Patents by Inventor Charles Vann

Charles Vann 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: 20150140611
    Abstract: The present teachings comprise a device and method for lysing and/or purifying biological sample. The device can comprise a cartridge having a chamber containing a biological sample receiving region, a plurality of electrodes, and one or more sieving matrices. The electrodes can be configured to lyse the biological sample through the production of a pulsed electrical field. The electrodes can also be configured to heat lyse the biological sample. The electrodes can also be configured to electrophoretically move the biological sample through one or more sieving matrices. A portion of the sample can be isolated on a membrane. The portion of the sample isolated on the membrane can be amplified and detected. A portion of the sample can be isolated in a collection area present in the cartridge. The portion of the sample isolated in the collection area can be removed from the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Michael Greenstein, Yuh-Min Chiang
  • Publication number: 20140179565
    Abstract: A system is provided that can include: a plurality of retainment regions, where each retainment region is adapted to retain a respective type of an oligonucleotide supported on a respective support; a mixture retainment region; a handling device; a control unit adapted to control the handling device; and a separating unit adapted to simultaneously separate different supported oligonucleotides from their respective supports. A method is provided that can include: pooling together a plurality of supported oligonucleotides to form a mixture; and simultaneously separating the oligonucleotides of the supported oligonucleotides in the mixture from their supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Vann
  • Patent number: 8536099
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method is provided that comprises washing an array of DNA-coated beads on a substrate, with a wash solution to remove stacked beads from the substrate. The wash solution can include inert solid beads in a carrier. The DNA-coated beads can have an average diameter and the solid beads in the wash solution can have an average diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the DNA-coated beads. The washing can form dislodged DNA-coated beads and a monolayer of DNA-coated beads. In some embodiments, first beads for forming an array are contacted with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solution comprising a PEG having a molecular weight of about 350 Da or less. In some embodiments, slides for forming bead arrays are provided as are systems for imaging the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Oldham, George Fry, Christina Inman, John Bridgham, Timothy Hunkapillar, Charles Vann
  • Patent number: 8163150
    Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy Geiser, James Nurse, Nigel Beard
  • Publication number: 20110136677
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method is provided that comprises washing an array of DNA-coated beads on a substrate, with a wash solution to remove stacked beads from the substrate. The wash solution can include inert solid beads in a carrier. The DNA-coated beads can have an average diameter and the solid beads in the wash solution can have an average diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the DNA-coated beads. The washing can form dislodged DNA-coated beads and a monolayer of DNA-coated beads. In some embodiments, first beads for forming an array are contacted with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solution comprising a PEG having a molecular weight of about 350 Da or less. In some embodiments, slides for forming bead arrays are provided as are systems for imaging the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark OLDHAM, George Fry, Christina Inman, John Bridgham, Timothy Hunkapillar, Charles Vann
  • Publication number: 20070258862
    Abstract: A variable volume dispenser contains a set of one or more fill tubes, each having a rod or other volume-limiting member slidably mounted therein. Suction pressure can aspirate supported oligonucleotide beads or other powder, granulate, or particulate material into the fill tubes for dispensing selected volumes into wells or other containers. The rods or other members can be constructed to comprise a filter having a pore size smaller than the particulate material to be manipulated so that the material cannot be lodged inside the fill tube. In various embodiments, the volume of powder or other material to be aspirated can be selectively set by moving the rods to different locations within the fill tubes using electromagnets. In various embodiments, individual rods can be independently activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Vann
  • Publication number: 20070148050
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a small volume of a selected liquid, such as a biological sample or reagent, onto a substrate. The device includes a tube adapted to contain the liquid. An elongated fiber is disposed within the tube for axial movement therein between raised and lowered positions. Upon shifting or oscillating the fiber between its raised and lowered positions, a liquid spot can be formed at a selected position on the substrate. The device is readily adaptable for the production of micro-arrays having a great number of individual spots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: APPLERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Zbigniew Bryning
  • Publication number: 20070141605
    Abstract: The present teachings comprise a device and method for lysing and/or purifying biological sample. The device can comprise a cartridge having a chamber containing a biological sample receiving region, a plurality of electrodes, and one or more sieving matrices. The electrodes can be configured to lyse the biological sample through the production of a pulsed electrical field. The electrodes can also be configured to heat lyse the biological sample. The electrodes can also be configured to electrophoretically move the biological sample through one or more sieving matrices. A portion of the sample can be isolated on a membrane. The portion of the sample isolated on the membrane can be amplified and detected. A portion of the sample can be isolated in a collection area present in the cartridge. The portion of the sample isolated in the collection area can be removed from the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Michael Greenstein, Yuh-Min Chiang
  • Publication number: 20070045115
