Patents by Inventor Da-Ren Chen

Da-Ren Chen 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: 9642694
    Abstract: Devices to deliver one or more active ingredients for medical treatment may include a body of material presenting a surface including a polymer adapted to be rendered conductive such that one or more layers of electrospray particles are formable thereon or a body of conductive material presenting a surface upon which one or more layers of electrospray particles are formable thereon. A coating formed of electrospray particles may be deposited to adhere on the surface of the body of material (e.g., the coating may include one or more layers of coating material, at least one layer of the one or more layers of coating material may include an open matrix coating, the open matrix coating may include one or more active ingredients, the open matrix coating may include one or more polymers and one or more active ingredients, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, NANOCOPOEIA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Hoerr, Da-Ren Chen, John V. Carlson, David Y. H. Pui
  • Publication number: 20150352592
    Abstract: Devices to deliver one or more active ingredients for medical treatment may include a body of material presenting a surface including a polymer adapted to be rendered conductive such that one or more layers of electrospray particles are formable thereon or a body of conductive material presenting a surface upon which one or more layers of electrospray particles are formable thereon. A coating formed of electrospray particles may be deposited to adhere on the surface of the body of material (e.g., the coating may include one or more layers of coating material, at least one layer of the one or more layers of coating material may include an open matrix coating, the open matrix coating may include one or more active ingredients, the open matrix coating may include one or more polymers and one or more active ingredients, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT A. HOERR, DA-REN CHEN, JOHN V. CARLSON, DAVID Y.H. PUI
  • Patent number: 9050611
    Abstract: Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an internozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: David Y. H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 8704155
    Abstract: Detection of individual objects using a light source and a whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator. Light from the whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator is analyzed. The presence of an object is determined based on mode splitting associated with the light received by the photodetector. For example, the presence of the object may be determined based on the distance between two whispering gallery modes and/or the linewidths of the two modes in a transmission spectrum. Alternatively, the presence of the object may be determined based on a beat frequency that is determined based on a heterodyne beat signal produced by combining split laser modes in the received light from a WGM microcavity laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Lina He, Jiangang Zhu, Sahin Kaya Ozdemir, Lan Yang, Da-Ren Chen
  • Publication number: 20130323403
    Abstract: Electrospray methods and systems for coating of objects (e.g., medical devices such as a stent structure) with selected types of coatings (e.g., open matrix coating and closed film coating).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicants: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, NANOCOPOEIA, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT A. HOERR, DA-REN CHEN, JOHN V. CARLSON, DAVID Y.H. PUI
  • Patent number: 8044350
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particle size distribution includes a charging device and a precipitator. The charging device includes a corona that generates charged ions in response to a first applied voltage, and a charger body that generates a low energy electrical field in response to a second applied voltage in order to channel the charged ions out of the charging device. The corona tip and the charger body are arranged relative to each other to direct a flow of particles through the low energy electrical field in a direction parallel to a direction in which the charged ions are channeled out of the charging device. The precipitator receives the plurality of particles from the charging device, and includes a disk having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, wherein a predetermined voltage is applied to the top surface and the bottom surface to precipitate the plurality of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Da-Ren Chen, Chaolong Qi
  • Patent number: 8028646
    Abstract: Methods and systems for coating at least a portion of a medical device (e.g., a stent structure) include providing a plurality of coating particles (e.g., monodisperse coating particles) in a defined volume. For example, the particles may be provided using one or more nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure includes at least one opening terminating at a dispensing end. The plurality of coating particles may be provided in the defined volume by dispensing a plurality of microdroplets having an electrical charge associated therewith from the dispensing ends of the one or more nozzle structures through use of a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends and the medical device. Electrical charge is concentrated on the particle as the microdroplet evaporates. With a plurality of coating particles provided in the defined volume, such particles can be moved towards at least one surface of the medical device to form a coating thereon (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David Y. H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Publication number: 20110229627
    Abstract: Electrospray methods and systems for coating of objects (e.g., medical devices such as a stent structure) with selected types of coatings (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicants: NANOCOPOEIA, INC., Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: ROBERT A. HOERR, JOHN V. CARLSON, DA-REN CHEN, DAVID Y.H. PUI
  • Publication number: 20110174902
    Abstract: Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an interozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David Y.H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 7972661
    Abstract: An electrospraying apparatus and/or method is used to coat particles. For example, a flow including at least one liquid suspension may be provided through at least one opening at a spray dispenser end. The flow includes at least particles and a coating material. A spray of microdroplets suspending at least the particles is established forward of the spray dispenser end by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the spray dispenser end and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom. The particles are coated with at least a portion of the coating material as the microdroplet evaporates. For example, the suspension may include biological material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David Y. H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Publication number: 20110139970
