Patents by Inventor Colin Brenan

Colin Brenan 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: 20070043341
    Abstract: A platform Smart Scalpel system using rapid real-time feedback for effecting laser treatment. The platform system includes an imaging system for rapid real-time detection of tissue characteristics, a processing system for processing the detected characteristics, and a treatment system for effecting treatment in accordance with results of the processing. The platform system provides for preprogramming and real-time inputting conditions and parameters for diagnosis using the imaging system and/or treatment using the treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: R. Anderson, Ian Hunter, Colin Brenan, Keng Lim, Elizabeth Sebern
  • Publication number: 20060105453
    Abstract: A differentially coated device for conducting a plurality of nano-volume specified reactions, the device comprising a platen having at least one exterior surface modified to a specified physicochemical property, a plurality of nano-volume channels, each nano-volume channel having at least one interior surface in communication with the at least one exterior surface that is selectively coated with an optionally dissolvable coating agent physisorbed to at least one interior surface, wherein the optionally dissolvable coating agent comprises a coating agent and a first component for the plurality of specified reactions. Methods for preparing and using such devices are also provided, as well as a method of registering a location of a dispenser array in relation to a microfluidic array. A first one of the dispenser array and the microfluidic array is movable in relation to the frame, and the other of the first one of the dispenser array and the microfluidic array is fixed relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Colin Brenan, Jamie Cho, Javier Garcia, Robert Hess, Tanya Kanigan, Arrin Katz, Namyong Kim, John Linton, Shailesh Srivastava, Karl Yoder
  • Publication number: 20060094108
    Abstract: A system for thermal cycling a plurality of samples. The system includes a case having a fluid-tight cavity defining an interior volume. A microfluidic array is disposed in the interior volume, the array including a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces. A thermal cycler having at least one thermally controlled surface is adapted to thermally contact the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Karl Yoder, Colin Brenan, John Linton, Leila Hasan, Robert Ellis, Arrin Katz, Tom Morrison, Jorge Fonseca
  • Publication number: 20050079105
    Abstract: A method and an array filling system for loading a plurality of disparate sample containers, the sample containers comprising an integral structure. Each receptacle is characterized by a hydrophilic surface, and the receptacles are separated by a hydrophobic surface. The system has a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid and adapted for motion to cause sequential communication of liquid held in the liquid transfer device with successive receptacles of the array by dragging the liquid across the hydrophobic surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian Hunter, Colin Brenan, Tanya Kanigan
  • Publication number: 20040208792
    Abstract: A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis. The system includes a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom. A frame is disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume. The frame and the covers are associated with one another to form a case, the case being substantially tight to liquids. A microfluidic array is disposed in the interior volume. The array includes a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of sample and reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: John Linton, Karl Yoder, Robert Hess, Leila Hasan, Robert Ellis, Tanya S. Kanigan, Kristine Friesen, Arrin Katz, Colin Brenan, Tom Morrison, Javier Garcia
  • Patent number: 6716629
    Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: BioTrove, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
  • Publication number: 20030180807
    Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Biotrove, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
  • Publication number: 20030124716
    Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Biotrove, Inc., a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
  • Publication number: 20030119193
    Abstract: A system and method for high throughput screening of fluid samples. A reduced pressure is applied, via an injection valve, to a sample aspiration tube. A first fluid and a second fluid are alternatively aspirated, via the sample aspiration tube, the first fluid for filling a sample loop with samples, the second fluid for flushing the sample aspiration tube. Excess fluid aspirated from the first fluid source and all fluid aspirated from the second fluid source is captured in an inline trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Hess, Colin Brenan, John Linton, Can Ozbal, Donald Green, Ian Hunter
  • Publication number: 20020094533
    Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Robert A. Hess, John Linton, Tanya S. Kanigan, Colin Brenan, Can Ozbal
  • Publication number: 20020001544
    Abstract: A method for high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets. The droplets are dispensed onto a moving surface and delayed in a delay line in which the droplets hang from the moving surface for at least a specified minimum period of time. A laminate may be spooled onto the moving surface and each droplet may be dispensed onto the laminate. At least one operation is performed on each droplet from the group of operations consisting of mixing, diluting, concentration, heating, cooling, humidifying, filtering, and analyzing. The laminate may then, in certain embodiments, be spooled off the moving surface, processed, and reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Hess, Colin Brenan, John Linton, Can C. Ozbal, Donald Green, Ian Hunter
  • Patent number: 5995936
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically assembling voice information and image information into reports or data bases is disclosed. The system uses a microphone connected to a computer for converting spoken words into text and then parses the text to distinguish commands for execution from text information for the report. Commands for image acquisition cause digital images to be inserted within the report or within a database file. Images are associated with text information or with specific locations within the text information. In dependence upon the commands and the associations, a report is automatically generated from pre-recorded information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventors: Louis Brais, Colin Brenan, Peter Madden