Patents by Inventor Christopher Michael Puleo

Christopher Michael Puleo 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: 9625355
    Abstract: A system for extracting material from a region of interest includes a fluid delivery base comprising an inlet channel and an outlet channel formed within the fluid delivery base; a gasket affixed to the fluid delivery base, wherein the gasket comprises at least one opening exposing an open end of the inlet channel and an open end of the outlet channel; a support comprising a sample-supporting surface facing the gasket and an opposing surface; and an alignment member coupled to the opposing surface in a fixed position and such that the support is positioned between the fluid delivery base and the alignment member, wherein one or both of the alignment member or the fluid delivery base are biased towards one another by a force (e.g., a magnet or spring force) and wherein the fluid delivery base is separable from the support and configured to move along a plane of the sample-supporting surface to align with the alignment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Richard Nelson, Wei Gao, Christopher Michael Puleo, Todd Frederick Miller, Christine Lynne Pitner, David Andrew Shoudy, Alex David Corwin
  • Patent number: 9616361
    Abstract: A system is provided for separating particulates dispersed within a base fluid wherein at least one of the particulates and the base fluid is an organic liquid. The system relies on a microfluidic separation device comprising a microchannel in fluid communication across a microporous body with a collection chamber. Particulates and a portion of the base fluid traverse the microporous body under the influence of an external force field and are collected in the collection chamber. A first fluid flow having a first flow rate through the microchannel together with the microporous body operationally generate a second fluid flow within the collection chamber as base fluid and particulates traverse the microporous body and enter the collection chamber, and as base fluid re-traverses the microporous body and re-enters the microchannel, the second fluid flow having a flow rate which is a fraction of the first flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Jason Louis Davis, Jason M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9593368
    Abstract: A method is provided herein, the method includes: applying a sample comprising target nucleic acids to a sample application zone of a substrate; applying an aqueous buffer to the sample application zone of the substrate to washes away one or more inhibitors present on the sample application zone; and applying an isothermal nucleic acid amplification reaction mixture to the sample application zone to amplify the target nucleic acid to form a nucleic acid amplification product. The target nucleic acid having a first molecular weight is substantially immobilized at the sample application zone and wherein the amplification product having a second molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Richard Nelson, Robert Scott Duthie, Christopher Michael Puleo, Patrick McCoy Spooner
  • Patent number: 9399986
    Abstract: A device, a system, and a method for isolating biomolecules from biological materials are provided. The device comprises a quartz-based solid phase extraction matrix comprising one or more reagents impregnated therein; and an electroosmotic pump (EOP) operationally coupled to the quartz-based solid phase extraction matrix to elute the nucleic acids, wherein the EOP comprises a plurality of electroosmotic membranes comprising one or more positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more negative electroosmotic membranes disposed alternatively and a plurality of electrodes comprising one or more cathodes and one or more anodes, wherein at least one cathode is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one anode is disposed on another side of that membrane and at least one cathode or anode is disposed between a positive electroosmotic membrane and a negative electroosmotic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Richard Nelson, Li Zhu, Xiaohui Chen, Christopher Michael Puleo, Patrick McCoy Spooner
  • Publication number: 20160161437
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the manufacture and use of redox electrodes. In certain embodiments, the redox electrodes are manufactured using a hybrid material approach, such as using a redox polymer in combination with a support substrate, such as cellulose fibers or paper. In certain implementations, the redox electrodes are suitable for use at voltages greater than 25 V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Andrea Jeannine Peters, Thomas Elliot Stecher, Craig Patrick Galligan, Christopher Michael Puleo, Ralf Lenigk
  • Publication number: 20160153868
    Abstract: A system for extracting material from a region of interest includes a fluid delivery base comprising an inlet channel and an outlet channel formed within the fluid delivery base; a gasket affixed to the fluid delivery base, wherein the gasket comprises at least one opening exposing an open end of the inlet channel and an open end of the outlet channel; a support comprising a sample-supporting surface facing the gasket and an opposing surface; and an alignment member coupled to the opposing surface in a fixed position and such that the support is positioned between the fluid delivery base and the alignment member, wherein one or both of the alignment member or the fluid delivery base are biased towards one another by a force (e.g., a magnet or spring force) and wherein the fluid delivery base is separable from the support and configured to move along a plane of the sample-supporting surface to align with the alignment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: John Richard Nelson, Wei Gao, Christopher Michael Puleo, Todd Frederick Miller, Christine Lynne Pitner, David Andrew Shoudy, Alex David Corwin
  • Patent number: 9333463