    Abstract: Detection of individual objects using a light source and a whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator. Light from the whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator is analyzed. The presence of an object is determined based on mode splitting associated with the light received by the photodetector. For example, the presence of the object may be determined based on the distance between two whispering gallery modes and/or the linewidths of the two modes in a transmission spectrum. Alternatively, the presence of the object may be determined based on a beat frequency that is determined based on a heterodyne beat signal produced by combining split laser modes in the received light from a WGM microcavity laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
    Inventors: Lina He, Jiangang Zhu, Sahin Kaya Ozdemir, Lan Yang, Da-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 7951428
    Abstract: Electrospray methods and systems for coating of objects (e.g., medical devices such as a stent structure) with an open matrix coating. The open matrix coating is formed by electrospray using one or more nozzle structures each having at least an inner and outer opening. A first flow of a liquid spray composition is provided to the inner opening and a second flow of a liquid diluent composition is provided to the outer opening (e.g., the liquid diluent composition including at least one solvent, such as a composition having a dielectric constant equal to or greater than 10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Robert A. Hoerr, John V. Carlson, Da-Ren Chen, David Y. H. Pui
  • Publication number: 20100001184
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particle size distribution includes a charging device and a precipitator. The charging device includes a corona that generates charged ions in response to a first applied voltage, and a charger body that generates a low energy electrical field in response to a second applied voltage in order to channel the charged ions out of the charging device. The corona tip and the charger body are arranged relative to each other to direct a flow of particles through the low energy electrical field in a direction parallel to a direction in which the charged ions are channeled out of the charging device. The precipitator receives the plurality of particles from the charging device, and includes a disk having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, wherein a predetermined voltage is applied to the top surface and the bottom surface to precipitate the plurality of particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Washington University in St. Louis
    Inventors: Da-Ren Chen, Chaolong Qi
  • Publication number: 20090266924
    Abstract: Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an internozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David Y.H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 7498063
    Abstract: Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an internozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David Y. H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Publication number: 20080141936
    Abstract: An electrospraying apparatus and/or method is used to coat particles. For example, a flow including at least one liquid suspension may be provided through at least one opening at a spray dispenser end. The flow includes at least particles and a coating material. A spray of microdroplets suspending at least the particles is established forward of the spray dispenser end by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the spray dispenser end and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom. The particles are coated with at least a portion of the coating material as the microdroplet evaporates. For example, the suspension may include biological material particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David Y.H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 7279322
    Abstract: An electrospraying apparatus and/or method is used to coat particles. For example, a flow including at least one liquid suspension may be provided through at least one opening at a spray dispenser end. The flow includes at least particles and a coating material. A spray of microdroplets suspending at least the particles is established forward of the spray dispenser end by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the spray dispenser end and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom. The particles are coated with at least a portion of the coating material as the microdroplet evaporates. For example, the suspension may include biological material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David Y. H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Publication number: 20070199824
    Abstract: Electrospray methods and systems for coating of objects (e.g., medical devices such as a stent structure) with selected types of coatings (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Hoerr, John Carlson, Da-Ren Chen, David Pui
  • Patent number: 7247338
    Abstract: Methods and systems for coating at least a portion of a medical device (e.g., a stent structure) include providing a plurality of coating particles (e.g., monodisperse coating particles) in a defined volume. For example, the particles may be provided using one or more nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure includes at least one opening terminating at a dispensing end. The plurality of coating particles may be provided in the defined volume by dispensing a plurality of microdroplets having an electrical charge associated therewith from the dispensing ends of the one or more nozzle structures through use of a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends and the medical device. Electrical charge is concentrated on the particle as the microdroplet evaporates. With a plurality of coating particles provided in the defined volume, such particles can be moved towards at least one surface of the medical device to form a coating thereon (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: David Y. H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 7213476
    Abstract: A multi-stage differential mobility analyzer (MDMA) for aerosol measurements includes a first electrode or grid including at least one inlet or injection slit for receiving an aerosol including charged particles for analysis. A second electrode or grid is spaced apart from the first electrode. The second electrode has at least one sampling outlet disposed at a plurality different distances along its length. A volume between the first and the second electrode or grid between the inlet or injection slit and a distal one of the plurality of sampling outlets forms a classifying region, the first and second electrodes for charging to suitable potentials to create an electric field within the classifying region. At least one inlet or injection slit in the second electrode receives a sheath gas flow into an upstream end of the classifying region, wherein each sampling outlet functions as an independent DMA stage and classifies different size ranges of charged particles based on electric mobility simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Meng-Dawn Cheng, Da-Ren Chen