Patents by Inventor Brian Root

Brian 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).

  • Publication number: 20230072999
    Abstract: A collection device for a biological sample to capture target compounds such as viruses or other pathogens or particles for testing from within the sample and move the captured target compound to a separate chamber for subsequent processing. The collection device can include an openable substance blister including capture particles located in a cup interior. Capture particles can attract and bind the target compounds from the sample. An extraction tube extracts any nucleic acid from the target compound for storage or subsequent amplification and testing to confirm presence of known microorganisms. The extraction tube can comprise a heat-deformable material and can be connected to a microfluidic cartridge for further processing of nucleic acid including, amplification and detection. The microfluidic cartridge includes valves and a plurality of chambers for amplification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Orion Scott, Christopher Birch, Daniel Mills, Brian Root, James Landers, Jingyi Li, Matthew Yeung, David Saul, David Vigil, Andrew Guy, Stan Wada, Betina De Gorordo, Steward Dodman, Tom Moran, Stuart Knowles, Fernando Dias, Rick Gardner
  • Patent number: 11465145
    Abstract: A collection device for a biological sample to capture target compounds such as viruses or other pathogens or particles for testing from within the sample and move the captured target compound to a separate chamber for subsequent processing. The collection device can include an openable substance blister including capture particles located in a cup interior. Capture particles can attract and bind the target compounds from the sample. An extraction tube extracts any nucleic acid from the target compound for storage or subsequent amplification and testing to confirm presence of known microorganisms. The extraction tube can comprise a heat-deformable material and can be connected to a microfluidic cartridge for further processing of nucleic acid including, amplification and detection. The microfluidic cartridge includes valves and a plurality of chambers for amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventors: Orion Scott, Christopher Birch, Daniel Mills, Brian Root, James Landers, Jingyi Li, Matthew Yeung, David Saul, David Vigil, Andrew Guy, Stan Wada, Betina De Gorordo, Steward Dodman, Tom Moran, Stuart Knowles, Fernando Dias, Rick Gardner
  • Publication number: 20220097042
    Abstract: A method to extract, amplify and separate nucleic acid in a microfluidic device having a plurality of chambers and channels can include a) introducing cells having nucleic acid to a first chamber of the microfluidic device and subjecting the cells in the first chamber to conditions that lyse the cells. The method can further include b) subjecting the first chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing the lysate or a portion thereof having nucleic acid to be distributed to a second chamber through a first channel in the microfluidic device. The method can also include c) combining the lysate or the portion thereof and reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid, thereby providing a second mixture. The method can also include d) subjecting the second chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing gas to be expelled from the second mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: James P. Landers, Jacquelyn A. DuVall, Delphine Le Roux, Brian Root, Daniel Mills, Daniel A. Nelson, An-chi Tsuei, Brandon L. Thompson, Jingyi Li, Christopher Birch
  • Publication number: 20220088601
    Abstract: A collection device for a biological sample to capture target compounds such as viruses or other pathogens or particles for testing from within the sample and move the captured target compound to a separate chamber for subsequent processing. The collection device can include an openable substance blister including capture particles located in a cup interior. Capture particles can attract and bind the target compounds from the sample. An extraction tube extracts any nucleic acid from the target compound for storage or subsequent amplification and testing to confirm presence of known microorganisms. The extraction tube can comprise a heat-deformable material and can be connected to a microfluidic cartridge for further processing of nucleic acid including, amplification and detection. The microfluidic cartridge includes valves and a plurality of chambers for amplification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: ORION SCOTT, CHRISTOPHER BIRCH, DANIEL MILLS, BRIAN ROOT, JAMES LANDERS, JINGYI LI, MATTHEW YEUNG, DAVID SAUL, DAVID VIGIL, ANDREW GUY ., STAN WADA, BETINA DE GORORDO, STEWARD DODMAN, TOM MORAN, STUART KNOWLES, FERNANDO DIAS, RICK GARDNER
  • Patent number: 11135583
    Abstract: A method to extract, amplify and separate nucleic acid in a microfluidic device having a plurality of chambers and channels can include a) introducing cells having nucleic acid to a first chamber of the microfluidic device and subjecting the cells in the first chamber to conditions that lyse the cells. The method can further include b) subjecting the first chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing the lysate or a portion thereof having nucleic acid to be distributed to a second chamber through a first channel in the microfluidic device. The method can also include c) combining the lysate or the portion thereof and reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid, thereby providing a second mixture. The method can also include d) subjecting the second chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing gas to be expelled from the second mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: James P. Landers, Jacquelyn A. DuVall, Delphine Le Roux, Brian Root, Daniel Mills, Daniel A. Nelson, An-Chi Tsuei, Brandon L. Thompson, Jingyi Li, Christopher Birch
  • Publication number: 20180304253
