Patents by Inventor Dana Gruenbacher

Dana Gruenbacher 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: 11305534
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides supports for microfluidic die that allow for nozzles of the microfluidic die to be on a different plane or face a different direction from electrical contacts on the same support. This includes a rigid support having electrical contacts on a different side of the rigid support with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles, and a semi-flexible support or semi-rigid support that allow the electrical contacts to be moved with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles. The semi-flexible and semi-rigid supports allow the die to be up to and beyond a 90 degree angle with respect to a plane of the electrical contacts. The different supports allow for a variety of positions of the microfluidic die with respect to a position of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, David S. Hunt, Joseph Edward Scheffelin, Dana Gruenbacher, Stefan H. Hollinger, Uwe Schober, Peter Janouch
  • Publication number: 20200361207
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides supports for microfluidic die that allow for nozzles of the microfluidic die to be on a different plane or face a different direction from electrical contacts on the same support. This includes a rigid support having electrical contacts on a different side of the rigid support with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles, and a semi-flexible support or semi-rigid support that allow the electrical contacts to be moved with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles. The semi-flexible and semi-rigid supports allow the die to be up to and beyond a 90 degree angle with respect to a plane of the electrical contacts. The different supports allow for a variety of positions of the microfluidic die with respect to a position of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Simon DODD, David S. HUNT, Joseph Edward SCHEFFELIN, Dana GRUENBACHER, Stefan H. HOLLINGER, Uwe SCHOBER, Peter JANOUCH
  • Patent number: 10759168
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides supports for microfluidic die that allow for nozzles of the microfluidic die to be on a different plane or face a different direction from electrical contacts on the same support. This includes a rigid support having electrical contacts on a different side of the rigid support with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles, and a semi-flexible support or semi-rigid support that allow the electrical contacts to be moved with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles. The semi-flexible and semi-rigid supports allow the die to be up to and beyond a 90 degree angle with respect to a plane of the electrical contacts. The different supports allow for a variety of positions of the microfluidic die with respect to a position of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l., STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, David S. Hunt, Joseph Edward Scheffelin, Dana Gruenbacher, Stefan H. Hollinger, Uwe Schober, Peter Janouch
  • Patent number: 10759169
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides supports for microfluidic die that allow for nozzles of the microfluidic die to be on a different plane or face a different direction from electrical contacts on the same support. This includes a rigid support having electrical contacts on a different side of the rigid support with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles, and a semi-flexible support or semi-rigid support that allow the electrical contacts to be moved with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles. The semi-flexible and semi-rigid supports allow the die to be up to and beyond a 90 degree angle with respect to a plane of the electrical contacts. The different supports allow for a variety of positions of the microfluidic die with respect to a position of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l., STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, David S. Hunt, Joseph Edward Scheffelin, Dana Gruenbacher, Stefan H. Hollinger, Uwe Schober, Peter Janouch
  • Patent number: 10646892
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dave Hunt, Matt Giere, Dana Gruenbacher, Faiz Sherman
  • Patent number: 10543504
    Abstract: A microfluidic die is disclosed that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dave Hunt, Matt Giere, Dana Gruenbacher, Faiz Sherman
  • Publication number: 20190217612
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides supports for microfluidic die that allow for nozzles of the microfluidic die to be on a different plane or face a different direction from electrical contacts on the same support. This includes a rigid support having electrical contacts on a different side of the rigid support with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles, and a semi-flexible support or semi-rigid support that allow the electrical contacts to be moved with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles. The semi-flexible and semi-rigid supports allow the die to be up to and beyond a 90 degree angle with respect to a plane of the electrical contacts. The different supports allow for a variety of positions of the microfluidic die with respect to a position of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Simon DODD, David S. HUNT, Joseph Edward SCHEFFELIN, Dana GRUENBACHER, Stefan H. HOLLINGER, Uwe SCHOBER, Peter JANOUCH
  • Publication number: 20190217611
