Patents by Inventor Bruce L. Carvalho

Bruce L. Carvalho 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: 20040259237
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention provides a microsystem platform and a micromanipulation device for manipulating the platform that utilizes the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels. The invention specifically provides devices and methods for performing miniaturized in vitro amplification assays such as the polymerase chain reaction. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing PCR are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kellogg, Charles Able, Todd Arnold, Bruce L. Carvalho, Hsin-Chiang Lin, Stephen Kieffer-Higgins, Norman F. Sheppard, Mikayla Kob, Shari Ommert
  • Publication number: 20040241049
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to flexible elastomeric tools for producing thermoplastic devices, particularly fluidics and microfluidics devices, and improved methods for fabricating such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Patent number: 6818435
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic analyses and procedures, particularly miniaturized cell based assays. These methods are useful for performing a variety of cell-based assays, including drug candidate screening, life sciences research, and clinical and molecular diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Bruce L. Carvalho, Norman F. Sheppard, Jr., Christina Feakes, Gregory J. Kellogg
  • Publication number: 20040191125
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho, Gene A. Davis, John P. Willis, Ted Minior, Laura L. Chapman, Mikayla Kob, Sarah D. Oeltjen, Shari Ommert, Alec Mian
  • Publication number: 20040142494
    Abstract: This invention provides methods an apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection means for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Norman F. Sheppard, Alec Mian, Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Patent number: 6719682
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho, Gene A. Davis, John P. Willis, Ted Minior, Laura L. Chapman, Mikayla Kob, Sarah D. Oeltjen, Shari Ommert, Alec Mian
  • Patent number: 6706519
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention provides a microsystem platform and a micromanipulation device for manipulating the platform that utilizes the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels. The invention specifically provides devices and methods for performing miniaturized in vitro amplification assays such as the polymerase chain reaction. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing PCR are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kellogg, Charles Able, Todd Arnold, Bruce L. Carvalho, Hsin-Chiang Lin, Stephen Kieffer-Higgins, Norman F. Sheppard, Mikayla Kob, Shari Ommert
  • Patent number: 6656430
    Abstract: This invention provides methods an apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection means for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Norman F. Sheppard, Jr., Alec Mian, Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20030195106
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho, Gene A. Davis, John P. Willis, Ted Minior, Laura L. Chapman, Mikayla Kob
  • Publication number: 20030152491
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention particularly provides microsystem platforms for achieving efficient mixing of one or a plurality of fluids on the surface of the platform when fluid flow is motivated by centripetal force produce by rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Tecan Trading AG.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kellogg, Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Patent number: 6548788
    Abstract: This system provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the system provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the system are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho, Gene A. Davis, John P. Willis, Ted Minior, Laura L. Chapman, Mikayla Kob, Sarah D. Oeltjen, Shari Ommert, Alec Mian
  • Patent number: 6527432
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention particularly provides microsystem platforms for achieving efficient mixing of one or a plurality of fluids on the surface of the platform when fluid flow is motivated by centripetal force produce by rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kellogg, Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20020106786
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic analyses and procedures, particularly miniaturized cell based assays. These methods are useful for performing a variety of cell-based assays, including drug candidate screening, life sciences research, and clinical and molecular diagnostics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce L. Carvalho, Norman F. Sheppard, Christina Feakes, Gregory J. Kellogg
  • Publication number: 20020097632
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention particularly provides microsystem platforms for achieving efficient mixing of one or a plurality of fluids on the surface of the platform when fluid flow is motivated by centripetal force produce by rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kellogg, Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20020076804
    Abstract: This invention provides methods an apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection means for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Norman F. Sheppard, Alec Mian, Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20020050456
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention particularly provides microsystem platforms comprising microfluidics components wherein the interior surfaces of the components comprise a conformal coating of parylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Norman F. Sheppard, Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20020027133
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho, Gene A. Davis, John P. Willis, Ted Minior, Laura L. Chapman, Mikayla Kob, Sarah D. Oeltjen, Shari Ommert, Alec Mian
  • Patent number: 6319468
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection device for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Norman F. Sheppard, Jr., Alec Mian, Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho
  • Patent number: 6302134
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Tecan Boston
    Inventors: Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho, Gene A. Davis, John P. Willis, Ted Minior, Laura L. Chapman, Mikayla Kob, Sarah D. Oeltjen, Shari Ommert, Alec Mian
  • Publication number: 20010001060
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho, Gene A. Davis, John P. Willis, Ted Minior, Laura L. Chapman, Mikayla Kob, Sarah D. Oeltjen, Shari Ommert, Alec Mian