Patents by Inventor Brian M. Cummins

Brian M. Cummins 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).

  • Publication number: 20210220822
    Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Brian M. Cummins, Frances Smith Ligler, Glenn Walker
  • Patent number: 10946378
    Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Brian M. Cummins, Frances Smith Ligler, Glenn Walker
  • Publication number: 20170065973
    Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Brian M. Cummins, Frances Smith Ligler, Glenn Walker
  • Publication number: 20140350370
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a ligand that competes with glucose for binding the protein Concanavalin A (ConA) and competitive binding assays incorporating the ligand. The competing ligand binds to the primary and part or all of the extended binding sites of Concanavalin A. These and other aspects of the disclosure are useful for glucose monitoring (e.g., continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Brian M. Cummins, Gerard L. Coté