    Abstract: A method to extract, amplify and separate nucleic acid in a microfluidic device having a plurality of chambers and channels can include a) introducing cells having nucleic acid to a first chamber of the microfluidic device and subjecting the cells in the first chamber to conditions that lyse the cells. The method can further include b) subjecting the first chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing the lysate or a portion thereof having nucleic acid to be distributed to a second chamber through a first channel in the microfluidic device. The method can also include c) combining the lysate or the portion thereof and reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid, thereby providing a second mixture. The method can also include d) subjecting the second chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing gas to be expelled from the second mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: James P. Landers, Jacquelyn A. DuVall, Delphine Le Roux, Brian Root, Daniel MIlls, Daniel A. Nelson, An-chi Tsuei, Brandon L. Thompson, Jingyi Li, Christopher Birch
  • Patent number: 9988676
    Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge can include at least one nucleic acid analysis portion. Each nucleic acid analysis portion can include a fluidic network being configured for micro-liter volumes or less, a sample input at the beginning of the fluidic network, a plurality of vent ports and fluidic channels in the fluidic network configured to effectuate hydrodynamic movement within the fluidic network, an extraction mixture reservoir in the fluidic network, a mixing chamber in the fluidic network, an amplification chamber in the fluidic network, and a separation channel in the fluidic network. A nucleic acid analyzer can be capable of performing nucleic acid analysis using the microfluidic cartridge. A nucleic acid analysis method can be performed using the microfluidic cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: LEIDOS INNOVATIONS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael E. Egan, Brian Root, Orion N. Scott, Douglas J. South, Joan M. Bienvenue, Paul Kinnon, James Landers, David Saul, An-Chi Tsuei, Jason Hayes, Matthew Springer, Matthew Solomon, Peter Van Ruijven
  • Patent number: 9630182
    Abstract: A microfluidic chip includes one or more reaction chambers to hold fluids for chemical or biochemical reactions, such as PCR. A non-contact heat source heats the reaction chamber and the fluid, such that the heat source does not contact the reaction chamber or the fluid. The heat source can heat the reaction chamber and the fluid separately, where the reaction chamber and the fluid separately absorb heat radiation from the heat source. A temperature sensor acquires a temperature of the reaction chamber and/or the fluid. Control circuitry controls the heat source according to a cycling profile for the reaction in the fluid to cycle the heat source between heating and not heating the reaction chamber and the fluid based on the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor. Cooling can be provided passively or actively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Edward Egan, Peter Karl Trost, James Landers, Brian Root, Orion Scott
  • Patent number: 9322054
    Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge can include at least one nucleic acid analysis portion. Each nucleic acid analysis portion can include a fluidic network being configured for micro-liter volumes or less, a sample input at the beginning of the fluidic network, a plurality of vent ports and fluidic channels in the fluidic network configured to effectuate hydrodynamic movement within the fluidic network, an extraction mixture reservoir in the fluidic network, a mixing chamber in the fluidic network, an amplification chamber in the fluidic network, and a separation channel in the fluidic network. A nucleic acid analyzer can be capable of performing nucleic acid analysis using the microfluidic cartridge. A nucleic acid analysis method can be performed using the microfluidic cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: Lockheed Martin Corporation, MICROLAB DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Egan, Brian Root, Orion N. Scott, Douglas J. South, Joan Bienvenue, Paul Kinnon, James Landers, David Saul, An-Chi Tsuei, Jason Hayes, Matthew Springer, Matthew Solomon, Peter van Ruijven
  • Publication number: 20150284775
    Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge can include at least one nucleic acid analysis portion. Each nucleic acid analysis portion can include a fluidic network being configured for micro-liter volumes or less, a sample input at the beginning of the fluidic network, a plurality of vent ports and fluidic channels in the fluidic network configured to effectuate hydrodynamic movement within the fluidic network, an extraction mixture reservoir in the fluidic network, a mixing chamber in the fluidic network, an amplification chamber in the fluidic network, and a separation channel in the fluidic network. A nucleic acid analyzer can be capable of performing nucleic acid analysis using the microfluidic cartridge. A nucleic acid analysis method can be performed using the microfluidic cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicants: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION, MICROLAB DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael E. EGAN, Brian Root, Orion N. Scott, Douglas J. South, Joan M. Bienvenue, Paul Kinnon, James Landers, David Saul, An-Chi Tsuei, Jason Hayes, Matthew Springer, Matthew Solomon, Peter Van Ruijven
  • Publication number: 20150151302
    Abstract: A microfluidic chip includes one or more reaction chambers to hold fluids for chemical or biochemical reactions, such as PCR. A non-contact heat source heats the reaction chamber and the fluid, such that the heat source does not contact the reaction chamber or the fluid. The heat source can heat the reaction chamber and the fluid separately, where the reaction chamber and the fluid separately absorb heat radiation from the heat source. A temperature sensor acquires a temperature of the reaction chamber and/or the fluid. Control circuitry controls the heat source according to a cycling profile for the reaction in the fluid to cycle the heat source between heating and not heating the reaction chamber and the fluid based on the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor. Cooling can be provided passively or actively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicants: ZyGEM CORPORATION LTD., LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Edward EGAN, Peter Karl Trost, James Landers, Brian Root, Orion Scott