    Abstract: An injection system including a first electrical circuit for concentration of an analyte and a second electrical circuit for injection of the concentrated analyte into an electrophoretic device is described, as well as methods of using the injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Timothy Liu
  • Publication number: 20070031977
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a target portion of a sample. In some embodiments, the sample can be substantially purified and/or amplified in a test chamber. In some embodiments, the sample can be provided in an amount so that amplification is not necessary. The apparatus generally comprises a test chamber having an input region for receiving a sample and an analysis region. A sample chamber can be defined by at least a portion of the test chamber. A separation mechanism can separate a target portion of the sample from the sample and an analysis chamber can aid in analyzing at least the target portion of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Vann
  • Publication number: 20070014695
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Min Yue, David Liu, Yuh-Min Chiang, Joon Mo Yang, Dennis Lehto, Charles Vann, Nigel Beard, Ian Harding, John Van Camp, Alexander Dromaretsky, Sergey Ermakov, Mark Oldham, Joy Roy, Maryam Shariati, Umberto Ulmanella
  • Publication number: 20060263811
    Abstract: Materials for sequestering reagents in hot-start PCR, kits containing such materials, and methods for the use of such materials in amplifying nucleic acids are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: GeunSook Jeon, Charles Vann, Achim Karger, Aldrich Lau, Shaheer Khan
  • Publication number: 20060228734
    Abstract: A fluid processing device, method and system are provided. The fluid processing device can comprise: a substrate; a plurality of reaction regions disposed in or on the substrate; at least one channel interconnecting the plurality of reaction regions, the at least one channel having a cross-sectional area that includes a maximum dimension; and a plurality of reagent-releasing beads. Each reagent-releasing bead can be positioned in a respective one of the reaction regions. Each bead can comprise one or more reaction components for an assay. Each of the reagent-releasing beads can have a minimum dimension that is greater than the maximum dimension of the channel cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Umberto Ulmanella
  • Publication number: 20060210434
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and process providing variable access to, as well as quick and accurate dispensing of, numerous selected reagents from a mass storage arrangement. According to one embodiment, an array of reagent dispensers is supported over a movable platform assembly. The platform assembly aligns a designated receiving receptacle under a selected dispenser of the array so that a respective reagent can be dispensed therein. Advantageously, the apparatus and process can be carried out under the control of a programmed computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Vann, David Cox
  • Publication number: 20060166347
    Abstract: A method and device for preparing biological samples includes lysing the microorganisms, and collecting a desired biological material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Konrad Faulstich, John Van Camp, Charles Vann
  • Publication number: 20060102477
    Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy Geiser, James Nurse, Nigel Beard
  • Publication number: 20060063159
    Abstract: A system is provided that can include: a plurality of retainment regions, where each retainment region is adapted to retain a respective type of an oligonucleotide supported on a respective support; a mixture retainment region; a handling device; a control unit adapted to control the handling device; and a separating unit adapted to simultaneously separate different supported oligonucleotides from their respective supports. A method is provided that can include: pooling together a plurality of supported oligonucleotides to form a mixture; and simultaneously separating the oligonucleotides of the supported oligonucleotides in the mixture from their supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Vann
  • Publication number: 20060012130
    Abstract: A bead dispensing system is provided for delivering small amounts of substances onto substrates. The system can include, for example, a movable support structure having an array of spaced-apart projections depending from its lower side. An attraction source, such as a vacuum, magnetic, and/or electrostatic force, is operable at each projection end region to attract and retain one bead. The projection array can be aligned with an array of bead-receiving regions of a substrate, e.g., an array of spaced-apart wells of a micro-plate or card. In one embodiment, a plurality of reagent-carrying beads are picked up, retained at respective projection end regions, and moved to a location over a multi-well plate. The beads are then released in a fashion permitting each bead to land in a respective well. The system of the invention is particularly useful for fabricating arrays of reagents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Dennis Lehto
  • Publication number: 20050208543
    Abstract: Beads coded with phosphor particles and methods of making and using them are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Charles Connell, Aldrich Lau, Meng Taing, Steven Menchen
  • Publication number: 20050208539
    Abstract: Devices, assemblies, systems and methods described herein enable detection of as few as a single copy of a target nucleic acid molecule. Polynucleotides copied from a single or a small number of target nucleotide(s) within regions near to an initial copying site may be detected by optical or other methods as disclosed herein. Devices, assemblies and systems may comprise probes and/or primer molecules. Systems comprising optical assemblies, thermal assemblies and reaction assemblies (having reaction chambers for amplification of target nucleic acid molecules) are provided in which used reaction assemblies may be replaced to provide reusable devices. Systems comprising analytical assemblies and detection assemblies are provided in which an assay cartridge having assay chambers may engage a thermal assembly for amplification of target nucleic acid molecules. These devices, systems and methods offer the advantages of detection of as few as a single copy of a target nucleic acid molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Vann, Kai Lao, Mark Reed, Seth Stern, Dennis Lehto