent labels to emit fluorescence and detect the emitted fluorescence. The detection module includes a laser source, a set of optical elements, a filter module and a photo-detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUNDATION, ZYGEM CORPORATION LTD., Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: H. Randall Bell, John W Pettit, James P Landers, Joan M Bienvenue, Daniel J Marchiarullo, Brian E Root, Orion N Scott
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Patent number: 8961764Abstract: A DNA analyzer includes an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer. The microfluidic chip includes a first separation channel for electrophoretic separation of DNA fragments in a first sample. Further, the DNA analyzer includes a first optical device. The first optical device includes an illuminating path and a detecting path. The illuminating path directs a first input light beam received from a light source to a first separation channel of the microfluidic chip. The first input light beam causes fluorescent labels attached on DNA fragments in the first separation channel to emit a first fluorescence light. The detecting path collects and directs the first fluorescent light to a first plurality of optical fibers. Further, the DNA analyzer includes a spectrometer configured to receive the first fluorescent light from the plurality of optical fibers and detect fluorescent components in the first fluorescent light.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignees: Lockheed Martin Corporation, ZyGEM Corporation, Ltd.Inventors: Peter Karl Trost, Michael E. Egan, Doug South, Brian E. Root, Orion N. Scott, James P. Landers
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Publication number: 20140295441Abstract: A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicants: ZYGEM CORPORATION LTD., LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Edward EGAN, Orion N. Scott, James Landers, Douglas J. South, Brian E. Root
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Publication number: 20110229897Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provides a DNA analyzer to facilitate an integrated single-chip DNA analysis. The DNA analyzer includes an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer. The microfluidic chip includes a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, and a second domain fluidically coupled to the first domain to receive the DNA fragments and perform electrophoretic separation of the DNA fragments. The DNA fragments are tagged with fluorescent labels. The DNA analyzer includes a detection module to excite the fluorescent labels to emit fluorescence and detect the emitted fluorescence. The detection module includes a laser source, a set of optical elements, a filter module and a photo-detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: H.Randall Bell, John W. Pettit, James P. Landers, Joan M. Bienvenue, Daniel J. Marchiarullo, Brian E. Root, Orion N. Scott