Patents by Inventor Carlton H. Paul

Carlton H. Paul 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).

  • Patent number: 6993958
    Abstract: A microfluidic system is provided for separating components of many fluid samples in a parallel fashion through an array of capillary conduits. The system includes capillary conduits for receiving fluid samples, and for effecting separation of substituents of the sample by passing the sample through a corresponding array of capillary separation conduits containing a solid separation medium. The microfluidic circuit is made of three or more substrate layers and preferably includes etched channels in different layers that are dimensioned relative to one another to provide for retaining the solid composition within the capillary separation conduits. The system also includes an array of detector flow cells in fluid communication with the capillary separation conduits, and an array of high pressure connectors for connecting discrete capillary tubes to the fluid passages in the microfluidic circuit for introducing and removing the fluid samples from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: PerSeptive BioSystems
    Inventor: Carlton H. Paul
  • Patent number: 6662818
    Abstract: Regulator for precision control of pressure based on a means of measuring pressure differentials. More specifically, the present invention provides a pressure control that tracks a relatively high background pressure, and applies a positive or negative offset to create the small pressure differentials that can be utilized to transport fluids within a capillary network. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling microfluidic elements (such as donut cavities) with a high degree of precision. In high performance liquid chromatography applications, this is accomplished using tracking pressure regulators to measure and respond to the difference between the liquid pump pressure and the regulated pneumatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlton H. Paul, Guy B. Praria, Jeffrey H. Stokes
  • Publication number: 20030200794
    Abstract: A microfluidic system is provided for separating components of many fluid samples in a parallel fashion through an array of capillary conduits. The system includes capillary conduits for receiving fluid samples, and for effecting separation of substituents of the sample by passing the sample through a corresponding array of capillary separation conduits containing a solid separation medium. The microfluidic circuit is made of three or more substrate layers and preferably includes etched channels in different layers that are dimensioned relative to one another to provide for retaining the solid composition within the capillary separation conduits. The system also includes an array of detector flow cells in fluid communication with the capillary separation conduits, and an array of high pressure connectors for connecting discrete capillary tubes to the fluid passages in the microfluidic circuit for introducing and removing the fluid samples from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Carlton H. Paul
  • Publication number: 20030145886
    Abstract: Regulator for precision control of pressure based on a means of measuring pressure differentials. More specifically, the present invention provides a pressure control that tracks a relatively high background pressure, and applies a positive or negative offset to create the small pressure differentials that can be utilized to transport fluids within a capillary network. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling microfluidic elements (such as donut cavities) with a high degree of precision. In high performance liquid chromatography applications, this is accomplished using tracking pressure regulators to measure and respond to the difference between the liquid pump pressure and the regulated pneumatic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Carlton H. Paul, Guy B. Praria, Jeffrey H. Stokes
  • Patent number: 6581441
    Abstract: A microfluidic system is provided for separating components of many fluid samples in a parallel fashion through an array of capillary conduits. The system includes capillary conduits for receiving fluid samples, and for effecting separation of substituents of the sample by passing the sample through a corresponding array of capillary separation conduits containing a solid separation medium. The microfluidic circuit is made of three or more substrate layers and preferably includes etched channels in different layers that are dimensioned relative to one another to provide for retaining the solid composition within the capillary separation conduits. The system also includes an array of detector flow cells in fluid communication with the capillary separation conduits, and an array of high pressure connectors for connecting discrete capillary tubes to the fluid passages in the microfluidic circuit for introducing and removing the fluid samples from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlton H. Paul
  • Patent number: 6193471
    Abstract: A process and system are provided for forming and transporting precise small volumes of liquid samples by means of controlled gas pressures. As the controlled gas pressures are changed at a multiplicity of control points in the fluid circuit, transitions take place involving the transport of small liquid samples. This transport is arrested by the geometry of the fluid circuit to produce a new state, which state remains stable until another transition is initiated by a change in the multiplicity of controlled gas pressures. Various combinations of control elements are described for effecting formation of fixed liquid volumes, transporting, mixing, and removing entrained bubbles from small liquid samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlton H. Paul
  • Patent number: 5641270
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive pump is provided which makes use of a magnetostrictive element which, when an alternating magnetic field is applied to it, compresses a chamber containing a working fluid. A bellows located within the working fluid is repeatedly compressed by the compression of the chamber, and pumps a fluid to be pumped in and out of the bellows. Since the magnetostrictive element does not directly contact the bellows, the bellows life is greatly extended. Valves are provided to direct the fluid flow in a desired manner. The pump may be combined with other pumps in various series or parallel arrangements to create a pump system. The pump may be pre-biased to make its response more linear by either mechanical or magnetic biasing. A permanent magnet may be used to magnetically bias the pump and create an "at-rest" initial extension of the magnetostrictive element. Similarly, a spring may be used to mechanically load the magnetostrictive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: George E. Sgourakes, Joseph F. Actor, Richard L. Vigeant, Carlton H. Paul
  • Patent number: 5325889
    Abstract: A laminated plate structure including conduit and regent delivery means for a fluid delivery system is provided to deliver precise volumes of a plurality of fluids in sequence to a treatment reservoir. Fluid channels are formed in the plate structure to provide a means for delivering fluids from a plurality of fluid reservoirs attached to the plate structure to one or a plurality of treatment reservoirs attached to the plate structure. Each fluid is delivered by a system comprising a fluid reservoir, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with the inlet valve and an outlet valve in fluid communication with the positive displacement pump all of which are attached to the plate structure. The means for delivering fluid and the fluid reservoirs are positioned on opposing surfaces of the plate structure. The plate structure is provided with vent holes for venting vapors that may be produced during formation of the plate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Carlton H. Paul, Russell L. Keene, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5320139
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system is provided to deliver precise volumes of a plurality of fluid in sequence to one or more treatment reservoirs. Fluid channels are formed in a plate structure to provide a means for delivering fluids from a plurality of fluid reservoirs to one or a plurality of treatment reservoirs. Each fluid is delivered by a system comprising a pneumatically or electrically activated inlet valve in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir, a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with the inlet valve and a pneumatically or electrically activated outlet valve in fluid communication with the positive displacement pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Carlton H. Paul, Russell L. Keene, Jr.