    Abstract: A device and a system for eluting biomolecules from biological sample by electroelution are provided. The device for electroelution of biomolecules from a biological sample is constituted with a housing configured to receive an electrolyte and the biological sample, at least two electrodes comprising conductive redox polymers operationally coupled to the housing, and a biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes. The biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes to prevent the biomolecules from reaching the electrode. A system is provided, wherein the system comprises a sample collection port, one or more reservoirs comprising a buffer, a solvent, a reagent or combinations thereof, an device for electroelution, and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, John Richard Nelson, Patrick McCoy Spooner, Ralf Lenigk, Nichole Lea Wood, Li Zhu, Craig Patrick Galligan
  • Publication number: 20160123926
    Abstract: A method of isolating nucleic acids from a biological material, comprises applying the biological material on a substrate comprising one or more cell lysis reagents impregnated therein; applying a fluid to the biological material applied on the substrate; extracting the nucleic acids from the biological material applied on the substrate; and collecting the extracted nucleic acids in a substantially intact form, wherein the collected nucleic acid has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 20 kb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: John Richard Nelson, Christopher Michael Puleo, Erin Jean Finehout, Patrick McCoy Spooner, Kashan Ali Shaikh, Xiaohui Chen, Li Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160002715
    Abstract: A method is provided herein, the method includes: applying a sample comprising target nucleic acids to a sample application zone of a substrate; applying an aqueous buffer to the sample application zone of the substrate to washes away one or more inhibitors present on the sample application zone; and applying an isothermal nucleic acid amplification reaction mixture to the sample application zone to amplify the target nucleic acid to form a nucleic acid amplification product. The target nucleic acid having a first molecular weight is substantially immobilized at the sample application zone and wherein the amplification product having a second molecular weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: John Richard Nelson, Robert Scott Duthie, Christopher Michael Puleo, Patrick McCoy Spooner
  • Patent number: 9199201
    Abstract: A pump comprises a plurality of electroosmotic membranes comprising one or more positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more negative electroosmotic membranes; and a plurality of electrodes comprising one or more cathodes and one or more anodes. The electrodes are pre-charged, chargeable, rechargeable or combinations thereof and the cathode and anode are operatively coupled to each other. The positive electroosmotic membranes and negative electroosmotic membranes are disposed alternatively and at least one cathode is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one anode is disposed on another side of that membrane, and wherein at least one cathode or anode is disposed between a positive electroosmotic membrane and a negative electroosmotic membrane. The pump is an electroosmotic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Ralf Lenigk
  • Patent number: 9188113
    Abstract: A method of actuating a valve, comprises operatively coupling the valve with an electroosmotic pump; flowing a fluid through the electroosmotic pump; and generating a fluidic pressure of at least 0.75 PSI to actuate the valve, wherein the electroosmotic pump comprises one or more thin, porous, positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more thin porous, negative electroosmotic membranes; a plurality of electrodes comprising cathodes and anodes, and a power source; wherein each of the positive and negative electroosmotic membranes are disposed alternatively and wherein at least one of the cathodes is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one of the anodes is disposed on the other side of the membrane and wherein at least one of the cathodes or anodes is disposed between a positive and a negative electroosmotic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Christopher Fred Keimel, Craig Patrick Galligan
  • Publication number: 20150259671
    Abstract: A device, a system, a cartridge and a method for isolating biomolecules from biological materials are provided. The device comprises a substrate; a reagent storage location; and a self-rupturing component comprising a fluid and a pressure source embedded therein, wherein the substrate, the reagent storage location and the self-rupturing component are operationally coupled to each other. A system is provided, wherein the system comprises an extraction matrix, an enclosed matrix housing comprising a biological sample inlet, one or more biomolecule extraction reagents to extract biomolecules and at least one pressure source embedded therein, a fluidic extraction circuit; and a controller for activating the embedded pressure source. A method of isolating nucleic acids from biological materials is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Ralf Lenigk, John Richard Nelson, Xiaohui Chen, Li Zhu, Erin Jean Finehout, Patrick McCoy Spooner
  • Publication number: 20150233802
    Abstract: A method of drying a biological sample disposed on a substrate is provided. The method comprises providing the substrate comprising a sample loading area and a heat source; activating the heat source for generating heat; heating the substrate at least above 65° C.; and drying the biological sample. A device for storing sample is also provided, wherein the device comprises a substrate for biological sample-storage; and a heating component that generates heat to maintain a temperature of at least above 65° C. The heating component may contain one or more reagents, wherein the reagents generate heat to maintain a temperature of at least above 65° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, John Richard Nelson, Patrick McCoy Spooner, Ralf Lenigk
  • Patent number: 9103331
