Patents by Inventor David K. Schaffer
David K. Schaffer 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).
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Patent number: 12214348Abstract: A fluidic device includes a fluidic chip having a fluidic network comprising a plurality of fluidic channels in fluidic communication with a plurality of input ports, at least one output port, and at least one sensing port; and an actuator configured to engage with the fluidic network to control each fluidic channel to switch between an open state in which fluidic flow through said fluidic channel is permitted and a closed state in which no fluidic flow through said fluidic channel is permitted, so as to selectively collect fluid from multiple inputs via the plurality of input ports, and direct either all of the multiple inputs to the at least one output port, or all but a single selected input to the at least one output port and the single selected input to the at least one sensing port to which an analytical instrument is operably connected.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: David K. Schaffer, Ronald S. Reiserer, Michael D. Geuy, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 11939563Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 11745180Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Philip C. Samson, Dmitry A. Markov, Michael Geuy, Lisa J. McCawley, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 11746317Abstract: A fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic disk having a plurality of alignment openings; a fluidic chip comprising a body, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the body and received in the alignment openings of the fluidic disk for aligning the fluidic chip to the fluidic disk; an actuator operably engaging with the one or more channels for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flow rates; and a tube member defining a cylindrical housing for accommodating the fluidic disk, the fluidic chip and the actuator therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20230271181Abstract: A fluidic device includes a fluidic chip having a fluidic network comprising a plurality of fluidic channels in fluidic communication with a plurality of input ports, at least one output port, and at least one sensing port; and an actuator configured to engage with the fluidic network to control each fluidic channel to switch between an open state in which fluidic flow through said fluidic channel is permitted and a closed state in which no fluidic flow through said fluidic channel is permitted, so as to selectively collect fluid from multiple inputs via the plurality of input ports, and direct either all of the multiple inputs to the at least one output port, or all but a single selected input to the at least one output port and the single selected input to the at least one sensing port to which an analytical instrument is operably connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2021Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: David K. Schaffer, Ronald S. Reiserer, Michael D. Geuy, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20230132012Abstract: One aspect of this invention relates to a vertical-via rotary valve including a valve body having a housing; one or more fluidic channels, each fluidic channel having a vertical channel portion defined in the valve body and being adjacent to the housing, wherein a fluid flow through the vertical channel portion is controllable by deforming a sidewall of the vertical channel portion; and an actuator received in the housing and rotatably engaged with the one or more fluidic channels to operably control the fluid flow through the vertical channel portion of each fluid channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo, Ronald S. Reiserer, Michael D. Geuy, Eric C. Spivey, Clayton M. Britt, Jacquelyn A. Brown, Dmitry A. Markov, Shannon Faley, Lisa J. McCawley, Philip C. Samson
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Publication number: 20230121352Abstract: A fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic disk having a plurality of alignment openings; a fluidic chip comprising a body, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the body and received in the alignment openings of the fluidic disk for aligning the fluidic chip to the fluidic disk; an actuator operably engaging with the one or more channels for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flow rates; and a tube member defining a cylindrical housing for accommodating the fluidic disk, the fluidic chip and the actuator therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20230122594Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Philip C. Samson, Dmitry A. Markov, Michael Geuy, Lisa J. McCawley, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 11565256Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Philip C. Samson, Dmitry A. Markov, Michael Geuy, Lisa J. McCawley, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20230019924Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20220362769Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2020Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Philip C. Samson, Dmitry A. Markov, Michael Geuy, Lisa J. McCawley, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 11465144Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, the fluidic device includes a fluidic chip includes a body having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a fluidic chip registration means formed on the first surface for aligning the fluidic chip with a support structure; and an actuator configured to engage with the one or more channels at the second surface of the body for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flowrates.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Lisa McCawley, Michael Geuy, Clayton M. Britt, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 11447734Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 11384751Abstract: A push-pull micropump includes one or more pairs of channels configured to transfer one or more fluids, each channel pair having an aspiration channel and an injection channel; and an actuator configured to engage the one or more pairs of channels, wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of rolling members and a driving member configured such that when the driving member rotates, the plurality of rolling members rolls along the one or more pairs of channels to cause individually the one or more fluids to transfer through each channel pair simultaneously at different flowrates or the same flowrate, depending upon actuated lengths of the aspiration and injection channels of each channel pair, wherein an actuated length of a channel is defined by a length of the channel along which the plurality of rolling members rolls during a full rotation of the driving member.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: John P. Wikswo, Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Clayton M. Britt
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Publication number: 20220135925Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20220042506Abstract: A push-pull micropump includes one or more pairs of channels configured to transfer one or more fluids, each channel pair having an aspiration channel and an injection channel; and an actuator configured to engage the one or more pairs of channels, wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of rolling members and a driving member configured such that when the driving member rotates, the plurality of rolling members rolls along the one or more pairs of channels to cause individually the one or more fluids to transfer through each channel pair simultaneously at different flowrates or the same flowrate, depending upon actuated lengths of the aspiration and injection channels of each channel pair, wherein an actuated length of a channel is defined by a length of the channel along which the plurality of rolling members rolls during a full rotation of the driving member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Clayton M. Britt
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Patent number: 11135582Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge of a fluidic device. The fluidic device includes a fluidic chip, a body having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a fluidic chip registration means formed on the first surface for aligning the fluidic chip with a support structure; and an actuator configured to engage with the one or more channels at the second surface of the body for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flowrates.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2021Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Lisa McCawley, Michael Geuy, Clayton M. Britt, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20210252510Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, the fluidic device includes a fluidic chip includes a body having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a fluidic chip registration means formed on the first surface for aligning the fluidic chip with a support structure; and an actuator configured to engage with the one or more channels at the second surface of the body for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flowrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Lisa McCawley, Michael Geuy, Clayton M. Britt, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20210239109Abstract: A peristaltic micropump include a plurality of channels, each channel being flexible, having a middle channel portion, and being operably in fluidic communications with a first port and a second port, and the middle channel portions of the plurality of channels being arranged in one or more concentric circles; and an actuator comprising a bearing assembly driven by a motor, the bearing assembly comprising a plurality of rolling members and a bearing accommodating member for accommodating the plurality of rolling members, the actuator being positioned in relation to the plurality of channels such that when the bearing accommodating member rotates, the plurality of rolling members rolls along the one or more concentric circles of the middle channel portions of the plurality of channels to cause individually fluids to transfer between the first port and the second port of each of the plurality of channels simultaneously at different flowrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Clayton M. Britt
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Publication number: 20210197194Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge of a fluidic device. The fluidic device includes a fluidic chip, a body having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a fluidic chip registration means formed on the first surface for aligning the fluidic chip with a support structure; and an actuator configured to engage with the one or more channels at the second surface of the body for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flowrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Lisa McCawley, Michael Geuy, Clayton M. Britt, John P. Wikswo