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides supports for microfluidic die that allow for nozzles of the microfluidic die to be on a different plane or face a different direction from electrical contacts on the same support. This includes a rigid support having electrical contacts on a different side of the rigid support with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles, and a semi-flexible support or semi-rigid support that allow the electrical contacts to be moved with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles. The semi-flexible and semi-rigid supports allow the die to be up to and beyond a 90 degree angle with respect to a plane of the electrical contacts. The different supports allow for a variety of positions of the microfluidic die with respect to a position of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Simon DODD, David S. HUNT, Joseph Edward SCHEFFELIN, Dana GRUENBACHER, Stefan H. HOLLINGER, Uwe SCHOBER, Peter JANOUCH
  • Patent number: 10272684
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides supports for microfluidic die that allow for nozzles of the microfluidic die to be on a different plane or face a different direction from electrical contacts on the same support. This includes a rigid support having electrical contacts on a different side of the rigid support with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles, and a semi-flexible support or semi-rigid support that allow the electrical contacts to be moved with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles. The semi-flexible and semi-rigid supports allow the die to be up to and beyond a 90 degree angle with respect to a plane of the electrical contacts. The different supports allow for a variety of positions of the microfluidic die with respect to a position of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V., STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, David S. Hunt, Joseph Edward Scheffelin, Dana Gruenbacher, Stefan H. Hollinger, Uwe Schober, Peter Janouch
  • Patent number: 9919334
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics S.R.L., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dave Hunt, Matt Giere, Dana Gruenbacher, Faiz Sherman
  • Publication number: 20180056319
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Simon DODD, Joe SCHEFFELIN, Dave HUNT, Matt GIERE, Dana GRUENBACHER, Faiz SHERMAN
  • Patent number: 9833806
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dave Hunt, Matt Giere, Dana Gruenbacher, Faiz Sherman
  • Publication number: 20170297332
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Simon DODD, Joe SCHEFFELIN, Dave HUNT, Matt GIERE, Dana GRUENBACHER, Faiz SHERMAN
  • Publication number: 20170190174
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides supports for microfluidic die that allow for nozzles of the microfluidic die to be on a different plane or face a different direction from electrical contacts on the same support. This includes a rigid support having electrical contacts on a different side of the rigid support with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles, and a semi-flexible support or semi-rigid support that allow the electrical contacts to be moved with respect to a direction of ejection of the nozzles. The semi-flexible and semi-rigid supports allow the die to be up to and beyond a 90 degree angle with respect to a plane of the electrical contacts. The different supports allow for a variety of positions of the microfluidic die with respect to a position of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Simon DODD, David S. HUNT, Joseph Edward SCHEFFELIN, Dana GRUENBACHER
  • Patent number: 9561657
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microfluidic refill cartridges and methods of assembling same. The microfluidic refill cartridges include a microfluidic delivery member that includes a filter for filtering fluid passed therethrough. The filter may be configured to block particles above a threshold size to prevent blockage in the nozzles. For instance, particles having a dimension that is larger than the diameter of the nozzles can block or reduce fluid flow through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dana Gruenbacher, Roberto Brioschi, Teck Khim Neo, Dave Hunt, Faiz Sherman
  • Publication number: 20160236471
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microfluidic refill cartridges and methods of assembling same. The microfluidic refill cartridges include a microfluidic delivery member that includes a filter for filtering fluid passed therethrough. The filter may be configured to block particles above a threshold size to prevent blockage in the nozzles. For instance, particles having a dimension that is larger than the diameter of the nozzles can block or reduce fluid flow through the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dana Gruenbacher, Roberto Brioschi, Teck Khim Neo, Dave Hunt, Faiz Sherman
  • Patent number: 9358567
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dave Hunt, Matt Giere, Dana Gruenbacher, Faiz Sherman
  • Patent number: 9357635
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microfluidic refill cartridges and methods of assembling same. The microfluidic refill cartridges include a microfluidic delivery member that includes a filter for filtering fluid passed therethrough. The filter may be configured to block particles above a threshold size to prevent blockage in the nozzles. For instances, particles having a dimension that is larger than the diameter of the nozzles can block or reduce fluid flow through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dana Gruenbacher, Roberto Brioschi, Teck Khim Neo, Dave Hunt, Faiz Sherman
  • Publication number: 20160107443
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dave Hunt, Matt Giere, Dana GRUENBACHER, Faiz SHERMAN
  • Publication number: 20160107446
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microfluidic refill cartridges and methods of assembling same. The microfluidic refill cartridges include a microfluidic delivery member that includes a filter for filtering fluid passed therethrough. The filter may be configured to block particles above a threshold size to prevent blockage in the nozzles. For instances, particles having a dimension that is larger than the diameter of the nozzles can block or reduce fluid flow through the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dana Gruenbacher, Roberto Brioschi, Teck Khim Neo, Dave Hunt, Faiz Sherman