    Abstract: An electroosmotic pump comprises a plurality of membranes comprising one or more positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more negative electroosmotic membranes, a plurality of electrodes comprising cathodes and anodes, and a power source. Each of the positive electroosmotic membranes and negative electroosmotic membranes are disposed alternatively and wherein at least one of the cathodes is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one of the anodes is disposed on other side of the membrane. At least one of the cathodes or anodes is disposed between a positive electroosmotic membrane and negative electroosmotic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Christopher Fred Keimel, Xiaohui Chen, Ralf Lenigk, Craig Patrick Galligan, Todd Frederick Miller
  • Patent number: 9063041
    Abstract: A method of drying a biological sample disposed on a substrate is provided. The method comprises providing the substrate comprising a sample loading area and a heat source; activating the heat source for generating heat; heating the substrate at least above 65° C.; and drying the biological sample. A device for storing sample is also provided, wherein the device comprises a substrate for biological sample-storage; and a heating component that generates heat to maintain a temperature of at least above 65° C. The heating component may contain one or more reagents, wherein the reagents generate heat to maintain a temperature of at least above 65° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, John Richard Nelson, Patrick McCoy Spooner, Ralf Lenigk
  • Publication number: 20150166956
    Abstract: A device is configured for separation of particulates dispersed within a base fluid, wherein the particulates have a relative density difference compared to the base fluid. The device comprises a microchannel of length l and height h comprising an inlet and an outlet; a microporous surface on one or more walls of the microchannel; a collection chamber on an opposing side of the microporous surface; and an applied force field across the height h of the microchannel to sediment the particles through the microporous surface into the collection chamber. The microporous body operationally generates a fluid flow regime comprising a first fluid flow having a first flow rate through the microchannel and a second fluid flow having a second flow rate through the collection chamber and the second flow rate is a fraction of the first flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Erik Leeming Kvam, Gregory Andrew Grossmann, Craig Patrick Galligan, Jason Michael Nichols, Xuefeng Wang, Jason Louis Davis
  • Publication number: 20150165347
    Abstract: A microclarification system is disclosed which can be used to separate solid particulates dispersed within a base fluid such as water. The microclarification system includes a plurality of microfluidic separator units disposed between and in fluid communication with a fluid inlet manifold and a fluid outlet manifold. The microclarification system enforces lamellar flow of fluid though it and as a result the rate at which particles settle is enhanced within a collection chamber associated with each microfluidic separator unit and through which the fluid being purified must pass. Each microfluidic separator unit includes a microfluidic outlet microchannel disposed between the microfluidic collection chamber and the fluid outlet manifold, and a gas-liquid flushing module configured to purge particulates from the collection chamber during a collection chamber purge cycle. Optionally, each microfluidic separator unit may include a microfluidic inlet microchannel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Jason Michael Nichols, Christopher Michael Puleo, Jason Louis Davis, Daniel George Norton, Craig Patrick Galligan, Rachel Marie Gettings
  • Publication number: 20150165346
    Abstract: A system is provided for separating particulates dispersed within a base fluid wherein at least one of the particulates and the base fluid is an organic liquid. The system relies on a microfluidic separation device comprising a microchannel in fluid communication across a microporous body with a collection chamber. Particulates and a portion of the base fluid traverse the microporous body under the influence of an external force field and are collected in the collection chamber. A first fluid flow having a first flow rate through the microchannel together with the microporous body operationally generate a second fluid flow within the collection chamber as base fluid and particulates traverse the microporous body and enter the collection chamber, and as base fluid re-traverses the microporous body and re-enters the microchannel, the second fluid flow having a flow rate which is a fraction of the first flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Jason Louis Davis, Jason M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20150050654
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to characterization of biological samples by amplification detection in a porous substrate. By way of example, a porous substrate may include amplification reagents configured to provide a signal when released during amplification. When a sample is applied, amplification occurs as a wavefront from the application point, and the time that the wavefront reaches a distance on the porous substrate is related to an initial concentration of the sample applied. By detecting the distance traveled by the amplification products at one or more time points, an initial concentration of the sample may be estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Erin Jean Finehout, Christopher Michael Puleo, Ralf Lenigk, Jason M. Nichols, John Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150031035
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the collection and amplification of circulating nucleic acids from a non-cellular fraction of a biological sample. Circulating nucleic acids are extracted from the non-cellular fraction and are circularized to generate single-stranded nucleic acid circles, which are then subsequently amplified by rolling circular amplification using random primers to produce an amplified library. Devices for the collection of a non-cellular fraction from a biological sample are also provided. The device includes a filtration membrane and a dry solid matrix, which is in direct contact with the filtration membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Erik Leeming Kvam, John Richard Nelson, Gregory Andrew Grossmann, Ryan Charles Heller, Erin Jean Finehout, Christopher Michael Puleo, William Patrick Waters